Kodacolor VR Plus - what is this?

[efix]

The German discount store "Aldi" sells two-packs of Kodacolor VR Plus 200 and 400 film for € 1.79. I wonder what emulsion that is, and if it is still produced by Kodak. Can anybody help?

 

[Vobluda]

Well, for € 1.79 you could just give it a try and post few pictures here..

 

[efix]

Well, for € 1.79 you could just give it a try and post few pictures here..

Yup, already did, bought a two-pack each of the 200 and 400 versions. Still, I'd love to get some info on these films, I can't seem to find any on the internet.

 

[petronius]

This is a Kodak emulsion type from the early 80s with muted colors. I used it for years; here in the german south Aldi stopped selling it some years ago. Where did you see the film?

 

[efix]

This is a Kodak emulsion type from the early 80s with muted colors. I used it for years; here in the german south Aldi stopped selling it some years ago. Where did you see the film?

Aldi Nord is still selling it, exclusively as it seems.

 

[petronius]

Thank you!

 

[Nikon Bob]

Wow, I didn't know that was still available,

Bob

 

[tunalegs]

I wonder if it's the same as the old VR stuff, or just reuse of the name. As I recall VR turned into VR-G, which became Kodak Gold.

 

[sevo]

Kodak has the nasty habit of re-branding their film for each national market and big discounters. But with a shrinking number of film types and an excess of relatively current master rolls at hand, it has become rather unlikely that they re-package something strange for a discounter. It is very likely that this one is plain Kodacolor Gold II, maybe a few casts back from that which they market through prime outlets.

 

[efix]

sevo, thanks for your input. I just sent an email to Kodak Germany, hoping to get an official statement from them. Otherwise we'll have to try and figure it out from the imprints on the negatives.

 

[efix]

Okay, so here's the official statement of Kodak Germany regarding the VR Plus films sold in Aldi stores:

Sehr geehrter Herr [...],

bitte entschuldigen Sie die verspätete Bearbeitung Ihrer Anfrage.

Bei den bisher über ALDI Nord vertriebenen KODACOLOR VR Plus 200 und 400 Filmen handelt es sich um eine Variante der aktuellen KODAK FARBWELT und KODAK GOLD Filmfamilie.

Die Filmgeneration ist hierbei identisch- allerdings sind die VR Filme in Bezug auf Kontrast und Farbsättigung etwas moderater abgestimmt. Dies erfolgte im Hinblick auf die universellen Einsatzgebiete.

Bei den früheren VR Filmen handelte es sich um andere Filmemulsionen, die nicht direkt mit der aktuellen Generation vergleichbar sind.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Petra Mueller
Kodak Service & Support

English translation:

Dear Mr [...],

please excuse the late processing of your inquiry.

The KODACOLOR VR Plus 200 and 400 films so far distributed by ALDI Nord are a variant of the current KODAK FARBWELT and KODAK GOLD film family.

The film generation is identical - however, the VR films are balanced more moderately in regard to contrast and saturation. This has been done with regard to the universal fields of application.

The earlier VR films were different emulsions that are not comparable with the current generation.

Sincerely

Petra Mueller
Kodak Service & Support

So, there you have it. Basically, it's all Kodak Gold, but with different flavours. I have just shot halfway through a roll of VR Plus 400 and I'm anxious to see the results.

 

[stonydeluxe]

ALDI Nord around here does not sell these films anymore. 🙁

 

[efix]

ALDI Nord around here does not sell these films anymore. 🙁

I was afraid it might come to that sooner or later. I hope they keep selling it here in Marburg, but recently the stocks were limited already. I guess that's what her statement "bisher über ALDI Nord vertriebenen" (emphasis added) was referring to ...

 

[stonydeluxe]

A friend of mine saw one guy buying all the stock of 200VR and 400VR left at one ALDI. After that: sold out. 🙁

 

[ath]

Probably the same stuff the DM chain sells as Paradies Film.

 

[stonydeluxe]

Yes, probably. If it says "Made in US". Rossmann sells rebranded Fuji - "Made in Japan".

 

[Ronald_H]

Yes, probably. If it says "Made in US". Rossmann sells rebranded Fuji - "Made in Japan".

I found Agfa branded film at the 'Kruidvat' drugstore chain in the Netherlands. It said 'Made in Japan'. Wonder who made it? Fuji?

It's decent stuff by the way, but not especially cheap. As I have a mountain of freshly expired Fuji and Kodak in the freezer I only tried a few rolls.

Have to check the Dutch Aldi stores if they carry the stuff. Seems like a bargain...

 

[raydm6]

We have a new Aldi's opening soon nearby. Will have to check it out.

 

[stonydeluxe]

I found Agfa branded film at the 'Kruidvat' drugstore chain in the Netherlands. It said 'Made in Japan'. Wonder who made it? Fuji?

I guess so. Is it slide film?

 

[efix]

It seems I just bought the last stock (20 rolls 200 and 400 each) from one of the local Aldi stores on friday. Today the shelf was still empty, and when I inquired with an employee, they told me that to their knowledge the films were no longer in Aldi Nord's product range.

I shall visit the other stores in town this week and see if there are any stocks left there, and if yes, grab them.