Kodak's photo film production safe for years

[CMur12]

Agfa was a significant loss.

- Murray

 

[fdarnell]

It all hinges on analog projection, not just motion picture production. One feature film will use at least 2,500 feet of film in the final print. The projection print will match that but consider how many theaters get a projection print and you get the scale of how much Kodak's still 35mm film relies upon the motion picture industry...

Phil Forrest

The problem here is that about 97 to 98% of the movie theaters int eh US have converted to digital projection. They get movies on encrypted hard drives. The studios even paid them to convert to digital through a rebate program.

Let's hope theres a lot of "takes" so they'll push a lot of film.

 

[CMur12]

The very first color prints I made myself were on Agfa paper, printed from Agfa negatives. The appeared in the 1972 Mid America show in the St. Louis art museum/Kansas City art museum.

I have a real fondness for those photos, the piece is still in my print drawer.

I loved the Agfachrome CT18 (ASA 50) from around this same time. It wasn't very fine-grained, but it had a wonderful palette for winter scenes. In the 1980s, I really liked Agfachrome 1000 for windowlight portraiture. It had a soft grain and warmth that worked well for this application.

- Murray

 

[Drago]

If someone could bring Agfa APX back i'll be extremely happy ( not the stuff they sell now, which have nothing in common ). But anyway dreams, sweet dreams 🙂 It was magic in Rodinal, and on topic - it's sad, really sad. If they are relying on some movie directors to save them. *** ? Kodak are left with Tri-X , one bloody film ( i don't like modern films ala Tmax ) and for color i'd rather go digital, but that's just me

 

[mani]

The traditional negativity to great film news as usual on this forum.

 

[Drago]

I don't think it's negativity. We as customers have a right to be negative. And i don't think that Kodak are going to introduce some new film to make us happy right ? Plus-X wasn't profitable and they just throw it in the trash. Was there something wrong with it ? No. So if the movie business goes completely digital, which will happen eventually according to this Kodak will be gone ? Now that's negative 🙂

 

[Filzkoeter]

If someone could bring Agfa APX back i'll be extremely happy ( not the stuff they sell now, which have nothing in common ).

Adox Silvermax is 95% APX100 😎
They also nearly relaunched a APX400 emulsion, but according to Adox it makes no sense at the current market situation as the price couldn't be competative enough.

(as far as I know Adox bought Agfa machinery and know-how when Agfa closed down, so they have all the Agfa technology for emulsion making)

 

[Drago]

but it's available only in 35mm 🙁

 

[Skiff]

Agfa was a significant loss.

- Murray

They are there, even in "triple shape" now, and we can benefit from that:

1. Agfa-Gevaert in Belgium is producing films: We can use them as Agfa Copex Rapid, Rollei RSD, Rollei Retro 80S, Rollei Superpan 200, Rollei IR, Rollei Retro 400S.

These films have not been available for us ten years ago. So the situation is indeed better for us now concerning these films.

2. Former Agfa engineers from Agfa in Germany bought the essential Agfa machinery from the Leverkusen plant and built a complete new, modern photo and film factory in Monheim, Germany:
www.inoviscoat.de
They are producing lots of different photo film products now, color and BW. They are producing for other brands.

3. Adox has also bought know-how and machines from Agfa Germany, and is continuing production of some of their products.
For example MCP and MCC photo paper. And Adox Silvermax (an improved Agfa APX 100).

 

[Skiff]

but it's available only in 35mm 🙁

You may have a look at Adox CHS 100 II, too.
Excellent film.
Currently available in 35mm and sheet film.
120 format roll film will be introduced this March / April.

It is also a film which looks outstanding as BW reversal film. Projected on a screen this film looks awesome!

 

[Ranchu]

I don't think it's negativity. We as customers have a right to be negative. And i don't think that Kodak are going to introduce some new film to make us happy right ? Plus-X wasn't profitable and they just throw it in the trash. Was there something wrong with it ? No. So if the movie business goes completely digital, which will happen eventually according to this Kodak will be gone ? Now that's negative 🙂

Well, you're crying about kodak only having tri x, and color, which you don't want, and about not having plus x, which wasn't profitable for them. It would be pretty unusual for kodak to produce plus x only so they can sell it to you at a loss. But that's what you want. Plus some other New film 'to make us happy'.

🙂

I'm happy to shoot film, everyday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwWEhSYVN3E

 

[rbiemer]

The problem here is that about 97 to 98% of the movie theaters int eh US have converted to digital projection. They get movies on encrypted hard drives. The studios even paid them to convert to digital through a rebate program.

Let's hope theres a lot of "takes" so they'll push a lot of film.

The small local theater near me (Old Forge, NY) had no choice in whether to go digital or not, the owner was told that there would be no distribution other than digital. And what ever rebates may have been offered were not enough to offset the cost for the 6 screens he has. There was an ongoing fundraiser for his--and many other Adirondack theaters promoted by "Go digital or go dark." posters, etc.
His take on the switch was that digital projection probably isn't as "good" as a new projection print but it would be good enough. And the major problem he sees coming up will be when the projector breaks/malfunctions in some way. He could fix/maintain his film projectors but wasn't so confident for the new ones.
Rob

 

[Drago]

I'm not crying about anything. I use other brands of film and am quite happy 🙂 I use kodak chemistry, which i like. Maybe it's still "profitable" for them, so let's hope they don't wake up some day and refuse to make it anymore 🙂 When you'r in a niche market, you have to be smart and Kodak almost went bankrupt. Just to be clear - i'm not a hater and i want them to continue producing films, but you can't deny that they are relying on some 20th century fame, Tri-X included

 

[VertovSvilova]

The traditional negativity to great film news as usual on this forum.

I think it's great news in today's film manufacturing environment (and one that I have no control over.) It's the glass half full or half empty sort of thing. I'm happy to hear that film makers are so adamant about using film as their medium, and that they have such clout.

I like what Kodak has to offer right now (Portra films are fantastic as is Tri-X and T-Max.) And lamenting over what's no longer available is non-productive. Go out and buy and use film. And consider writing to the majors (studios) about how much you like film produced motion pictures....... 🙂

 

[Skiff]

They are there, even in "triple shape" now, and we can benefit from that:

1. Agfa-Gevaert in Belgium is producing films: We can use them as Agfa Copex Rapid, Rollei RSD, Rollei Retro 80S, Rollei Superpan 200, Rollei IR, Rollei Retro 400S.

These films have not been available for us ten years ago. So the situation is indeed better for us now concerning these films.

2. Former Agfa engineers from Agfa in Germany bought the essential Agfa machinery from the Leverkusen plant and built a complete new, modern photo and film factory in Monheim, Germany:
www.inoviscoat.de
They are producing lots of different photo film products now, color and BW. They are producing for other brands.

3. Adox has also bought know-how and machines from Agfa Germany, and is continuing production of some of their products.
For example MCP and MCC photo paper. And Adox Silvermax (an improved Agfa APX 100).

Sorry, but I've forgotten that the Agfa chemistry (both color and BW) is also in permanent production:
Color chemistry is produced by Saal (they also refurbish and make parts for all Agfa mini labs)
http://www.saal-group.com/en/home/

And the Agfa BW chemistry (Rodinal, Atomal, Sistan, Neutol etc.) is now produced by Adox with the original formulas.

 

[Michael Markey]

This just posted on FB by La Vida Leica.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-03-19/kodak-brand-still-emanates-trust-with-consumers-john

 

[Keith]

This just posted on FB by La Vida Leica.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-03-19/kodak-brand-still-emanates-trust-with-consumers-john

That wasn't convincing!

 

[Solinar]

This just posted on FB by La Vida Leica.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-03-19/kodak-brand-still-emanates-trust-with-consumers-john

Let me clarify things for the young Mr. John in Singapore and his much better paid predecessor, who never invested a penny towards downsized manufacturing facilities - that could do smaller production runs profitably - the Kodak brand is all about the recording and displaying of images.

 

[HHPhoto]

Let me clarify things for the young Mr. John in Singapore and his much better paid predecessor, who never invested a penny towards downsized manufacturing facilities - that could do smaller production runs profitably - the Kodak brand is all about the recording and displaying of images.

+1 !

And for us photographers the relevant information source concerning Kodak Alaris is most probably here:

http://kodakalaris.com/ek/US/en/Kodak_Alaris.htm

http://www.kodak.de/ek/DE/de/Kodak_Alaris.htm

https://www.facebook.com/kodakprofessional

Cheers, Jan