More precious than Kodachrome?

[amateriat]

Okay, that title's a bit inflammatory, but still:

(And, you can still buy Kodachrome, for the time being, anyway.)

It's been gone for a while now, like all the good Brand K stuff. I find it where I can, while I can, for a few special projects. Vanishing grain, reminiscent of Ektar 25. A bit temperamental like Ektar 25 was, too...some would say moreso, but that seems the case with really slow films, color in particular. It was never easy to find even when Konica was still making it (even harder than their only-once-a-year infrared film). Sticking 'em in the freezer until It's Time.

Anyone else use this stuff, for better or worse?

(No brickbats, please...I love Kodachrome too.)


- Barrett

 

[venchka]

I have some film I'm afraid to use.

I have some film I'm afraid to use.

Is it more precious than the roll of 120 Technical Pan or the roll of 120 Kodachrome 64 or the 7 rolls of 135-36 APX 25 in my freezer? 😀

I just look at them in the freezer. I need to shoot them. But then they will be gone. 😱 What to do? What to do?

 

[amateriat]

Is it more precious than the roll of 120 Technical Pan or the roll of 120 Kodachrome 64 or the 7 rolls of 135-36 APX 25 in my freezer? 😀

I just look at them in the freezer. I need to shoot them. But then they will be gone. 😱 What to do? What to do?

Okay, Wayne, you got me there...I might concede a "tie." 😉

120 K64...! (Whistles to himself.) Hoping someone, somewhere (meaning Dwayne's) can process the stuff.

The problem with all the above emulsions is that you start to feel a bit like Roland, the Last Gunslinger (from the Dark Tower books, which was about all the Stephen King I could stand). You feel each of those "magic bullets" has to really count. Of course, like Miles in Sideways, you might find yourself uncorking that "vintage" number at the oddest time, in the oddest place.


- Barrett

 

[AusDLK]

I've got dozens of rolls of EIR (Infrared Ektachrome) and HIE (High Speed Infrared) film in my freezer.

Not sure when I'll ever load and shoot 'em.

 

[venchka]

I'll see your Konica Impresa 50 135-36 and raise you 10 rolls of Fuji 120 Reala 100. Still in the shrink wrap and cold since new. I will USE this film.

 

[venchka]

I keep forgetting. 7 x 135-36 Agfa APX 25 in the freezer.

 

[furcafe]

I have about 7 rolls of Impresa left, unfortunately mostly 24-exposure 35mm, in addition to about 20 rolls of APX 25 & 30 of Panatomic-X. Another quirky film that I like(d) that's apparently been discontinued is Macophot PO100 (aka PO100c), an ortho film w/clear base; have about 20 rolls of that, too.

 

[KoNickon]

I've never tried the Impresa. But (and as a Konica fan, it pains me to admit it) I never found their other print film, VX or Centuria, to be much good.

 

[Never Satisfied]

FYI Wayne, APX 25 is going to be re made by who ever is pumping out the APX now, I read it in the last issue of B&W Photog from the UK, Andrew.

 

[venchka]

I didn't know that APX100 was back. I knew of the rumors that it might be coming back. If APX25 comes back as well that will be good news. I only hope that both APX25 and APX100 return in 120 format as well. 4x5 would be a dream come true.

 

[Trius]

Oh, APX100 in 4x5 ... that would be lovely indeed. As it stands now, I believe the Agfa emulsions are to only be produced in 35mm. In 4x5 I'll stick to TX (with thoughts of HP5+ per Bill Pierce's suggestion) and either TMX 100 or Delta 100.

 

[venchka]

Hp5+

Hp5+

Oh, APX100 in 4x5 ... that would be lovely indeed. As it stands now, I believe the Agfa emulsions are to only be produced in 35mm. In 4x5 I'll stick to TX (with thoughts of HP5+ per Bill Pierce's suggestion) and either TMX 100 or Delta 100.

HP5+ isn't exactly rare. I have 12 sheets of HP5+ loaded and ready to go and 50 sheets still in the box. I have 11 1 gallon packages of D-76. I will either learn to love HP5+ in D-76 or switch developers quickly. 😀

 

[John Robertson]

Sadly I had Konica IR750 in my freezer, but it did not keep🙁
Hopefully someone might bring out replacements for these excellent films.:angel:

 

[Doug]

Now shooting some rolls of Konica CT Pro400 in 220, but I've little experience with Konica films and never tried Impresa.

As for rare treasures, the fridge contains one remaining roll of 110-size Kodak Verichrome Pan. Not aware of any other B&W film made in this size...

 

[venchka]

Konica film may not be dead yet...

Konica film may not be dead yet...

Check this out. Supposedly, this company was spun off from Konica before they bailed out of the photo business. alas, no mention of Impresa 50 Professional.

Link to Konica Film

 

[amateriat]

Wayne: Wild...! Thanks for this bit of detective work. Konica's film legacy appears to be not quite as dead as I'd imagined. All I need now is the return of Impresa 50 (a niche Konica all but owned the last few years they made it), and maybe their slide film...no, scratch the slide film, I just want Impresa, and maybe the ISO 1600 Centuria back. Of course, we have no idea as to whether DNP has any export plans.


- Barrett

 

[David Murphy]

One of the photo shops I frequent in Hong Kong was selling new Konica film there in August - color negative and slide film as I recall.

 

[amateriat]

I've never tried the Impresa. But (and as a Konica fan, it pains me to admit it) I never found their other print film, VX or Centuria, to be much good.

Their VX-series films were admittedly low-end; not terrible, but hardly extraordinary. Most of the Centuria stuff was decent (and, under DNP, hopingly still is), as of course was Impresa. Let's see what, if anything, the future brings.


- Barrett

 

[mw_uio]

Here in Quito, we a few Minolta stores that carry the Konica Centuria brand. I have not found any Impresa 50 though.

MArk
Quito, EC

 

[gdi]

Is that HIE in 120? If it is, please IM me if you have any interest in selling it!

I've got dozens of rolls of EIR (Infrared Ektachrome) and HIE (High Speed Infrared) film in my freezer.

Not sure when I'll ever load and shoot 'em.