What old ideas would you like to see reintroduced in the photography world ?

High-quality vintage gear porn in print form? The "mook" (magazine / book) tradition is alive and well in Japan, but wouldn't it be something to have an English-language edition of Old Lens Life!
 
Kodachrome, because of its archival properties, that makes a color photography a thing to be transmitted on the long term.
 
Kodak Panatomic-X. Something truly wonderful in the photographic world died when this most unique slow-speed film with such exquisite tonal rendition was discontinued.

PX users will understand. No more need be said.
 
micromontenegro said:
A digital Rollei 35
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Oh man, you said it. There are nice digital cameras out there, but there's only one in existence which has scale focusing that's anywhere near as good as a good scale focus 35mm camera: the Ricoh GR. Put the GR's snap focus in a slightly larger body with a viewfinder and a couple more controls in a classic size and shape. I would make do with a 40mm GR. Maybe it'll happen one day.
 
I concur with ozmoose. The passing of Panatomic-X was a sad event! I used to process it in Kodak's direct positive kit for projection; it was even more beautiful than Scala, processed by Agfa. Just typing these old names makes me weepy with nostalgia.
Speaking of names: I always thought Panatomic-X sounded like some top-secret substance from a Japanese horror flick, circa 1962. Something that might be our last chance to destroy Godzilla. Those cheesy horror flicks from my youth are another thing I'd like to see return!
 
Retro-Grouch said:
I concur with ozmoose. The passing of Panatomic-X was a sad event! I used to process it in Kodak's direct positive kit for projection; it was even more beautiful than Scala, processed by Agfa. Just typing these old names makes me weepy with nostalgia. Speaking of names: I always thought Panatomic-X sounded like some top-secret substance from a Japanese horror flick, circa 1962. Something that might be our last chance to destroy Godzilla. Those cheesy horror flicks from my youth are another thing I'd like to see return!
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I have seen on the www instructions for B&W slide making with Ilford film; looked for it but couldn't find it but it must be out there.

It reminded me of Agfa's Dia Direct from the 60's.

And, of course, it would be nice to have a good choice of slide film again...


Regards, David
 
David, the instructions for B&W direct positive are on Ilford's website. Their process involves a light fogging stage before the second development, as opposed to other processes that use chemical means. Also, there's dr5. His claims for his process are a bit overblown; some experimentation is recommended to find a look you like. For my taste, Delta 100 at ISO 64 in the dr5 process is about as close as one can get to the old Scala, and quite beautiful. Worthwhile if you can deal with a 3 to 4 month turnaround!
 
Another vote for Kodachrome (and the means to get it processed) and Panatomic-X.

However, while I do enjoy shooting film from time-to-time, I have no interest in returning to it "full time." What I would like to see though is a FF digital camera with the same ruggedness and longevity as those old standard film cameras that last for generations - such as Leica M and Nikon F series cameras.
 
Pál_K said:
It’s available. Blue Moon sells it (sliced Kodak and Ilford films). My understanding is that they also provide this to Minox itself.

They also develop and print it.
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Thanks Pal_K, but unfortunately they don't seem to have any representatives/outlets in Australia. If I could get b&w film here, I could possibly process/print it myself.

I can't seem to find a "slicer" for sale anywhere in Oz. to make my own films.
 
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micromontenegro said:
A digital Rollei 35
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jsrockit said:
When was the first digital Rollei 35 made!? I want it…
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LOL! I wish for the same... :)

Enjoying as I am the lovely old Voigtländer Perkeo II that I've had for a while, and Kodak Retina IIc that I just acquired, I wish someone would make a digital version of a camera like this: A nice big sensor in a compact body, a folder with the bed covering/protecting the lens when not in use so that the camera is compact and easy to carry without fear of damage. A fixed, reasonably fast normal lens, or a front element interchangeable design like the Retina, makes sense for those who only might want a different focal length occasionally.

iphoenix said:
Thanks Pal_K, but unfortunately they don't seem to have any representatives/outlets in Australia. If I could get b&w film here, I could possibly process/print it myself.

I can't seem to find a "slicer" for sale anywhere in Oz. to make my own films.
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Joe McGloin from http://thesubclub.org sells film slitters that he makes. Check his page at

http://www.subclub.org/sponsors/goathil2.htm

I have one of his slitters for making Minox film loads and it works well.

G
 
Retro-Grouch said:
David, the instructions for B&W direct positive are on Ilford's website. Their process involves a light fogging stage before the second development, as opposed to other processes that use chemical means. Also, there's dr5. His claims for his process are a bit overblown; some experimentation is recommended to find a look you like. For my taste, Delta 100 at ISO 64 in the dr5 process is about as close as one can get to the old Scala, and quite beautiful. Worthwhile if you can deal with a 3 to 4 month turnaround!
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Thanks; I mentioned it to someone a while ago (not on a forum) but couldn't find it although Ilford were the first I tried. These things happen I'm afraid and make you feel an idiot...

Regards, David
 
Dralowid said:
Wasn't there a Johnson's kit for reversing b/w negatives? I remember something quite fun...
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Yes; a kit of powders etc in a small package. I used it a lot IRC in the 70's and have boxes of the slides from them somewhere. IRC I used a Ferrania and Ilford film.

The problem as I remember it was it took a lot of time and you had to wrestle with wet film halfway through the process, at the second exposure. Also I didn't like just doing one and would save 2 or 3 to do and then stagger to bed in the small hours.

The Agfa process paid version was OK, I've one new in the box but for display only as it's develop by sometime in 1966.


Regards David
 
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