Sparrow
Veteran
In the case of the US, our legislators are certainly anti-capitalist.
only until they leave office and find work elsewhere, surely?
fanshaw
Well-known
I have a 50 pcs. box of OrwoPan 400 12 exp. to burn, I'm using the film cassettes to wind my own.
OrwoPan was made in Eastern Germany and if you search APUG for it, there aren't (m)any flattering comments on its quality. The films I have are probably 1990s production, but still (or because of that?) isn't anywhere western stuff. Grain the size of pebbles.
Oh well, at least it was cheap as hell![]()
I have heard that ORWO film was highly prized in the USSR, when it could be obtained. I used to use it regularly, especially the 125 ISO film which was good, in my opinion and not very grainy. The standard Soviet film was the Foto brand which was available in several speeds.
MartinP
Veteran
I suspect the OP has confused the former Soviet Union with Elbonia (Dilbert reference).
pakeha
Well-known
I suspect the OP has confused the former Soviet Union with Elbonia (Dilbert reference).
although that may be a bit too cerebal for this thread
regards
CW
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
For a good many years, effectively the only film available in India came from the then Eastern Bloc. There were Fortepan and Fomapan, but the position of dominance was held by ORWO. Its NP27 (ASA 400) was not so good, but NP22 (ASA 125) was the mainstay of most photographers. I have made acceptable 20" x 16" prints with it.
Stewart, you'll soon be in the firing line: which may of course be where you want to be.
Stewart, you'll soon be in the firing line: which may of course be where you want to be.
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David Hughes
David Hughes
Ho, hum...
Ho, hum...
Agfa was a German firm and made and sold colour film in the 1930's. After the Great Patriotic War, when the combined forces of the USSR and the USA etc beat the bad guys, they decided to grab what they could to pay for the damage etc. All German patents were voided (and probably copyrights too) and so any one could and did copy German patents, cameras, film etc. Look at Nikon and Canon CRF's for instance.
And, if I remember correctly the USA took plans etc from Leitz and tried to make Leicas but had problems with quality control and the fine tolerances (which amused the German firm no end). And the wicked Brits took a lot of supersonic wind tunnels etc and some other bits went to the USA (it's rocket science).
It's all documented but people don't bother these days do they? So you get weird versions of history in which the Allies fought the Communists and weirder version of geography which means a lot of kids in the USA can't point to their own country or even state on a map. Worse still, people believe that "colour" is a five letter word...
I'd better take a tablet and lie down.
Ho, hum...
Agfa was a German firm and made and sold colour film in the 1930's. After the Great Patriotic War, when the combined forces of the USSR and the USA etc beat the bad guys, they decided to grab what they could to pay for the damage etc. All German patents were voided (and probably copyrights too) and so any one could and did copy German patents, cameras, film etc. Look at Nikon and Canon CRF's for instance.
And, if I remember correctly the USA took plans etc from Leitz and tried to make Leicas but had problems with quality control and the fine tolerances (which amused the German firm no end). And the wicked Brits took a lot of supersonic wind tunnels etc and some other bits went to the USA (it's rocket science).
It's all documented but people don't bother these days do they? So you get weird versions of history in which the Allies fought the Communists and weirder version of geography which means a lot of kids in the USA can't point to their own country or even state on a map. Worse still, people believe that "colour" is a five letter word...
I'd better take a tablet and lie down.
Vobluda
Well-known
ORWO was a pure nightmare, I used it as kid in the late 80s. It was braking, undulate, no two same films have same results.. But it was obvious - no quality control, difficulties with obtaining quality raw materials, people who were producing them did not care because they were not motivated. There is really no reason to be sentimental about those junk films.
Fortunately in Croatia (Yugoslavia back then), where I grow up, we have Fuji, Kodak, Konica, AGFA, Ilford and other films that capitalists sold us.
Fortunately in Croatia (Yugoslavia back then), where I grow up, we have Fuji, Kodak, Konica, AGFA, Ilford and other films that capitalists sold us.
I have heard that ORWO film was highly prized in the USSR, when it could be obtained. I used to use it regularly, especially the 125 ISO film which was good, in my opinion and not very grainy. The standard Soviet film was the Foto brand which was available in several speeds.
John Robertson
Well-known
I bought Kodachrome in Moscow whilst on holiday in the 60's expensive but available!!
Sparrow
Veteran
For a good many years, effectively the only film available in India came from the then Eastern Bloc. There were Fortepan and Fomapan, but the position of dominance was held by ORWO. Its NP27 (ASA 400) was not so good, but NP22 (ASA 125) was the mainstay of most photographers. I have made acceptable 20" x 16" prints with it.
Stewart, you'll soon be in the firing line: which may of course be where you want to be.
Sorry payasam, I don't understand, which firing line?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear John,I bought Kodachrome in Moscow whilst on holiday in the 60's expensive but available!!
For valuta or in roubles? I was only in the Soviet Union once, just before it collapsed, but there was a lot more available for hard currency.
Cheers,
R.
V
varjag
Guest
Kodachrome could be available for foreign visitors through Intourist shops. I'm pretty sure it wasn't normally sold domestically, and there was no processing available.
historicist
Well-known
In the GDR at least you could buy western goods in shops which took foreign currency (which buy and large would come from relatives living in West Germany).
My ex-flatmate grew up in East Berlin and apparently spent the whole year waiting for Christmas, when her mum would go to these shops and buy a tin of Quality Street for the family.
My ex-flatmate grew up in East Berlin and apparently spent the whole year waiting for Christmas, when her mum would go to these shops and buy a tin of Quality Street for the family.
fullframe35
Member
Small rangefinders -- i.e., Leica -- used motion picture film. That's what they were built around. You can use the stuff in your camera today. Sprocket sizes are the same. But this IS a joke, right?
Well, maybe not a joke, as some do use bulk B&W movie negative film for still photography.Small rangefinders -- i.e., Leica -- used motion picture film. That's what they were built around. You can use the stuff in your camera today. Sprocket sizes are the same. But this IS a joke, right?
And, thinking back to the early 1980's, Seattle Film Works sold 35mm cassettes loaded with Eastman Color Negative 5247 ECN movie film; you'd send it to them for processing and they'd send back the negs, prints and/or slides (which were just made from a movie film "print" cut to individual frames and mounted)... and a fresh roll so as to maintain the customer cycle.
Rocky Mountain Film Lab still processes 5247, and as they note it's not compatible with the local C41 lab, though it does use Process C-41. In processing it releases sooty black masking that contaminates the chemicals, and would upset your local lab! I did a couple rolls of this in my darkroom at the time and saw the black goop. Done just out of curiosity and to break the Seattle Film Works cycle of supplying new rolls each time.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
"Sorry payasam, I don't understand, which firing line?"
The one in which people get punctured for saying things like:
"I suspect the most likely people to export film to the communists were capitalists … t’was always the way, ya can’t trust the buggers."
The one in which people get punctured for saying things like:
"I suspect the most likely people to export film to the communists were capitalists … t’was always the way, ya can’t trust the buggers."
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
"Sorry payasam, I don't understand, which firing line?"
The one in which people get punctured for saying things like:
"I suspect the most likely people to export film to the communists were capitalists … t’was always the way, ya can’t trust the buggers."
Lenin famously said that the capitalists would sell the communists the rope used to hang the capitalists, lol
Sparrow
Veteran
"Sorry payasam, I don't understand, which firing line?"
The one in which people get punctured for saying things like:
"I suspect the most likely people to export film to the communists were capitalists … t’was always the way, ya can’t trust the buggers."
I was saying; when money is involved capitalists morality is quite flexible.
My Grandfather recalled taking well prepared German fortifications during WWI and finding there floors lined with Blue-Circle cement sacks.
fanshaw
Well-known
ORWO was a pure nightmare, I used it as kid in the late 80s. It was braking, undulate, no two same films have same results.. But it was obvious - no quality control, difficulties with obtaining quality raw materials, people who were producing them did not care because they were not motivated. There is really no reason to be sentimental about those junk films.
Fortunately in Croatia (Yugoslavia back then), where I grow up, we have Fuji, Kodak, Konica, AGFA, Ilford and other films that capitalists sold us.
Well, I am not sentimental about ORWO film but I have used a lot of it both black and white and colour and found no quality control issues.
wdeskiew
Member
In Poland we used mostly materials produced by our native company 'Foton'. It was established in 1926 under different name though.
In 70' and 80' it was not easy to get a 35 film in a casette, it was good to have some in stock.
It was not so bad film for that times. The commonly used speed was 18 DIN (ISO 50) and the grain was ok. I think it was selled as 'Fotopan'.
In 80' there was also a product line licensed by Ilford. It was 'Foton NB-01' and 'Foton NB-04', ISO 100 and 400 respectively.
The films were only b&w. I think the only 'red' producer of color films was ORWO.
'Foton' company was bought by Czech 'Foma' in late 90'.
In 70' and 80' it was not easy to get a 35 film in a casette, it was good to have some in stock.
It was not so bad film for that times. The commonly used speed was 18 DIN (ISO 50) and the grain was ok. I think it was selled as 'Fotopan'.
In 80' there was also a product line licensed by Ilford. It was 'Foton NB-01' and 'Foton NB-04', ISO 100 and 400 respectively.
The films were only b&w. I think the only 'red' producer of color films was ORWO.
'Foton' company was bought by Czech 'Foma' in late 90'.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
Sparrow: "I was saying; when money is involved capitalists morality is quite flexible."
I think I know the mess of liquid rubber of which you speak: but you've just gone and bought yourself another few rounds, and I don't mean whisky.
I think I know the mess of liquid rubber of which you speak: but you've just gone and bought yourself another few rounds, and I don't mean whisky.
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