Re: [Leica] More Photokina

["Bill Christensen" <billc@xsite.net>]

Erwin,

Wow!  Can you tell us anything more about the new B&W film such as when will
it be introduced?

Bill Christensen
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Erwin Puts" <imxputs@knoware.nl>
To: "L U G" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Cc: <leica@topica.com>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 2:05 PM
Subject: [Leica] More Photokina


> First I would like to comment on the apparent impression my previous note
> generated, that I assumed that analogue film will be extinct shortly. This
> is not what  I said.I remarked that companies like Kodak and Fuji etc will
> reduce their film range to best selling products and yes, there is
> considerable effort and finance involved in new film emulsions. And they
> will manufacture it as long as substantial sales are involved. But look at
> Kodak here. The Panther family (a very nice film range IMHO) was
> discontinued very quickly after failing to capture the publics imagination
> disregarding the development cost. So is the case with Kodachrome. Kodak
> Professional did not even mention this film at Photokina. B&W films? wait
a
> moment, sir, I have to look up this word in the Kodak dictionary of
obsolete
> concepts. Ilford has moved to the digital arena and did not even care to
> show any of their films or papers. A new Delta400? yes we have it, yawn!
But
> look at our new digital printing machines! That is were the future is!
Fuji:
> new films OK but new technology? Forget it: the famous  fourth layer is
> around for many years and made it first in Reala, then Superia, now 160
> film. More research? The new 400F is indeed a significant film if it does
> deliver. I have a load of films for testing. So I have to wait to comment.
> Of course film will be around for a long time to come. But changes are
> incremental here if at all. Kodak still produces Tri-X since 19xx without
> changes, but new ideas?
> Here we need to go to outsider companies. The new Paterson FX-50, family
of
> the deservedly famous FX39 is a really exciting developer. Finer grain
than
> ever and  acutance galore. And it works with all current films. Wait for
my
> report.
> And now for the surprise! Imagine a film with ISO40 to 64, with grain,
much
> finer than TechPan and without its extended red sensitivity, with
definition
> at least 8 times of Tmax100, extended tonality in grey scale, extreme
> latitude of exposure, development time uncritical, fixing time 20 seconds,
> drying time  half an hour.   Comparison pictures at 20x 30 inch with sheet
> film negatives of 8x10 inch negatives show superiority for this new 35mm
> film material. Can it exist. I have it on my desk!
> This is really fun! Where the big companies resign, the smaller ones jump
up
> and continue to develop  products for the 35mm BW world.
> I am no pessimist! BW and analogue has a fine future, but do not expect
> anything from the classical companies. They are focused to digital. The
> smaller players will make or day!
>
>
> Erwin
>
>