[Leica] More Photokina

["Erwin Puts" <imxputs@knoware.nl>]

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