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According to this post from Ilford/Harman on APUG, Ilford will not assume production of Polaroid’s discontinued black and white peel-apart/pack films:

Dear All,

I have been out for a few days and several of you have sent me PM’s re POLAROID : Please see below :

April 18th, 2008, Mobberley, Cheshire UK and Minnetonka, MN, USA — HARMAN technology Limited and its monochrome brand, ILFORD Photo and Polaroid Worldwide have been in discussions about ILFORD Photo taking on production of Polaroid’s black and white professional instant sheet film. Despite their best efforts, together the prospective partners have determined that they can not find a commercially viable way forward.

HARMAN’s Chairman and Managing Director, Phil Harris said. "The processes involved in the manufacture and assembly of professional instant sheet film products are very demanding and it would require substantial investment to re-establish them at HARMAN technology’s site in Cheshire, England. When compared with current and projected sales for the products, it was clear that such an investment could not be justified."

Phil Harris continues: "While we had hoped to work together on continuing the production of instant sheet film, it is cost prohibitive to meet the declining demand. As a company, we are saddened that such an inspirational form of expression will disappear, but we will always remain staunchly committed to the long term future of monochrome photography in all its facets and we will continue to do everything we can to support it".

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

I’m not worried. Fuji’s FP-100B and FP-3000B are drop-in replacements for Polaroid’s ISO 100 and 3000 black and white pack films, and they’re cheaper! And personally, I like them better anyway. (Fuji also has an ISO 100 color pack film, FP-100C. Same goes: still available, cheaper, and IMO nicer. It’s the loss of Polaroid’s integral films, 600 and Spectra/779 that I’m crying over.)

Ilford press release:

ILFORD PHOTO has launched a campaign to enhance the position, standing and future of the UK’s darkrooms and associated creative techniques. Inspired by those involved in the analogue photographic industry, from manufacturers to the media, the campaign is designed to be a vehicle to establish a new future for darkroom photography.

By inspiring a new generation of darkroom users, raising the profile of darkroom on the photo-education agenda and redefining the relationship between analogue and digital photography, ‘Defend the Darkroom’ will establish a new direction for photography. The campaign will inspire a new mindset that will unlock the latent potential of photography’s heritage to inspire a bold future of innovation, creativity and diversity.

Howard Hopwood, marketing director at ILFORD PHOTO commented:
"Interest in darkroom photography isn’t waning, but it is certainly being neglected by various parties. Our campaign is a watershed moment for the industry, designed to inspire a future of photography that reflects the coexistence of digital and darkroom technology."

The campaign will take many forms and is essentially an ever-evolving project to bring the world of darkroom photography to the attention of the digital generation and inspire new ideas, new enthusiasm and new skills amongst a new breed of photographers.

Howard Hopwood, added:

"For too long now, Darkroom has been slipping down the agenda of educational institutions, regardless of continued support from photo-educators and those responsible for establishing the photo-education curriculum. Our campaign will highlight these problems and make the case for darkroom education.

During the fast-paced digital revolution, digital technology has been seen, by some as a replacement for analogue technology – but through this campaign ILFORD PHOTO is keen to show how the two can coexist as complementary creative art forms.

"Darkroom photography is not standing still. It is not a relic of a bygone era, it is very much a part of the evolving world of photography. Our campaign will educate new and existing darkroom photographers about the technological developments from manufacturers that are shaping the future of darkroom

"The signature of darkroom is the physical control over the image; the art of the developing process. Skill and creativity in the darkroom is as much a part of photography as the taking of the picture." Added Howard.

Initial initiatives for the campaign include:

1. Development of a Photo Instructor Newsletter for UK educational establishments
2. A series of ‘Darkroom’ Master Class events to promote and inspire the creative process.
3. Continuing sponsorship of Red Eye, an Art Council funded project to provide a travelling darkroom to enhance awareness of black and white photography to schools, colleges, local arts groups and the like.
4. Sponsorship of talented students to support and promote darkroom enthusiasts.

New initiatives will be announced on a regular basis all under the ‘Defend the Darkroom’ banner.

Already ILFORD PHOTO has invited twenty of the most highly regarded photography educators in the United Kingdom to the HARMAN technology headquarters in Mobberley, to highlight the campaign and learn about the latest advances in traditional photography. The event was organised by ILFORD PHOTO alongside Key Photo, the leading supplier of photographic products to education and the public sector. A key focus of the two-day tour and conference event was how the merger of darkroom and digital technologies is influencing a ‘new world’ of photography shaped by the coexistence of analogue and digital technology.

Matthew Finn, photography lecturer at Thames Valley University commented on the day:

"Since visiting HARMAN I can see they are committed to keeping black and white photography alive and it is up to me and other photo educators across the country to also make sure it remains a widely used medium and not just a mere specialist niche interest.

"If this was to happen photography would lose an entire dimension. I support ILFORD PHOTO’s campaign to communicate the dangers of losing darkroom, and the consequences of neglecting analogue photography."

ILFORD PHOTO believes that analogue and digital photography should have an equal standing in the photographic arena. By lobbying for equal recognition in generic industry debate and discussion, the campaign will help analogue photography, and darkroom photographers to gain the recognition they deserve.

Looks pretty sweet to me!

Ilford are having a contest to get your photo on boxes of Ilford photo paper, plus prize money. Images have to be shot on Ilford HP5 Plus film and printed on Ilford B&W paper. Full details here at Ilford, where the rules are available in English, French, and Spanish.

Also, "Special promotional boxes of ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV RC DELUXE Paper contain 3 free rolls of ILFORD HP5 PLUS film". Free film, sweet!

35mm and 120, hell yeah!

Direct PDF links: data sheet, development chart

Ilford press release:

Monochrome enthusiasts will welcome the news of the reintroduction of ILFORD SFX 200 infrared film - the unique medium for adding incredible definition and texture control to outdoor black-and-white photography.

Black-and-white goes red

Underlining its commitment to the world of black-and-white photography, ILFORD PHOTO is in the process of reintroducing various specialist films. Leading this movement, and available from March 2007, is the much admired ILFORD SFX 200 infrared film.

ILFORD SFX 200 is a special red-filtered film perfect for landscapes, mountainscapes and similar subjects due to its ability to add high definition to green foliage, cloud formations and open skies, especially when combined with the ILFORD SFX 200 Cokin ‘P’ series mounted red filter. It is also popular with architectural photographers due to its characteristic for emphasising contrasting textures.

A medium speed panchromatic film, ILFORD SFX 200 is available in 35mm and 120 roll film. It has long been a favourite with specialist photographers, but was not continued when the company went through a corporate reorganisation in 2005. Because of its sensitivity, the film will be produced in small quantities on a ‘made on demand’ basis to ensure that it is always fresh and fully active.

"We have always been aware that the black-and-white market incorporates many photographers who revel in pushing the abilities of their film to the maximum in order to attain extreme results," says ILFORD PHOTO marketing director Howard Hopwood.

"The revival of ILFORD SFX 200 film will enable those specialists who concentrate on outdoor photography to achieve a remarkable degree of control over their images, utilising all types of weather conditions to produce their ultimate visual concepts."

A major user of ILFORD SFX 200 is professional photographer Dave Butcher: "Most of my photography is with Ilford FP4+ 120 film," he says "however, I use SFX for the striking effects it produces when foliage is producing infrared (in the Spring and Summer when the sun shines!). Unlike some infrared film, it can be handled in daylight with no special precautions, so it is very easy to use in the mountains where I spend much of my time.

"Another good reason to reach for the SFX is when there is a strong heat haze. It’s difficult to take big views on days like these with normal films like FP4+, but SFX with an infrared filter cuts through the haze and lets you get a shot of the view you can’t even see with the naked eye!"

ILFORD SFX 200 is available in special value promotional packs which contain three rolls of 36×135 film plus an ILFORD COKIN P red filter.

An ILFORD SFX 200 print competition is planned to encourage photographers to experience the versatility of this film, and to put their artistic talents to the test. Full details will be announced shortly.

A full technical data sheet on the ILFORD SFX 200 film can be downloaded from www.ilfordphoto.com

Ilford Photo press release:

Having long established its reputation for the production of market-leading black-and-white photographic paper, ILFORD Photo has now taken the whole genre onto a new level of archival and presentational excellence with the fusion of modern digital technology and true silver gelatine printing.

ILFORD Photo has announced the addition of a new paper to its range of specialist black-and-white photo products, which not only represents a major step forward in the production of high quality images, but also utilises the latest advances in digital processing. Called ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL, this 315gsm fibre base baryta paper has been created for printing with digital laser printers, and is compatible with digital printers such as the Durst Lambda and Océ Lightjet models. This is the only paper in the world which utilises ILFORD Photo’s renowned fibre base baryta material, made famous by such products as Ilfobrom Galerie FB and Multigrade IV FB papers, with the ability to be exposed in digital laser printers (Lightjet and Lambda) writing directly from digital files. 

The optimised spectral sensitivity of ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL, combined with the proven long term archival benefits of traditional fibre base black-and-white papers, provides the opportunity to create genuine silver gelatine prints from digital images. This unique combination makes ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL the ideal choice for exhibition and fine art prints.

Initially being supplied in 100ft (30.5m) rolls in 20, 30, 40 and 50ins (51, 77, 102 and 127cm) widths for high-end prolab use, ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL has been undergoing rigorous testing by a select handful of labs in North America and Europe.

Each lab has been extremely impressed at the quality prints which have been achieved, and is already recommending this paper for clients such as fine art collectors, museums, art galleries, photographers producing limited edition prints, and graphic design agencies.

"For the first time, fine art photographers can benefit from the best of both worlds," says ILFORD Photo chairman Phil Harris. "This unique product brings together the added creative benefits offered by digital manipulation, with the long established aesthetic and archival properties of true baryta base black-and-white silver gelatin prints."

Being launched at Photokina, ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL will also be demonstrated via a series of exhibitions in the UK, Europe and the USA later in the year through to early 2007.

For more detailed information on ILFORD GALERIE FB DIGITAL paper and other fine black-and-white products from ILFORD Photo, visit www.ilfordphoto.com

Via PhotographyBLOG

Ilford Photo press release:

ILFORD Photo is providing unique opportunities for students of photography to learn their skills from masters of the art via a programme of Masterclass workshops at colleges throughout the UK. Underlining ILFORD Photo’s commitment to the long-term development of black-and-white photography, the company is a strong supporter of students studying photography-related subjects.

ILFORD Photo recognises that as today’s students work their way through the fundamentals of pure photography, they are laying the basis for tomorrow’s world of imaging. As such, the company believes it is imperative that the basis of film-based image capture, processing and printing continues to provide the foundation for all elements of photography, including digital, to ensure that the human element in the creative process is encouraged and nurtured to its maximum. To this end, ILFORD Photo sponsors a series of Masterclass workshops at various UK colleges and universities which offer photography courses. From Newcastle to Fareham, from Blackpool to Cambridge and London, and all points in between, in excess of 80 Masterclasses will be held throughout 2006. They are led by world-class professional printer/photographers who share their own knowledge, experience and talents to provide students with the best possible grounding for their studies.

More info here at ilfordphoto.com.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Ilford Photo press release:

Extending darkroom options on printing black-and-white images to further levels of artistry is a new selenium toner from ILFORD Photo.

One of the major benefits of using silver photography, and processing prints in chemistry baths, is the degree of control which can be exerted on the finished product. This is never more obvious than when extending the purity of tone and line inherent in black-and-white photography with the use of toners. Not surprisingly, therefore, it is a field into which ILFORD Photo has put a great deal of research and development. Due for availability in summer 2006 is the first of what will be a full range of colour toners from ILFORD Photo - ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner - which takes the artistry of a monochrome print to perfection. This high quality formula is straightforward in use and has several advantages in addition to emphasising the versatile tonal range of black-and-white prints.

The degree of effect which any toner will have on a print depends on, firstly, the dilution of the solution; secondly, the time the print is immersed; and thirdly, the type of paper being used.

The ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner will be supplied as a ready prepared liquid, so there are no particular toxic concerns, and is recommended to be used at 1+10 dilution for optimum results. The time required will depend on the tonal quality of the print, but around 5 minutes is a general guide.

This mix will enhance the maximum density (Dmax) of the blacks, and change the image tone. The toner absorbs any olive hue present, and pushes shadows towards a purplish black finish with no discernable effect on the highlights. The effects will be most noticeable when using MULTIGRADE WARMTONE papers, but more subtle on harder papers such as MULTIGRADE IV.

The reaction of the selenium on the silver halide (AgX) of the print hardens the adherence of the image to the paper, thereby improving its stability, permanence and archival properties as well as defining its appearance.

Altogether, ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner will provide the finishing touch which turns an excellent black-and-white picture into a photographic masterpiece.

Further information on ILFORD Photo toners can be found on the new ILFORD Photo website: ilfordphoto.com.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Silverprint have done a quick review of Ilford’s new Harman Cooltone and Warmtone B&W paper developers.

According to Silverprint, "Having now had a chance to lab test the new Ilford Warmtone and Coldtone developers, we can state categorically they are the most effective specialised print developers ever placed on the market."

Continue reading and see samples at Silverprint News.