holgamods have added the Mamiya 645 mount to their existing range of pinhole body caps, which now includes Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Kiev 60 & 88/Pentacon 6/Exakta 66. Check them out at holgamods!
Category: Product News
New Holgaroid (Polaroid back for Holgas) shoots current pack film!
Freestyle Photographic has the new Holgaroid back! Here’s their product description:
Turn your Holga into the most unique instant camera you’ve ever seen with the new Instant Film Back! It’s custom-built to fit both all Holga and Woca cameras, installing easily onto each of them within seconds. It comes with a Polaroid type film back, a mask to hold batteries in place in a Holga 120FN or 120 CFN camera, built-in tripod socket a .3x diopter which adjusts the Holga’s film plane to accommodate the Polaroid back and newly designed plastic viewfinder (included).
This film back will accommodate Polaroid T-80 series films [still available but no longer in production] as well as 690/669 size films [still available and in production].
Note: T-80 series films result in a full frame image. 690/669 type films images are slightly off center.
Price is $129.99.
Via Randy Smith of holgamods
Ilford SFX 200 infrared film returns
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
New Ilford Professional brand and products
I don’t know exactly what "translucent, reverse print, vinyl and pop-up films" means in terms of tangible products or how you use them, but they, uh, sound cool? Maybe this makes more sense to you than it does to me.
ILFORD press release:
Enhanced image performance and premium graphic quality – some of the numerous benefits to the new ILFORD range of professional film products
Marly, Switzerland – ILFORD, a major player in the development and manufacture of photo quality media for inkjet printing and photographic processes, announces today the launch of its new ILFORD Professional Brand aimed at helping professional photographers attain maximum image quality through a range of premium products.
In keeping with the ILFORD commitment to providing professional photographers with the tools to achieve constant, superior results, ILFORD has created and manufactured a new range of paper, film and vinyl products.
Developed to fill a niche market, the new ILFORD Professional Brand enables photographers to diversify their services and produce images on translucent, reverse print, vinyl and pop-up films which they can purchase in small quantities rather than committing to buying in bulk. The new product range is also compatible with the ILFORD STUDIO software.
"The intrinsic artistic value of a photograph is as important to professional photographers as its investment value", said Andrew Stewart, Sales and Marketing Director of ILFORD. "With the new ILFORD Professional Brand, photographers can now work with a host of new applications, without sacrificing quality or image stability. Where the professional photographer may once have been hindered by the lack of such quality products in small quantities, the new additions emphasize the ability of ILFORD to expand and cater for new markets", he concluded.
The new professional range will go on sale in April 2007 and will be available in 17" – 44" rolls with a single roll minimum order quantity. This product range, as well as other ILFORD products, will be distributed in the USA through WYNIT.
ZINK inkless printing
A company called ZINK have just introduced a photo printing system that doesn’t use ink or ribbons. It’s basically a colour thermal printer that activates heat-reactive crystals in their paper.
ZINK Imaging Press Release:
Enabling Printing Where It Has Never Before Been Possible
ZINK Imaging has unveiled a new way for consumers to print and experience full color digital images without the need for ink cartridges or ribbons. ZINK Imaging’s patented technology, being shown for the first time at the DEMO 07 conference, shifts the printing paradigm from an ink cartridge or ink ribbon, to a totally inkless system. Images magically appear on the ZINK paper without a drop of ink.
The key to the ZINK process is the ZINK paper, which is protected by more than 100 patents and patents pending. Dye crystals are embedded in the ZINK paper and are activated by heat from a ZINK printer. The crystals then colorize, producing high quality, long-lasting, durable, and affordable images.
"At ZINK Imaging, we are insisting on the impossible to deliver a revolutionary digital printing experience to the world. ZINK technology does not require ink to print, provides a magical user experience, can transform any device into a printer, is good to the environment and most importantly, makes people smile," said Wendy Caswell, president and CEO, ZINK Imaging.
"Our unveiling at DEMO marks the completion of a long and intense road of research and development that has resulted in a patented, innovative printing technology that we are quite proud to deliver this year."
ZINK Enables a New Mobile Printing Market
The ZINK printing technology will enable a new mobile printing market. Later this year, ZINK Imaging’s partners will launch the first products using ZINK technology. These products are designed to take printing where it has never before been possible – into the pocket of every camera phone and digital camera user. With ZINK, printing in the moment becomes possible."Each year, millions of pictures are taken by camera phones and other devices but are never printed because consumers just don’t know how or the process is too difficult. ZINK Imaging has invented a whole new way of printing digital images through the simple process of just adding paper. With this new inkless technology, consumers can print anywhere they take a picture," said Chris Shipley, executive producer, DEMO. "DEMO has made its reputation by introducing disruptive technology to the marketplace and ZINK is definitely one of the most exciting new technologies we have ever had at DEMO."
ZINK Imaging is the technology inventor and the manufacturer of the ZINK paper. It is creating the future of digital printing with a network of the world’s most innovative companies and global brands to commercialize ZINK enabled products. ZINK Imaging will be announcing several partnerships in the coming months.
To learn more about ZINK Imaging, please visit www.ZINK.com. Or visit them at the DEMO Pavilion, #61.
While I’m not familiar with any of the specifics beyond this press release, the patents thing kind of gets me. I’m sure there are new and cool techniques involved here, but monochromatic thermal printing has been around for quite some time—most non-laser faxes and many shop and credit card receipts are printed thermally. Hell, you can make your own: coat a piece of paper with milk or lemon juice, let it dry, and write on it with something hot.
Via PhotographyBLOG
New "Holga Steel" from holgamods
Check out the new Holga Steel from holgamods! ("Not really steel, just chrome paint".) Nice!
US $49.95, includes the standard mod package (2 working apertures, close focussing, 6×6 and 645 masks, factory bulb shutter & tripod mount).
Fujichrome Fortia SP film re-released in Japan
Fuji have re-released the "limited edition" Fortia SP slide film in Japan. It’s ISO 50 (though it’s recommended that you shoot it at 64), has extremely high colour saturation (apparently higher than Velvia 50), and high contrast. It’s available in 35mm and 120 with no plans for distribution outside of Japan.
You can order it from megaperls, though, who carry some other films that are difficult to get outside of Japan, such as Fuji Neopan SS (ISO 100, not Acros) and Fuji Presto 400 B&W films and Fuji Natura 1600 colour print film. It aint cheap, though.
Olympus and Pentax pinhole body caps now avilable from holgamods
Holgamods, the place to go if you want a Holga modified into usefulness and don’t want to mess with it yourself, have added Olympus and Pentax to their range of SLR pinhole body caps. Dig!
UK peeps: order Ilford B&W stuff direct for local pick-up
The corporate-speak press release is below, but this is actually really cool: UK photographers can order B&W materials directly from Ilford, who will ship it to your nearest Ilford stockist for pick-up the following day. No more endless waiting for backordered items!
Ilford Photo press release:
Mobberley, Cheshire. 6 December 2006 – Solving the problem of marrying supply with demand for its products, while extending its strong links with users and retailers, ILFORD Photo offers the ideal solution for ensuring the easy availability of the world’s favourite black-and-white photographic film, paper and photochemistry. ILFORD Photo, the world’s leading supplier of black-and-white photography products, has launched a new service to bring together users and retailers of its products, to the benefit of everyone involved. Called Direct2Dealer, the service is based on a catalogue of the more than 380 products available from ILFORD Photo. The catalogue is being distributed to colleges and universities which run photographic courses, as well as to retailers, and is available free to users by telephoning 0800 234 6484.
Users order the products they require from the catalogue direct from ILFORD Photo by telephoning the number above to pay for the products which are priced at an average retail level – carriage is free on orders totalling more than £45, otherwise it is £4.99.
The products ordered are sent to the customer’s nearest ILFORD Photo participating stockist from where they can be collected. Orders placed before 1:00pm should be delivered the next working day. The retailer’s margin is paid by way of a monthly credit note.
"We are not competing with our retailers here," says ILFORD Photo UK sales director Steven Brierley, "in fact we are giving them extra support, for we realise it is unlikely that retailers will stock our complete range of black-and-white photographic products, but we regularly receive calls from users saying they cannot find a stockist for a particular item they wish to purchase.
"Via the Direct2Dealer system we are working both with retailers to ensure they can supply users with whatever ILFORD Photo products they require, and with users to provide factory-fresh products straight from ILFORD Photo’s warehouse."
The retailer benefits not only from receiving his margin for handling the collection, but he is provided with an opportunity to establish contact with a regular customer and the option of possibly selling other products.
"The range of products we supply is vast," says Brierley, "so when all that a user want is a box of paper or a single roll of film, he or she can club together with others to make up an order to save the carriage charge on orders under £45. No doubt students and camera club members in particular will take advantage of this opportunity."
Full details of the Direct2Dealer service and all ILFORD Photo products are available at www.ilfordphoto.com
Via PhotographyBLOG
SX-70 Blend film in North America + free shipping!
The new SX-70 Blend film for Polaroid SX-70s [see previous post] is now shipping from North America! Free shipping until 10 December, 2006!
The seller writes:
Hey everyone,
SX-70 Blend is the brand new film for all SX-70 format Polaroid cameras. It uses an integrated neutral-density filter and optimized chemistry to yield more vibrant colors and stronger contrast then ever before. And the original-spec cartridge fits perfectly into your camera without any jiggling.
I just signed a contract to distribute the film in the USA and Canada. It’s available for sale at my website:
The price is $38 for a doublepack, and there are discounts for bulk purchases. Moreover, I’ll be happy to offer you all free USA shipping on your first order. Canadian customers will get a $6 shipping discount – reducing their s&h charge to $9.00. Just enter the code LOTLSHIP at checkout. This offer is good until December 10th. Every order ships promptly from New York City, and includes a free SX-70 button (an actual button – not the camera!)
Check out my Flickr photos to see some actual shots taken with the film.
Thanks!
LOTL