Tag: film

SX-70 Blend film in North America + free shipping!

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

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:

www.lordofthelens.net

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

Fomapan 100 film in Diafine developer reference

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Fomapan 100 film in Diafine developer reference by Luke Healey

Luke Healey has posted another Diafine EI test (see his previous test of Tri-X), this time of Fomapan 100. Check it out in his photostream at Flickr (larger version available there).

If you’re not familiar with Diafine developer, it’s got several magical properties: it’s a split-bath compensating developer, so it’s difficult to get blocked shadows or blown highlights, one batch can last for well over a year, its temperature range is wide enough (21–30°C / 70–85°F) that you don’t need a thermometer, they recommend you not use a chemical stop bath (just water), film needs to spend at least 3 minutes in each bath (but can spend more), and since the development time is the same for every film, you can develop different emulsions in the same batch at one time. If you’re gentle with the agitation, it’s quite fine-grained. In short: AWESOME.

For more info, see the Diafine group on Flickr, Grant Heffernan, or Sherman Dunnam Photography.

You can buy it from Calumet Photographic, B&H, and Amazon.com in the US, among other places. For the UK, hit Retro Photographic.

Velvia 50 to be reintroduced in US

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

On the heels Fujifilm UK’s announcement last week that Velvia 50 slide film would be reintroduced to the UK [see previous post], Fujifilm USA today announced that the same would happen in the US:

Fujifilm press release:

FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to announce plans to re-introduce an ISO 50 Fujichrome Velvia professional film, tentatively named Velvia II. Fujichrome Velvia (RVP 50) was the first high color saturation, high contrast transparency E-6 compatible film when it was introduced in 1990 and was a favorite among photographers. Its discontinuation was announced last year due to difficulties in procuring some of the raw materials used to produce the emulsion.

"Since we announced the discontinuation of Velvia 50, we have been inundated with requests from photographers worldwide to continue production,” said Christian Fridholm, Director of Marketing, Picture Taking, Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. “They had used Velvia for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we took those requests very seriously."

As a result, Fujifilm research and development teams have developed substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable the company to restart production. The new film is expected to be available in late spring 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product.

"We are pleased to, once again, demonstrate our commitment to photographic film and to our photographer customers," concluded Fridholm. Specific details, including naming, pricing and shipment dates will be announced when they become available.

[corporate spew removed]

For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.

New "SX-70 Blend" Polaroid film

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

Since Polaroid discontinued Time-Zero film, shooting SX-70 cameras hasn’t been possible without some hacking. The folks at Unsaleable.com, purveyors of Polaroid products, have introduced SX-70 Blend film that works in unmodified SX-70s, no exposure compensation required.

Specs

Film Speed: ISO 640 / DIN 29

Format: 3.5 x 4.25 in. (8,9 x 10,8 cm)

Image Area: 3.125 x 3.125 in. (7,9 x 7,9 cm)

Finish: Glossy

Unique SX-70 Blend features:

  • Special blend-chemistry for unique and pro-quality colour management.
  • Integrated ND (neutral density) filter for optimized film speed correction.
  • Original SX-70 film cartridge that perfectly fits inside all SX-70 Cameras, no physical manipulation required.

The Web site has lots of info: this film compared to 600 and Time-Zero, an info PDF, a PDF data sheet, and lots of sample images.

There’s a discount offer available for Polanoid members, details in this post.

Velvia 50 to be reintroduced!

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

Aw yeah! Velvia 50, a very saturated, fine-grained slide film loved by landscape photographers, will return! It’s also really nice to cross process in C-41 chemistry, just shoot at EI 25 for a nice density range.

Fujifilm press release:

Fujifilm Professional is delighted to announce that the company is planning to re-launch Fujichrome Velvia 50 into the UK market.

Production of Velvia 50 was halted at the beginning of 2005 when vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion became unavailable. The re-launch of Velvia 50 is a further illustration of Fujifilm’s continued commitment to the production and promotion of professional film.

Russ Gunn, Fujifilm Professional Product Manager, made this comment: "We have received many requests from photographers to restart manufacturing, as they had used Velvia 50 for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we have been reviewing the possibility of restarting production."

Gunn continued: "In response to these requests our research and development teams have been working hard to develop substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable us to restart production of this famous emulsion. We are planning to re-introduce the new Velvia 50 in the spring of 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product. Many photographers were understandably upset when we were forced to withdraw Velvia 50, and we are delighted to be able to announce its re-introduction."

An announcement of specific details, including price, formats and availability schedule will be made as soon as they are available. The existing range of Fujifilm Professional films will remain unaltered.

For further information, please visit www.fujifilm.co.uk/professional

US Polaroid 600 film sale: buy 4, get 1 free + free shipping

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

The title says it all: for every four packs of Polaroid 600 film you buy, you get one free. To get free shipping, use promo code ERV2YB during checkout.

The offer ends 28 September, 2006, and is only valid if you buy directly from Polaroid.

I bought a crapload when they had the same offer on Spectra film a few months back and my order was correct and arrived quickly.

(This is not an affiliate thing, I got this in Polaroid’s newsletter.)

Kodak Portra films enhanced

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Kodak UK Press Release:

Kodak Introduces Enhanced PORTRA Colour Negative Films with Finer Grain, Spectacular Skin Tones, Vivid Colour and Ideal Scanning Performance – Continued Innovation Gives Pro Photographers High Quality Films to Achieve Impactful Images

London, September 11 – In a move that underscores its ongoing support of the professional photography market, Eastman Kodak Company today introduced enhanced versions of its iconic KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA colour negative film family, comprising 160 VC, 160 NC, 400 VC and 400 NC film. These films help professional photographers create stunning images with finer grain, spectacular skin tones, and improved scanning performance for greater enlargement capability. Plus, PORTRA 160VC and PORTRA 400VC films now provide a more ideal combination of higher colour saturation and lower contrast for optimal performance in high-colour applications.

"More than two-thirds of professional photographers today mix film and digital when shooting, depending on the job at hand and the desired end result they want to achieve," said Julian Baust UK Country Manager "Our commitment is to make sure they have the best tools for the job. The innovations we are introducing in our new PORTRA films help ensure that photographers, whether shooting at a wedding, in the studio, on a fashion shoot, or for nature and landscapes, achieve the most truthful, impactful result."

Features of the new PORTRA Film include:

  • Finer Grain: New Micro-Structure Optimized T-GRAIN® Emulsions now enable PORTRA Films to deliver finer grain than ever before.
  • Outstanding Scanning Results: With finer grain and an emulsion overcoat specially designed for scanners, PORTRA Films reproduce beautifully, be it optical or digital output.
  • Spectacular Skin Tones: Reengineered PORTRA Films deliver smooth, natural reproduction of skin tones, with a choice of Natural or Vivid colour saturation.
  • Superb Colour in Mixed Light: PORTRA films deliver beautiful, natural colour regardless of the lighting conditions, even under fluorescent light.
  • Best In Class Underexposure Latitude: PORTRA films provide the greatest latitude among professional colour films (-2 to+3 stops), enabling photographers to shoot with confidence even under challenging lighting conditions.
  • True-To-Speed ISO Ratings: There‘s no need to test or compensate. Set the meter to the box speed and start shooting.
  • Matched Prints: Single Channel Printing Technology delivers beautifully matched prints across all speeds and formats.

To ensure that this new film would meet the needs of professionals, Kodak had a number of photographers and professional labs test the product during its final stages of development.

"I am thrilled with this new film," said Jock McDonald, an internationally acclaimed professional photographer, based in San Francisco, California. "It brings so much to the dance – the way it handles contrast, keeping shadow detail is incredible. And its fine grain detail and colour palate are wonderful. It’s magical."

"Due to the superior grain and latitude of the new PORTRA films, I am able to use available light in more extreme situations without compromising the quality my clients and I demand," said Chris Usher, a renowned internationally published photojournalist whose documentation of behind the scenes moments at the White House, "Behind the Velvet Rope," is currently touring as an exhibition. "Whether shooting at a small county fair in the middle of the day, a rodeo at night, the majestic splendor of Niagara Falls through the mist or everyday people going about their lives, I can rely on PORTRA Film with confidence. The images, in detail and colour, are the next best thing to being there."

McDonald and Usher will join professional photographers Renate Forster and Frederic Lagrange at a panel at Photokina, to discuss their experiences with PORTRA Film, as well as how film fits into their work and photography. Photokina is the largest imaging exposition and trade show in Europe, which opens September 26 in Cologne, Germany. Visitors to Photokina can join these panels, to be held:

  • Wednesday, September 27: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.; Kristallsaal room, section 3: Entrance West, 3rd floor
  • Thursday, September 28: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.; Salon Barcarole: Entrance West, 3rd floor

In addition to the discussion, Kodak will showcase images that these photographers have captured using the PORTRA films at its booth, 5.2 – Stand A002 / C031 and during the panel presentations.

The new KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA films will be available worldwide on a stock-turnover basis beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006.

About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak’s innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.co.uk.

Kodak, Kodak Professional and Portra are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.

How to modify a Polaroid SX-70 for 600 film

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

Adrian Hanft (of Lego pinhole camera fame) wrote a nice, step-by-step tutorial on converting a Polaroid SX-70 camera—whose Time Zero film has been discontinued—to take the still-available 600 film. He writes:

Polaroid 600 film actually fits in an SX-70 camera pretty easily. The problem with using 600 film in the SX-70 is that it is four times more sensitive than SX-70 film. Without modification, all your photos taken with 600 film would be overexposed. To correct this problem, we are going to adjust the camera by two stops. We will use a one stop neutral density filter to cover the lens, and we will remove the neutral density filter that covers the photocell. If you are wondering why we are adjusting by two stops when the film is four times faster, here is a quick math lesson. One stop is equivalent to doubling (or halving depending on which direction you are going) the amount of light. So, 2×2=4. Alright, lets get started.

Read tutorial at Found Photography