I'm fascinated by your attitude to the so-called eastern block. What makes you think that "high tech" technology could not be invented and/or manufactured there? For example, did you know that contact lenses were originally invented and developed by a medical doctor in the Czech Republic? That the process of liquid chromatography was invented by a Czech scientist here in the Czech Republic? That the Czech scientists invented a way to weave (on industrial scale) a usable tissue from nano-fibres, that noone else is able to do on the industrial scale so far? And the same is definitelly true for the rest of the former eastern block.
This attitude of yours is quite common and completely wrong. It would be nice if you could base your attitude on correct information.
I'm sorry for such a post, but I'm proud for Czech scientists here and anywhere in the world.
Hey, take it easy...
Firstly, I have not in any way stated that any states formerly under the oppression of the Soviet Union are incapable of making high-tech products or conducting research on a high or world leading level.
Secondly, I have not stated that the states formerly under the oppression of the Soviet Union are incapable of making great high-tech films, but my impression is that they don't. Many posts here on APUG tell of eFKe's plant as a well functioning place, but using 1950's technology, and unable to make higher speed emulsions than 100 ISO. My own impression of eFKe's products mirrors this. My impression of the 10 (defective) rolls of Foma film I've used is that Foma's quality control leaves a bit to desire. My impression of the Fortepan 400 sheet film is the same. QC is not top notch.
So, my own empirical impression of the Czech and Croatian film making industry is that it does not live of to the standards of Ilford, Kodak or Fuji.
This, I'm sure, has
absolutely nothing to do with the capability and ingenuity of the universities, scientists, and research labs of the Czech republic, Croatia or any other state formerly under the oppression of a socialist dictatorship, but a lot to do with
money. The big three have had fifty years of massive customer base, buying their products at a premium price, so that their research labs and scientists can improve all aspects of film making. Not at all the same with the Foma et al.
That being said, I use and love Foma and Forte papers, and also Adox papers of which some are produced in eastern Europe. I've had very few issues with these products. To me, they are superior to many products made in the UK.
Finally, I did not mean to offend or put down Czech or any other scientists from eastern Europe. I do not have an attitude towards them. I think you jumped the gun a little bit here... but no hard feelings on my part.
Sincerely,
Henning
