Another new film from Rollei-Film

[perkeleellinen]

Do you know who that guy is?

http://www.tarquinius.de/

Earlier this year he had some 35mm aerochrome for sale and I bought 4 rolls (not cheap!) after exchanging some emails. Nice guy, seems to be genuinely trying to keep colour infra-red going for a bit longer.

 

[JanaM]

I used their IR film and liked it. I really liked the R3 film. They scapped it. ....
I won't be buying Rollei again.

There was an official announcement from Rollei-Film why they had to stop production. They had no other choice.
They introduced this film about ten years ago (as Maco Cube 400, the film was produced by Filmotec in Wolfen, Germany). With start of the Rollei-Film brand, this film got the new name Rollei R3.

They had to stop because of much to low demand. It was impossible to produce this film in a profitable way. Production of this film was very cost intensive because of the special multi-layer technology used with this film.

They have tried supply of this film for ten years. I think this is quite a long time. And those who love this film can still buy it at the moment and can put their freezers full for the next 10 or 20 years.

I think you can't blame the manufacturer if the demand is too low. It is currently the same case with Kodachrome and Fuji Pro 800Z.

Jana

 

[JanaM]

I am totally with you here. Let's welcome all film users.

-Laura

You are absolutely right Laura!

What is so nice with film is that we have so much different films for different purposes, for different tastes and different ways to express ourselve with our photographs.

And new films with different looks like this new Rollei Redbird film are always welcome, even if you or me have a different taste.
But those photographers who like this new way of seeing and photographing will be happy.

Some facts about Low-Fidelity photography, Lomography, experimental photography or whatever you will call it (the name doesn't matter at all):

- more than one million users worldwide
- much more than 100.000 new low-fi cameras are sold every year
- most of these photographers are very young, a lot of them started with digital and is now discovering film by experimental photography
- these photographers are buying millions of films p.a., without them probably a lot of films would have to be discontinued
- they keep the production lines running
- the Lomographic society is now a company with more economic power than even Foma
- they make a very successful marketing for film as a photographic medium, whereas Kodak, Fuji, Ilford and Foma has almost stopped marketing for film in general
- Lomo is very successful in Asia and the developing countries, and they offer workshops for young photographers
- at photokina last year the lomographic Society had by far the biggest film booth; much bigger than Kodak, Fuji or Foma (Ilford was not there at all). Above their booth in big letters their slogan: "The future is analogue"

Summary: Even if we don't like this this photography concept, we should show respect and be happy about it, because we are benefitting in many ways by this photographic style.

Jana

 

[PHOTOTONE]

AFAIK, all these "new" films are actually existing films made for aerial and survelliance photography that Roelli/Maco is cutting and repackaging for consumer use.

 

[JanaM]

AFAIK, all these "new" films are actually existing films made for aerial and survelliance photography that Roelli/Maco is cutting and repackaging for consumer use.

That is right, but they are new on the market for us normal photographers.
You cannot go to Agfa-Gevaert and simply buy film there. You have to order big masterrolls and invest lots of money. And then you need a specialised company for cutting, perforating and packing.
All that is not trivial at all.

And with extending the field of use for these films the film production lines at Agfa-Gevaert are supported. We should support all of our remaining film manufacturers.

Jana

 

[Tom Kershaw]

AFAIK, all these "new" films are actually existing films made for aerial and survelliance photography that Roelli/Maco is cutting and repackaging for consumer use.

This was my understanding as well, although I wonder how the Rollei PAN 25 film fits within this framework?

Tom.

 

[JanaM]

This was my understanding as well, although I wonder how the Rollei PAN 25 film fits within this framework?

Tom.

Rollei Pan 25 is an improved Orwo NP 15 emulsion. Coated by Filmotec in Wolfen, Germany.
It is not a film with origin in aerial photography.

Jana

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Jana,

Have you used much of it?

Tom.

 

[JanaM]

Jana,

Have you used much of it?

Tom.

No, not much, from time to time for certain purposes.
I like it, but most of the time I am using higher speed films.

In this speed range I am now using more and more the ultra high resolution films like Rollei Ortho 25, Rollei ATP and Spur DSX 64 (= Agfa Copex Rapid with special Spur developer).

Jana

 

[cmacd123]

OK, a related question:

Filmotec makes a 400 Movie negative, which is a dual layer beast. Is that one of the stocks that is sold under the Rollei name for still use?

 

[AgX]

Maco offers three 400 ISO films under the Rollei brand at the moment:

-) Infrared 400 which is current Agfa's Aviphot Pan 400S

-) Retro 400S a film about its features they make contradictory statements
(Maco stated details of different Agfa films, see: (there was a url link here which no longer exists))

-) R3 which is Filmotec's TC 27 emulsion coated on clear, colourless PET base