Back in June 2018, the Ferrania Folks hoped to be in continuous production by Fall

[Cholentpot]

Domani.

Va bene.

 

[removedacct1]

Not what I want but surely the truth. How many years already and all they can do is a weak black and white film with spotty production and crazy pricing.

People did better in 1918 with leaky brick buildings and no electricity.

Now that's the kind of positivity I have come to rely on here at Photrio! Go team!

 

[Agulliver]

Svema

As I recall that is the subject of some debate, but I hope it is true.

 

[Cholentpot]

As I recall that is the subject of some debate, but I hope it is true.

I got sample rolls from them. It was at the very least shipped in from Ukraine.

 

[cmacd123]

I got sample rolls from them. It was at the very least shipped in from Ukraine.

I have shot a few of the Astrum/Svema Photo 400. It is in very soviet plastic cassettes. It does come with a leader pre-cut for cameras like the Ukrainian FED. It is however coated on a remarkably thin polyester base, and has no edge markings. it has an anti-halo back coat similar to that found on 129 film, and so a almost clear base.
I am suspecting that they are converting some sort of AREO film. (but under the circumstances I am willing to spend a few bucks their way) Only 35mm is available. the thin film is slighhtly difficult to load in my Jobo tanks. Negatives look crisp and sharp.

the Ferrania P30 is a much more conventional film with a normal grey base, and standard metal cassettes. the latest batch has a bar code to trace back to the production run, and the actually pancake the film is cut from. (some of the issues some have had with the early P30 was due to the film being converted by contractors.

the signifigance of 120 for Ferrania is that they previously indicated that they would not consider themselves "in production" until they were also able to ship 120/

 

[cmacd123]

Oh and for film packing geeks. the last batch of Ferrania (the one with the bar codes) came with each roll in a Ferrania style plastic can, rather than the generic ones that the ones converted by contactors came in.

 

[Cholentpot]

I have shot a few of the Astrum/Svema Photo 400. It is in very soviet plastic cassettes. It does come with a leader pre-cut for cameras like the Ukrainian FED. It is however coated on a remarkably thin polyester base, and has no edge markings. it has an anti-halo back coat similar to that found on 129 film, and so a almost clear base.
I am suspecting that they are converting some sort of AREO film. (but under the circumstances I am willing to spend a few bucks their way) Only 35mm is available. the thin film is slighhtly difficult to load in my Jobo tanks. Negatives look crisp and sharp.

the Ferrania P30 is a much more conventional film with a normal grey base, and standard metal cassettes. the latest batch has a bar code to trace back to the production run, and the actually pancake the film is cut from. (some of the issues some have had with the early P30 was due to the film being converted by contractors.

the signifigance of 120 for Ferrania is that they previously indicated that they would not consider themselves "in production" until they were also able to ship 120/

Yep. That's exactly what I got. Very thin base, scratched easily. Looked pretty good though.

 

[Arcadia4]

The detailed astrum/svema story is here, google translate will help

На заводе «Свема» в Шостке до сих пор делают пленку на экспорт в США и Европу, хотя завод развалился. Как? — репортаж theБабеля

Новую пленку советской марки «Свема» можно купить у американской компании Film Photography Project по 7—8 долларов за катушку. На своем сайте компания пишет, что вывезла старое советское оборудование...

babel.ua

tldr. Astrum, rented a building on the svema site in ‘95 setup by former employees while svema was still operational. They convert aerial and xray films etc which they buy in from likes of agfa, possibly tasma. Svemas final coating was in 2003 and closed 2005, coating machinery was scrapped and factory demolished 2018. Astrum then acquired right to the svema name which they use for nostalgic value.

Good to hear they are still operating if someone has recent contact.

 

[Agulliver]

So unfortunately Tasma film is not manufactured in Ukraine.

 

[cmacd123]

So unfortunately Tasma film is not manufactured in Ukraine.

nope Kazan Russia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasma

 

[CMoore]

I guess i am kind of surprised that make enough money to stay in business..........................

 

[Agulliver]

The issues Film Ferrania face have been pored over many times. They're a very small team, mainly of older people who will have been forced by law to stay home and away from work for several periods of a few months during 2020/21. The Italian government decided to cut their campus in two and shut off water, power and gas for around a year. They discovered asbestos that needed to be removed before they were permitted back. And now supply chain problems that are vexing even Kodak and FujiFilm. They're also working with old equipment that was effectively mothballed for a decade and requires a lot of TLC before it can be up and running reliably.

Sure, they were too optimistic with some of their timelines but it's been made quite clear where they're at, what the problems are and that they're no longer engaging with us here due to the abuse they received when they did. They have a presence on the social media that active younger photographers actually use. Though even that gets gummed up with entitled posters demanding to know "where's the colour film I ordered. I gunna sue".

 

[Cholentpot]

The issues Film Ferrania face have been pored over many times. They're a very small team, mainly of older people who will have been forced by law to stay home and away from work for several periods of a few months during 2020/21. The Italian government decided to cut their campus in two and shut off water, power and gas for around a year. They discovered asbestos that needed to be removed before they were permitted back. And now supply chain problems that are vexing even Kodak and FujiFilm. They're also working with old equipment that was effectively mothballed for a decade and requires a lot of TLC before it can be up and running reliably.

Sure, they were too optimistic with some of their timelines but it's been made quite clear where they're at, what the problems are and that they're no longer engaging with us here due to the abuse they received when they did. They have a presence on the social media that active younger photographers actually use. Though even that gets gummed up with entitled posters demanding to know "where's the colour film I ordered. I gunna sue".

And when all these problems gets solved something else will come up and they'll say 'XYZ happened, so sorry.'

At this point I suspect it's a government grift. As long as they stay open they get some sort of government stipend or grant. When that dries up they'll close doors for good.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

The issues Film Ferrania face have been pored over many times. They're a very small team, mainly of older people who will have been forced by law to stay home and away from work for several periods of a few months during 2020/21. The Italian government decided to cut their campus in two and shut off water, power and gas for around a year. They discovered asbestos that needed to be removed before they were permitted back. And now supply chain problems that are vexing even Kodak and FujiFilm. They're also working with old equipment that was effectively mothballed for a decade and requires a lot of TLC before it can be up and running reliably.

Sure, they were too optimistic with some of their timelines but it's been made quite clear where they're at, what the problems are and that they're no longer engaging with us here due to the abuse they received when they did. They have a presence on the social media that active younger photographers actually use. Though even that gets gummed up with entitled posters demanding to know "where's the colour film I ordered. I gunna sue".

All this moaning people have been doing got old ages ago. I'm quite pleased that after all these obstacles, they are still standing. Does that not show the doubters a desire to succeed? Go Film Ferrania!

 

[Agulliver]

And when all these problems gets solved something else will come up and they'll say 'XYZ happened, so sorry.'

At this point I suspect it's a government grift. As long as they stay open they get some sort of government stipend or grant. When that dries up they'll close doors for good.

If that were so, one would be able to find out as it would be a matter of public record.

So....buzzzz....wrong answer. Try again.

 

[Cholentpot]

If that were so, one would be able to find out as it would be a matter of public record.

So....buzzzz....wrong answer. Try again.

I mean they have gotten funds from their government in the past, they've said as much in updates.

Also, what makes you think everything operates above ground? There's no corruption anywhere? I'm sure Italy never had an issue with corruption. Nope. Everything straight and tidy.

All this moaning people have been doing got old ages ago. I'm quite pleased that after all these obstacles, they are still standing. Does that not show the doubters a desire to succeed? Go Film Ferrania!

I disagree at this point Andy.

Enough excuses and failed deadlines. They have one emulsion after nearly a decade of work. As someone else said, this stuff was done before electricity was commonly available. I used to be on team Rah Rah Go Guys Go! Now they're just making excuses or just not doing anything.

It's put up or shut up time.

 

[faberryman]

Well, they did get their confection machine going so they no longer have to outsource that part of the process which was a big stumbling block. I think they said they had manufactured 4000 rolls start to finish in house. They appear to be taking the slow and steady wins the race approach. That and as I understand it there are only a few guys doing the work. They are still at it after all these years so that shows some dedication. Saying they were going to make 120 probably wasn't the best move since it gives people something to grouse about as it didn't happen yesterday and who knows if and when it will happen. I might even buy some of their film once a steady stream of it is available. At least they are not rebranding film and lying about it.

 

[Cholentpot]

Well, they did get their confection machine going so they no longer have to outsource that part of the process. I think they said they had manufactured 4000 rolls start to finish in house. They appear to be taking the slow and steady wins the race approach. That and as I understand it there are only a few guys doing the work. They are still at it after all these years so that shows some dedication. Saying they were going to make 120 probably wasn't the best move since it gives people something to grouse about as it didn't happen yesterday and who knows if and when it will happen. I might even buy some of their film once a steady stream of it is available. At least they are not rebranding film and lying about it.

Give credit where credit is due. They did put an emulsion out to market.

 

[pentaxuser]

And when all these problems gets solved something else will come up and they'll say 'XYZ happened, so sorry.'

At this point I suspect it's a government grift. As long as they stay open they get some sort of government stipend or grant. When that dries up they'll close doors for good.

Does your first sentence indicate that in your opinion Ferrania is tackling its problems? Certainly your second sentence seems to indicate that Ferrania has decided it is better off with a pretence of being a business and may be close to attempting a fraud on the government, if its is not already there. This surely renders the owners to criminal proceedings and if found guilty would, I imagine, make them likely to a jail sentence. That's pretty high stakes stuff. . However that's my interpretation of what you are saying and I might be wrong

So to clarify matters, may I ask what if anything do you believe Ferrania is in fact doing that indicates it has not given up totally and relying on a form of pretence?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[faberryman]

Give credit where credit is due. They did put an emulsion out to market.

Yes, Ferrania certainly deserves credit for that. It is almost miraculous given where they started.

 

[Cholentpot]

Does your first sentence indicate that in your opinion Ferrania is tackling its problems? Certainly your second sentence seems to indicate that Ferrania has decided it is better off with a pretence of being a business and may be close to attempting a fraud on the government, if its is not already there. This surely renders the owners to criminal proceedings and if found guilty would, I imagine, make them likely to a jail sentence. That's pretty high stakes stuff. . However that's my interpretation of what you are saying and I might be wrong

So to clarify matters, may I ask what if anything do you believe Ferrania is in fact doing that indicates it has not given up totally and relying on a form of pretence?

Thanks

pentaxuser

Unlike film, not everything is black and white. Lots of grey area to bounce around in. It's not 'fraud fraud' it's just more like a business opportunity that happens to have multiple streams of income from multiple sources. They did put out a film after all.

Yes, Ferrania certainly deserves credit for that. It is almost miraculous given where they started.

Yes. Great.

Now pat them on the back and give a trophy. What next? Can they do anything more than that initial run of 4000 rolls or that was it?

 

[faberryman]

Yes. Great. Now pat them on the back and give a trophy. What next? Can they do anything more than that initial run of 4000 rolls or that was it?

I don't know. We'll have to see. They seem to be headed in the right direction, even though it is slow going. I'm in no rush.

 

[cmacd123]

I think they said they had manufactured 4000 rolls start to finish in house. They appear to be taking the slow and steady wins the race approach.

yes, I recall that one of the rolls I got had a bar code number of dc3. that is 3523 in decimal.

 

[cmacd123]

I would actually be interested if anyone has bar codes wth a higher number.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well over 1,000 posts and still no new film.