CatLabs X 80 Film

TheGreatGasMaskMan · Apr 20, 2020

braxus said:
What makes you think this film is GP3? I understood they used the same backing paper, but was not the same emulsion as the Chinese film. It may have been made in the same plant though.

I've discussed this film in another thread before (I don't remember what is was though), and besides the backing paper, it was discussed that catlabs worked out a distribution deal with shanghai.

Bronson Dugnutt · Apr 20, 2020

paulbarden said:
I did tests with the 4x5 version of it two days ago. Intrepid 4x5 with the 100mm Wide Field Ektar lens. Rated at 40 ASA and processed in Rodinal 1:50
View attachment 244293

Do the LF versions of this film have the same clear base as the 120 format? It would be an interesting candidate for reversal processing. The emulsion can't be any more fragile than x-ray film...

braxus · Apr 20, 2020

On the sheet film versions, are the notch codes the same on GP3 and Catlabs X80? Also if it is GP3, did they resolve the coating issues they had in the past with pinholes on the sheet versions?

scheimfluger_77 · Apr 20, 2020

Paulbarden good job holding the highlights in the ferns.

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 20, 2020

braxus said:
On the sheet film versions, are the notch codes the same on GP3 and Catlabs X80? Also if it is GP3, did they resolve the coating issues they had in the past with pinholes on the sheet versions?

It uses a generic notch to indicate which side is the emulsion side- it's just a single semicircular notch. LOTS of films use this as the "notch code", so it would not prove or disprove the relationship with Shanghai GP3. From the 20 sheets of it I have shot so far, I would say that I have not seen any problem with pinholes in the emulsion, but that's not a definitive proof the problem is solved for Shanghai GP3.

braxus · Jun 22, 2020

Well I got my first roll of Catlabs X80 back from the lab. It was shot in my Pentax 67II and for the most part, the images were completely unusable. I dont know if it was the backing paper or a camera malfunction. It didnt do this on my other roll. Needless to say my test roll was a complete waste, so I may not be buying this film again.

Adrian Bacon · Jun 22, 2020

braxus said:
Well I got my first roll of Catlabs X80 back from the lab. It was shot in my Pentax 67II and for the most part, the images were completely unusable. I dont know if it was the backing paper or a camera malfunction. It didnt do this on my other roll. Needless to say my test roll was a complete waste, so I may not be buying this film again.

That's unfortunate. I wonder if it was a processing error and the lab you used just didn't know what to do with it. I've gotten quite nice results myself.

braxus · Jun 23, 2020

No I don't believe it was the lab. They use dip and dunk, so its nothing they could have done. All but one shot have the right side blocked off. Its almost like an incomplete shutter fire. But another roll (different brand) didn't do that when it was shot around the same time period (1/2 hour apart).

NortheastPhotographic · Jun 23, 2020

braxus said:
Well I got my first roll of Catlabs X80 back from the lab. It was shot in my Pentax 67II and for the most part, the images were completely unusable. I dont know if it was the backing paper or a camera malfunction. It didnt do this on my other roll. Needless to say my test roll was a complete waste, so I may not be buying this film again.

That right there is a failing shutter. Usually failing shutters do not manifest themselves in a consistent way, so it’s totally plausible that you wouldn’t see it on another roll.

Donald Qualls · Jun 23, 2020

There is no plausible way a film defect could produce that kind of exposure drop-off on multiple frames. Your shutter is closing the slit as it travels. Time for service.

StepheKoontz · Jun 23, 2020

It's impossible for a film to cause the right side of almost every shot to be blocked off like that. If it was the top or bottom of the frame, maybe. I'd have to see the whole negative strip but this 99% points to a shutter problem.

MattKing · Jun 23, 2020

Was there something like a neck strap blocking the light from one side?

braxus · Jun 23, 2020

MattKing said:
Was there something like a neck strap blocking the light from one side?

No strap on this camera. Seems my shutter is going. Problem is no one will service a Pentax version 2, due to it being electronic and parts are NLA.

Jeff L · Jun 23, 2020

braxus,
Have you tried Service Camera Pro in Quebec to look at your Pentax 6x7?
http://www.servicecamerapro.com/e-film.html
If not, it might be worth an email.
I have never used them, so I cant comment on their work.
Perhaps another member can.
Good luck.

braxus · Jun 23, 2020

Can a failing shutter even be repaired? Wouldnt it need to be replaced, which is an issue, since you cant get parts?

abruzzi · Jun 24, 2020

One side of the frame darkened means that the leading curtain is moving too slow and the trailing curtain is catching up, usually. You can try slower shutter speeds to see if it only happens at certain higher speeds. The P67 shutter is electronically controlled, but the travel speed of the shutter is mechanical. Which means that it may be possible to repair without going near the electronics.

braxus · Jun 25, 2020

I emailed the place in Quebec and got no response back at all. I also contacted a local store and they told me their tech refuses to work on Pentax 67 cameras (all of them) due to their complex nature, inability to repair them, and lack of parts. Hence they wont touch my camera. Only option is to buy another one at current prices, which is rediculous what they go for now.

StepheKoontz · Jun 25, 2020

braxus said:
I emailed the place in Quebec and got no response back at all. I also contacted a local store and they told me their tech refuses to work on Pentax 67 cameras (all of them) due to their complex nature, inability to repair them, and lack of parts. Hence they wont touch my camera. Only option is to buy another one at current prices, which is rediculous what they go for now.

So you checked two places and gave up? And how long did you wait for a response? A day?

http://lezot.com/pentax-6x7-67-repair/

https://pentaxs.com/

I can vouch for the second link. He has rebuilt a couple of cameras for me. Even an electronic shutter needs cleaning, lubricating and adjusting the shutter curtain spring tensions. If it operates, it's most likely what someone else posted, one of the curtains is dragging and can be repaired.

braxus · Jun 25, 2020

I gave up because in the past I had other shops refuse repair on this camera as well. It seems to be one of those cameras most dont want to work on. Especially the version 2, which is all electronic.

StepheKoontz · Jun 25, 2020

braxus said:
I gave up because in the past I had other shops refuse repair on this camera as well. It seems to be one of those cameras most dont want to work on. Especially the version 2, which is all electronic.

It's can't be "all electronic" if it has shutter curtains. It uses electronics to operate solenoids that release the mechanical curtains. What you are showing us looking like a mechanical issue, that could likely be repaired fairly easily. Most shops specialize in certain cameras, there aren't a lot who will work on a Rollei or a contax either, but there are shops who will. I know Eric at Pentaxs.com does good work and works on these.

braxus · Jun 26, 2020

Well Pentaxs.com says they no longer work on this camera. I tried the LeZot one too, See what they say.

pentaxuser · Jun 26, 2020

braxus said:
Well Pentaxs.com says they no longer work on this camera. I tried the LeZot one too, See what they say.

I haven't followed this thread recently do this advice may be redundant but have you tried PentaxForums for help?

pentaxuser

braxus · Jun 26, 2020

Wasn't aware of the Pentax forums. LeZot said they will work on the camera. So Im sending it in in August for repair.

lecarp · Jun 26, 2020

Could we end the hijack of this thread and move the Pentax repair issue to the appropriate area.
Possibly get back to the Catlabs x80.

Pieter12 · Jun 26, 2020

OK. I had a 120 roll where the paper leader tore in the camera as I was advancing it to the first frame (motor-driven camera). I removed the roll and examined it--the anti-fog layer (once again, I'm guessing that's what I'm seeing) has a strong, cobalt-blue color. Since I usually don't see unprocessed film, I wonder if that is unusual and maybe an indicator that it is a certain Chinese film repackaged?

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