CatLABS X FILM 320 (35mm) and 80 (120)

[CatLABS]

We have just launched our new line of films.
No doubt some will ask "what rebranding shenanigans are going on here?" and rightly so, as so many "new" films are just different packaging of more of the same or old stocks of film pulled out of deep storage.

We are happy to say that CatLABS X FILM 80 (at the moment only available in 120 roll film, but sheet film is in the cards for the near future), is a fresh, new emulsion not currently available in another packing form. With that said - it is clearly finished by one of the existing facilities of film manufacturing, that cannot be avoided, as there are so few of those and there are none such independent facilities not making film for the general public.
In a nutshell, this is a traditional emulsion, following in the footsteps of Panatomic X, with a very fine grain and deep tonal range.

This film is now in stock and is making its way to retailers around the world (and the US of course).
This film is currently with a number of Beta testers, and we will be posting samples soon.

As for CatLABS X FILM 320 - we are almost sold out of the initial very small scale test production run - we will soon have news about this as we ramp up to a large scale production, with a different, and all new emulsion (not available anywhere else). Stay tuned for news on this. We will be updating ASAP when this is ready.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

How do you see this product(s) fitting in with the rest of the market? e.g FP4 Plus. Foma, Adox, Bergger etc?

Tom

 

[CatLABS]

How do you see this product(s) fitting in with the rest of the market? e.g FP4 Plus. Foma, Adox, Bergger etc?

Tom

While it is a bit hard to answer as we do not have a side by side comparison, it can be compared to other "traditional" films such as those from Adox and Foma, however, we find that it has a wider tonal range and latitude.

We hope the price is competitive, while offering better performance than those other options on the market today.

 

[mshchem]

ISO 320 in 120, ?? That's a most interesting set of numbers. Look forward to seeing more.
Best Mike

 

[removed account4]

CL
What FANTASTIC news !
Best of luck with the launch !!

I hope you sent a sample to "Emulsive Magazine" ...

John

 

[CatLABS]

ISO 320 in 120, ?? That's a most interesting set of numbers. Look forward to seeing more.
Best Mike

The 120 is ISO 80 only at the moment.
With the introduction of the new 35mm emulsion, we hope to get it in 120 as well, but thats not finalized yet.

 

[scheimfluger_77]

Extended red sensitivity?

 

[Agulliver]

They haven't mentioned extended red sensitivity. ISO80 in 120 could make for a film with so little grain as to be undetectable. If the tonality is anything like Panatomic X (as stated) then it could well find it's niche. Lots of people hope for Panatomic X to come back.

Interesting that on their website, Catlabs recommend regular developers such as ID-11, HC110 etc...and mention pushing up to 800ISO....so it's not likely to be repurposed cine film, for example.

So...where can I get this in the UK?

 

[Mackinaw]

Just to be sure I'm clear on this, you guys are coating your own film?

Jim B.

 

[CatLABS]

They haven't mentioned extended red sensitivity. ISO80 in 120 could make for a film with so little grain as to be undetectable. If the tonality is anything like Panatomic X (as stated) then it could well find it's niche. Lots of people hope for Panatomic X to come back.

Interesting that on their website, Catlabs recommend regular developers such as ID-11, HC110 etc...and mention pushing up to 800ISO....so it's not likely to be repurposed cine film, for example.

So...where can I get this in the UK?

We are working to get this to UK distributors ASAP, stay tuned.

This is NOT re-spolled cinematographic film.

 

[bvy]

Just to be sure I'm clear on this, you guys are coating your own film?

Jim B.

Did we get an answer?

 

[BAC1967]

Did we get an answer?

In the original post CatLABS stated “it is clearly finished by one of the existing facilities of film manufacturing, that cannot be avoided, as there are so few of those and there are none such independent facilities not making film for the general public.”

I just ordered a few rolls, can’t wait to try it out!

 

[Agulliver]

Whatever this film is, Catlabs have stated it's not available in "another packaging form". Take that to mean what you will with regard to who coated it....but clearly it's not available for us to buy under another name. The specs are unlike anything else on the market so it's probably not even especially related to anything else.

 

[grooves1200]

Which other U.S. retailers will be selling it and when?

 

[OrientPoint]

It'd be nice to see some sample shots posted... can't be that hard to scan a negative or two or three?

 

[CatLABS]

Which other U.S. retailers will be selling it and when?

Were working on the dealers list.
It should be in the large photo houses soon.

 

[mshchem]

Were working on the dealers list.
It should be in the large photo houses soon.

Since it's reminiscent of Panatomic-X, you could call it..................Catatomic-X


Cat + Atomic My 3 cats cause plenty of chaos by conventional means

I'm looking forward to trying !

Best Regards Mike

 

[miha]

What is the 135 film base material, acetate or polyester?

Best of luck!

 

[miha]

What is the 135 film base material, acetate or polyester?

Best of luck!

 

[EdSawyer]

Too much hype, not enough info. How about for for starters: who's coating it, base type, emulsion formula (t-grain?) details, etc.

 

[Mackinaw]

Too much hype, not enough info. How about for for starters: who's coating it, base type, emulsion formula (t-grain?) details, etc.

Agreed. Who is coating this film? They say it's being "finished" by a third-party, but I've heard "finishing" described as the process of cutting the film, perforating it, and packaging it. So yes, we need more details.

Jim B.

 

[AgX]

You are right on terminology. Seemingly you/we are better on this than Catlabs. See his term packing too. From the context I asume that with finishing he meant coating.

 

[Richard Man]

Maybe go through the Massive Dev Chart and do a match based on dev times for different developers ;-) My bet is Shanghai GP 100

 

[Peter Schrager]

I'm willing to always try a new film but really staying with the tried and true; Kodak and Ilford!
FP4 and TMY400 HP5 etc are incredibly wonderful films. We also have ADOX which is in the game for the long term; which I've also used their 100 speed film and it is lovely
I'm in serious doubt that this is Panatomic-x
I would rather see a good 25ASA film in large format that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
Seriously wishing CatLABS success on this

 

[Peter Schrager]

In the original post CatLABS stated “it is clearly finished by one of the existing facilities of film manufacturing, that cannot be avoided, as there are so few of those and there are none such independent facilities not making film for the general public.”

I just ordered a few rolls, can’t wait to try it out!

please report back!!