CatLABS X FILM 320 Pro now available in 35mm and 120

[brbo]

I see that Photrio is basically a meme out there (how the f*** did I end up on Photrio?!), so no wonder that Catlabs is here just to troll...

But, some mentioned other sources of information (reddit, YouTube, Facebook?) that are presumably much better. So, if we take this example of new Catlabs 320 Pro film, what valuable information you people got on these channels? I guess at least correct development time for Jobo in D76 1+1?

Right?

 

[Paul Howell]

Just realized that I bought the wrong film, found what I was though the new film at PhotoWearhouse, nope got the repackaged Kodak Double X. Need to reorder.

 

[brbo]

No such thing as wrong film. Just give it a stop more light. Or less. Or two.

 

[faberryman]

CatLABS has started up a thread about its new film on RFF. It's a cut and paste from the original post here. Perhaps additional information will emerge.

CatLABS X FILM 320 Pro now available in 35mm and 120 - Rangefinderforum.com

4 years in the making, this film is an all new BW emulsion with a unique grain and tonal range, unlike anything you have seen before. This is a unique emulsion, not available from another maker in another packaging. Made with the highest quality control, this film is on par with other major film...

www.rangefinderforum.com

 

[BrianShaw]

Oh that should be interesting… are they as curmudgeonly as here or not…

 

[CatLABS]

CatLABS has started up a thread about its new film on RFF. It's a cut and paste from the original post here. Perhaps additional information will emerge.

CatLABS X FILM 320 Pro now available in 35mm and 120 - Rangefinderforum.com

4 years in the making, this film is an all new BW emulsion with a unique grain and tonal range, unlike anything you have seen before. This is a unique emulsion, not available from another maker in another packaging. Made with the highest quality control, this film is on par with other major film...

www.rangefinderforum.com

Curious that one should be so enthralled to get "additional information" for something they declare they do not want to buy in the first place because "reasons". Just sayin....

 

[faberryman]

Oh that should be interesting… are they as curmudgeonly as here or not…

The discussions are usually about cameras and lenses. Not too many discussion about darkroom matters like developing film.

 

[faberryman]

.... and wrist straps. Jokingly mocking wrist straps led to my demise there. Sad when a bit of light-hearted teasing raises the ire of the mod to the point of a lifetime ban. I don't think I've even looked at that site for a decade or so.

I think there have been a couple of extended camera strap threads as well. I don't have much to say on the subject, because I am not trying to match a strap to the exotic leather on my limited edition Leica. The discussions initiated by Bill Pierce are generally above average though.

 

[Huss]

People do know this is just a roll of $6.99 film we are talking about, right?

 

[MattKing]

Why not buy it?

Because my film buying dollars are finite, and ISO compliance helps me decide whether or not to use a film, and helps me start out with it.
The examples say "under-exposed" to me.

I thought Matt King was responding to a specific question you had asked and had given you his reasons for not buying it

pentaxuser

Yep.

He did, but perhaps the rest of Don's comment should also be in the quotation to avoid the appearance of dismissiveness:

"My point is why go on and on about it when all anyone has to go by are some example photos made to appeal to their target market. Furthermore, why purposely try to damage someone's effort to supply a product? And why try to insist that they break what is likely corporate confidence by saying who made the film?"

Most of the comments here are about how the film is being marketed, and how CatLabs is participating here. Seems to be a fair subject for discussion, particularly given that CatLabs started the thread.
Many of the participants in the discussion would have concerns addressed with some answers to fairly reasonable questions - like how light sensitive the film actually is. Last time I checked there were some reasonably common and well understood ways to clearly communicate that. A label that says "EI ISO 320" isn't one of those.

And by the way, I did indicate in post 186 the factors that could cause me to consider buying some film when I posted:
"It might be fun to play around with a ~50 ISO film with intriguing spectral sensitivity, rather than a more predictable 400 ISO film." Since then, I've had some second thoughts about one detail. The 50 is probably a Zone System EI, so the ISO for the film should be closer to 80.
I'm unlikely to actually buy it though, as the cost for this Canadian to buy and have shipped a single 35mm roll would be about $43.00 CDN - the exchange rate and the costs of shipping make it impractical.

 

[faberryman]

Curious that one should be so enthralled to get "additional information" for something they declare they do not want to buy in the first place because "reasons". Just sayin....

Keep digging. The hole is only getting deeper. Just sayin...

 

[faberryman]

The first response to CatLABS new thread on RFF is pretty hilarious:

"Are you the same Omer that is active in the CatLabs thread on Photrio?"

Get your popcorn out.

 

[BrianShaw]

Last time I checked there were some reasonably common and well understood ways to clearly communicate that. A label that says "EI ISO 320" isn't one of those.

So now you have my curiosity piqued. What do you think the box/label should read in this instance?

 

[Sal Santamaura]

I wonder if more than 50 people have looked at this thread???...

According to the Industry News thread listing, it's had 410 replies (this one will increment that to 411) and 9,000 views in its entertaining three week existence. I've counted 48 unique members who "contributed" those replies. If each of them clicked on it 187 times, which is not unreasonable given its value as comedy, there's the 9,000.

Omer's firm has 8,928 followers on Instagram, with 865 of them following at this moment. If one is interested in knowing about effective film marketing in 2022, look to social media, not PHOTRIO.

 

[Paul Howell]

Agree, most of the younger film photogpghers do not use Phototrio, social influencers' have a much larger impact than what is said or not said here.

 

[MattKing]

So now you have my curiosity piqued. What do you think the box/label should read in this instance?

Not ISO, if there isn't an ISO speed available.
And not a phrase with a 320 in it, if the suggestions for use are to use an EI of 200.
You could have a phrase that says: "set the ISO dial on your meter to 200", but I acknowledge that that is unwieldy.

 

[MattKing]

Agree, most of the younger film photogpghers do not use Phototrio, social influencers' have a much larger impact than what is said or not said here.

Most don't use forums. But that isn't the same as saying that forums don't have their place.

 

[faberryman]

CatLABS' thread on RFF has been deleted. I don't know if CatLABS deleted it, or if a moderator deleted it because it was deemed advertising.

 

[BrianShaw]

Not ISO, if there isn't an ISO speed available.
And not a phrase with a 320 in it, if the suggestions for use are to use an EI of 200.
You could have a phrase that says: "set the ISO dial on your meter to 200", but I acknowledge that that is unwieldy.

Okay, I see where you’re coming from. I don’t see that any different from HP5+ being rated at ISO 400 yet many Photrio members recommend shooting at 200… and do so every time. Different strokes for different folks depending on individual circumstances.

But I really think, read that KNOW, that your putting a bit too much assumption on the use is “ISO” in speed labeling. It has become a bit like using “Kleenex” as a generic for any bathroom tissue.

Sure, they could have labeled it “EI 320” or “EI200” but in the real world what difference would that make?

As I wrote earlier, unless there is a clear and concise statement of compliance or conformance there is just an assumption. Maybe there is compliance/conformance but there’s no way to know for sure. I’m also recalling a past discussion of Kodak certified thermometers where no amount of searching or collective wisdom could verify any “certification”. Great thermometers nonetheless but from an evidentiary perspective that fact is inconclusive marketing verbiage. We both may agree that it’s likely yet can’t verify. Hmmm.

Regarding your personal situation… I’m okay with whatever you do or don’t do. I understand.

 

[BrianShaw]

CatLABS' thread on RFF has been deleted. I don't know if CatLABS deleted it, or if a moderator deleted it because it was deemed advertising.

Well that’s rather close minded.

 

[mshchem]

According to the Industry News thread listing, it's had 410 replies (this one will increment that to 411) and 9,000 views in its entertaining three week existence. I've counted 48 unique members who "contributed" those replies. If each of them clicked on it 187 times, which is not unreasonable given its value as comedy, there's the 9,000.

Omer's firm has 8,928 followers on Instagram, with 865 of them following at this moment. If one is interested in knowing about effective film marketing in 2022, look to social media, not PHOTRIO.

Thanks for the analysis!! I think personally I might be up to 900. I close out of Photrio and then keep coming back and hitting this thread.

As long as I stay off of Ebay! This here is good fun!!

 

[Don_ih]

Yep.

Most of the comments here are about how the film is being marketed, and how CatLabs is participating here. Seems to be a fair subject for discussion, particularly given that CatLabs started the thread.
Many of the participants in the discussion would have concerns addressed with some answers to fairly reasonable questions - like how light sensitive the film actually is. Last time I checked there were some reasonably common and well understood ways to clearly communicate that. A label that says "EI ISO 320" isn't one of those.

And by the way, I did indicate in post 186 the factors that could cause me to consider buying some film when I posted:
"It might be fun to play around with a ~50 ISO film with intriguing spectral sensitivity, rather than a more predictable 400 ISO film." Since then, I've had some second thoughts about one detail. The 50 is probably a Zone System EI, so the ISO for the film should be closer to 80.
I'm unlikely to actually buy it though, as the cost for this Canadian to buy and have shipped a single 35mm roll would be about $43.00 CDN - the exchange rate and the costs of shipping make it impractical.

I think you're fanning a fire that shouldn't be lit.

But who cares, anyway? It's just a company providing film to a dying market.

 

[faberryman]

Well that’s rather close minded.

I am open to any explanation you may have to offer. Those two explanations seemed the most likely to me.

 

[BrianShaw]

I am open to any explanation you may have to offer.

I have nothing to offer as alternatives. Why would I… I was uninvited to that party more than a decade ago. LOL But it is a bit surprising that a potentially applicable thread mysteriously disappeared. I’m really perplexed about film photographers who have bemoaned the demise of film for years and then crucify attempts to support film photography. I can’t explain that either. Can you?

 

[warden]

Omer's firm has 8,928 followers on Instagram, with 865 of them following at this moment. If one is interested in knowing about effective film marketing in 2022, look to social media, not PHOTRIO.

I think a fair number of people here are also active on the other social media outlets, including myself on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord. So you're counting a lot of people twice or three times. It's not a binary thing; people on Photrio know how to use the internet too.