CBC news on film's revival.

[Craig]

An article appeared today about the revival of film use. Nice to see that the small firm Flic Film is selling 10,000 rolls a week, I never expected that much.

Interesting that one of the stores says the majority of their customers are under 25.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-film-kodak-flic-film-1.6728613

 

[MattKing]

I too saw that on my CBC feed, and the numbers make me wonder a bit - I think they reflect the fact that Flic Film is a producer/packager of some products, a distributor of some products, and a retailer.
The story is clearly written by someone who lacks some knowledge - for example there are references that confuse film cameras and film - but the enthusiasm and energy and customer uptake is heartening.
I just wish I could talk to them about some of their product descriptions!
Beau Photo in Vancouver carries a few of their products on their shelves.

 

[Cholentpot]

I too saw that on my CBC feed, and the numbers make me wonder a bit - I think they reflect the fact that Flic Film is a producer/packager of some products, a distributor of some products, and a retailer.
The story is clearly written by someone who lacks some knowledge - for example there are references that confuse film cameras and film - but the enthusiasm and energy and customer uptake is heartening.
I just wish I could talk to them about some of their product descriptions!
Beau Photo in Vancouver carries a few of their products on their shelves.

Just think, if they're confusing film you don't think they confuse every other subject?

'Oh, I don't know much about fly fishing. I'm sure their article on it is factual and on point'

Meanwhile, some fly fisherman 'What the heck is this gibberish?'

 

[MattKing]

Just think, if they're confusing film you don't think they confuse every other subject?

'Oh, I don't know much about fly fishing. I'm sure their article on it is factual and on point'

Meanwhile, some fly fisherman 'What the heck is this gibberish?'

It is what happens sometimes when you send a business reporter to report on something outside of their business focused knowledge base. And of course it sometimes gets compounded when an editor gets their hands on it.
But there are a few things that Flic Film have in their materials that make me think that it wouldn't be crazy to think that misunderstanding might be mutual! The description of their version of Hypo Clearing Agent comes to mind.

 

[Cholentpot]

It is what happens sometimes when you send a business reporter to report on something outside of their business focused knowledge base. And of course it sometimes gets compounded when an editor gets their hands on it.
But there are a few things that Flic Film have in their materials that make me think that it wouldn't be crazy to think that misunderstanding might be mutual! The description of their version of Hypo Clearing Agent comes to mind.

It makes you think though...

 

[MattKing]

I have experience in the news world that is very dated, but still gives me a perspective on these things.
The really good journalists are amazing, and amazingly valuable.

 

[faberryman]

Anybody ever shot any Flic Film? And what is Flic suppose to mean in the context of film?

 

[Craig]

Looks like most of the colour film is respooled Kodak Vision and the B&W is Double X. At least they say what it is.

I think "flic" is a play on words, as a movie at the cinema is sometimes called a flick.

 

[cmacd123]

Looks like most of the colour film is respooled Kodak Vision and the B&W is Double X. At least they say what it is.

I think "flic" is a play on words, as a movie at the cinema is sometimes called a flick.

I can confirm that their Double X is indeed real 5222.

 

[Ten301]

Looks like most of the colour film is respooled Kodak Vision and the B&W is Double X. At least they say what it is.

I think "flic" is a play on words, as a movie at the cinema is sometimes called a flick.

FlicFilm Elektra 100 is respooled Kodak Aerocolor IV. Ultrafine/Photo Warehouse and a few others sell it here in the States.

 

[gordrob]

This page from their website explains what the origin of the different films are

Cine Film | Flic Film

flicfilm.ca

 

[MattKing]

And for Canadians looking for bulk chemicals, this page of products available for retailers to purchase wholesale from them is heartening: https://flicfilm.ca/bulk-chemicals-and-accessories/

 

[Agulliver]

It's heart-warming to see really young people getting into film. The same experience is happening in the East of England where my local camera shop and the others in the area tell me the same....lots more really young people coming in wanting cameras, film and processing services.

I was at an antiques emporium a week or so ago and laughed at a 12 year old boy who was pointing out a Panasonic digital camera to his mum saying "it's old"....but then I saw him later and took it all back. Upstairs he'd found a glass case of 35mm SLR and rangefinder cameras from the 50s through to the 80s and was handling them all, talking to his mum about the various features and the lenses....so I struck up a quick conversation....he's looking for a reasonably priced functional 35mm SLR with a small zoom lens to begin with. Isn't stuck on one brand, nearly bought a Minolta but was also quite taken with a Pentax because he knew there were lots of lenses out there on eBay. Didn't want a rangefinder camera right now but would be looking in the future. This kid was twelve (I asked). Colour me impressed. He and his peers are the future. And frankly I don't care if some of them shoot differently to the way "we" do. They're going to be the ones keeping the hobby viable.

 

[Brendan Quirk]

He is at the perfect age to pick up a mechanically oriented and/or also intellectually engrossing hobby. Many of us did the same at similar ages - be it electronics, chemistry, photography, mechanics, rocks, fossils, stamps, coins, etc.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

This video found its way through the YY algorithms to the Nederlands. What I found interesting to see, Orwo NC is being rolled/confectioned in Canada? I thought everything was done in Germany.

 

[Kino]

Using terms like "Nostalgia" to describe film photography is a way to pigeon-hole a complex situation into a meme for the mentally lazy.

 

[Don_ih]

Orwo NC is being rolled/confectioned in Canada?

Undoubtedly, it's just 2000 ft spools of the film being loaded into cassettes. Anyone can buy 2000 ft rolls from Orwo

 

[faberryman]

Using terms like "Nostalgia" to describe film photography is a way to pigeon-hole a complex situation into a meme for the mentally lazy.

Nostalgia was not the only reason mentioned for the renewed interest in film.

 

[cmacd123]

Orwo NC is being rolled/confectioned in Canada? I thought everything was done in Germany.

Flic-Firm is a dealer who does bulk loading of various films in A small Town in Alberta. into snap together Plastic cassettes. I don't know how much "toll-Loading" they do for other companies.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

Undoubtedly, it's just 2000 ft spools of the film being loaded into cassettes. Anyone can buy 2000 ft rolls from Orwo

Even of the colour film? I didn't know that.

 

[Don_ih]

Even of the colour film?

I think they sell all their 35mm film in that length (as well as shorter lengths).

 

[MattKing]

Even of the colour film? I didn't know that.

Of the motion picture colour film - yes.
There is probably a Euro Catalogue, but here is the US Dollar catalogue: https://www.kodak.com/content/produ...-Motion-Picture-Products-Price-Catalog-US.pdf
Although the camera films seem to be limited to 1000 foot lengths - $791.40 USD for 500T.

 

[cmacd123]

Although the camera films seem to be limited to 1000 foot lengths - $791.40 USD for 500T.

yes, the Camera films in 35mm are generaly only stocked in 400ft and 1000ft, while the lab films tend to only come in 2000ft rolls.

If you look at the cataloge, you will see many sizes listed as "Finish to order" which means they don't stock it, but will make it up as ordered, some of those sizes you have to order many thousands of feet to get them to make it.

I did recall seeing at least one of the colour camera films as being available on a 100ft daylight spool. for hand held 35mm movie cameras like an Eyemo.

 

[MattKing]

yes, the Camera films in 35mm are generaly only stocked in 400ft and 1000ft, while the lab films tend to only come in 2000ft rolls.

If you look at the cataloge, you will see many sizes listed as "Finish to order" which means they don't stock it, but will make it up as ordered, some of those sizes you have to order many thousands of feet to get them to make it.

I did recall seeing at least one of the colour camera films as being available on a 100ft daylight spool. for hand held 35mm movie cameras like an Eyemo.

This caused me to dive back in to the catalogue
The only 100ft ones I could find are 16mm single perf. But I'd be happy to find out I missed something.
It is interesting to also see Kodak Rapid Fixer (expensive) and Kodak OC safelight filters.

 

[cmacd123]

is the fixer really expensive for FIVE us Gallons?

and looking now myself, I see a couple are on a 200ft roll, the rest all 400 and 1000. I wonder if Kodak ran out of the S-83 35mm Spools. the spools are much more common with 16mm

also the price of a 400 ft roll of Double-X is now over 300 dollars US.