Cinestill 400D 220 shipped - oops, apparently 120 instead!

Donald Qualls · Dec 21, 2022

The 220 option exists (at least in the future) for Cinestill because, if I've heard it correctly, Kodak's 220 rolling machine is still, if not immediately usable, at least able to be restored at more or less reasonable cost. This raises the possibility, at least, of having 220 toll confectioned by Kodak. Honestly, I'd buy a few rolls of the 220 a year and it would be my first Cinestill color.

faberryman · Dec 21, 2022

Seems like Cinestill pulled the plug on the 220 project pretty quickly. They announced it barely eight months ago. I suspect the response was not overwhelming and it didn't take a genius to figure out that the demand wasn't there to make it financially worthwhile. Of course, never say never.

For those keeping up with Pentax's recent announcement, I would think about lobbying Pentax for a compact 35mm camera that accepts 220 as its first new film camera offering. Virtually everything else has already been suggested.

Donald Qualls · Dec 21, 2022

faberryman said:
I suspect the response was not overwhelming

Seems to me just making a stretch goal that high was pretty overwhelming. Then again, they probably just deeply underestimated the difficulty of starting production of 220 along with 35 mm and 120 in a "new" emulsion stock. After all, someone would have to pay to recondition (presumably) Kodak's 220 roller, as well as produce the 220 head and tail papers.

GCShootsFilm · Dec 21, 2022

The idea of being able to buy 220 film again is a happy thought. I really hope manufacturers bring it back. I haven't pulled the trigger on the Shanghai film in 220 based on some "mixed" reviews I have read about it

Huss · Dec 22, 2022

GCShootsFilm said:
The idea of being able to buy 220 film again is a happy thought. I really hope manufacturers bring it back. I haven't pulled the trigger on the Shanghai film in 220 based on some "mixed" reviews I have read about it

It's excellent. Buy some.

wjlapier · Dec 22, 2022

Looks good Huss.

My “220” 400d is also on the way. Just got the notice.

AnselMortensen · Dec 22, 2022

+1 on recommending Shanghai 220.
It is sold out on the Shanghai website, but more is due in soon.
I like to use 220 with my Bronica ETRS with a prism and a winder...having a 30 exposure load beats having to change film every 15 shots when photographing people....especially because the ETRS film backs are fiddly to load.

Huss · Dec 23, 2022

AnselMortensen said:
+1 on recommending Shanghai 220.
It is sold out on the Shanghai website, but more is due in soon.
I like to use 220 with my Bronica ETRS with a prism and a winder...having a 30 exposure load beats having to change film every 15 shots when photographing people....especially because the ETRS film backs are fiddly to load.

I bought it on Amazon w next day delivery. At the time it was the cheapest source as well.

I know this is digressing from the Cinestill 220 thread, but the bottom line is if you want 220 film, that is your only option.

AnselMortensen · Dec 23, 2022

Cinestill's 220 program was at ~93% when they pulled the plug...if they had waited another week or two, I think it would have succeeded.
I seriously hope they re-visit 220 again after they have fulfilled their 120 and 4x5 obligations.

faberryman · Dec 23, 2022

AnselMortensen said:
Cinestill's 220 program was at ~93% when they pulled the plug...if they had waited another week or two, I think it would have succeeded.
I seriously hope they re-visit 220 again after they have fulfilled their 120 and 4x5 obligations.

93% completed raising money or 93% completed the process for manufacturing 220?

AnselMortensen · Dec 23, 2022

Raising the money.

faberryman · Dec 23, 2022

Raising money is a necessary but not sufficient condition to successfully producing 220 film.

AnselMortensen · Dec 23, 2022

I am not privy to the inner workings of Cinestill.
They were apparently ~93% of the way towards reaching the goal of producing 220 size 400D.
I was optimistic about them producing it.
I hope they re-visit producing 220 in the near future, as they mentioned in the letter enclosed with my 120 film.
For all we know, they got cold feet...or, for those inclined towards conspiracy theories, maybe it was all a ruse to sell twice as much 120 film...

Cinestill 400D 220 shipped - oops, apparently 120 instead!

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