Film Ferrania - Developments from October 2023 onward

[Pioneer]

I didn't think Ferrania had that big a piece of the pie back when film was an actual thing. The fact that their product is available today and not available tomorrow should probably be expected. That at least means someone is buying it.

 

[retina_restoration]

Well, they have a new owner. Perhaps it's fair to no longer ding them for mistakes of their previous owner and let the start with a clean slate.

I'm guessing you don't know anything about the "new owner", Jake Seal. He doesn't exactly inspire confidence as a leader of a business. "Clean slate"? I'm not sure that's a term I'd apply to the current situation.
I suggest you read this article (2023) and this one.
Note that the second article from March of 2025 includes a link to Ferrania's web site, and that link is no longer viable.

 

[cmacd123]

I didn't think Ferrania had that big a piece of the pie back when film was an actual thing. The fact that their product is available today and not available tomorrow should probably be expected. That at least means someone is buying it.

Once 3M took over ferrania, the main business became film and paper for 3m, and private label film for the likes of Sears, Zellers and K-mart. they also made "scotch brand" audio tape for the European market.

 

[Prest_400]

I didn't think Ferrania had that big a piece of the pie back when film was an actual thing. The fact that their product is available today and not available tomorrow should probably be expected. That at least means someone is buying it.

Well, they might have been relatively large in the Private label market in Europe; but looking for concrete data eg. 1995-2000 and didn't get any concrete good results.
Recall in 2008 when I started shooting that it was around but perceived as a cheap film and generally there was not the same "vibe, tones and looks" sentiment that we have now from parts of the market who would really appreciate those films. Again, a pity that so many products that would get a place now are gone. Imagine Solaris 800!

I'm guessing you don't know anything about the "new owner", Jake Seal. He doesn't exactly inspire confidence as a leader of a business. "Clean slate"? I'm not sure that's a term I'd apply to the current situation.

I know there is a very negative perception of his ownership. Still would need a TLDR of what has happened. I know Henning gave me a good clarification of what Inovis is, in the mess of actors that are operating/rent time at the ex-Agfa Leverkusen facility in Monheim. Then I guess that with Ferrania it appears as he is having a mish-mash attempt to manufacture film.

IIRC Film Ferrania had a window of time where they could have reused the legacy chemistry to manufacture even E6 film, but that expired and the story is that now they just make B&W in the pilot coater.

 

[albireo]

Oh pish posh. Just be thankful you can buy this mediocre nostalgia at an even higher price now.

I wasn't around when Ferrania was a thing and I first heard their name a couple of years ago so nostalgia is not a factor for me, but I did try some 20 rolls of P33 when it came out and found it to be world-class stuff. An FP4+ on steroids. Gorgeous product.

I am not sure what's going on but I wish them well and if they restart manufacturing I'll support them for sure.

 

[mshchem]

There's a phrase "Whoring the Meatball" where the brand name is simply applied to anything made anywhere. This is a huge thing in the US.

I hope that we see more film made and finished in the Ferrania plant in Italy. There's been a lot of local funds invested, I hope it pays off. I bought P30 Alpha to support the efforts. Jake Seal?????

Adox is a throughly worthy company that I try to support when I can.

Harman is an amazing operation, new products, great online tutorials and support.

Good old Kodak in it's many forms is still near and dearest to my heart.

Fuji keep the paper coming!!!!!!! A roll of Velvia now and then would be nice.

 

[dcy]

I'm guessing you don't know anything about the "new owner", Jake Seal. He doesn't exactly inspire confidence as a leader of a business.

You would guess wrong. I am perfectly familiar with both articles you linked to, and others.

"Clean slate"? I'm not sure that's a term I'd apply to the current situation.

Ugh. Then move to whatever "slate" you currently have for Jake Seal instead of the previous slate for Ferrania. My point is... new owner. Mistakes of the previous owner are not relevant to predicting future mistakes. Now, if you want to consider previous mistakes that Jake Seal made on previous ventures to predict his future mistakes, then go right ahead.

 

[dcy]

I wasn't around when Ferrania was a thing and I first heard their name a couple of years ago so nostalgia is not a factor for me, but I did try some 20 rolls of P33 when it came out and found it to be world-class stuff. An FP4+ on steroids. Gorgeous product.

I am not sure what's going on but I wish them well and if they restart manufacturing I'll support them for sure.

That's great. I too am too young to have any memory of the original Ferrania. Seeing your positive experience with P33, I'll definitely want to try a couple of rolls of their film when I get a chance.

 

[Agulliver]

The old Ferrania were huge, without doubt the biggest producer of photo film in Europe.....it's just that most of it was sold under other names.

Film Ferrania had a lot of setbacks, many of which were not foreseeable....but they achieved production of P30, P33 and Orto with excellent QC. What happened next we may never know, regarding the original founders leaving and Jake Seal taking over. Now I do not have a lot of confidence in Jake seal, but what I see is P30 appearing with dealers again....which does suggest that production and distribution as resumed.

I won't stoop so low as to get into discussing some of the more negative nancy posts here.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I just hope that I will be able to purchase P30 and 33 in 120...and hopefully someday in sheets. I echo albireo's sentiments about P33. P30 is also very special. Nothing like it.

 

[retina_restoration]

You would guess wrong. I am perfectly familiar with both articles you linked to, and others.



Ugh. Then move to whatever "slate" you currently have for Jake Seal instead of the previous slate for Ferrania. My point is... new owner. Mistakes of the previous owner are not relevant to predicting future mistakes. Now, if you want to consider previous mistakes that Jake Seal made on previous ventures to predict his future mistakes, then go right ahead.

All I’m going to say is: under Seal’s watch, Ferrania’s web site(s) have gone offline. That’s a present mistake, not an imaginary future mistake.

 

[albireo]

I just hope that I will be able to purchase P30 and 33 in 120

P33 in 120 would be killer. I hope it happens.

 

[bfilm]

We will have to wait and see how the situation develops. I hope Ferrania can become stable and develop consistent production and availability.

This is part of a statement that was given to Kosmo Foto this year, 2025.

"FILM Ferrania has been busy establishing a new foundation and building out the team, which has included welcoming back retired or semi-retired scientists and chemists from the surrounding area, who were ex Ferrania/3M."

"P30 and P33 and colour are back on track."

As far as the FILM Ferrania website, maybe it is just down for a redesign and will be back up soon.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I did try some 20 rolls of P33 when it came out and found it to be world-class stuff.

Did you happen to develop any P33 in Xtol or a Xtol-like developer? If so, I would love to hear about a recommended starting time and temp for P33 in Xtol.

 

[mshchem]

They could corner the market on 220 and 70mm

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Did you happen to develop any P33 in Xtol or a Xtol-like developer? If so, I would love to hear about a recommended starting time and temp for P33 in Xtol.

I did a video a while back using XTol with P33 (at box speed). I believe my time was 10:00 at 20C. No prewash. I agitated 5sec every minute after initial 30sec constant agitation. I ended up with nicely exposed and developed negatives, with the odd air-bell here and there. To avoid that, I agitated 5sec/30sec, and reduced the development time to 9:30.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I did a video a while back using XTol with P33 (at box speed). I believe my time was 10:00 at 20C. No prewash. I agitated 5sec every minute after initial 30sec constant agitation. I ended up with nicely exposed and developed negatives, with the odd air-bell here and there. To avoid that, I agitated 5sec/30sec, and reduced the development time to 9:30.

Thanks! Those times are for Xtol stock solution, right?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thanks! Those times are for Xtol stock solution, right?

Correct.