FILM Ferrania to announce new product

[pbromaghin]

In the long waiting time, I have started using PanF and really come to like it with it's more normal panchromatic sensitivity vs P30's ortho. At least for me there isn't any noticeable difference in the grain. Decisions, decisions....

 

[cmacd123]

Is Ferrania now making enough of P30 in 135 to satisfy current demand and which are the stockists in the U.K.?

after seeing this thread I did look at B&H and found that one can now add more than one roll of the P30 35mm to your cart. when I went to buy film is feb., the limit at B&H was one roll.

the most likely probability in my mind is P30 in 120, with a slight possibility of one of the OTHER B&W films like P33, or P36.

 

[warden]

However given that Ferrania may have some credibility to regain, I'd have thought that the last thing it might want to be accused of is a form of deliberate "hype" that turns out to be just that, namely "hype"

They don't. At least not with me. They have made old equipment work again, and produce photographic film again, under extraordinary economic pressures with what appears to be a skeleton crew of inspired people in a competitive marketplace. I am amazed they have survived.

I do agree that an announcement of a new logo, branded T-shirts or skateboards would be a disappointment but I don't think they're that stupid. With any luck it's a new BW film in 35mm or maybe the old film in 120. Since they are saying "our second product is ready for release" I'm guessing it is film.

 

[mshchem]

I wish these folks well.

 

[Agulliver]

"there's no tech sheet". 95% of users don't care. Sure, it would be lovely to have one but they explained way back that they're sticking to publishing best practise info and pooling knowledge form those who actually use the film.

Dynachrome is a pipe dream. Nobody in their right minds is going to introduce a film that doesn't use one of the standard processes widely available now. The cost of setting up a processing lab alone would cripple a company like Film Ferrania, probably even Kodak.

If we take what Film Ferrania have been saying, the most likely step in terms of new products is P30 in 120....which they said they'd do after they got in-house production of P30 135 sorted. P30 is perfected in that it does what they want it to do. The product is consistent, well made and now manufactured from coating to the consumer product in the little boxes in-house at Ferrania. Some users like it. Some do not. That's irrelevant. The product is what it is. A recreation of 1950s P30. If you don't like it, that's cool. There's just no point moaning that it's not Plus-X or Pan-F. It's not supposed to be. Might as well argue that a TV won't blend smoothies. So the 120 film is going to appeal to those of us who find something we enjoy in 135, or who want to try it for the first time.

Could it be a colour film? THey've said that work on colour film has been ongoing in the background but we don't know how close they are. If they can recreate Solaris 100 or 200 and have a stable supply, then I'm in. Or "Scotch Chrome" but that's probably even more difficult.

I guess we find out what the announcement is tomorrow. They've been pretty quiet since the pandemic hit so I'm guessing it's more than hype. There is something tangible to announce. I follow them on facebook and instagram so will probably pick up on it at some point.

 

[Agulliver]

Addition....it could be another B&W film in 135....wasn't there also a P33 which was 160ASA and a P36 320ASA B&W film back in the day?

I also doubt it's a branded film box or something. The one thing Film Ferrania have avoided is hype and gimmicks. And they have been *very* clear that they'll only make big announcements when there's something big to announce.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Well said, Agulliver. I'm so tired of people moaning about Film Ferrania. Anyway, P33, and P36 additions to their portfolio would be fantastic!

 

[aparat]

Well said, Agulliver. I'm so tired of people moaning about Film Ferrania. Anyway, P33, and P36 additions to their portfolio would be fantastic!

Couldn't have said it myself. What Ferrania accomplished is extraordinary. The P30 is not the great all-rounder that FP4 Plus is, but it is capable of magic.

 

[Mackinaw]

I was just looking at Ferrania's new website and noticed boxes of 120 P-30 scattered among the 35mm version.

 

[Tel]

I was just looking at Ferrania's new website and noticed boxes of 120 P-30 scattered among the 35mm version.

Well spotted! Raising our hopes.....

 

[Concord_850]

Here's another interesting quote from the website:

New products will be flowing from the factory throughout 2023, and we fully intend to produce color films in the future.

This probably just means the existing product(s) will be in continuous production, but it could also mean further announcements of new products this year, although presumably not colour films. I am aware that they intend to produce 127 film, which I am especially looking forward to.

 

[pentaxuser]

I wonder why it has said it will make an announcement tomorrow which presumably was meant to get us to a state of expectation and excitement but then reveal in advance boxes of 120?

Isn't this a bit like Father Christmas putting a picture of his forthcoming presents on the kids' pillows when they go to bed the night before?

pentaxuser

 

[warden]

I was just looking at Ferrania's new website and noticed boxes of 120 P-30 scattered among the 35mm version.

That's hilarious. I was on the page too and completely missed that!

 

[Concord_850]

I wonder why it has said it will make an announcement tomorrow which presumably was meant to get us to a state of expectation and excitement but then reveal in advance boxes of 120?

Isn't this a bit like Father Christmas putting a picture of his forthcoming presents on the kids' pillows when they go to bed the night before?

pentaxuser

It could be unintentional. They have various promotional pictures of mocked-up packaging of planned products that they've used on the site over the years, including for colour film and cine film, as can be seen on the home page if you scroll down.

 

[pentaxuser]

It could be unintentional. They have various promotional pictures of mocked-up packaging of planned products that they've used on the site over the years, including for colour film and cine film, as can be seen on the home page if you scroll down.

View attachment 334425

Yes or just careless. It does steal their own thunder however but as long as neither two adjectives describes their approach to production matters then it shouldn't matter too much

pentaxuser

 

[Hassasin]

Let's keep in mind, April 1st today.

 

[Ranieri]

Let's keep in mind, April 1st today.

It's quite unlikely it's an april fools joke, the the news is from yesterday (or before that) and the announcement is tomorrow.

I just hope they upgrade the 135 canister because I was able to take mine apart just using my fingernails.

 

[Hassasin]

It's quite unlikely it's an april fools joke, the the news is from yesterday (or before that) and the announcement is tomorrow.

I just hope they upgrade the 135 canister because I was able to take mine apart just using my fingernails.

I was joking about 120 boxes showing up on their website, seemed like someone saw them today.

 

[abruzzi]

I think for actual products 120 is most likely because its the least difficult--just repackaging an existing product. I know that packaging is more than just "just" but compared to a new emulsion, it seems more manageable. Maybe they outsource the 120 packaging, like Fuji did with Acros, or maybe they get their existing equipment up and going.

 

[MattKing]

I think for actual products 120 is most likely because its the least difficult--just repackaging an existing product.

The folks at Kodak would probably disagree .
I do wonder if April 2nd was chosen specifically to avoid April Fools Day.
My prediction? A competitor for Eastman 5222 motion picture camera film.

 

[pentaxuser]

My prediction? A competitor for Eastman 5222 motion picture camera film.

Well that would certainly qualify as a new product in a way that possibly a 120 version of P30 would not and it certainly would seem to give substance to the fact that its ability to research, develop and now have the capacity to make 2 films means it has come on in leaps and bounds

pentaxuser

 

[bardamu]

looks like a new Ortho iso 50 film is going to be announced. this is from an authorized retailer here in Milan.

 

[bardamu]

roughly translated:

"Presentation of the film Ferrania ortho
This new black/white film derives strictly from the legendary P30 and yes
differs in two fundamental characteristics:

- Orthochromatic emulsion (sensitivity from UV, blue to green and a drop in band
up to red, to which it is not sensitive). same high silver content,
accentuated but controllable contrast, excellent sharpness and practically grain
absent. The FilmFerrania team was inspired by the early days of silent cinema
when movie titles had such a huge response to blue/green and
performers were prepped with makeup specially formulated for the
film correction
Sensitivity of 50 ISO, above average value and with a sensitivity reserve not
indifferent"

 

[twelvetone12]

Wait, how can they make a film more otho than P30?
In any case if it is true it is terrific news! I wish I could go to the presentation, I was in Piacenza just a couple days ago.

 

[Concord_850]

I am surprised!