Film from Italy -- Ferrania starting production 2014

AgX · Jul 7, 2014

Film Ferrania would not need excessive energy. But several kettles must be heated and all tubings etc.

This would not be a problem if done by electricity. But it is done by steam. And its supply (for unknown reasons) will be limited in time, and it is not economic due to only being a small scale user by now, hung at a long, high volume supply route. Thus they would need a small steam kettle in house.

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 7, 2014

What is unclear to me is how much of the old film plant remains, large scale coating machines etc.

As far as I have been told, nothing is left in terms of the large scale coating machine.
And that was the reason as to why Ferrania stopped in 2008: they had a far too large coating machine, larger than Ilford, but smaller than Kodak. They also didn't have any market left as most of their traditional customers (photographic shops, chemist chains and others) shifted to digital products and no longer required their own brand film.
So, what the new Film Ferrania is trying to do is to produce film using the smaller coating machine on the R&D department.
Here you can see the similar R&D coating machine on the Harman factory: http://this-is-sunderland.co.uk/2013/12/15/ilford-factory-tour-where-black-and-white-film-is-made/
Just watch the video, it is worth it!

Nzoomed · Jul 7, 2014

AgX said:
Film Ferrania would not need excessive energy. But several kettles must be heated and all tubings etc.

This would not be a problem if done by electricity. But it is done by steam. And its supply (for unknown reasons) will be limited in time, and it is not economic due to only being a small scale user by now, hung at a long, high volume supply route. Thus they would need a small steam kettle in house.

Thanks, i will check it out, anyway i think the major film makers (fuji and kodak) did not gear up for the decline of film and should have downscaled accordingly.
Anyway, if what this link states below is true, then we may be in luck, smaller production runs is the only way for film to survive.
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

AgX · Jul 7, 2014

That idea by Kodak does not make sense to me. Maybe it has been conveyed wrongly.

brianmquinn · Jul 7, 2014

MattKing said:
Stone:

You have a perfect choice for a new APUG signature!:devil::devil:

I agree.

Nzoomed · Jul 7, 2014

AgX said:
That idea by Kodak does not make sense to me. Maybe it has been conveyed wrongly.

Quite possible, i dont see anything happening anytime soon, Kodak has had plenty of time to produce smaller batches of film if they really wanted to, its not like they dont have the infrastructure in place to do so.

Prof_Pixel · Jul 7, 2014

Nzoomed said:
Kodak has had plenty of time to produce smaller batches of film if they really wanted to, its not like they dont have the infrastructure in place to do so.

I don't believe that is true. Their remaining coating equipment is designed (and suited) for large product runs.

StoneNYC · Jul 8, 2014

Ken Nadvornick said:
The shuffling fellow shown in the blurred photo has a beard...

Ken

Brunner!! That's what I was trying to think of, I think it's they Brunner guy...

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 8, 2014

Egads!!

I was thinking of that Senior VP of Marketing and Product Development at Freestyle? He has a beard (at least in his company photo). He's American (I assume). And Freestyle already used to sell direct-branded Ferrania products...

Ferrania Solaris 5X Tele Disposable Camera (discontinued)

Ken

Xmas · Jul 8, 2014

Kodaks production is sized for cine cams and cine projection. Stills is a side line.

Their management have also seemed like their production - big and unsuited to change. They held the record for payment after patent compromise for a decade. Not the record you want.

http://m.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/10880869.Kodak__123_years_of_history_in_Harrow/

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.u...-expects-film-and-paper-divisions-to-stay-put

https://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootkodakfilm/discuss/72157635438027726/

Nzoomed · Jul 8, 2014

Prof_Pixel said:
I don't believe that is true. Their remaining coating equipment is designed (and suited) for large product runs.

Thats true, but they must hold smaller coating machines in their research facilities if they really wanted to produce smaller runs of film.
Its inevitable that its going to prove uneconomic to use their full scale coaters when their market for cine film dries up. The question is whether its worth reinvesting in producing new machinery to make smaller production runs.

PKM-25 · Jul 8, 2014

This topic is about Film Ferrania, can you all just for ONCE leave Kodak out of it?

StoneNYC · Jul 8, 2014

PKM-25 said:
This topic is about Film Ferrania, can you all just for ONCE leave Kodak out of it?

Ok, this will make you happy then dan, because I hope they make some 8x10 Fim Ferrania so I can shoot it in my new 8x10... meanwhile I'll shoot lots of Delta100 and HP5+

See I totally left out Kodak

But in truth, I will be shooting a bunch of Ektascan...

But seriously does anyone know if Film Ferrania will be making sheet film (eventually)?

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 8, 2014

Don't hold your breath, Stone. Well, not for the first production runs.

StoneNYC · Jul 8, 2014

Ricardo Miranda said:
Don't hold your breath, Stone. Well, not for the first production runs.

Yeah, I know, especially for the first run, I'll be lucky if they even make 120...

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 8, 2014

Well, you can try to find out when was the last time Ferrania did sheet and/or 120 film. Couple that with the already stated intention of producing film in cine formats and you'll have a pretty good idea where it goes.

Xmas · Jul 8, 2014

StoneNYC said:
Ok, this will make you happy then dan, because I hope they make some 8x10 Fim Ferrania so I can shoot it in my new 8x10... meanwhile I'll shoot lots of Delta100 and HP5+

See I totally left out Kodak

But in truth, I will be shooting a bunch of Ektascan...

But seriously does anyone know if Film Ferrania will be making sheet film (eventually)?

Depends on demand: e.g. If their coater was busy they could multi shift and do a coating on a thicker base: if their splitters and finishers could cope.

But if they did not get volume in 16 and 35mm...

They would be able to understand the market.

Prest_400 · Jul 8, 2014

Ken Nadvornick said:
Egads!!

I was thinking of that Senior VP of Marketing and Product Development at Freestyle? He has a beard (at least in his company photo). He's American (I assume). And Freestyle already used to sell direct-branded Ferrania products...

Ferrania Solaris 5X Tele Disposable Camera (discontinued)

Ken

That's a good take. Afterall freestyle has collaboration with film manufacturers, as they have done some rebranding. It is quite a plausible real identity for our mysterious American.
Brunner? Jason Brunner, the APUG mod? I just realised that it's been a long while I haven't seen him around.

I'll want to gram some of their chrome in 120. Still have frozen Elitechrome in 35mm and I'm in a negative mood lately (pardon the pun). Given that they partner with wittner (IIRC) they may release s8, 16mm & 35mm at first.
Time flies, it's been 2 years since Kodak left E6 and the only alternatives are respooled Fuji; By entering cine, they will reinforce E6.

StoneNYC · Jul 8, 2014

Prest_400 said:
That's a good take. Afterall freestyle has collaboration with film manufacturers, as they have done some rebranding. It is quite a plausible real identity for our mysterious American.
Brunner? Jason Brunner, the APUG mod? I just realised that it's been a long while I haven't seen him around.

I'll want to gram some of their chrome in 120. Still have frozen Elitechrome in 35mm and I'm in a negative mood lately (pardon the pun). Given that they partner with wittner (IIRC) they may release s8, 16mm & 35mm at first.
Time flies, it's been 2 years since Kodak left E6 and the only alternatives are respooled Fuji; By entering cine, they will reinforce E6.

Yes Jason Brunner... And yes he has been particularly quiet...

I love Fuji E-6 better than kodak even, BUT I'm concerned they will shut down.

I just like to have option.... Lol

AgX · Jul 8, 2014

StoneNYC said:
Yes Jason Brunner... And yes he has been particularly quiet...

I do not recognize him. Anyway he is moderator here at Apug. And not actually quiet.
But his funny teaching videos seem to have vanished.

Nzoomed · Jul 8, 2014

StoneNYC said:
Yeah, I know, especially for the first run, I'll be lucky if they even make 120...

They have stated that they want to bring back as many obsolete film formats as possible, so that people can enjoy shooting with their old cameras.

I actually think this will be a winner for them, dont expect all formats to be available at once.

Im pretty sure they intend to bring back 126 format and some of the other obsolete roll films, so im pretty confident we will see 120 and sheet film being available.

Going retro is a good plan on the business sense, its going to get alot of vintage camera enthusiasts out with their cameras again.

StoneNYC said:
Yes Jason Brunner... And yes he has been particularly quiet...

I love Fuji E-6 better than kodak even, BUT I'm concerned they will shut down.

I just like to have option.... Lol

Ive never been a huge fan of fuji film, but Provia is one fuji film i intend to shoot, its sad that provia 400x has been scrapped, it was the only high iso reversal film left.
Ive never been a huge fan of disneychrome, but i wouldnt mind shooting some rolls of it for the fun.

ME Super · Jul 16, 2014

Could it be that the mystery American is somebody from B&H or Adorama? The bearded mystery American looks like he might possibly be Jewish to me (if someone who's an Orthodox Jew has a particular look), and I know B&H and Adorama are both owned by Jews. Just a random thought...

ME Super · Jul 16, 2014

Duplicate post

jojonas · Aug 7, 2014

AgX said:
I do not recognize him. Anyway he is moderator here at Apug. And not actually quiet.
But his funny teaching videos seem to have vanished.

yes, have anyone heard anything about that? I would love to have another look on the focal length calculation vid again.

kuparikettu · Aug 11, 2014

The website news section has been updated: "The Countdown Begins". An announcement in mid-September.

Also, from the FAQ:

When will you begin making film?
We are on course to turn on the machines and make our first test batches in early Autumn 2014.
We will make an announcement soon about the schedule for commercial products.

What's the hold up?
Our main facility is currently being refurbished - free of charge courtesy of the regional government in Italy. We are also on a deadline to purchase additional equipment from the old Ferrania buildings that are crucial to our operations. For this, we are seeking funding.

What's the Italian Government have to do with this?
Regione Liguria, the local branch of the Italian Government, has been the most amazing partner FILM Ferrania could ask for. They feel a great need to keep this historic product "Made in Italy" and have supported our team for more than a year as we lay the groundwork to restart.
They have worked with us and Ferrania Technologies to schedule the destruction of the old buildings on a timeline that allows us a really good chance at getting all of the pieces we need to build the new kind of film factory we envision. And they just spent 1.2 million renovating our main facility!
They want FILM Ferrania to restart and they're doing everything they can to help us.

Film from Italy -- Ferrania starting production 2014

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency