Film from Italy -- Ferrania starting production 2014

[analoguey]

The new film seems already available? Item 141150411929 on the Bay.

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[ww12345]

No, that looks like color negative film. IIRC, their first film was to be a reversal.

 

[AgX]

The film at Ebay is designated Ferrania Technologies. This company has stopped film production years ago.

Why should new films clandestine slip in via Ebay?
There is no hint at all that production has started at Film Ferrania.
We even don not know the name of any future films from Film Ferrania.

 

[analoguey]

Aha. That's one reason I didn't buy that film - I was wondering why only limited numbers were around!

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[StoneNYC]

Hope it comes soon, if Fuji stops making E-6, hope Ferrania will be selling BEFORE that happens, otherwise the gap in between could kill it simply from people switching to another film...

 

[DREW WILEY]

I don't see how that comment would fix the real world, Stone. Chrome shooters can be remarkably fussy, and Fuji's shoes aren't going to be
easily filled by anyone else. If you want to do us a real favor, figure out how to make and process 5x7 Kodachrome again!

 

[StoneNYC]

I don't see how that comment would fix the real world, Stone. Chrome shooters can be remarkably fussy, and Fuji's shoes aren't going to be
easily filled by anyone else. If you want to do us a real favor, figure out how to make and process 5x7 Kodachrome again!

How is that a favor to anyone, go but some Eastman Double-X in 4x5, you'll be investing in something more worthwhile anyway (only a few more orders (under 10) to go... That's real, it happening, kodak says yes to that, kodak says no to K-14...

I agree with the fussy bit though, long live Velvia50!

 

[Roger Cole]

Ferrania won't replace Fuji, but Stone is right that it would help if they come out with ASAP. The more chrome film on the market, assuming it's decent, the more people are likely to try it (E6 in general) and/or continue using it, and that increases the likelihood not only of there being SOME E6 but of Fuji continuing to find enough market there to make it.

And if we are trying to bring back dead chrome films, let's focus on those we have some real chance of. Fuji has brought back film before so I nominate, in order, Provia 400X and Astia.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Astia barely sold. In this world where landscape shooters not only want saturation, but want to go back in with Fauxtoshop and slather the
sugar cubes with jam and honey, the whole concept of "less is more" seems close to extinction... a complete dialectic polarization to the "bland mud isn't bland or muddy enough" mentality of artsy-fried color neg shooters. I was digging thru the freezer last nite seeing just what was in
there. I know there's a full box of 8X10 Astia 100F, and a whole bunch of boxes of the old version, though in its rarer tungsten-balanced variety, and possibly just too old ... But if Fuji happened to reinstate any chrome film in this country again, 100F would get my vote.

 

[Roger Cole]

It wold a few rolls to me but I had just discovered it when they canceled it. It (I know I'm preaching to the choir here to Drew) was not bland at all, but rich, vibrant but realistic and not overly contrasty. It looks real, and works in light just too contrasty for Provia. E100G was my replacement and it was pretty good too but I preferred Astia.

I then found that not only was Provia 400X amazingly good for a 400 film allowing shooting slides in light I otherwise couldn't without pushing (and pushing 1-2 stops itself if needed) but it was/is significantly lower in contrast than Provia 100 so it became my "lower contrast, more realistic saturation" film even in better light as long as I could tolerate the grain, which was great for a 400 film but still more than slower films. Of course they discontinued it too.

My tastes are just not in line with the more popular ones it seems.

 

[RattyMouse]

Ferrania won't replace Fuji, but Stone is right that it would help if they come out with ASAP. The more chrome film on the market, assuming it's decent, the more people are likely to try it (E6 in general) and/or continue using it, and that increases the likelihood not only of there being SOME E6 but of Fuji continuing to find enough market there to make it.

And if we are trying to bring back dead chrome films, let's focus on those we have some real chance of. Fuji has brought back film before so I nominate, in order, Provia 400X and Astia.

The ONLY way that Ferrania will attract new chrome shooters is if their film is significantly cheaper than Fujifilm's. Perhaps those wanting a high speed film would also be go with that if one were made. But otherwise, Provia and Velvia offer slide film shooters about as good a product as one could hope for. The problem is the high price.

 

[Roger Cole]

Astia may not have sold but it wasn't really muted or dull at all just realistically rich and accurate without excess contrast. I loved it for projected slides as well as scanning. Of course I discovered it just before they canceled it, so I went to E100G which was also a very good film but a bit more saturated and contrasty than Astia - and then Kodak canceled all slide film. Then I really noticed that the Provia 400X I had been shooting for low light was superbly moderate in contrast itself with rich color - and it got canned. My tastes just aren't mainstream, it seems.

 

[Trail Images]

My tastes just aren't mainstream, it seems.

Don't feel alone Roger, I would have to think many shooters these days are trying their best to accurately determine the best source to support if not the exact film.
I know several LF users who used Astia and Velvia 50 for landscape work. Not sure what happened there even after petitioning to save the V-50 in 4x5. In fact, it was saved to a point and was even repackaged as well as being repriced too for release. However, it never happened. :confused:

 

[StoneNYC]

Don't feel alone Roger, I would have to think many shooters these days are trying their best to accurately determine the best source to support if not the exact film.
I know several LF users who used Astia and Velvia 50 for landscape work. Not sure what happened there even after petitioning to save the V-50 in 4x5. In fact, it was saved to a point and was even repackaged as well as being repriced too for release. However, it never happened. :confused:

I had posted for a group buy for 4x5 Velvia50 from japan (since they still make it just won't ship it). And someone posted a Japanese company that would ship it to the US, the total cost (including shipping) was about $95-$90 depending on how many boxes were bought. Which seems promising. But again I agree with you, why in the heck did they discontinue shipping Velvia50 to the US, I can't imagine it sold MORE than Velvia100... Heck I don't even know if it could sell more than Provia100f in sheet film... It just baffles (and frustrates) me...

And along with what others said, the only way Ferrania will do well with E-6 despite the price, is to have a different film than Velvia, possibly more in line with Portra, but have a Velvia50-like film in their pipeline so that when Fuji discontinues their E-6 (which will happen despite our not wanting it to) they can suddenly replace the Fuji saturated film with their own saturated film.

Secondly, offer home developing kits, buy 1-2 pro packs and get a home developing kit for the rolls... That will make them MUCH more popular...

I think anyway.

 

[Roger Cole]

Enough other people offer E6 chemistry that I see no need for them to do that.

We already know it's going to be an E6 100 speed film. Given that, what I want more than anything is more moderate contrast than Provia 100, something closer to E100G or Astia. They will never compete with Velvia and probably not with Provia especially given the latter is basically available at lower price as Agfa Precisa. It needs to be different - and I'd love something more natural and less over the top.

Of course if Fuji drops E6 that does open the market for another super saturated slide film, granted. But until that happens they aren't going to sell much of it. Ok, maybe if it's 1/2 the price and "almost as good" as Velvia. What do you think the odds are of that happening? No, I still think their best bet is a film that is sufficiently different from existing Fuji offerings to appeal as something different.

 

[Trail Images]

Stone, I totally agree and share in your frustration. I worked directly with the person who ran the original petition to save Velvia 50 in 4x5 from extinction. Overall, as you've pointed out in your comment, it really never was totally discontinued. It just is not imported into USA, UK, AUS, NZ, or many other locales around the globe. Basically only sold in Japan as far as I know. I've actually seen it priced as high as $140 a box directly from Japan. I love the stuff and have only really shot V-50 for 20+ years, as it was available. But I'm not paying prices like that for 20 sheets.

So, to try and figure out why we're now shipped only V-100, V-100f, and Provia is puzzling. In fact, Fuji USA site still shows V-50 in 4x5 sheets offered up as a product on their website. Although, admittedly we know websites do lag behind in reality with products in a lot of cases. So, don't get excited about this link. Almost a year ago I got the word direct from Fuji USA, NO MORE V-50 in sheets to be imported. This was after all the time we spent on the petition and working with Japan.

FUJI Velvia 50

I'd have to say I'm still well stocked to date after going overboard when I knew it was being discontinued or not imported as it were to the USA in sheets. But, that will not last for ever the way I burn through film. Anyway, I guess I can say I'm at least thankful the other E-6 stuff is still out there so far.

 

[StoneNYC]

Enough other people offer E6 chemistry that I see no need for them to do that.

What other people offer a 6 bath E6 kit? Sorry I failed to mention 6 bath home kit (not 3 bath crap).

So, to try and figure out why we're now shipped only V-100, V-100f, and Provia is puzzling.

Well like I said I know a guy now to get it for about $90 a box (price includes shipping) direct from Japan. So let me know if you want in on some

Also, sorry, V100f is no longer being made, it's just so crappy there was a lot of it left in stock piles, but that's totally discontinued and not being made by Fuji.

Only V50, V100 and P100f are still being made by Fuji.

Just still don't get why V100 was chose OVER V50... Blah...

I think it's a grand plot to get us to spend extra cash IN the Japanese market and boost their economy ... Haha

 

[Roger Cole]

Yeah, you didn't mention 6 bath. And your view that 3 bath is crap is pretty well known by now.

I never had a single problem with 3 bath E6 as I've said before. Extend the blix time, get a separate stabilizer, and don't worry about it.

 

[StoneNYC]

Yeah, you didn't mention 6 bath. And your view that 3 bath is crap is pretty well known by now.

I never had a single problem with 3 bath E6 as I've said before. Extend the blix time, get a separate stabilizer, and don't worry about it.

Can't do any bleach bypass work... Just as an additional limitation.

 

[Roger Cole]

Bleach by-pass? Well processes have been modified all kinds of ways so I guess there is some way that bypasses the bleach. But can't you use an alkaline BW style fixer if you want like you can with color neg, like TF-5?

Anyway, I never wanted to do that, or even know why you would.

 

[StoneNYC]

Bleach by-pass? Well processes have been modified all kinds of ways so I guess there is some way that bypasses the bleach. But can't you use an alkaline BW style fixer if you want like you can with color neg, like TF-5?

Anyway, I never wanted to do that, or even know why you would.

You would do it if you wanted to create an image with a unique and different look than standard colors and contrast, without the use of photoshop...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach_bypass

 

[AgX]

And along with what others said, the only way Ferrania will do well with E-6 despite the price, is to have a different film than Velvia, possibly more in line with Portra, but have a Velvia50-like film in their pipeline so that when Fuji discontinues their E-6 (which will happen despite our not wanting it to) they can suddenly replace the Fuji saturated film with their own saturated film.

One should not forget that concerning necessary investments it is one thing reviving a proven formula, on the prerequisite that all necessary elements can be employed, but another thing to make a new film.

 

[miha]

My guess is they are going for the former, but how good was their Scotch 100 anyway?

Dead Link Removed

 

[Paul Howell]

My guess is they are going for the former, but how good was their Scotch 100 anyway?

Dead Link Removed

Sorry I dont have access to a scanner so I cant post any images. I shot both the older 3M version and the new Scotch 100 and found the newer version to be neutral tones with good grain. At the time it was being sold in some of the discount dept stores (KMart) that still carried film and cameras at a good price. I now shoot negative film, but would shoot Scotch 100 again.

 

[Trail Images]

Stone, thanks for the offer on the $90 per box direct from Japan thing. I'll keep that in mind. I was squirming on my last purchase at $80 per box. So, I'm tapped out at this point.

Also, thanks for the update on V-100f too. I was unaware of that having also been dropped. Again, the USA site of course still shows that available........