Film Volume / Velocity

[Stephen Frizza]

The attached Image shows how much film I work with in my darkroom over a typical fortnightly period. I thought it would be insightful to share the breakdown of the film types and give insight into what seems to be most popular among my clients.

670 rolls Portra 400 35mm
242 rolls Portra 160 35mm
233 rolls Ektar 100 35mm
65 rolls Portra 800 35mm
126 rolls Miscellaneous and out dated 35mm Film
85 rolls Fuji 35mm
18 rolls 110 film + 2 rolls 126
217 rolls Portra 400 120
99 rolls Ektar 100 120
85 rolls Portra 160 120
59 rolls Fuji 120
381 rolls Black and white 35mm
39 rolls Black and white 120
59 rolls E-6 35mm + 120

This may or may not seem a lot of film to some but in reality it is a small volume of film. If it were to be compared to film used in motion picture industry this would not even be enough to provide 1 hour of projection of a feature film in a cinema.

I think what is most noticeable is that at least among my clients Portra 400 is the most popular selling film of the market. I think it can also be noted that E-6 is in BIG TROUBLE! in a commercial sense.

I also found it interesting to note how much of the film i work with is out of date.

I would be very interested in hearing what breakdown of films people on here are working with
and what quantity you work with in an average fortnight.

The amount of film i work with in a fortnight now is less than the amount of film I would work with in a single day 15 years ago. Have other fellow members here found a decrease in the quantity of film they now work with?

 

[calebarchie]

Hi Stephen,

The majority of your clients are from science and research based industries correct?

Bests,
C

 

[Bob Carnie]

In 1992 I was processing and contacting with one partner, 100 -200 rolls of BW per day, we worked opposite shifts.

To date this year I doubt I have run over 200 rolls of BW. I never run dip dunk or mail order but only small single one shot batch runs, but the drop off
of demand is staggering.

But I am now making a lot of enlarged film for alt process including silver which is very encouraging.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Hi Stephen,

The majority of your clients are from science and research based industries correct?

Bests,
C

and a few companies that work with the public and a select few advertising and arts based clients who I have a long history with.

 

[MattKing]

For those who need the translation - a fortnight = two weeks.

Thanks Stephen for the info.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Steve, the 120 paper and end reels along with undamaged 35mm cassettes will become valuable someday to hand coaters. That is, unless they are going to stick with sheet film or plates.

PE

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Steve, the 120 paper and end reels along with undamaged 35mm cassettes will become valuable someday to hand coaters. That is, unless they are going to stick with sheet film or plates.

PE

They never make it into the rubbish. they are all recycled. I have such a demand for the 120 paper and end rolls and undamaged 35mm cassettes and film containers I can hardly keep up with demand.

 

[Photo Engineer]

That is very good to hear.

PE

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

59 rolls E-6 35mm + 120

A fortnight!? That is not enough to sustain E6 anywhere.

I think it can also be noted that E-6 is in BIG TROUBLE! in a commercial sense.

Yes, you're on the money there.
The two Melbourne labs still offering E6 are gloomy-faced and telling people it does not have long to go. The fridges in-store are very well stocked, however.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Face it, E6 is dead.

PE

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Face it, E6 is dead.

PE

There will come a stage soon where i will only run it in batches. But i will not get rid of my film processor i will just mothball it until required as i have done with my scala processor.

 

[Wallendo]

Face it, E6 is dead.

PE

Please don't let Ferrania found out.

Although, even as a Kickstarter investor in their enterprise, I worry about their long-term success

 

[Photo Engineer]

But they might bring it back!

 

[AgX]

Thank you Stephen for that insight.

But I'm puzzled by that "velocity" you refer to.
Maybe by that you meant "flux" (film-volume/time).

 

[Truzi]

But they might bring it back!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

But they might bring it back!

Indeed. Just as you will bring back Kodachrome....

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yeah, slightly dead is better than all dead!

 

[CMoore]

That is about.......2, 000 rolls of (various types) film in a 2 week period.?
Man.!
I looked in your profile, but did not see anything. I am relatively new to The Forum...what exactly do you mean by "My Darkroom".?
When I hear that term, I think of somebody (like me) with a converted bedroom.
Are you running a Lab/Business/Processing of some sort.?
To Me...that seems lime A Lot of film.

 

[MattKing]

That is about.......2, 000 rolls of (various types) film in a 2 week period.?
Man.!
I looked in your profile, but did not see anything. I am relatively new to The Forum...what exactly do you mean by "My Darkroom".?
When I hear that term, I think of somebody (like me) with a converted bedroom.
Are you running a Lab/Business/Processing of some sort.?
To Me...that seems lime A Lot of film.

I'll help Stephen out: http://www.thelighthouselab.com/

Based on the notes there, some of it might be a bit out of date.

 

[Photo Engineer]

As for you that look at Steve's web site, that is not the entire formula requirements. A LOT more is needed. Look at the patent for comparison.

PE

 

[Stephen Frizza]

That is about.......2, 000 rolls of (various types) film in a 2 week period.?
Man.!
I looked in your profile, but did not see anything. I am relatively new to The Forum...what exactly do you mean by "My Darkroom".?
When I hear that term, I think of somebody (like me) with a converted bedroom.
Are you running a Lab/Business/Processing of some sort.?
To Me...that seems lime A Lot of film.

Yes I process on a commercial level. This is my career / profession.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

I'll help Stephen out: http://www.thelighthouselab.com/

Based on the notes there, some of it might be a bit out of date.

Sorry my blog is so out of date. Ive largely gone quiet on the public and just spend my days working away privately.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

As for you that look at Steve's web site, that is not the entire formula requirements. A LOT more is needed. Look at the patent for comparison.

PE

That formula as you suggested to me in 2012 is pretty terrible for my application. I posted it on there and forgot to delete it sorry will delete it now!

 

[Photo Engineer]

Wellll...... I wasn't going to be too critical.

PE

 

[Alan Klein]

I still shoot Velvia 50 in 120 and scan it. But my pro lab in NYC just stopped E6 developing. There are others still developing however, but it's not very encouraging.