Exposure tests and cross-processing tests.
Well, I think you are missing very important points here:
1. Fujifilm and Velvia 50 reformulation: They started that R&D process in 2005, and at that time the global market for standard photographic film (non-instant film) was still almost 2 billion units p.a.. And when they introduced it in 2007 the market was still more than 1 billion units p.a.
In 2023 the global market for standard films (non-instant) is less than 100 million units. So Harman is operating with their project in a completely different market, with a fraction of the former volume. And a fraction of former income.
Furthermore Fujifilm has been for decades a huge multi-billion Dollar company. Harman with its about 200 heads staff is absolutely tiny compard to Fujifilm.
And Fujifilm had to "only" reformulate Velvia 50. But Harman has to design a completely new product from scratch.
2. Kodak also had a fundament and very good base with Ektachrome E100G. New E100 is different in some parameters but not an entirely new or fundamentally different film. And wasn't perfect at the introduction either.
Also Kodak is a much much bigger film manufacturer than Harman, with bigger resources.
Please look at the Ilford partner forum here, there you can find the financial data of Harman technology.
It is a relatively small company. It is profitable, but far away from being a rich company with huge financial resources.
Colour film is an absolute high-tech product, and belongs to the most sophisticating and challenging products in the chemical industry. It is extremely difficult to produce, both in technological and economical terms.
Therefore Harman's approach to be very honest and open-minded about their R&D and the product, including all its quirks and limitations, and reduce the financial risks by selling the product to their customers who want to support that project, is absolutely the right way.
That policy increases the chances that this whole project can be a success in the long term.
I have so far visited five different film manufacturers/factories, and three of them are either in the colour film business, or preparing for it. From my detailed discussions and what I have seen there I know quite well what is needed for a successful colour film production.
And most photrio-members are still underestimating both the technological and financial challenges of it in the current market environment.
Harman has chosen a more conservative, less-risky, step-by-step long-term approach / strategy.
And that is the best they can do!
No one is forced to buy this new Phoenix film. I am a big fan of the technologically best and most advanced films, and I prefer this high-tech, premium quality material for about 98% of my photography, like Delta 100.
But nevertheless I will buy this new film, and I will certainly have fun with it, and I will find photographic subjects for it, like I have found for former ADOX Color Implosion for example.
So I will definitely do my part to support the "Brave Knights of Knutsford". I am using Ilford products for decades, and I have always been very satiesfied with them. Therefore it is a no-brainer for me to help them with this amazing, but very challenging long-term project.
Best regards,
Henning
I went from "meh" when seeing spec sheet to "nice!!!" when seeing select thumb sized examples and then back to "meh" when seeing more larger sized examples form Phoenix.
I'll form my own opinion after I scan and print Phoenix 200. But I also know now that I should reevaluate my (low) opinion of Orwo NC500 and Lomochrome Color '92. It seems that everything Phoenix has over them is just... marketing. In everything else they seem to be ahead of Phoenix.
So, good job Harman, Lomo/Orwo! I hope they can all keep making progress in the years to come...
Do you think anyone would notice if the film was damaged in customs X-ray machines?
Look at logan2z post. ORWO is complete garbage compared to this
…it was … scanned (Noristu) the same way they do hundreds of C-41 rolls every day…
I think there could develop a bit of keen competition within Euro film firms which will hopefully drive innovation.
I wish Harman Phoenix Colour Film the very best of luck.
For what it is worth, here is a comparison.
Harman Phoenix Vs Kodak Gold Vs Lomography CN100
I wish Harman Phoenix Colour Film the very best of luck.
For what it is worth, here is a comparison.
Harman Phoenix Vs Kodak Gold Vs Lomography CN100
Thanks for this.
I've lost count, who produces Lomography CN100? Is it based on the 1980s Kodacolor VR?
This may be the issue, my understanding is that the normal C-41 settings aren't optimal due to the lack of a mask.
I've shot enough Orwo NC500 and seen enough of examples of Phoenix now to form my own opinion (of course, I'm still waiting on my own Phoenix shots). But, I'd like to hear you name one area where you consider Phoenix to be better than NC500.
Yes.
Lets get some perspective.
Color Mission was a miracle. Nobody mistook Orwo NC500 or LomoChrome '92 for a miracle, yet they (at least '92) look to be lightyears ahead of Phoenix at the moment.
Many thanks for this post, Henning.
I wish Harman Phoenix Colour Film the very best of luck.
For what it is worth, here is a comparison.
Harman Phoenix Vs Kodak Gold Vs Lomography CN100
Concerning perspective:
Please don't forget that InovisCoat needed about a whole decade to get to their best CN emulsion. And that despite of having the original Agfa production machinery and a significant part of (but not all of) the former Agfa emulsion know-how.
So that Harman mamaged to create the Phoenix film in such a short time span is indeed really impressive, and deserves a lot of appreciation and respect.
But concerning future perspective we also should remain realistic:
Harman has started here a Marathon. It will be a very hard Marathon. It will take many, many years to come close(r) to the quality level of the current Kodak and Fujifilm amateur colour negative films. Kodak and Fuji have been multi-billion dollar companies for decades in the film era, with hundreds of million dollars spend on R&D over the decades.
Harman cannot come to the same level in only some years (if at all). Patience and endurance are needed. And the more we support them, the better the chances are for their success in the long term.
Best regards,
Henning
Lomo CN 100 is Kodacolor VR,
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