Freestyle announces "Silver Collection" paper and film

Roger Cole · Apr 24, 2013

Foma had some particular QC issues with the 200. They still aren't Kodak or Ilford, but I've not had any QC problems with their film. 120 curls pretty badly but is certainly manageable.

Barry S · Apr 24, 2013

Chris Lange said:
I think he's saying that you can't get Kentmere sheet film, period. I'm anxious to find out the cost too.

Exactly. A new high quality bargain-priced sheet film is a big deal if you shoot large format. I've found Fomapan (aka Arista EDU Ultra) sheet film to be fine for contact prints, but compared to Ilford products, there's a lot of inclusions in the emulsion.

MattKing · Apr 24, 2013

Ilford has made it very clear that they will no longer sell re-branded versions of any of their products, including Ilford and Kentmere products. They will, however manufacture to specification.

So it isn't Kentmere, although it may have some similarities to other products, including Kentmere.

Curt · Apr 24, 2013

How many manufacturers are there in the United Kingdom who make film and paper? Has there been any movements of photographic equipment machinery into the United Kingdom? If and I say if it is an existing manufacturer then do they have the capability for increasing production to supply an entirely new comprehensive line of photographic supplies? What defines "popular sheet film sizes"? What could be better than being able to buy at any time a ULF film? The only 11x14 that's available for immediate purchase is not entirely suitable for Carbon Transfer without extreme development measures. This announcement comes at a time when many are sizing up resources for the yearly Ilford Harmon run. What's the most expensive part of any business or endeavor, time.

Manufactured in the United Kingdom under strict direction by Freestyle, we bring you a new black and white film in 100 and 400 ISO. Available in 35mm, 120 size and popular sheet film sizes, these new films are sure to satisfy the most discriminating of photographic artists while maintaining that low Freestyle value price point.

Barry S · Apr 24, 2013

Curt said:
What defines "popular sheet film sizes"?

Arista EDU Ultra is available in 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10--I wouldn't expect anything beyond this for sizes. I'd love to see 11x14 film, but I don't think the sales volume justifies it.

mgb74 · Apr 24, 2013

I don't know the mechanics and economics of cutting sheet film to size, but I think 2x3 would be also be a good choice. I know that Ilford used to provide this size. I don't think there are many options outside of Freestyle, which lists (but is out of stock of) Arista EDU Ultra in that size.

No doubt it's a small market for 2x3, but I suspect highly concentrated. In fact, I'm sure that 86.973% of 2x3 film users frequent APUG and/or LFF.

Curt · Apr 25, 2013

What's wrong with supporting the ULF community?

StigHagen · Apr 27, 2013

In their new magazine, Freestyle mentions they are willing to offer popular ULF sizes as well, if the sales goes well.

brianmquinn · Apr 30, 2013

I just noticed that Freestyle has their Arita EDU film and paper line marked down. Maybe it is going away to be replaced my the Silver line of film and paper.

Roger Cole · Apr 30, 2013

Humm, it is marked down very slightly with an "instant rebate" but not on their clearance page. And some of it is listed as low stock now, call for inventory. And the 2.25x3.25 100 is listed as out of stock with delivery expected Jun 7. That would be odd if they're going to stop offering it, unless maybe the new stuff won't come in that size.

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 30, 2013

Maybe Freestyle had advanced insider knowledge of the recent Kodak deal with the UK pensioners and THAT is the real source of this new film. ??

Roger Cole · Apr 30, 2013

Unlikely, since Kodak film production is to remain in the US at Rochester with the new company just selling and distributing. Since this says it's made in the UK the overwhelming odds are that it's coated or going to be coated by Harman.

zsas · May 27, 2013

When newly announced analog products, that have never been released, are already discontinued, it might be time to find another hobby..../*sarcasm*/

Below from FS. In all seriousness, I hope they can pull this off, their efforts are always appreciated. A great company, sorry to hear of the setback below...

The Silver Collection By Arista
May 22, 2013

We have reached a temporary impasse with the manufacturer of "The Silver Collection, by Arista," but rest assured we are continually working on ways to create additional black and white products to maximize your photographic options. Our primary goal is to support as many traditional photographic manufacturers as possible and to keep black and white films and papers not only readily available, but also affordable. Even though the Silver products may not be forthcoming at this time, we will continue to work with manufacturers that are fully committed to our primary goal. Please continue to check our website for upcoming new product introductions.

Per
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/press-releases/silver-collection-impasse

Roger Cole · May 27, 2013

Well...wonder if they will continue to carry the rebranded Foma? I'm not sure what the paper is, tried and wasn't crazy about it, but I like to shoot some Foma and their store brand makes it fun to play with. If I had to pay name brand Foma prices, even from NY, I probably wouldn't bother and would shoot only Kodak/Ilford/Fuji.

redrockcoulee · May 27, 2013

Roger Cole said:
Well...wonder if they will continue to carry the rebranded Foma? I'm not sure what the paper is, tried and wasn't crazy about it, but I like to shoot some Foma and their store brand makes it fun to play with. If I had to pay name brand Foma prices, even from NY, I probably wouldn't bother and would shoot only Kodak/Ilford/Fuji.

They sell several different papers under the Arista label. I really like the Private Reserve which is a little more pricey than their Ultra label

Richard S. (rich815) · May 27, 2013

"Temporary impasse" and "may not be forthcoming" sound quite different to me. This sounds too much to me like corporate-speak for "it all fell apart and the deal is DOA"....

Peter Schrager · May 28, 2013

The rebranded foma 200 is a great deal...something like $63/box for fifty sheets of 5x7...
Been using along w tri-x and it works very nice...has its own flavor
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Roger Cole · May 28, 2013

redrockcoulee said:
They sell several different papers under the Arista label. I really like the Private Reserve which is a little more pricey than their Ultra label

Well yeah - that's repackaged Adox and good paper. It was the RC edu ultra I didn't care for even though I use RC mainly for contact proofs (and a few 8x10s.)

Brac · May 31, 2013

How many manufacturers are there in the United Kingdom who make film and paper? Has there been any movements of photographic equipment machinery into the United Kingdom?

In reply to that question there may be two. Ilford (Harman) obviously but Kodak continues to coat colour paper in the UK. Until some years ago, the factory here also coated a range of colour & monochrome Kodak films until production of the films seemed to be moved to China (for colour for a short period) and USA (with packing in Mexico). Whether the UK factory still has all the equipment to coat & finish films I've no idea, and having said all that I strongly suspect Harman are making the Freestyle range.

Just looked at the Freestyle site & there seems to be some kind of problem with the "Silver Collection". See:-

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/press-releases/silver-collection-impasse

Freestyle announces "Silver Collection" paper and film

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