Fuji freezer film rumour

[cmacd123]

Next insolvency for 53.54360169491525423729 then recently.

<Next insolvency for InovisCoat then recently>

Part of that seems to be connected with Mr. Seal's dream of a photo empire. he obtained the rights to the ORWO name in SOME places, (but not Germany I understand.) and also took over Filmotec. Not sure if he completly took over InovisCoat but they now rent a small amount of time on the coater which is run by the Current Iteration of Polaroid Now. Seal also has ORWO studios in the US.

you will notice that much of the the orwo film is actually branded "Original Wolfen" these days.

 

[koraks]

I few times we have been told that coating paper results in much cleanup before film can again be run.

Depends on the base material. But yes, some bases (not just paper; actually PE too) can create significant contamination problems that need to be dealt with before the next coating run can commence. This is in fact one of the reasons why certain materials are manufactured in Japan, but not in The Netherlands, since it would be too much of a disturbance to the production planning in the latter.

 

[Film-Niko]

By Loop drying are you talking about the "festoon" system where the film/paper is hung up like laundry? or something else. I recall seeing a picture of a festoon dryer that the old EFKE folks used.

Yes, that is the basic principle. But with film it is hanging narrower, with more space efficiency.

I few times we have been told that coating paper results in much cleanup before film can again be run.

I remember very well the explanations of Simon Galley: After coating of fibre paper on Harman's coating machine a lof of cleaning must be done because fibre paper lost quite a lot of paper particles (fabrics) on the machinery.

as far as Kodak's remaining "Machine" the fact it is CALLED "Building 38" is an indication of the size involved. if you can get @laser 's book "Making Kodak Film, I recall he has some details on Building 38

I know. And I own Robert Shanebrook's excellent book.

 

[Film-Niko]

<Next insolvency for InovisCoat then recently>

Part of that seems to be connected with Mr. Seal's dream of a photo empire.

For me it looks like someone without any detailed knowledge of film manufacturing entered the business and failed.

he obtained the rights to the ORWO name in SOME places, (but not Germany I understand.)

AFAIK he has the rights only in the UK and US.

In general the owner of the brand name ORWO is German big volume photo lab / fotofinisher ORWOnet: https://www.orwonet.de/
They also operate under ORWO: www.orwo.de
Since the closure of the former ORWO film factory in the early 90ies ORWOnet has owning the right to use the brand name ORWO.
FilmoTec has had the right to use the name only for their BW films.

But now, because of the insolvency, FilmoTec is more or less dead, and they also lost the right to use the brand name ORWO.

and also took over Filmotec. Not sure if he completly took over InovisCoat

Yes, he took over InovisCoat completely. But honestly there is not much to take over:
InovisCoat is not a film manufacturer like the other ones in the market: They lost their factory in their first insolvency in 2011 (the factory is now running as Inovisproject, a daugther company of Polaroid).
InovisCoat's main and valuable parts are only
- IP and some film recipes
- a contract with Inovisproject-Polaroid to use the factory in Monheim for certain production runs
- two engineers.
(there has been a report about them in the film photography magazine 'camera').

you will notice that much of the the orwo film is actually branded "Original Wolfen" these days.

See above: They don't have the right to use the ORWO brand name anymore.

 

[mshchem]

The actual film vault is a 22 cubic foot Amana refrigerator in my basement storeroom. I bet I have enough film to shoot for the rest of my life. Of course that doesn't keep me from buying more

I

 

[cmacd123]

FilmoTec has had the right to use the name only for their BW films.

But now, because of the insolvency, FilmoTec is more or less dead, and they also lost the right to use the brand name ORWO.

I wonder if that is the reason that their is no name on the edge of the originalWolfen film. (a ordered a few rolls of OW 100 and some came in Metal casettes, {wth end caps that WOULD NOT pry off) and some in Plastic cassettes like Flic and some chinese suppliers use all have blank edge) )

I got one roll of the N75 (thinking I was getting N74) and it had Movie perfs, and a mechanicaly produced footage numbers, and said ORWO. the N74 used to come with both Filmotec and orwo metioned on the edge printing, and a full set of KeyKode style markings.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

Go figure.......would you trust someone who is acting this way?

No ofcourse not. I didn't know that he bashed on all the people with a shit load of experience and knowledge, but knew that he sold just another Agfa aviphot film as "something unique" specially made him, at a boutique price. If i want to get screwed I'll visit a brothel

So yeah, his knowledge is questionable. But other than that, he also has a hate relationship with Fuji. He thought it was a really clever idea to "manufacturer" (,his words, I would say market/sell) a new colour positive film under the brand Fugu film. Of course Fujifilm complained about this and in court it was decided he wasn't allowed to use this name - what a suprise. He is playing the victim and acts like a crying baby and is saying nothing positive about Fuji.

 

[miha]

Thanks @dokko I've ordered a couple of Provia 4x5 boxes today from (one of) the biggest EU vendor(s). I wonder what the expiration date will be.

Films received, with the expiration date a good year away:

Perfectly fine with me, however those hording the film stock in their fridges might find it too short. Now, where is Provia in 135 ??

 

[ChrisGalway]

Perfectly fine with me, however those hording the film stock in their fridges might find it too short. Now, where is Provia in 135 ??

Well FotoImpex says "Expected back aprox. 12.09.2024" and you can sign up for an alert. In my experience you have to respond to their alert email (saying it's in stock) within minutes! Of course, there might be a typo, it might be 2025 ...

 

[JParker]

Perfectly fine with me, however those hording the film stock in their fridges might find it too short. Now, where is Provia in 135 ??

A friend of mine just last week bought Provia 135 with exp. date 04/2026. It is definitely out there, but best practise is probably to contact your favourite distributor and preorder, so when the next shipment comes you have priority and get the wanted films.

 

[miha]

I might do just that. Oh, the days when the shelves were full of slide film...

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I might do just that. Oh, the days when the shelves were full of slide film...

Yes I remember when stores had refrigerator choke full of slide film on all format. Good old days.

 

[laser]

Festoon drying was an early way of drying film. The film was hung (dangled) on "loop sticks". The technique worked but was prone to causing physical marks and run-back if the emulsion was still in a semi-liquid state. It required a skilled operator to be successful; the job was very repeatative. Kodak eliminated loops sticks in favor of flat bed driers decades ago. Kodak's Building 38 was built in 1990 and as far as I know is the highest performing emulsion coating machine in the World. New copies of the first edition of "Making KODAK Film" are available for $50. I have seen several used copies for sale for over $1,000. www.makingkodakfilm.com

 

[laser]

By Loop drying are you talking about the "festoon" system where the film/paper is hung up like laundry? or something else. I recall seeing a picture of a festoon dryer that the old EFKE folks used.

I few times we have been told that coating paper results in much cleanup before film can again be run.

as far as Kodak's remaining "Machine" the fact it is CALLED "Building 38" is an indication of the size involved. if you can get @laser 's book "Making Kodak Film, I recall he has some details on Building 38

To gain experience operting Building 38 Kodak made color paper on Building 38 equipment. This was considered as lower risk than making film because the paper physical requirements are less strict than film. These also shows the versitility of the operation. Starting with paper was a wise decision. After the paper trials were concluded extensive cleaning was necessary. The fast transport and handling of the paper left tiny paper fibers behind. Kodak keeps Building 38 very clean so the film is also vey clean. There are air scrubbers, workers wear "bunny suites", etc. as you would see in cleanrooms. The operation of other film manufacturers show operators in street clothes wearing lab coats. This level of cleaniness would not be acceptable in Kodak. Small fibers or dust can ruin a photographer's work. In many cases photographers blame themselves for dust shadows.

 

[miha]

Now, where is Provia in 135 ??

Well, who would have imagined? I managed to find a couple of rolls of Provia 100F in 135 locally. The expiration date is April 2026.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Miracles happen. I got two boxes of 120 size Provia 100f from Italy this week, dated 5/26. They are drip-feeding us.

 

[miha]

They are drip-feeding us.

Yes, they are!

 

[brbo]

Miracles indeed. I just bought* 6 (six!!!!) rolls of genuine Fuji colour negative film. Felt like it was my birthday!


(just checked, it is my birthday!!!)





* at the time of the writing Fotoimpex still has them in stock (it won't last more than a couple of hours, people!)

 

[miha]

(just checked, it is my birthday!!!)

Enjoy your day!

 

[loccdor]

Huh, what are these. I haven't seen this packaging before, we don't get it in the USA.

"Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 is different to Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400 primarily in its color rendition: It has a different spectral sensitivity resulting in a visibly different color rendition.

Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 has a very fine and homogenous grain, exceptional sharpness and resolution.
Concerning the parameters sharpness, resolution and fineness of grain Superia Premium 400 surpasses Kodak Ultramax 400. It also surpasses Portra 400 concerning sharpness and resolution.
Wide exposure latitude.

Excellent performance with exposure at box speed ISO 400/27°.
Outstanding results also with exposure at EI (Exposure Index) 320/26° and 250/25°: Concerning detail rendition Superia Premium 400 then even surpasses all current ISO 200/24° amateur color negative films.
Very good results also at exposure with EI 800/30° and push 1 development.
Very natural, slightly warm colour rendition. Typical for all Fujifilm films the differentiation of green tones is very good and the rendition of sky blue is excellent.
This is achieved by the excellent new crystal and dye coupler technology. With this property and its sensitivity of ISO 400/27° the film becomes an "all-rounder": From snapshots, fast moving objects up to difficult low light conditions."

 

[miha]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the first one used to be known as Superia 100, the second is a film primarily made for the Japanese market, and the bottom two are made in the US. Some might suggest they are just K;odak Gold 200 and UltraMax 400, but in green boxes.

 

[blee1996]

In the US, both Fuji 200 and 400 color negative films are re-packaged Kodak. They might as well change the packaging to yellow. Sigh!

 

[mshchem]

I have Fujichrome in my fridge, but I won't be chasing any more of it. I'll be shooting Ektachrome. I've always shot Kodak color negative film.

 

[Agulliver]

Fuji Superia Premium is a Japanese market only version of Superia, which is said to have it's colour rendition tweaked to better represent the skin tones of Japanese people. Fuji Color 100 should be what used to be known as Superia 100.

Whether either are still in production is doubtful. A shame as honestly Superia 400 is my all time favourite C41 film.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Superia Premium is a very nice film, I used to buy it from Japanese sellers on ebay before it became easier to find in Europe. I used it a lot after the loss of Reala.