german made film

[Whiteymorange]

Has anyone ever used Solo 35mm film? I saw it for the first time in a shop yesterday and then ran across this.
The film is packaged here in the states but the box says that it is manufactured in Germany. Repackaged Agfa? At $.49 a roll it's a deal if that's true.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

If it is a color negative film "made in Germany" it would have to be AGfa, and would be limited to stock already made.

 

[GeorgK]

I bought rebadged "Agfa" film two times in the recent past. Both were ISO200 films, one marketed as "Polaroid", one a privat label from a local consumer electronic shop. In both cases the quality was very poor, and REALLY grainy. I suspect it was either very old (some left-over HDC stuff) or a low-quality batch which did not pass Agfa QC; anyway, it was far off from regular "Vista" stuff, so try it out before you use it for something important.

Regards
Georg

 

[MikeK]

Interesting on-line store - they seem to have 5x7 Ektapan in stock - wonder what the expiration date is?

Mike

 

[fotch]

I bought rebadged "Agfa" film two times in the recent past. Both were ISO200 films, one marketed as "Polaroid", one a privat label from a local consumer electronic shop. In both cases the quality was very poor, and REALLY grainy. I suspect it was either very old (some left-over HDC stuff) or a low-quality batch which did not pass Agfa QC; anyway, it was far off from regular "Vista" stuff, so try it out before you use it for something important.

Regards
Georg

Agreed. You get what you paid for. I will use up my supply of cheapo film on practice sessions. Funny how one can buy an expensive camera then buy cheap film. I am going back to quality and will bulk load, when I can, to lower my cost.

 

[Petzi]

I bought rebadged "Agfa" film two times in the recent past. Both were ISO200 films, one marketed as "Polaroid", one a privat label from a local consumer electronic shop. In both cases the quality was very poor, and REALLY grainy. I suspect it was either very old (some left-over HDC stuff) or a low-quality batch which did not pass Agfa QC; anyway, it was far off from regular "Vista" stuff, so try it out before you use it for something important.

Regards
Georg

Sounds like underexposure. Agfa would not sell crap to Polaroid, and Polaroid would not buy crap from Agfa...

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Well that Solo film could be sourced from Ferrania and just mislabeled as to country of origin.

 

[Ted Harris]

Interesting on-line store - they seem to have 5x7 Ektapan in stock - wonder what the expiration date is?

Mike

LOL the expiration date is never because they don't really have it in stock. That listinghaas been on their website for at least ayear and maybe longer. I know I called them about it at least a year ago and they didn't really have it. OTOH, I do have a patial box and an unopened box of 100 sheets in the freezer. I love the stuff ... will cry when it is gone.

 

[Brac]

Well that Solo film could be sourced from Ferrania and just mislabeled as to country of origin.

You may be thinking of Solaris which is a brand name of Ferrania's which they often sell their films under. Personally if the film is labelled made in Germany then I would assume it was made there. Maybe it has been subject to high levels of heat or humidity at some point in its travels from Europe to the US.

It seems common on APUG for people to regard Ferrania products as inferior but personally I've been very happy with their products of recent years. Their contrast is a bit on the high side but in view of the typical weather we get over here that's not a bad aspect. A lot of supermarkets & others have their own brand films supplied by Ferrania and have done for decades. If the products were poor quality that wouldn't be the case. So I say three cheers for Ferrania and let's hope they keep going. (And if you still use 126 cartidge film they are your only source)

 

[sfadam]

i have bought some of the solo DCF at a dollar store here many months ago. be warned that NOWHERE on the film canister does it say process C-41, and nowhere on the box does it say that either. so i'm worried a photofinisher won't even take the film, or that it's something weird inside, and i haven't even shot the rolls that i bought yet.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

i have bought some of the solo DCF at a dollar store here many months ago. be warned that NOWHERE on the film canister does it say process C-41, and nowhere on the box does it say that either. so i'm worried a photofinisher won't even take the film, or that it's something weird inside, and i haven't even shot the rolls that i bought yet.

I doubt the machine-jockeys in the quick labs even look at the film they take in to see if it is C-41.

 

[Whiteymorange]

I'd bring the film back to the places that sell it - even if I hadn't purchased that particular roll at that store.


I think I'll try one... Thanks everyone!

 

[Brac]

i have bought some of the solo DCF at a dollar store here many months ago. be warned that NOWHERE on the film canister does it say process C-41, and nowhere on the box does it say that either. so i'm worried a photofinisher won't even take the film, or that it's something weird inside, and i haven't even shot the rolls that i bought yet.

They probably don't put C41 on them because the assumption nowadays is that all colour print film is C41. I don't think any other process has been used since the late Orwo changed over to C41 back in the 80's or very early 90's.

 

[Ed Sukach]

I don't know - does Seattle Film Works still sell the respooled motion picture stock - the stuff that comes complete with the "REM-Jet" layering that must be removed - or the C-41 chemistry will be contaminated beyond repair?

There was a time when, after a few *miserable* instances, every roll of color film was scrutinized - closely - to insure that none of that film was unintentionally put into the system - by EVERY lab - "one-hour" or not.

The film box did not specify C-41 processing ... it was something like "SFW - XXX".

 

[sfadam]

it seems that the manufacturer of this film mostly makes single use cameras. the reason this film is not labeled properly is because it was intended to be inside the single use camera where labeling would not be necessary.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

The KING of the single-use camera film manufacturer is Ferrania.

 

[Paul Howell]

I don't know - does Seattle Film Works still sell the respooled motion picture stock - the stuff that comes complete with the "REM-Jet" layering that must be removed - or the C-41 chemistry will be contaminated beyond repair?

I think Seattle Film Works not uses C 41, I dont recall if any of the labs are reselling movie stock now days.