Ignorance of Ektar 100

Radioiron · Mar 26, 2009

Has anyone else encountered this from photo labs? I picked up my first roll yesterday and get to talking with the person at the counter about Ektar, they where completely in the dark about it! This is a lab that caters to pros and advanced amateurs lab and was dumbfounded that they had never heard about it. I was able to inform them and maybe they'll order a few rolls to stock.
Then on the way back home I stopped at a smaller lab that has been around for years that advertised they where selling a lot of old junk out of their back room. After buying a few old glass filters I asked again out of curiosity if anyone had had a roll of Ektar processed, again complete ignorance to this new film.

nickandre · Mar 26, 2009

It just means many of these labs are run by people who only know how to press the green button. They're probably not photographers themselves and are just working there to make a quick buck. Many of the people who use this new film may be processing it themselves, too, so the labs may not be seeing much of the film and those who do may not care/remember it.

mhanc · Mar 26, 2009

I had a similar reaction in my local photo shop. No idea that the film had been released. Not totally unexpected as their stock of film hasn't really tuned over much in the past year; hence I buy film elsewhere.

However, they have an old brick of Kodak HIE in the back of the fridge, which I have been thinking about buying!

Shelley-Ann · Mar 26, 2009

I've had Ektar processed at my local drug store with no problem. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.
I once maide the mistake of taking reala to Walgreens in Philadelpha two years ago, and it was totally ruined. The guy (in a very snooty voice) said that I should try using 'Fuji film' I'm like, I am using Fuji film!

markland · Mar 26, 2009

I guess it means they got a little more involved than simply confirming that it was C-41 processing.... I'm just happy to see that the 120 format is available, when it first came out I could only get the 35mm.
-Mark

railwayman3 · Mar 26, 2009

Shelley-Ann said:
I've had Ektar processed at my local drug store with no problem. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.
I once maide the mistake of taking reala to Walgreens in Philadelpha two years ago, and it was totally ruined. The guy (in a very snooty voice) said that I should try using 'Fuji film' I'm like, I am using Fuji film!

Yes, all down to the people operating the lab...they don't even have to be experts on every last detail, just to be interested enough to check customers instructions, look intelligently at anything new or unusual, then follow correct procedures. (Actually that's rather a lot to ask of some junior staff in any business these days. :rolleyes: ).

I've had great results from my first two Ektar films by consumer (non-"pro") mail order. (Just wish they wouldn't give me a cassette of Color-plus 200 ASA as a "free film" every time. )

mhanc · Mar 26, 2009

railwayman3 said:
I've had great results from my first two Ektar films by consumer (non-"pro") mail order. (Just wish they wouldn't give me a cassette of Color-plus 200 ASA as a "free film" every time. )

What mail order service have you used? Always looking for good processing/labs for color and I'll be needing to process my 1st roll of Ektar 100 soon. Thanks

bspeed · Mar 26, 2009

weellll...

if it wasn't for photo forums... I would not know about any new films! probably true for quite a few people.

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

bspeed said:
weellll...

if it wasn't for photo forums... I would not know about any new films! probably true for quite a few people.

Too true! Used to be that firms like Kodak had reps which visited all the outlets and gave them pre-issue information and data sheets. Those days are long gone and the manufacturers expect stores to comb the website - just in case.

The staff in the labs are only going to care if they see a career in photography - at minimum wage that's unlikely; and, to be honest, most of these guys aren't paid enough to give a you-know-what. (Family oriented)

Bob H

railwayman3 · Mar 26, 2009

bspeed said:
weellll...

if it wasn't for photo forums... I would not know about any new films! probably true for quite a few people.

Yes, but you're interested enough to make the effort to look.

For people operating photo-labs, it should be part of their job to keep up to date....

Moopheus · Mar 26, 2009

A few weeks ago I decided to give the new Ektar a try and went to a local shop that still sells some film and even some darkroom stuff. Hadn't heard of it, though the guy at the counter was able to guess that Kodak intended it as a replacement for UC. I went down to Calumet and got some. When I went back to the other shop to have it processed, they still didn't know about it, but processed it without any difficulties.

mrladewig · Mar 26, 2009

My local camera shop (Godec's) had it as soon as they could get it. They don't carry everything, but they've been willing to work with me. They even asked me for some feedback after I got it processed and I provided them some high res scans. Good folks.

Strangely (not related to Ektar), my local "pro" lab told me that C-41 couldn't be push processed. I had a batch that I knew needed to be pushed and they refused. They're no longer providing any lab services. On the one hand, I miss the local drop and the fact that I didn't have to pay any shipping charges. On the other, I'm much happier with Photocraft and Reed in Denver who have returned my film in spotless condition every time even if the shipping charges add up over time.

WGibsonPhotography · Mar 26, 2009

mrladewig said:
Strangely (not related to Ektar), my local "pro" lab told me that C-41 couldn't be push processed. I had a batch that I knew needed to be pushed and they refused. They're no longer providing any lab services. On the one hand, I miss the local drop and the fact that I didn't have to pay any shipping charges. On the other, I'm much happier with Photocraft and Reed in Denver who have returned my film in spotless condition every time even if the shipping charges add up over time.

my local lab refused to push some of my c-41 film recently. I've pushed c-41 film in my color photography class, and the instructions in the box of chemistry even gave time suggestions for pushing....

I had to actually scan the negatives and use methods best discussed at hybridphoto.com to get them to look how I wanted, but it's all good, and the band was happy, so that's all that matters.

I did manage to buy some Ektar, finally. It should be here Monday

mtjade2007 · Mar 26, 2009

Is the 120 format of Ektar 100 finally available now? Has anyone seen one? Kodak said it will be available this Spring. I hope they will have 220 too. If I have a choice between 120 and 220 I will always take 220 no exceptions.

WGibsonPhotography · Mar 26, 2009

mtjade2007 said:
Is the 120 format of Ektar 100 finally available now? Has anyone seen one? Kodak said it will be available this Spring. I hope they will have 220 too. If I have a choice between 120 and 220 I will always take 220 no exceptions.

If I remember correctly, it's going to be out in April, but I could be wrong.

Mark Antony · Mar 26, 2009

WGibsonPhotography said:
my local lab refused to push some of my c-41 film recently. I've pushed c-41 film in my color photography class, and the instructions in the box of chemistry even gave time suggestions for pushing....

Well normally you shouldn't deviate from the standard developer times as it changes the masking and can cause 'cross curves' ie Magenta highlights and green shadows.
Most Labs have a set time for the time in each bath I seem to remember that C41 had about 3:15min @ 38°c the lift of the dip and dunk would lift a batch of film every 3:15 so the machine had 1 dev tank 2 bleach (6 mins bleach) etc.

Pushing is not recommended.

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

Most labs only have a single C-41 line. In order to push they'd have to take that entire line down, adjust step times, and process the one film that requires pushing. That's also a reason they refuse. None of the pro labs process the film individually in a Jobo for example and so process deviations are too expensive to accommodate. It's a shame - but a reality.

Bob H

DJGainer · Mar 26, 2009

Shelley-Ann said:
I've had Ektar processed at my local drug store with no problem. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.
I once maide the mistake of taking reala to Walgreens in Philadelpha two years ago, and it was totally ruined. The guy (in a very snooty voice) said that I should try using 'Fuji film' I'm like, I am using Fuji film!

Where in Philadelphia was this Walgreens located?

WGibsonPhotography · Mar 26, 2009

Mark Antony said:
Well normally you shouldn't deviate from the standard developer times as it changes the masking and can cause 'cross curves' ie Magenta highlights and green shadows.
Most Labs have a set time for the time in each bath I seem to remember that C41 had about 3:15min @ 38°c the lift of the dip and dunk would lift a batch of film every 3:15 so the machine had 1 dev tank 2 bleach (6 mins bleach) etc.

Pushing is not recommended.

I was shooting concert pictures both times, so the colors were weird anyway due to the colored lights, so any color deviance from the norm wouldnt have made much of a difference in my opinion. Under normal circumstances, I wouldnt have even condisered pushing.

to keep from deviating from the thread too much, I sure am excited about that Ektar

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

WGibsonPhotography said:
to keep from deviating from the thread too much, I sure am excited about that Ektar

Me too. I haven't used Ektar since the ISO 25 was out in 35mm lo these many years ago. For the right subject there was nothing like it to my mind. In medium format this should be stunning - actually, in any format it should be stunning.

Bob H.

Ektagraphic · Mar 26, 2009

I always mail out my C-41 to Dale Labs and I have had great results. I talk with them on the phone often and they haven't said anything....

Photo Central - AT · Mar 26, 2009

From a retailer's perspective, I can (to a certain extent) understand the fact that labs and other retailers have been/were/are in the dark about Ektar. We are the last bastion in Manitoba for pretty much anything film related (save for the most basic of items, which can sometimes be had elsewhere), and yet we received absolutely no notice of the film from anyone in the industry. I found out about first through someone posting a link in APUG.

While I cannot speak for the States, Kodak has all but disappeared in terms of its marketing presence in Canada (Winnipeg used to have 5 Kodak reps itself - now there are none, not even for the major labs that use their paper and chems). Unless retailers are actively watching for new products, there is a very high chance that announcements can go unnoticed. I guess it's just an indication of the state of the film industry that so few retailers actually do pay close attention.

Just my two cents.

Andrew

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

I hear you Andrew. Used to be that Kodak regarded the retailers as partners - long gone now I'm afraid.

Bob H

bob100684 · Mar 26, 2009

railwayman3 said:
Yes, but you're interested enough to make the effort to look.

For people operating photo-labs, it should be part of their job to keep up to date....

unfortunately, these days "keeping up to date" has more to do with digital. The last question I was asked by a customer regarding film was "how come you sold me 35mm film, my equipment sheet for class says I need 135 film"

aluk · Mar 26, 2009

Andrew, I agree about Kodak's lack of presence in Canada: when I stopped into a camera store in Montreal to get Ektar when it came out, I was told that they would not be getting it in stock, since Kodak does not have a Canadian distributor anymore. Of course that is not true, but the fact that the shop could even imagine that is pretty astounding.

Ignorance of Ektar 100

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