ILFORD Photo Request APUG Feedback On 120 Film

[Blighty]

I don't see a problem with a generic wrapper and a film specific 'licky-sticky'. BLIGHTY

 

[glbeas]

I think the "universal" backing will be fine for me. It would be nice if the ends of the rolls had a notch code like the sheet film so you could double check yourself while loading the film onto the reels. That way a mystery roll could be identified without having to process it.

 

[CRhymer]

Generic backing is fine, as long as the film type can be identified at both ends of the roll. Clearly visible numbers are a must (I've had this problem with various red-window cameras). Thank you for asking. It is really quite refreshing.

 

[david b]

PLEASE MAKE DELTA 25 IN ALL SIZES.

 

[DrZ]

Generic wrapper with printed closure. Licking is OK.
Keep it simple for manufacturing and users.

DRZ

 

[MattKing]

You could even have a cheap ink stamp at the beginning of the backing paper (applied at the time of packaging) and it would serve the purpose of identifying the unexposed roll. At the other end, though, you should probably have a sticker (no problems with ink bleed through) and it should be easy to identify (colour coded as well?)

 

[blaze-on]

Generic paper is fine, more visible numbers-yes.
I don't care how it sticks, so either way.
Thanks Simon, super of you to inquire.
Matt

 

[zenrhino]

I'm used to using arista.edu (black paper back with white numbering barely visible even under the best of conditions, let alone an old red-windowed Russian TLR).

ANYTHING would be an improvement.

 

[Chazzy]

PLEASE MAKE DELTA 25 IN ALL SIZES.

I would settle for hp5+ in 220. Sorry, but it's been at least a couple of days since I mentioned it.

 

[rusty71]

Generic paper is fine, please keep the I/D sticky label though. Couldn't care less about old red windows....but there are many users out there with TLRs and folders.
One potential problem for Rollei TLR users though....
I have a 2.8E, and I cannot get Foma, Efke, or other eastern europe films to catch. These films just run right through, never activating the film counter mechanism. But current Ilford, Kodak, and AGFA roll films work fine.
Not sure whether this is a film or backing paper problem....but it would suck if I couldn't use ilford film in my Rolleiflex.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

Do you recall some years ago when Ilford's FP4 backing was dark yellow with BIG ultra-black numbers? Well, that was just perfect, and I still wonder why the company had to change it.

I, as well, consider branding extremely important, and a pity to loose the vintage touch of the mint taste lick-seal. Whenever something TRADITIONAL goes away in TRADITIONAL photography, it's a pity.

In my very, extremely humble opinion, and with no offense intended to anyone, the numbers overimpressure problem raise from the fact that the red window, with panchro films, MUST be used just to take a quick glimpse, and then the metal slide must be slit to cover and protect the film. I may figure that some ultra-cheap chinese stuff may not even have the sliding metal cap, but hey, that's where you may really want to arrange something: a piece of tape, some black cardboard, a piece of leather, whatever...

Fainter numbers only expand the problem to other people with better made cameras. They're so tough to read, that you relly need to bring the red window under full sunlight to read something. Now, that's really risking your negative.

I do indeed understand that the backing must be a tough piece to produce: I'd never managed to have such a thin layer of paper be so incredibly lightight! However, a change of ink seems more than sufficient, to me. No need at all to purchase third-brand backings, in my opinion.

But after all, the decision is made on business. So the true question is, I guess: is the market of extra-cheap chinese camera users more important, or is it all other better equipped people's?

Please, keep us informed.

 

[antielectrons]

I see a few people have requested film in these things [film canisters]... I don't think it warrants every roll to be in them, you'd end up throwing them away each time and that's just an unnecceary waste. Maybe a seperate stock item or just buy some J&C ones, or eat some M&M's!

Nige, the suggestion was to make them available for those who wan them, not include them with every film purchase. Separate stock item would be good too. By the way who are J&C and what are M&M's? Not seen either in Spain...

 

[Nige]

Mini M&Ms

pic of Mini M&M's Edit : changed from embeded image cause it's probably more socialy acceptable


J&C

and their 120 film canisters (no idea if you can buy seperately)
Pro 100 Film in canister

 

[Baxter Bradford]

Another thought on the backing paper and density of numbers printing through. Is there any benefit in changing the material away from paper, to a coated man-made film? I can't believe that this is the only light proof application for a thin film of substrate.

This might offer advantages in several ways, but appreciate that there are a lot of disparate user/camera needs which need to be made compatible.

On the 120 canister front, surely these would be reusable and rather than having two types of packaging for each film type, they could be made available as an after market product, with appropriate stickers for lids and side of canister in the pack to suit the individual. I wouldn't expect that the market for these would be that significant.

 

[jim appleyard]

Nige, the suggestion was to make them available for those who wan them, not include them with every film purchase. Separate stock item would be good too. By the way who are J&C and what are M&M's? Not seen either in Spain...

No M&M's in Spain??? Oh man, the green ones are the best!

 

[Leon]

I think all has been said already about the 120 rolls paper backing that I would contribute ... I would like to ask if HArman/ Ilford would consider a return recycling service for all the plastic roll spools (both 120 and 35mm) and the 35mm canisters? I always feel so guilty throwing them out - if there was some way for ilford to arrange recollection and re-use this would make ME feel much better (as if poisoning the watersupply out of my darkroom wasnt enough!!!)

 

[medform-norm]

Generic backing paper in GOLD with large letters Willy Wonka's Choco...

oh no, wrong turn. - it's just that reading through all these posts, I received the faint impression that we all here respond to Harman/Ilford's questions like kids asked for their favorite candy...it's great fun!

But yes, second the idea of generic backing paper if that saves money and doesn't affect branding. Licky or sticky - either is fine, as long as Ilford doesn't make scented paper to distinguish between film types

(you would get things like "ah, the smell of HP5+ when opening the packaging foil reminds me of the days when...")

Norm

 

[Bob F.]

I think all has been said already about the 120 rolls paper backing that I would contribute ... I would like to ask if HArman/ Ilford would consider a return recycling service for all the plastic roll spools (both 120 and 35mm) and the 35mm canisters? I always feel so guilty throwing them out - if there was some way for ilford to arrange recollection and re-use this would make ME feel much better (as if poisoning the watersupply out of my darkroom wasnt enough!!!)

Something like this attachment from a 1943 magazine...

I distinctly remember someone has/had peppermint flavoured sticking tape on their 120 film. Who is/was that? Or had I forgotten yet again to take the special sweeties that mummy puts in my lunch box?...

Anyway, wrapper: I don't care as long as I can distinguish the films in some way (only sticky tape I have had come off was with Maco IR film).

Cheers, Bob.

 

[haris]

I've had also problems with the glue from sticker contaminating the reels of my Kaiser tank, making clean loading way way difficult if not nearly impossible.

I am with Zhenya on this. I allways have fear that I will either tear apart film, or press it in way I will destroy exposed frames when releasing it from plastic spool /backing paper when loading it in reels, or if leave that glue thing on film I will contaminate chemistry or tank...

 

[Ole]

A few years before that ad, "Der Satrap" ran a competition on finding new uses for old spools...

 

[Nige]

Bob, they look like 620 spools... wouldn't mind a few for the Box Brownie Junior

 

[haris]

Regarding plastic canisters, because I mentioned them too. It is not needed every film to be in canister. It would be nice if one canister is included in pack of 5 or 10 or 20 films. I belive no one needs more than 5 to 10 canisters.

 

[cvik]

Here's another vote for generic wrapper with printed closure. I don't mind licking stuff.

And here is another one.

 

[arigram]

Could you bring backing with different flavors in the licking tab?
Mint, cherry, orange, etc

I would love chocolate flavor FP4+!
Yum!

 

[Nick Zentena]

Just so I can read them. Just so I can read them.