ILFORD Photo & The 'Impossible' Project

[scottmj]

Sounds Great Simon. As always thanks for the updates.

 

[arigram]

Whatever the details are and what the future holds, I applaud the bravery of Ilford Harman and all those involved. There are no companies that make such romantic crusades for the sake of artists. I really do hope that the niche market takes a strong hold and secures itself, so artists can continue having this kind of media at their disposal.

 

[Henning Serger]

I wish all who are involved in this project the best. Good luck!

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I demand Type 55 in 16x20 format, or I'll never buy Ilford again :rolleyes:

Wonderful news, thank you for keeping this alive. I actually cared a lot more for the integral product than the peel-apart, and as has been mentioned, Fuji has that covered just fine. I'll be keeping a close eye and spreading the word.

 

[wrench]

YAY!! I could not be more excited about this. My SX-70 was one of my favorite cameras (I still have 3), and I can assure you that when the time comes, you will find me to be a good customer. Is there anything we can do to help/support this effort?

 

[nsouto]

Unreal! This is indeed magic news!

Simon, Ilford/Harman are standing by their clients.
I can't speak for others of course, but I can assure you at least one of the clients is standing by you folks!

 

[Whiteymorange]

Boy, oh boy! Bush is gone and maybe, just maybe, Polaroid is not. My kind of week. Thanks, Simon.

 

[FilmIs4Ever]

The OP, the article at their web site, and the discussion on the other thread makes it appear that this will be an SX-70 integral type color product.

PE

But surely they aren't just bringing back SX-70!

 

[bwfans]

Of all Polaroid films, SX-70 (for image manipulation), 669 (for emulsion transfer), and Type 55 (B&W) are three most distinct ones and the importance to me are also in that order. I am glad SX-70 is the planned one.

 

[JMC1969]

Boy, oh boy! Bush is gone and maybe, just maybe, Polaroid is not. My kind of week. Thanks, Simon.

That's funny, I love it.

As for Simon and Harmon/Ilford, I feel the need to say thanks for lots of things not only this. The commitment they have continued to give us is phenomenal in the past and the present. This news on top of what seems like only a month ago that they bought/acquired/merged w/ Kentmere is two very big steps up the latter. Awesome! As soon as I find one of my personal friends that isn't bored to tears with me talking about photography, what I have learned and they couldn't give a crap about, I will raise a glass for a toast.

Until then,
CHEERS!

Jody

 

[Sean]

Put me down for a case, my sx70 is ready to roll

I'll send you a PM to see if there is anything you would like us to do to help (free homepage notice or ads to help with visibility). Awesome news from an inspiring company, I hope it comes to fruition.

 

[kraker]

I am glad SX-70 is the planned one.

Is it? SX-70 type hasn't been produced for years; I bet the machinery is for 600 type. I hope they will make 600 type, which, by the way, also fits SX-70, but has a higher ISO. That would make it more versatile: useable in the 600-type cameras "as-is", and useable in the SX-70 cameras with an ND filter.

Still, we'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear All,

Thanks for all your support, we will see how we progress and be sure I will keep you all up to date:

The story was published in the UK press : Independant on Sunday ( last Sunday 18th )

Sean : I appreciate your support - Thanks

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[hka]

The plant in Enschede has no coating facilities. They became the rolls from the USA company.
So, just making the pod and assembling is what they do.
Ilford is a strong partner in case of coating. Without coated paper the assembling line won't work. I think this is good opportunity for both. Let's hope for the type 55... But that's a complete other story. But not "Impossible" :rolleyes:.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Good news indeed! Long live film!

Jeff

 

[Captain_joe6]

Simon,

Can you talk at all about what form this new venture may take? Will development be aimed primarily at SX-70-type films, or is Harmann exploring other Polaroid formats as well?

Thank you,
Patrick

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear Patrick,

I am afraid its too early to 'scope' the project.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology

 

[acroell]

Just a related idea... Since we lost Kodak Readyload films because it was assembled by Polaroid in the US, would it be possible that this cooperation might at one point in time lead to something like "Ilfoload"?! Since Enschede has assembly machines, or are those only for integral film?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Readyload film from Kodak was NOT made by Polaroid AFAIK.

The structures of the packs are totally different in concept and design as well as assembly.

PE

 

[acroell]

Readyload film from Kodak was NOT made by Polaroid AFAIK.

The structures of the packs are totally different in concept and design as well as assembly.

PE

I know that Kodak had their own machines and assembly for years, but it was supposedly farmed out for the last years. Who was it then if not Polaroid?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Kodak had the only assembly machines for this type of work that I know of. Much assembly was moved to their packaging plant in Mexico. But, AFAIK, nothing was packaged by Polaroid. If anything, Kodak did work for Polaroid until their own plants came on-line.

Can you cite a reference?

PE

 

[acroell]

Kodak had the only assembly machines for this type of work that I know of. Much assembly was moved to their packaging plant in Mexico. But, AFAIK, nothing was packaged by Polaroid. If anything, Kodak did work for Polaroid until their own plants came on-line.

Can you cite a reference?

PE

I got the third party information for Readyload assembly from the John Sexton Newsletter June 2008 (http://www.johnsexton.com/newsletter06-2008.html#anchor02):
" I recently spoke with Scott DiSabato, Kodak's Marketing Manager for Professional Film, in detail about the Readyload situation, and films in general. He indicated that the sales of Readyload film products had been dropping, as has been the case with most films in general. Scott also related that, since Kodak changed over to single-sheet production, the manufacturing of the Readyload envelopes and insertion of the Kodak Professional film into those envelopes had been handled by a third party under a licensing agreement and direct supervision from Kodak. Initially the minimum order quantities for these components and proper manufacturing procedures were easily obtained. However, during their most recent manufacturing run the minimum requirements equated to more than two years worth of production. Many of Kodak's Professional film products have only a 24-month dating period! This means that Kodak's business model for their Readyload products evolved to a situation where a portion of their finished film inventory would expire and have to be scrapped at a considerable cost to Kodak."

 

[removed account4]

best of luck simon!
ilford/harman are doing well
for us analog photo people.

thanks all for your support!

john

 

[acroell]

Kodak had the only assembly machines for this type of work that I know of. Much assembly was moved to their packaging plant in Mexico. But, AFAIK, nothing was packaged by Polaroid. If anything, Kodak did work for Polaroid until their own plants came on-line.

Can you cite a reference?

PE

And here is the origin where I read that this third party is Polaroid: http://www.largeformatphotography.i...hp?t=39166&highlight=readyload+polaroid+plant , 3rd post in that thread. Of course there is no proof that this was really the case

 

[sandermarijn]

It would be very brave of Ilford/Harman to step into this. Especially so in these days of digital and recession. This news will be a consideration for me to use more Ilford products. Brave initiatives need a bit of support after all. All best with the project.