improved Ilfocolor papers

[AgX]

Not long ago Ilford Imaging got a new owner, what at least made me fear for their halide products.

But now, not yet on their site, they announced to have improved the characteristics of their range of RA-4 papers.

 

[fotch]

RA-4. Ilford? I wonder what its like. It would be cool if they offered the chemistry to develop also.

 

[E76]

It looks like the improved Ilfocolor is "digital" like Kodak's new Supra Endura VC. In the datasheet they state that you can optically expose it, but that it won't have the same color balance or exposure times as papers "designed for optical exposure." Still, it is nice to see that traditional materials are still being updated!

 

[AgX]

Fotch, no question mark necessary. It's the swiss(!) Ilford ; they have been into chromogenic materials for quite some time.
No, they do not offer RA-chemistry.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

the ilford Ra-4 materials are AMAZING I love using them!!!

 

[Ed Sukach]

Ilfocolor

Amazing!! For YEARS Ilfocolor was my favorite RA4 paper. Recently. I've been using Fujicolor as a second choice - but believe me, I WILL definitely (and hopefully) try this "new" stuff.

I was probably the world's greatest Ilfocolor addict - and I hope to gain that place again!

Any suggestions of how to stay informed of availability?

 

[Lopaka]

Any suggestions of how to stay informed of availability?

I would like to know this as well.
I was not aware that it was ever available in US. I have never seen it on
anyone's stock list. Even back when there were lots of labs in my neck of the
woods, they were all either Kodak or Fuji.

Bob

 

[AgX]

Ed and Bob, why not just give them a call?

http://www.ilford.com/en/contact/contactUsa.asp

 

[hrst]

When Kodak updates their RA-4 paper for digital exposure, it causes a shitstorm. No wonder in a sense, but...

But when Ilford does exactly the same, it's suddenly amazing. Very interesting.

So, we have again lost another RA-4 paper optimized for optical printing. The remaining products probably can be used for optical printing with some tricks ("It is suitable for some analog applications" per Ilford), as discussed many times before, and I don't want to be a pessimist, but the way different companies are regarded in exactly the same situation is quite interesting.

 

[AgX]

Well, the Ilford announcement is at their site now:

http://www.ilford.com/en/pdf/press/Press release ILFOCOLOR_EN.pdf


Strange thing is that in their german language announcement (given to the media) they speak about modifications aiming at the use of "most modern printing apparatus", in that pdf above they speak about "most modern display apparatus".

 

[Stephen Frizza]

HRST i print optically using kodak , ilford and fuji's materials. I have been printing by hand before the emulsions were altered for digital and post. And I dont complain about any of the changes. the product changed so be it. if it requires a change in filtration , exposure time , ...whatever its just an adjustment to be made. All the materials can still be used perfectly well using traditional printing techniques. so I say thank you to the makers of these fine products for still supplying them to us! Good tradesmen don't blame their tools. oh and the ilford materials we are talking about here, they were brilliant before and guess what...change or no change...they are brilliant now!

 

[Ektagraphic]

Ilford should offer more color products. They would probably be great..Where in the USA can one buy this paper? Is it available in sheets?

 

[AgX]

Ilford should offer more color products.

They offer 10 different halide colour materials. What more do you expect?

Worldwide availability may be another issue though.

 

[AgX]

No, they do not offer sheets for the reflected light versions.

 

[Ektagraphic]

They offer 10 different halide colour materials. What more do you expect?

Worldwide availability may be another issue though.

Well this is totally new to me! They should be available in the US! Do they offer any color films that I also might not be aware of? When I said that I guess I meant more on the side of color films.

 

[Ektagraphic]

For some reason, I feel that if Ilford entered the market fully of color films and papers they would make an increadable product.

 

[andrewkirkby]

For some reason, I feel that if Ilford entered the market fully of color films and papers they would make an increadable product.

I think i will clear something up:

Ilford Photo (UK) and Ilford Imaging (Switzerland) are two entirely different companies bearing a similar name.

Ilford Photo/Harman Technolgy based in Mobberley (UK) make the B&W films, papers and chemicals.

Ilford Imaging in Switzerland make Ilfochrome, Ilfoflex, Ilfocolour, Ilfovinyl and inkjet materials. They do not make photographic film, just output materials - and P3/P3x chemistry for their Ilfochrome material.

 

[andrewkirkby]

Well this is totally new to me! They should be available in the US! Do they offer any color films that I also might not be aware of? When I said that I guess I meant more on the side of color films.

Materials are definitely available in the USA.

You just need to speak to the Ilford Imaging distributor near you.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Well this is totally new to me! They should be available in the US! Do they offer any color films that I also might not be aware of? When I said that I guess I meant more on the side of color films.

Yes they do offer colour film it is transperancy and based on a similar technology to ilfochrome. it is to date the most archivally stable colour film on the market. its colour is Super rich!

 

[Ektagraphic]

Yes they do offer colour film it is transperancy and based on a similar technology to ilfochrome. it is to date the most archivally stable colour film on the market. its colour is Super rich!

What sizes are available and what process is it?

 

[andrewkirkby]

What sizes are available and what process is it?

If it is their micrography product that Stephen is referring to, it's called "MICROGRAPHIC FILM"
http://ilford.com/en/products/micrographic/index.asp

p5 dye bleaching process, tungsten balanced film for microscopy and archival copying.

I was under the impression that this was discontinued, so i stand corrected.

 

[Ektagraphic]

Thanks. Saw that but kind of assumed it was a black and white product....

 

[Stephen Frizza]

the product andrew is refering to is the film i was mentioning yes.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I think i will clear something up:

Ilford Photo (UK) and Ilford Imaging (Switzerland) are two entirely different companies bearing a similar name.

Ilford Photo/Harman Technolgy based in Mobberley (UK) make the B&W films, papers and chemicals.

Ilford Imaging in Switzerland make Ilfochrome, Ilfoflex, Ilfocolour, Ilfovinyl and inkjet materials. They do not make photographic film, just output materials - and P3/P3x chemistry for their Ilfochrome material.

Thanks for clarifying the seemingly identical but different entities. That was a revelation! So the Ilfochrome material is Swiss-made, hmm? Very interesting. Maybe that would explain the astronomical cost of raw materials.

 

[andrewkirkby]

Thanks for clarifying the seemingly identical but different entities. That was a revelation! So the Ilfochrome material is Swiss-made, hmm? Very interesting. Maybe that would explain the astronomical cost of raw materials.

Astronomical cost is due to low volume production...

Worth the money though