• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Interview with Impossible Project CEO on BBC

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format
Hello,

just FYI:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02zj1zd

I joined the Impossible factory tour in Enschede this may.
Extremely interesting. I've visited several film factories so far, but this was the first instant film factory.....
The people there make an outstanding job. Despite lots of big difficulties and obstacles, they continue their hard work and hold on tight to their dream.

As well as with my other film factory visits (e.g. Ilford, Film Ferrania) a report by me will be published in the next issue of our film photography print magazine "PhotoKlassik"

www.photoklassik.de
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoKlassik

Best regards,
Henning
 
OP
OP

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format
Trail Images said:
Henning, thanks for sharing this information.
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

Trail Images said:
Good to hear about another success story taking place in the world of analog film....
Click to expand...

Well concerning success, it is both yes and no:
Yes,
because of the ongoing technical progress:
- the films are getting better (the current new version "2" is a significant further progress)
- the programme of products is extended
- in the factory we've seen new investments both in machinery and in human capital (new young employees)
- the cooperation between the Enschede team and the R&D and production partners from InovisCoat in Germany works very well.

No,
because so far it is not an economic success yet, despite the increasing demand with 20+% growth rates p.a. The Impossible staff has been very honest and open minded at the tour. They very precisely told us about all the problems which still must be solved.
So far they still have not reached the break even point. They still loose money on each film pack sold. They probably need another 2-3 years to reach the break even.
Fortunately they have an investor who is able and willing to finance the work of the next years.

Their strategy to become profitable in the future:
- Increased investments in R&D to significantly improve the films
- then with each further step in improving films getting more and more satisfied customers and increase demand to the break even point and then beyond
- new own camera: Increasing demand by a complete new camera with significant advantages, e.g. in this new Impossible camera the battery will be in the camera, not in the film anymore.

Best regards,
Henning
 

Trail Images

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
3,243
Location
Corona CA.
Format
Multi Format
So far they still have not reached the break even point. They still loose money on each film pack sold. They probably need another 2-3 years to reach the break even.
Click to expand...

I suspected as much but still try to be optimistic about these things. After working in a demanding business for 37 years in products that were always in demand, phone systems, it was still a very tough business world out there. For a product that is not a really necessity in life, well, it's much tougher no doubt. Good luck to those folks in their endeavor.
 

Theo Sulphate

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
6,489
Location
Gig Harbor
Format
Multi Format
This is good information - thank you.

I wish them success and I will continue to buy their film.
 

AgX

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,972
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
As usual for Impossible statements their CEO is not telling the truth.
 

Bob Carnie

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
7,735
Location
toronto
Format
Med. Format RF
PhotoKlassik looks like an amazing magazine. I take it's not available in English?
 
OP
OP

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format
Hi Bob,

Bob Carnie said:
PhotoKlassik looks like an amazing magazine. I take it's not available in English?
Click to expand...

well, it does not only look like an amazing magazine, it really is an amazing magazine.....
- 4 editions per year
- each edition with 100 pages
- high print quality
- extremely little adverts, you pay for real content from the authors
- a great variety of authors from all areas of film photography
- it is a magazine for current, active film photography, not for collectors (we already have two special magazines for collectors in Germany).

And sorry, no, it is not available in English, only in German. But international shipment is no problem. Maybe a good option for those who want to refresh their German from school, or are currently learning German.

Best regards,
Henning
 

Bob Carnie

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
7,735
Location
toronto
Format
Med. Format RF
Hello Henning

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,so who needs to understand another language, I may take you up , this magazine looks compelling.

bob
 
OP
OP

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format
Bob Carnie said:
Hello Henning

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,so who needs to understand another language, I may take you up , this magazine looks compelling.

bob
Click to expand...

Hello Bob,

you can order the current edition and all the former editions either via the website www.photoklassik.de, or via email order: abo@photoklassik.de .
I hope you enjoy the magazine.

Best regards,
Henning
 

inglis

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
27
Format
Medium Format
It is a wonderful magazine, even for one without German, for the photos and often understanding charts and presentation of research.
But with German, Henning Serger's continuing series on the relation between equipment and results is inspirational. He talks in the first installment on why more recent cameras are worth the effort based on years of testing tolerances for focusing and the like. The second installment is on lens attributes for various results . . .
John
 
OP
OP

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format

Dear John,

thank you very much for your appreciation! I am glad that you find the magazine 'PhotoKlassik' and my article series very helpful.
You can look forward for the next article of the series: It will be about the power / performance of film and film - lens combinations. A main part of the series.

Best regards from Germany,
Henning
 

Peter Schrager

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
4,294
Location
fairfield co
Format
Large Format
henning which buy button to use for international..I would like to support your efforts
best, peter
 
OP
OP

Henning Serger

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
2,196
Format
Multi Format
Peter Schrager said:
henning which buy button to use for international..I would like to support your efforts
best, peter
Click to expand...

Dear Peter,

thank you very much for your support!
Please visit the official website:
http://photoklassik.de/
and scroll a bit down:

There you will find the email address for distribution and payment options: abo [at] photoklassik.de

Just send an email at this address and you get in contact with the distribution experts (I am only one of the regular authors).

You can choose between a subscription or single former editions which you want.

Best regards,
Henning
 

Peter Schrager

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
4,294
Location
fairfield co
Format
Large Format
Thanks henning

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register