Kodak versus Fuji from Ken Rockwell

[Richard Man]

For a few months, I did not realize the Kodak has a sticky patch and I used to carry rubber bands... so barbaric comparing to Acros, I thought

 

[darkosaric]

I was wondering how long it would be before the Rockwell bashing would start.

I see this as a compliment from Sirius Glass to Rockwell .

 

[johnnyh]

... those Fuji stickers for a finished roll just confused me. I remember trying to lick the things originally. ...

That's happened with me too on a return to Fuji after Kodak

 

[Dali]

3 pages on KR ranting about 120 film packaging? C'mon...

 

[RattyMouse]

The other thing I like with the Fuji self-adhesive tabs is they don't fall off. I've had both Kodak and Ilford tabs fall off, usually in humid weather (pre-sealing the roll) which makes it difficult and awkward to find a way to seal it with what's at hand. Luckily I usually carry some gaffer's tape (thanks Holga!) or use my hairband to seal the roll up on the occasion it does happen.

Kodak's 120 seals are miserable compared to Fuji's. Like another poster has mentioned above already, it's very easy to tear the paper when opening up a roll. I can't count how many times I've severely damaged the paper leader simply opening up a roll of film. Even worse is that 6 or 7 times, the sealing paper simply has come off when I've tried to seal a roll! Absolutely a horrific experience when out in a remote place. I recall one time I was switching rolls of film in some no-name tiny Chinese village. I was wrapping up a roll of Tmax 400 and the damn paper just came off! There was no way to replace it and so this roll of film simply could not be sealed. I spent the next few hours wandering around town trying to find someone with scotch tape. While that was an interesting experience in its own right ( I speak very little Chinese), I'd rather not have to deal with that. In the end I've always found a way to seal up Kodak's poor quality film rolls, but by far I vastly prefer Fuji's system and shot Fuji almost exclusively in 120 format for this very reason. I can change rolls much faster, with less effort, and far less stress.

 

[RattyMouse]

I was wondering how long it would be before the Rockwell bashing would start.

Sirius' comment is spot on.

 

[pdeeh]

If you feel you need self-adhesive wrappers, it's hardly proper photography is it? you might as well shoot digital.

 

[RattyMouse]

If you feel you need self-adhesive wrappers, it's hardly proper photography is it? you might as well shoot digital.

That's a pretty warped and extremist position.

 

[darkosaric]

3 pages on KR ranting about 120 film packaging? C'mon...

We are just warming up ...

 

[Roger Cole]

If you feel you need self-adhesive wrappers, it's hardly proper photography is it? you might as well shoot digital.

Buwahahahahahaha!!

I only shoot Kodak color neg and Fuji's one offering is way more expensive. I shoot mostly Kodak or Ilford in black and white, a little Foma. I have shot probably a few hundred rolls of Kodak 120 and have NEVER damaged a SINGLE roll nor have I had a problem, ever, sealing a roll. The only ones I've ever had a problem sealing were Foma whose stickers sometimes aren't sticky enough.

Certainly there's nothing wrong with Fuji's approach but for me it's a complete utter and total non-issue. The "advantages" simply aren't, or are so minor as to be completely inconsequential.

 

[Dali]

We are just warming up ...

I see that... We are on page 4 now...

 

[Hatchetman]

I am pro-sticker. But I rarely shoot Fuji 120.

 

[MattKing]

I've never shot a roll of Fuji 120.

And I've never had any trouble with the Kodak approach.

Good fingernails are handy when opening a roll - which I always do after putting it into the camera.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you feel you need self-adhesive wrappers, it's hardly proper photography is it? you might as well shoot digital.

That is just excessive. Go sit in the corner for a while.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kodak's 120 seals are miserable compared to Fuji's. Like another poster has mentioned above already, it's very easy to tear the paper when opening up a roll. I can't count how many times I've severely damaged the paper leader simply opening up a roll of film. Even worse is that 6 or 7 times, the sealing paper simply has come off when I've tried to seal a roll! Absolutely a horrific experience when out in a remote place. I recall one time I was switching rolls of film in some no-name tiny Chinese village. I was wrapping up a roll of Tmax 400 and the damn paper just came off! There was no way to replace it and so this roll of film simply could not be sealed. I spent the next few hours wandering around town trying to find someone with scotch tape. While that was an interesting experience in its own right ( I speak very little Chinese), I'd rather not have to deal with that. In the end I've always found a way to seal up Kodak's poor quality film rolls, but by far I vastly prefer Fuji's system and shot Fuji almost exclusively in 120 format for this very reason. I can change rolls much faster, with less effort, and far less stress.

+1

 

[RattyMouse]

I've never shot a roll of Fuji 120.

.

Wow. No Acros and no 400H? No Velvia? Wow!

 

[DREW WILEY]

I really prefer 120 reels with a cross at the ends instead of a slot, because they're faster to load. But otherwise, I shoot Kodak Ektar for color,
and Fuji ACROS in black and white. The sweet spot for my own med format work.

 

[pdeeh]

I insist on using only wooden-cored vintage reels for 120.

Fresh stock is re-rolled onto these, as it increases film flatness across the plane and as there is no outgassing from the plastic reels within the camera, microcontrast is thereby increased.

I wouldn't expect many people to notice the difference, but then of course I have extremely refined aesthetic vision.

 

[Pioneer]

I used to really like the tab on the fuji spool, but lately I have gotten frustrated with them. They interfere with sliding the paper tab into the slot as often as they help by holding the paper when the spool is turned.

 

[paul ron]

i just developed some neopan 100 acros in tmax dev. first thing i noticed... the developer didnt get the typical purpleish tint. it stayed clear, maybe a tinge yellowish.

it also cleared better in kodak rapid fixer.

as for my images... well they were a test of my pinhole camera so no comparrisons yet.

 

[filmamigo]

I guess I'm the only one who likes the taste of those Kodak strips... Since the post office stopped making lickable stamps, it's my only source!

Oh, and you know what tastes worse than Kodak strips? The paper backing of an un-peeled Fuji strip

 

[pbromaghin]

I find Ilford 120 numbers much more difficult to see through the red window than the Kodak. Haven't shot Fuji with a red window for a long time so I don't remember.

 

[darkosaric]

I insist on using only wooden-cored vintage reels for 120.

Fresh stock is re-rolled onto these, as it increases film flatness across the plane and as there is no outgassing from the plastic reels within the camera, microcontrast is thereby increased.

I wouldn't expect many people to notice the difference, but then of course I have extremely refined aesthetic vision.

Post of the day !

 

[miha]

I insist on using only wooden-cored vintage reels for 120.

Fresh stock is re-rolled onto these, as it increases film flatness across the plane and as there is no outgassing from the plastic reels within the camera, microcontrast is thereby increased.

I wouldn't expect many people to notice the difference, but then of course I have extremely refined aesthetic vision.

You da man!

 

[darkosaric]

If you think that we analog photographers are arguing about pointless details - see this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper_orientation