My version of "wild conspiracy theories" doesn't involve photographyADOX Fotoimpex is donating their time to help us, so how about stopping posting wild speculation and conspiracy theories and letting ADOX spend their time supporting us.
Interesting slipPoint I'm trying to make is, if Arista can produce quality products
I don't get it.Interesting slip
Matt as you know I'm a little slow. I think it's my looming 65th birthday in 11 months and way too much CP-5 Formalin fixer in my formative years. Playing with Mercury from old thermostats probably didn't helpArista is Freestyle's house brand.
Sino Promise Group bought Kodak Alaris' photo chemical business.
As with your quoting you have hinted at a post of mine, please tell in what way by wild speculation did I hamper the work of Adox?ADOX Fotoimpex is donating their time to help us, so how about stopping posting wild speculation and conspiracy theories and letting ADOX spend their time supporting us.
They were the world's largest distributor of the Kodak colour processing chemicals and papers, and now also own the business that produces or contracts for production of those chemicals and papers, along with the business that contracts for the production of the black and white chemicals.I included Sino Promises in that list, but I haven't a clue what they do
There is a good chance that Freestyle is contracting with some of the same manufacturers - at least with respect to the new US made versions of the Kodak branded photo-chemicals.
And of course for the rest of the world, buying from Freestyle is expensive, due to international shipping, whereas buying from our local store that buys from the distributor that they use can be cheaper.Interesting point. I would rather fatten the wallet of Freestyle instead of a Hong Kong firm - all else being equal. Otherwise, I'm just paying for a Kodak label.
Kodak: contracted chemical manufacturer --> Sino Promise --> B&H --> me.
Freestyle/Arista: contracted chemical manufacturer --> Freestyle --> me
I like equation 2 better.
Two things: First, the rest of the world doesn't need to buy Freestyle. Europe can buy Ilford, Adox, Tetanal, Moersch, et al. Second, I would hate to see a single seller of chemicals; it is too easy to wipe out an industry when all is placed in a single basket. Bonus, Kodak branded photo-chem offerings for color is strong but fairly weak in the B&W arena compared to those offered by its competitors. I can't think of a single compelling reason why one would want to buy Kodak branded b/w chemicals.And of course for the rest of the world, buying from Freestyle is expensive, due to international shipping, whereas buying from our local store that buys from the distributor that they use can be cheaper.
I feel that if Adox can produce an Xtol clone that has none of the recent problems of Xtol and can produce their equivalent to effectively fit the space of Xtol in terms of replenishment with a 1L pack etc then it is onto a winner.@ADOX Fotoimpex thank you! I hope you are seriously considering the replenishment as a major Xtol feature and will be publishing recommended replenishment amounts/process for home users. Unfortunately, existing Xtol clones do not even mention replenishment that's why I can't use them. Thanks again.
I feel that if Adox can produce an Xtol clone that has none of the recent problems of Xtol and can produce their equivalent to effectively fit the space of Xtol in terms of replenishment with a 1L pack etc then it is onto a winner.
Reliability is in question as is the reliability of availability (though I put this one down to 2020 disruptions). I am not an X-tol user, but I recall a thread on Photrio where several people reported using an Xtol clone in a replenishment manner. I believe it was also reported that they saw identical results.> I can't think of a single compelling reason why one would want to buy Kodak branded b/w chemicals.
Using developer as its own replenisher. The combination of convenience, quality and economy of Xtol-R system should not be underestimated.
Otherwise I'd be buying Ultrafine-branded D76 at $5.49 per gallon. The quality is amazing, there are recipes for every film and final look imaginable, etc.
Therein lies part of the problem. Sino and formally KA are middle men. If I understand the relationship its EK that outsources photochemical production and KA/Sino who distributes it. Of course this isn't to say that going forward Sino won't be chatting with EK regularly, but really what can they do to ensure product quality? Iford, Adox, Freestyle, etc are all directly responsible or their products.If SinoPromise ensures that this latest Xtol problem is the very last Xtol problem
I would note that 1L packets are on the small side for practical replenishment -- though I suppose you could mix one for working solution and a second for replenisher (my working solution is 2L, however, because my sheet film tank takes about 1.6L for 4x5 film). Still, not a bad idea to sell both 1L and 5L size, so folks who use it slower don't have to be as concerned about the stock solution going off.
Eastman Kodak has no role in the production or marketing of photo chemistry. That business was entirely divested - first when Eastman Chemical was spun off, and then, as a part of the bankruptcy settlement, the marketing and colour chemical production (and colour paper production) were divested to the Kodak Limited pension plan, which incorporated Kodak Alaris to hold and run those businesses. Kodak Alaris just recently sold the Kodak branded photo chemicals business and the colour paper business to Sino Promise Group.If I understand the relationship its EK that outsources photochemical production and KA/Sino who distributes it.
Hopefully you're sitting down -- I've also been (successfully, so far) replenishing a 1 liter bottle of Flexicolor Color Developer -- after a dozen rolls over a couple months, it seems fine. I think both C-41 and B&W developers are much more tolerant than you claim -- at least if you're looking at them, rather than subjecting them to forensic levels of scrutiny.
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