"New" 220 film from Reflx

[Disconnekt]

Just saw on Nicos Photo Show that Reflx has new 220 color film (Kodak Aerocolor 2460) for sale.
So for anybody that wants fresh 220 film, here ya go. Yeah its $25 a roll, but at least its something.

https://reflxlab.com/products/reflx-lab-pro-100-color-negative-film-220


Cool that a small company like Reflx can release fresh 220 film without having to add it last second to a kickstarter.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Yes, glad to see it!
I like that film a lot...but
Aerocolor has a serious light-piping issue, so it needs to be loaded into a processing machine/tank&reel/whatever in total darkness.

 

[koraks]

it needs to be loaded into a processing machine/tank&reel/whatever in total darkness.

Isn't that true for all film, though?

My concern would be with light piping along the edges of the film during loading and unloading in the camera...

 

[halfaman]

I understood that ligh-piping was caused by the thinner base of Aerocolor when spooled in standard 35 mm cartridges. Light seal felts are not good enough with this film preventing light getting in.

In 120/220 should be not a problem.

 

[koraks]

In 120/220 should be not a problem.

Wouldn't there be light piping along the edges, though? With 35mm you lose only part of the leader and maybe the first frame. In 120/220, both edges along the entire length of the film are exposed during camera loading/unloading.

 

[halfaman]

Wouldn't there be light piping along the edges, though? With 35mm you lose only part of the leader and maybe the first frame. In 120/220, both edges along the entire length of the film are exposed during camera loading/unloading.

Aercolor base thickness is not so different than 120/220 film. It is 100 microns, photo 35 mm film is 125-130 microns and 120/220 film 100-110 microns. Kodak is changing all films to a PET base, so there should be no big difference from current 120 photo film compared to Aerocolor when properly spooled.

 

[koraks]

Alright; thanks for the additional info. I really don't know how bad the halation problem might be.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Isn't that true for all film, though?

My concern would be with light piping along the edges of the film during loading and unloading in the camera...

Some labs use roller-transport machines that require separating the film from the backing paper, and putting the film in a 'cassette' before attaching a leader card.
This requires an inch or so of raw film to be exposed to light.
That's when the light-piping happens.

 

[koraks]

@AnselMortensen thanks for clarifying; I see what you mean now!

 

[Donald Qualls]

Some labs use roller-transport machines that require separating the film from the backing paper, and putting the film in a 'cassette' before attaching a leader card.
This requires an inch or so of raw film to be exposed to light.
That's when the light-piping happens.

Fortunately, the "lab" in the back of my house doesn't have that problem.

 

[mshchem]

Kodak is changing all films to a PET base

I would doubt this.

 

[Prest_400]

I would doubt this.

In the Smarter Every Day video series IIRC they were coating Kodak Ektar and if continuity is held, they were showing ESTAR as the base material. I actually have been curious about it but haven't gotten to ask Kodak if they are migrating all products to ESTAR. If it is happening, it is on a rolling basis as a continuous improvement.
They held stocks of Acetate rolls and purchased from Germany, but in house they show how they have capabilities to make Polyester.

IMO for 120 and sheet films, Polyester seems to have just advantages. Drew Wiley brings this up through dimensional stability for registration purposes.

Anything 220 is good news. Another question that I should send to Kodak is if they have mothballed the 220 finishing line. Aside of that, what is known that the backing paper is a pain point.

Haven't ever tried either cine or aeral respools yet, I am to loyal to the still films... Might buy a roll to try, I am actually interested in the hotshoe meter that Reflx sells.

 

[mshchem]

EK extrudes PET base for in-house use and I suspect other markets/customers. I would be surprised to see PET in 35mm film cinema camera films etc. I was surprised to see Kodak Gold 120 with an Estar base.

 

[Brad Deputy]

It started with Portra 800 and Color plus, then ultramax and now I hear gold 200, all on polyester.

Eagerly waiting to see if/when their professional films migrate to PET.

Cinema negative film will likely remain acetate due to risk of high speed film transport damage risk to cine cameras.

 

[MattKing]

In the Smarter Every Day video series IIRC they were coating Kodak Ektar and if continuity is held, they were showing ESTAR as the base material. I actually have been curious about it but haven't gotten to ask Kodak if they are migrating all products to ESTAR. If it is happening, it is on a rolling basis as a continuous improvement.

The Smarter Every Day video series was mostly filmed during the days when the machines are being either going through maintenance or are being used for purposes like training or specialized purposes like "filming demonstration video". As a result, some of what you see in the videos is being used because it can be shown in room light. Otherwise impractical for use in production short ends of a variety of materials are often used for that purpose.

EK extrudes PET base for in-house use and I suspect other markets/customers. I would be surprised to see PET in 35mm film cinema camera films etc. I was surprised to see Kodak Gold 120 with an Estar base.

EK's PET base extrusion offerings for non-photographic uses by third parties is a growing part of EK's manufacturing business.
There is a worldwide shortage of the acetate used for photographic film, which EK sources mostly from the EU. So there are advantages for EK to consider switching to Estar (PET) base. But there are also serious disadvantages, because switching is not simple and is quite expensive to implement, not least because it disrupts production. As a result, you may or may not see EK switching, and if you do, it will likely be a slow and gradual switch, and it may not happen with all products.

 

[foc]

Some labs use roller-transport machines that require separating the film from the backing paper, and putting the film in a 'cassette' before attaching a leader card.
This requires an inch or so of raw film to be exposed to light.
That's when the light-piping happens.

The lab could do the film to leader card splicing in subdued lighting and avoid the light piping. Any decent lab should do this.
(When I had my minilab, I did it with 35mm film on PET base and had no light piping)

 

[richyd]

Thanks for highlighting this. The 220 was gone but I ordered some rolls of 120 and of 250D too, prices were reasonable. Order delivered today and I must say I'm very impressed with the packaging looking professional, boxed and foil sealed fully labelled and with quick delivery. Looking forward to using it if we get a sunny winters day.

 

[Disconnekt]

For anybody interested, Legacy Photo Lab down in Texas has some 220 in stock: https://legacy-photolab.com/product...film-by-reflx-lab?_pos=4&_sid=bc6e3119c&_ss=r

 

[hoomuzzz]

Heard about this in China also. The name is "Areonega" by Alien Film, available in both 120 and 220 format.

 

[Roger Cole]

Isn't that true for all film, though?

My concern would be with light piping along the edges of the film during loading and unloading in the camera...

Certainly not true of all film. I've loaded film into cameras standing in absolute blazing mid day sun with no issues. (35mm anyway. I don't know that I'm right but I've always felt more leery of such with 120 and at least load in shade. But with just finding a shady area I've had no problems.)

 

[koraks]

I've loaded film into cameras standing in absolute blazing mid day sun with no issues.

Sure, me too, all the time.
My comment about 'true for all film' was about loading it onto development reels, though.

 

[Roger Cole]

Sure, me too, all the time.
My comment about 'true for all film' was about loading it onto development reels, though.

Ah ok, got it. Well yeah - better be in the dark.