New Efke 400

[srs5694]

As per my developing in Xtol- 8 minutes seemed to be correct. If you wanted more shadow detail- maybe 8 1/2 would work.

What dilution XTOL did you use?

 

[braxus]

It was sent to a lab that uses Xtol. Their mix is straight Xtol no dilution. They use a dip and dunk machine.

 

[jandc]

Thankyou for shedding some light on this issue Zvonimir. I suspected someone was mislead, but who I wasn't sure. It seems Freestyle was correct. As for the film itself- I like the results and the grain seems to be as fine as Ilfords HP5. Whether it will replace Tri-X for me Im not sure yet. It does scratch easily as my negs already have a few in them. How they got there Im not sure. As per my developing in Xtol- 8 minutes seemed to be correct. If you wanted more shadow detail- maybe 8 1/2 would work.

Also Zvon- did they have this in 4x5 yet? Freestyle said they were working on bringing in the bigger formats, so it seems Fotokemika may already have those in production?

Fotokemika doesn't have the ability to make 400 speed film. Never had and never will. The film is Agfa 400+ as indicated previously which is the same film as Retro 400. If anyone wants to delude themselves into thinking it's something else that's their business. If you want to live in the land of reality than understand it's Agfa 400+/Retro 400 and nothing more. I'm not going to debate this with anyone or post again on this topic. This whole thread reminds me of the dozens of threads over the last few years regarding Bergger 200 and Forte 200. If it goes down the same path this insanity will last for years.

 

[Mark Layne]

Thankyou for shedding some light on this issue Zvonimir. I suspected someone was mislead, but who I wasn't sure. It seems Freestyle was correct. As for the film itself- I like the results and the grain seems to be as fine as Ilfords HP5. Whether it will replace Tri-X for me Im not sure yet. It does scratch easily as my negs already have a few in them. How they got there Im not sure. As per my developing in Xtol- 8 minutes seemed to be correct. If you wanted more shadow detail- maybe 8 1/2 would work.

Also Zvon- did they have this in 4x5 yet? Freestyle said they were working on bringing in the bigger formats, so it seems Fotokemika may already have those in production?

It is Agfa 400 surveillance film. Buy some from Silverprint or Retrophotographic and you will see for yourself
Mark

 

[braxus]

If the sales people are selling this stuff and quoting it's their own film made right there in the factory they are standing in, and its not- someone should be sueing for false information and misleading the public. It was asked what basis that Efke cannot make a 400 speed film. I'd like to know why they can't make a 400 speed film. Maybe we can get Ron Mowrey (Photo Engineer) in here to comment as he would know more on film making then I would.

By the way its been said Retro 400 is APX film. It's also been said Efke 400 is Agfapan 400+ and is not APX. Yet its also been said that Retro 400 is the same as Efke 400. So this already is incorrect information. I checked the emulsion of APX and its not the same thickness as Efke 400. So if its surveillance film as suggested- is this what Agfapan 400+ is? I've never seen it sold.

My other question is what happens when Efke runs out of stock of the supposed Agfa film- what then? Switch to someone else? Or is this the Aviphot 400 film that is made by the still running Agfa?

Is it possible that Efke were able to do a single coated emulsion of 400 speed that has a similar look to the Agfa film? Ron? Its been said Efke films are produced using the dipping/vertical coating method and are all single coated emulsions. Also I'm not un-open to the idea the film is rebadged as suggested, since they did it before for some reason. I just find it un-nerving they are touting it as a NEW film made RIGHT there in that factory if the film is in fact rebadged.

 

[Lachlan Young]

APX400+/S is coated onto a thinner polyester base than regular APX400

Hope this helps,

Lachlan

 

[jandc]

I realize I indicated I would not post again on this topic but will just answer the questions posed.

If the sales people are selling this stuff and quoting it's their own film made right there in the factory they are standing in, and its not- someone should be sueing for false information and misleading the public.

Everyone in the business knows who makes what and who buys what from whom. My interest in this are the numerous emails we have received asking why we are not selling this "new" film. We are not selling it because it's not a new film and APX 400 or the slightly modified APX 400+ were never thought that fondly of until they went away.

It was asked what basis that Efke cannot make a 400 speed film. I'd like to know why they can't make a 400 speed film. Maybe we can get Ron Mowrey (Photo Engineer) in here to comment as he would know more on film making then I would..

This was answered by Fotoimpex on page 6 of this thread. They can not coat multiple layers and they lack the sensitizing technology to make this product. Anyone who knows the Fotokemika factory and their equipment and resources understands this.

By the way its been said Retro 400 is APX film. It's also been said Efke 400 is Agfapan 400+ and is not APX. Yet its also been said that Retro 400 is the same as Efke 400. So this already is incorrect information. I checked the emulsion of APX and its not the same thickness as Efke 400. So if its surveillance film as suggested- is this what Agfapan 400+ is? I've never seen it sold.

This was also answered on page 6 by Fotoimpex. He indicated that the 400+ was a slightly modified version of APX 400 that Agfa produced and never got a chance to launch. Therefore you never saw it sold. What you need to check is Retro 400 to Efke 400 and see they are the same.

My other question is what happens when Efke runs out of stock of the supposed Agfa film- what then? Switch to someone else? Or is this the Aviphot 400 film that is made by the still running Agfa?

There is a lot of this out there.

Is it possible that Efke were able to do a single coated emulsion of 400 speed that has a similar look to the Agfa film

Try and picture what a single layer single crystal emulsion would look like at 400 speed. Then picture 80 grit sandpaper and the picture will be about the same. Think about Agfa's technology versus Fotokemika and that the odds of this happening are zero.

 

[braxus]

Thanks J&C.

 

[Alicouscous]

I'd like to see some pictures from the fotokemika factory . It's difficult for me to understand how "small" they are .
I just know one picture from a perforating machine, and one other picture from the factory gate .

 

[Rolleijoe]

100 rolls of APX 400

Speculation, speculation, speculation..... I have been using the NEW KB400 and I can assure you that it is definitely NOT HP5 nor is it APX400. How do I know this? Because I USE these films. KB400 is quite a beautiful emulsion and has become my favorite. The tonality of it is just superb. It is definitely high is silver content, and I can't wait for it to be released in 120 and 4x5. Now my only question is what do I do with the hundred or so rolls of APX400 I recently bought....

I'll be glad to take them off your hands for you if they're in 120.

 

[haris]

If the sales people are selling this stuff and quoting it's their own film made right there in the factory they are standing in, and its not- someone should be sueing for false information and misleading the public.

Well, if EFKE sells film under theire name, it is EFKE film. What is matter who actually make it. I mean, I don't know what lenses you use, but just for example, if you use Schneider lens, do you bother which manufacturer made glass elements for that lens, was it Hoya or Schott, or else, or Schneider itself, or you accept it as Schneider lens?

What different manufacturers agree with eachother (who will make and who will put sticker with name on it) is theire business. For me is important result of film, how to use it (expose and develop), price and avaliability.

 

[Marc .]

For me is important result of film, how to use it (expose and develop), price and avaliability.

As you write, availability is important.
If this film is an old stock no more in production, il will not be available for long, whatever its quality.
That is why people want to know who produces or produced it !

Marc

 

[haris]

As you write, availability is important.
If this film is an old stock no more in production, il will not be available for long, whatever its quality.
That is why people want to know who produces or produced it !

Marc

Understand, but if it is out of production it is out. Whomever made it it is out. If it will be soon out, same thing, it will be soon out. Just have to accept another film, discussing who make film will not bring it back in production if it is out. For example APX25. Of what importance now is did Agfa made it or someone else and Agfa just put name. That film is sadly gone and no discussion would get it back.

Discussion how to save particular film from dissapearing have sense, but is it made by company who put label, or other company, sorry, I don't see difference.

But, you people have more experience and your reasons, so don't take me too seriously.

Regards.

 

[Marc .]

Discussion how to save particular film from dissapearing have sense, but is it made by company who put label, or other company, sorry, I don't see difference.

If it is an old stock of APX 400+ with another name, we will not see it very long.
But if it is a new product, and we should know who produces it, we should be able to buy this film for years.
This seems a big difference to me.

Regards,
Marc

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If it were a new film made by Efke, based on my experience with Efke PL100, I'd want to try it out. If it's an old film I've already tried, then I'm not interested.

 

[rusty71]

Time will tell. If it is truly a new emulsion, and successful, Efke will produce a 120 size, and sheet film size. If it is just re-boxed APX 400+, we'll likely only see 35mm. We're all desperate to see new film emulsions as a candle of hope that analog will survive. I believe that's why so many people are focused finding out if Efke 400 is a newly produced film. I plan on testing Efke 400, but ultimately will continue to buy Ilford Delta 400 and HP-5. I know and love those films, and want to fund a company that deserves our support, rather than a re-seller of derelict emulsion.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I put a shot made with Efke 400 in my gallery (the two runners). The film is what it is, it's no silver bullet or anything, it's just a film!

 

[rusty71]

I put a shot made with Efke 400 in my gallery (the two runners). The film is what it is, it's no silver bullet or anything, it's just a film!

Agreed. Last week I developed a roll in XTOL. Not bad, but not as good as Ilford HP-5+, which costs about the same as Efke 400 from Freestyle. It's fun to try, but I don't think I'll switch, given the sketchy supply line.

 

[braxus]

My roll was nice as well and seemed to turn out better then the roll of HP 5+ I shot with it, but I think I'll stick with my favorite Tri-X 400.