New Ilford film being Introduced

[markbau]

A general reduction of prices, especially of analogue papers and chemistry, with longer shelf life too, would be very welcome. Ilford is very expensive in the darkroom.

If you think Ilford paper is expensive, don’t even think about buying Bergger!

 

[Anon Ymous]

... A higher speed XP2 would also be disappointing. From an enthusiast's point of view I've never seen the appeal of B&W chromogenic films; their only real benefit is convenience of processing, as long as you like being stuck with one flavour.

IMHO, a true 800, or 1600 ISO BW C41 film wouldn't just offer processing convenience. It would probably be finer grained than anything else at that speed, because of it's chromogenic nature. And this while still retaining ease of printing with an enlarger because it would be maskless. Of course, this is all pure speculation and they may just offer an improved version of an already existing film.

 

[AgX]

From an enthusiast's point of view I've never seen the appeal of B&W chromogenic films; their only real benefit is convenience of processing, as long as you like being stuck with one flavour.

Chromogenic films give much greater freedom in emulsion design resp. in film characteristics, by that yielding benefits over silver-image b&w films. Agfa used that to yield a film with a huge exposure range. Kodak to the contrary restrained the film to just being minilab compatible.

 

[miha]

Why didn't Agfa work further on their XL Vario film is a mistery to me (the initial reviews were not flattering indeed, XP-1 was a better film). Introduced in 1981 (or was it still 1980?) almost at the same time as Ilford.

 

[wyofilm]

IMHO, a true 800, or 1600 ISO BW C41 film wouldn't just offer processing convenience. It would probably be finer grained than anything else at that speed, because of it's chromogenic nature. And this while still retaining ease of printing with an enlarger because it would be maskless. Of course, this is all pure speculation and they may just offer an improved version of an already existing film.

I really have no idea how big the film wedding photography market is, but something like a high speed chromogenic film would be great for that arena. In this way, B&W would fit into the photographer's normal workflow. But then again Ilford doesn't sell c-41 chem, so the product would be one dimensional for them.

 

[AgX]

Why didn't Agfa work further on their XL Vario film is a mistery to me (the initial reviews were not flattering indeed, XP-1 was a better film). Introduced in 1981 (or was it still 1980?) almost at the same time as Ilford.

Both films were introduced at same Photokina. I assume the concept behind the XL Vario was of not quite understood of not needed by the consumers and thus sales figures decided on the long run.

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

But then again Ilford doesn't sell c-41 chem, so the product would be one dimensional for them.

That didn't stop them from manufacturing XP2 Super film.

 

[miha]

Both films were introduced at same Photokina. I assume the concept behind the XL Vario was of not quite understood of not needed by the consumers and thus sales figures decided on the long run.

How did the Agfa concept differ from Ilford? Initial tests showed XL Vario to be inferior product. Agfa could have worked on it as did Ilford by introducing XP-2 and XP-2 SUPER.

 

[foc]

How did the Agfa concept differ from Ilford? Initial tests showed XL Vario to be inferior product. Agfa could have worked on it as did Ilford by introducing XP-2 and XP-2 SUPER.

I remember a rep saying to in the early 1980's that Agfa Dia Direct was a B&W chromogenic transparency film that used Agfa AP41 process, the same as CT18. I don't know if this was true or not but could it have anything to do with Agfa's development of their C41 Vario XL film. They changed all their transparency film to E6 shortly after this.

Or am I completely wrong?

 

[abruzzi]

How about something completely in left field like B&W E6 positive film? I've processed XP2 in E6 chemicals, and it comes out pretty good. The only problem is the dye left is green, not black. Something that actually developed to B&W (instead of green and white) in E6 would be kind of fun.

 

[destroya]

based on their current offerings, Im thinking of a bookend film, either a slow iso 25 film or a c41 1600 film. would love a slow iso 25 film in 4x5, but as they dont have panf in sheet film, my guess is that its a faster film.

 

[dutchsteammachine]

Instant Kodachrome ?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Well I hope it's not a C41 film! But I wouldn't be surprised. It would be aimed at the general public, who does not develop their own film.

 

[cramej]

Instant Kodachrome ?

So a "Bring Back Polachrome" Kickstarter?

 

[Pioneer]

Maybe a package deal. The film and the developing chemistry in one package.

 

[AgX]

I remember a rep saying to in the early 1980's that Agfa Dia Direct was a B&W chromogenic transparency film that used Agfa AP41 process, the same as CT18.

Dia-Direct is much, much older.
First there was Gevaert Dia-Direct, then there was Agfa Dia-Direct and then Agfa Scala.

 

[dutchsteammachine]

Maybe a package deal. The film and the developing chemistry in one package.

That would be useful for beginners, which is a good part of the new film users I imagine.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...Delta 400 could use a revamp and sheet film availability...

No need for a "revamp," but coating it on sheets would be the best possible outcome from this tease. A bit higher probability than me winning Powerball, but not much higher.

 

[railwayman3]

Dia-Direct is much, much older.
First there was Gevaert Dia-Direct, then there was Agfa Dia-Direct and then Agfa Scala.

And didn't Dia-Direct and Scala use a fairly standard B&W reversal process, rather than anything chromogenic?

 

[railwayman3]

Both films were introduced at same Photokina. I assume the concept behind the XL Vario was of not quite understood of not needed by the consumers and thus sales figures decided on the long run.

I may be completely wrong, but I'm sure that I can recall reading that one or more of the C-41 B&W films (Agfa, Kodak, Ilford, Fuji) was manufactured by one of the other makers, kind of "own-label" product ?

 

[pentaxuser]

I wonder if we can make this one run to the announcement on the 24th? We have a pretty good record in this respect

pentaxuser

 

[railwayman3]

Difficult to know what Ilford are trailing. Given their large current range of B&W, and the many years since they produced any colour films (not to mention the time and effort that has evidently been involved in Kodak bringing back a relatively recent product in Ektachrome), I'm not getting excited that it's going to be anything revolutionary ?

 

[markjwyatt]

Maybe a package deal. The film and the developing chemistry in one package.

So Ilford Simplicity + a roll of film? Not that compelling. Reversal could be intresting.

How about an auto-developing machine for home us? Maybe including a scanner?

 

[Pioneer]

So Ilford Simplicity + a roll of film? Not that compelling. Reversal could be intresting.

How about an auto-developing machine for home us? Maybe including a scanner?

Maybe it isn't that compelling for us but how about a beginner just starting to work with film? A black and white film optimized to work with a specific developer. Especially if you can include a simple little device in the initial package that allows you to load the film into the tank and develop it with ecologically sensitive chemicals. From a marketing perspective it locks the user into a film and packet of chemicals for the near future.

From a George Eastman perspective, make the initial offering very inexpensive and even if you lose money you have a long term user buying your film and developing solution.

 

[Wallendo]

I hope whatever the announcement is, it is something more impressive than simply new packaging. I hope Ilford will drop hints the way Kodak did prior to their last announcement so that we have something useful to talk about.