Phoenix II - released 2025-07-16 - speculation and hints during the lead up

[mshchem]

My shipment finally arrived. Looking forward to seeing how it comes out in my process
View attachment 403621

COMMITMENT!

 

[thinkbrown]

COMMITMENT!

I know I like original Phoenix, wanted to make sure I have it around for a while.

As far as version 2 goes, I'm assuming it's gonna take me a roll or two to get a feel for it

 

[Harry Callahan]

I'm fairly sure the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City doesn't have any dye coupler experts on staff, but you never know

Yes, the railROAD staff may not be able to help me out, but maybe the railRED staff had an idea...

 

[thinkbrown]

Yes, the railROAD staff may not be able to help me out, but maybe the railRED staff had an idea...

 

[Harry Callahan]

I mean i have this image in my mind where an ordinary street sign has an additional and smaller sign above saying: "If reds don`t render proper call 555-HARMAN-123" or something...

 

[mshchem]

I mean i have this image in my mind where an ordinary street sign has an additional and smaller sign above saying: "If reds don`t render proper call 555-HARMAN-123" or something...

 

[pentaxuser]

mshchem, you may not have been able to answer my question yet but from yours and other replies on this and another thread I will take it reds come out as orange so that the colour of the edges of the Yield sign was red

This seems like a major defect in terms of colour rendition and one that does not seem to be correctable but just an observation on my part

pentaxuser

 

[Ten301]

I applaud Harman for their efforts with Phoenix I and II, and this is no way intended to be a negative statement. However, I’m reading and seeing the examples of the difficulty others are having achieving anything close to a true red with Phoenix II. I cannot understand how Harman could release an improved 2nd generation of Phoenix with such a glaring shortcoming, even with the understanding that the film is still a work in progress?

 

[mshchem]

mshchem, you may not have been able to answer my question yet but from yours and other replies on this and another thread I will take it reds come out as orange so that the colour of the edges of the Yield sign was red

This seems like a major defect in terms of colour rendition and one that does not seem to be correctable but just an observation on my part

pentaxuser

I am absolutely not keen when it comes to scanning color negatives.

I don't know how to answer your question other than the sign isn't orange.

I used VueScan, fooled around a bit with the Microsoft photo editor for about 3 minutes.
Based on other folks results, I think this is a pretty good film, definitely worthy of trying.

Sharpness and grain look quite good.

 

[dcy]

I cannot understand how Harman could release an improved 2nd generation of Phoenix with such a glaring shortcoming, even with the understanding that the film is still a work in progress?

All things are relative. I think the relevant question is whether Phoenix II is a noticeable improvement over Phoenix I, and from what I gather the consensus is that it is a huge improvement, even if you can point to one specific issue that got worse.

• Dynamic range? --- Improved.
• Film speed? --- Improved.
• Scanning? --- Improved.
• Halation? --- Improved.
• Grain? --- Improved.
• Uniform color sensitivity? --- Improved.
• Overall color rendition? --- Improved.
• Huge of the color red? --- Worsened.

Seven steps forward, one step back.

I don't think it's unreasonable that they'd release a product like this.