Polypan F

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 27, 2014

One of my dear friends from APUG sold me a extremelly cheap Leica Mini with 35mm Elmar and added to the package Polypan F. I have looked to the galleries and film has a ilford taste to my eye. Shadow details are visible , greys are not boring and highlights not lost.

My friend said it is very cheap and I want to learn do Polypan F is still in production , who manufactures it and where ?

Umut

pdeeh · Apr 27, 2014

Umut there are several threads discussing this film, this one should cover all your questions: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 27, 2014

Hi pdeeh,

I looked to the thread and everyone is looking for answers to my above questions.

Can anyone simply answer , is it still been manufactured , by whom and where ?

Thank you,

Umut

Gerald C Koch · Apr 27, 2014

Polypan F has ABSOLUTELY NO RELATION TO ANY ILFORD PRODUCT although the marketer would like people to make this mistake. From its specifications it is ill suited for use as a still camera film. Because of the polyester base the film is subject to severe light piping. The lack of an anti-halation layer makes its use problematic outdoors. Fortunately you didn't have to pay for it.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 27, 2014

There are many films from Kodak from the past years , is it related with them ? I liked the images it produces. Nothing caught my eye as a bad product . May be Russian film? Tasma ?

Thank you Gerald.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 27, 2014

The film is made by some company named Polystar somewhere in Europe probably not Russia. From previous threads that appears to be all that is known. There also seems to some argument as to whether it is microfilm or some type of surveillance film or positive stock.

Here is an article on film bases.

http://gertrude-old.case.edu/276/materials/KODAK Film Base.htm

Xmas · Apr 27, 2014

It is not prehardened so

no pre bath
temper all solutions to within 1C
plain water stop
distilled water final bath with surfant

or use a hardened stop

load in dark area indoors or expect damage to frame three...

don't use on sunny days... unless you like spill over of highlights.

fotch · Apr 27, 2014

Since the mfg. is not informing anyone on who makes it, its purpose, details about using, the problem is it could change at any time. OK if your just screwing around, not for anything serous. Myself, I would rather shoot with a premium film, something on the same level of my cameras, than wast my time. JMHO

NDKodak · Apr 27, 2014

Check out the website and podcasts from the guys at the Film Photography Project, they are always talking about it and advocating its use.

Dead Link Removed

Gerald C Koch · Apr 27, 2014

NDKodak said:
Check out the website and podcasts from the guys at the Film Photography Project, they are always talking about it and advocating its use.

Dead Link Removed

The photo of the backlit blond perfectly illustrates what happens when film has no anti-halation coating. This is to show you how good this film is? Not happening. It only confirms my belief that there are too many people on the web blathering that have absolutely no concept of what a good photo looks like.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 27, 2014

Xmas said:
It is not prehardened so

no pre bath
temper all solutions to within 1C
plain water stop
distilled water final bath with surfant

or use a hardened stop

load in dark area indoors or expect damage to frame three...

don't use on sunny days... unless you like spill over of highlights.

This film just keeps getting better and better.

AgX · Apr 27, 2014

Gerald C Koch said:
The photo of the backlit blond perfectly illustrates what happens when film has no anti-halation coating. This is to show you how good this film is? Not happening. It only confirms my belief that there are too many people on the web blathering that have absolutely no concept of what a good photo looks like.

In this case I have no problem with that light spill. But to me that is a matter of asthetics or taste. Prone to endless discussions.

The technical issue of course remains and should be communicated. When I first learned about that film I did not learn about that characteristic.

Xmas · Apr 27, 2014

AgX said:
In this case I have no problem with that light spill. But to me that is a matter of asthetics or taste. Prone to endless discussions.

ie subjective...

if a purchaser is aware who cares.

eg many people use digital... he he he

Fixcinater · Apr 27, 2014

Gerald C Koch said:
The photo of the backlit blond perfectly illustrates what happens when film has no anti-halation coating. This is to show you how good this film is? Not happening. It only confirms my belief that there are too many people on the web blathering that have absolutely no concept of what a good photo looks like.

Thank you, o arbiter of good photographic taste. Are cross-processed E6 image fans ill-informed as well? And maybe the folks that use tungsten film out of doors, sans "correct" filtration?

Not saying that I think this film is worth what FPP sells it for, or even that I like the look...but why do you care so much that (some) people do like the results or enjoy the "unpredictability" of it? Are you a LOMO hater as well?

Gerald C Koch · Apr 28, 2014

Fixcinater said:
Thank you, o arbiter of good photographic taste.

I was talking about technical proficiency. If one is serious about photography they should be able to tell a good negative from a bad one. It has nothing to do with artistic content. But I don't think the example really sells the film. I am offended by people who take advantage of other people. This film is just not the bargain that it is advertised as. But you're right caveat emptor. No need to be snarky.

Xmas · Apr 28, 2014

it is too expensive for what you get...

joh · Apr 28, 2014

I've played with this film a few years ago, and it was realy not that bad....the price that I would pay here in Germany / Europe is 59,90 for a 152meter roll.
That is 498 feet for 83 Dollar.
http://www.lumiere-shop.de/index.php?page=product&info=112

Ko.Fe. · Apr 29, 2014

Went through 90m of it. Last roll about month ago. Purchased on e-bay from Germany.
I printed from this film and it wasn't bad comparing to branded films.
The thing which I wasn't happy about this film is black (on the print or scan) dots at two parts of every frame of 90 meters bulk....
It has very distinguishable smell. I accidentally developed already developed roll and it still have the smell.
Good film to test camera, lens, learn exposure and such, but I wouldn't buy it if fine prints are expected.

Polypan F

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