"Problems" with APX400 120

VoidoidRamone · Jan 6, 2005

I recently bought some rolls of APX400 120size from B&H. I went to shoot a roll tonight, so I picked out a box of 400. After I opened the box the film was in the silver foil also labeled 'APX400'. I tore open the foil and the band that holds the film together said "APX100" on it. Is this a mistake by Agfa? Or is APX400 really APX100? If it is really APX100 could I just start only buying APX100 and save the 10 cents per roll?
-Grant

Dave Parker · Jan 6, 2005

Sounds like a mispack on Agfa's part, we used to have this happen once in a while when I worked in the Photo store, both with Agfa as well as Ilford.

Dave

Ed Sukach · Jan 6, 2005

A while back, Agfa introduced a "New" Agfapan 400... with different developing times. I noticed that the new time was exaclty the same as it would be for Agfapan 100 pushed two stops to ISO 400. ..?!?!?

So I did it .. Exposed a roll of Agfapan 100 at 400 and used the new developing time. *VERY* good results. Ive been wondering ever since.

I have an ample supply of both in my 'fridge. A few rolls of 100 will be pushed for a more thourough comparison.

This "mis-labeling" has me even more suspicious.

VoidoidRamone · Jan 6, 2005

Out of curiosity, what would you recommend I do with this film? I am going to NYC in a couple of weeks (I bought the film at B&H) and I figured I would tell them about this. Is this even worth my time? Can B&H do anything? I really don't mind if it is APX100 (since that's my favorite film)- 50 cents isn't worth getting in an argument.
-Grant

rjr · Jan 7, 2005

Grant,

"just use it". Rate a roll at 200ASA and develop it according to the spec sheets for the 400ASA, - the lower rating will prevent "bad shadows" in case it is actually APX100 (which I doubt).

Then check the marks along the film, the type will be coded there and you´ll know what film you actually have.

Inform Agfa about the mishap, give them the emulsion number/range to sort things out. It will help them to prevent such errors in the future.

Ed Sukach · Jan 7, 2005

Come to think of it ... If "New" Agfapan 100 pushes two stops so well ... the Agfapan 400 should "pull" to 100 equally (????) as well ???. I've got to try that.

An image made with APX100 and pushed is in the Technical Gallery, page 4.

Nick Zentena · Jan 7, 2005

When they released the new film with the new times didn't they change the contrast index to? IIRC the new times weren't really that much different if you used lower contrast then the numbers Agfa was suggesting in the past.

pschauss · Jan 7, 2005

I bought some like that too. Assuming that it was a labeling mistake I exposed and developed one roll as APX400. The printing on the margin of the film itself said APX400.

"Problems" with APX400 120

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