Rebranded Current B/W Films

silvergelatin · Mar 14, 2024

Anyone know about this Wolfen/Orwo P400? I just bought a couple of rolls, and cannot find a lot of info. Is this a unique emulsion, or alternate version of Aviphot (both Filmotec, right? I'm getting so confused)?

Lachlan Young · Mar 14, 2024

silvergelatin said:
Anyone know about this Wolfen/Orwo P400? I just bought a couple of rolls, and cannot find a lot of info. Is this a unique emulsion, or alternate version of Aviphot (both Filmotec, right? I'm getting so confused)?

Very likely to be N75, and directly related to the Bergger 400 too.

Aviphot is made by Agfa and then cut down and branded by others.

Lachlan Young · Mar 14, 2024

otto.f said:
Which does not mean that Pancro400 is in any way similar to TriX or Agfapan400 or any current Adox film. It’s quite a unique film with a very high base/fog as its most prominent difference with other films.

B+F depends a great deal on what you develop the film in, and if the emulsions have been intended to be developed in a limited or broader range of developers. It can also depend on the level of interaction with developer solvency.

lamerko · Mar 14, 2024

silvergelatin said:
Anyone know about this Wolfen/Orwo P400? I just bought a couple of rolls, and cannot find a lot of info. Is this a unique emulsion, or alternate version of Aviphot (both Filmotec, right? I'm getting so confused)?

P400 is an ORWO/Filmotec film (and emulsion). Not rebranded. This is a traffic surveillance film. It's probably based on the N75, but don't be fooled, it's not the same. P400 has EI 250/25 - the marketing has imposed the number 400 on the box.

silvergelatin · Mar 14, 2024

Lachlan Young said:
Very likely to be N75, and directly related to the Bergger 400 too.

Aviphot is made by Agfa and then cut down and branded by others.

lamerko said:
P400 is an ORWO/Filmotec film (and emulsion). Not rebranded. This is a traffic surveillance film. It's probably based on the N75, but don't be fooled, it's not the same. P400 has EI 250/25 - the marketing has imposed the number 400 on the box.

I have two rolls of it, and one of the Kiki Pan, which should be N75. I'll try to shoot them this weekend and develop them together for comparison.

Ernst-Jan · Mar 14, 2024

silvergelatin said:
and one of the Kiki Pan, which should be N75

As far as I know, Kikipan is one of the (many) Aviphot rebrandings

lamerko · Mar 14, 2024

Actually, sorry for the confusion, but the P400 should be based on the N74, not the N75. Their labels can be really confusing…

silvergelatin · Mar 14, 2024

Ernst-Jan said:
As far as I know, Kikipan is one of the (many) Aviphot rebrandings

I've read that it's Orwo, and the samples photo I've seen looked far too grainy to be Aviphot. I'll be able to compare that soon as well.

silvergelatin · Mar 14, 2024

lamerko said:
Actually, sorry for the confusion, but the P400 should be based on the N74, not the N75. Their labels can be really confusing…

The difference being the anti-halation layer? I actually prefer some extra glow, that might be a good thing.

This samples in this review below seem relatively fine-grained, which made me think it might not be N74/75, but it may just be the processing.

ORWO P400 Film

www.rogerlowe.co.uk

lamerko · Mar 14, 2024

The spectral diagram is slightly different, but not by much. It is possible that the anti-halation layer is indeed the factor.

ChrisLA · Mar 15, 2024

retina_restoration said:
In 35mm format, I found Pancro 400 to be far too grainy, lacking tonal separation and poor acutance/sharpness. In larger formats (120 and sheets) it's far more serviceable. YMMV of course.

True. My results from a reputable mail order lab were shockingly bad - muddy and grainy, worse than long-expired TMax 3200 (the only comparison in my experience). A roll of 120 shot and processed at the same time was better (passable, not great).

Rebranded Current B/W Films

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