Research and development of new film technology

So, film seems to be making a comback (http://time.com/4649188/film-photography-industry-comeback/), so I thought it was a good time to ask: Does anyone know if Kodak, Fuji, Harman et al are working on new emulsion technology that will give us film with better color, sharpness, resolution, dynamic range, grain etc? Or have we reached the limits of what is technically possible with emulsion based imaging?

Thanks in advance for any answers...

Dcarubia said:

So, film seems to be making a comback (http://time.com/4649188/film-photography-industry-comeback/), so I thought it was a good time to ask: Does anyone know if Kodak, Fuji, Harman et al are working on new emulsion technology that will give us film with better color, sharpness, resolution, dynamic range, grain etc? Or have we reached the limits of what is technically possible with emulsion based imaging?

Thanks in advance for any answers...

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I hear crickets... ;-) Ok, so that answers first question.

Does anyone know: Have we reached the physical limits of what is theoretically possible with emulsion based imaging (i.e., film) ? For example, could we have better ISO performance with minimal grain and higher dynamic range?

In general, there is no limit to innovation or what is technically possible. This applies to all things without exception. The main inputs for this are time, human capital and money. I know this from first hand experience during my career.

I have no first hand knowledge of film manufacturers' activities. I do believe that development is going on. It depends on your definition of "new emulsion technology". In my definition, small tweaks to old recipes in order to improve processing or environmental impact, are new technologies for me. I believe this is happening at places like Kodak (Ektachrome 2017/2018) and Ferrania (latest P30).

I think it will be pretty hard to find non-public information about actual projects underway, who is working on them, how much money is budgeted, and planned introduction dates. If anyone had this information, and posted it in a public forum such as this, could find themselves in a compromised legal situation.

There is no research per se, but there is development to a limited extent.

PE

Film has consolidated but it's not profitable enough to push the envelope. We have bottomed out and had some renewed interest. But we'll never be back to the old days. Not enough competition.

I processed a roll of Ektar today and the results are gorgeous, but how many are willing to spend the time and money? Fuji is dropping emulsions at an alarming rate - - they no longer sell sheet film. Sad will be the day when they drop velvia, but how many people have a slide projector? How costly is it to build a library? You can't print slides anymore, except digitally. Can't say I blame manufacturers.

1kgcoffee said:

Film has consolidated but it's not profitable enough to push the envelope. We have bottomed out and had some renewed interest. But we'll never be back to the old days. Not enough competition.

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Very true. Nor enough take-up, especially in terms of E6. People are baying and crying out for Ektachrome, but they had better start using E6 emulsions (and the labs that process them) now, lest the little yellow and blue box becomes nothing more than a novel paperweight.

1kgcoffee said:

Sad will be the day when they drop velvia, but how many people have a slide projector? How costly is it to build a library? You can't print slides anymore, except digitally. Can't say I blame manufacturers.

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That day (Velvia) may be on the horizon...
It is not the manufacturers' at fault here, but the fickle, imaginative market.
I haven't used nor owned a projector since 1986. But I spend $3,000 a month on hybrid printing from RVP.