Ultrafine Brand (film and chemicals)?

[dourbalistar]

In early 2020, I purchased (what was advertised at the time) what should have been a box of 20 rolls of Ultrafine Extreme 135-12 black and white film, from Photo Warehouse. When the order arrived, instead of one box of 20 rolls, I received 20 individual rolls of the film, inside their black plastic cans, inside a bag, with no film expiration date anywhere. Although I no longer have the email from them, when I inquired about this, I was not provided with an expiration date for the film, but that the film should otherwise be fine.

Although I have found positive reviews online about this film, I have yet to use it (pandemic, etc.), but once the warmer weather comes, I would like to dig out my Holgas and Dianas and shoot some film with them.

Given that it has been almost two years since I purchased the film, can it be assumed (reasonably) that the film would still be good at this point? Please note that not knowing what the actual expiration date is, I would be hesitant to purchase this film again.

Thank you in advance.

Those 12-exposure rolls were the last to go out of stock at Photo Warehouse, before it all sadly disappeared. Like others have noted, it's probably discontinued for good. Unless you stored them in extreme conditions, the film should be fine. Enjoy it, it was one of my favorite B&W film stocks, not just because of the budget price.

 

[Disconnekt]

They'll be fine to shoot, even if they expired during the time youve had it there won't be any issues unless you left them out in extreme conditions (e.g. places where its been really hot or really wet/humid).

As far as that specific film line from them returning, thats a big "maybe". The pandemic slowed everything down for everybody, and Im sure the waitlist that theyre got longer for whoever they get it from, which is why I think they started the Finesse line to replace it for now

 

[Huss]

Pretty much this.
Choosing a film strictly based on price (high or low) guarantees nothing.

Kodak raised their prices by 20-30% in 2021.
In other news, their film now is also 20-30% better than it was before.

If Foma wants to improve the quality of their film to match that of Kodak, the easiest thing for them to do is set the same prices as Kodak.

 

[epp]

Those 12-exposure rolls were the last to go out of stock at Photo Warehouse, before it all sadly disappeared. Like others have noted, it's probably discontinued for good. Unless you stored them in extreme conditions, the film should be fine. Enjoy it, it was one of my favorite B&W film stocks, not just because of the budget price.

The film was not stored in any extreme conditions, so I hope the rolls will be fine.

I also ordered some 120 at the same time from them and noticed on one side of the boxes, they have the same graphics font used by Ilford, so it made me think that at least their 120 film (also out of stock) was made by Ilford. I haven't tried the 120 rolls yet, which came with an expiration date.

 

[gone]

If Foma wants to improve the quality of their film to match that of Kodak, the easiest thing for them to do is set the same prices as Kodak.

Nooooooooo! No Foma price increases, I love that 100 stuff, and the 400 too. Foma is the last good deal on B&W films, and if we're smart we'll stock up on it now. Remember when Freestyle was selling all that Tri-X for dirt cheap prices that was rebranded as Arista Premium? That dried up, and never came back.

I say Pffffffffffft! to Kodak's price increases, I'll just buy more Foma film.

 

[relistan]

Those 12-exposure rolls were the last to go out of stock at Photo Warehouse, before it all sadly disappeared. Like others have noted, it's probably discontinued for good. Unless you stored them in extreme conditions, the film should be fine. Enjoy it, it was one of my favorite B&W film stocks, not just because of the budget price.

Have you tried Fotoimpex CHM 100? They describe is as "old" Kentmere. I know you felt that UFX 100 was not identical to current Kentmere. So it might be worth a shot. It's not available bulk, but even shipped to the US the price should be reasonable.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Kodak raised their prices by 20-30% in 2021.
In other news, their film now is also 20-30% better than it was before.

If Foma wants to improve the quality of their film to match that of Kodak, the easiest thing for them to do is set the same prices as Kodak.

I love that! I know many folks that buy by price when shopping and not the way you think. In the old days, before cross branding, a person could usually tell the quality of an item buy sight, feel or whatever. If it item A was heavier, better finished and had a respected name stamped on it compared to item B then it was certainly worth the higher price for many folks. That mentality went out the window with cross branding, reviving old well respect company trademark names and China. Still, I know people that will still buy item A at a higher price thinking if it cost more therefore it’s got to be better when item B is exactly the same thing. It’s called “programmed buying” I guess. Some companies have marketing schemes to take full advantage of that. It’s a ruthless word out there. JohnW

 

[John Wiegerink]

Nooooooooo! No Foma price increases, I love that 100 stuff, and the 400 too. Foma is the last good deal on B&W films, and if we're smart we'll stock up on it now. Remember when Freestyle was selling all that Tri-X for dirt cheap prices that was rebranded as Arista Premium? That dried up, and never came back.

I say Pffffffffffft! to Kodak's price increases, I'll just buy more Foma film.

There is nothing wrong with Foma films. Usually??? Buying up large quantities bothers me a little. I had some foma film that had a few emulsion defects and am certainly thankful I didn’t have a freezer full. Maybe if you knew you had a very good batch and bought more of that batch number then ok. JohnW

 

[mklw1954]

Black and white film is very resilient. As part of an enlarger deal I got a 100 ft. roll of Kodak Tmax 100 that was 7 years old and had not been refrigerated or frozen. It was just fine, shot at box speed and developed in D76 stock for the recommended time. Color film and print paper are a different story, prone to color shifts.

 

[grainyvision]

That is very unfortunate. I had no idea that extreme was officially discontinued. I got some of both 400 and 100 and both are stellar films, especially considering the price. Now regretting wasting a few rolls of 100 on developer testing. The 100 ISO film gives results which look like a more contrasty box speed even up to 400 ISO (but with ISO 100 grain) if processed using the a good developer.

 

[dourbalistar]

Have you tried Fotoimpex CHM 100? They describe is as "old" Kentmere. I know you felt that UFX 100 was not identical to current Kentmere. So it might be worth a shot. It's not available bulk, but even shipped to the US the price should be reasonable.

Thanks for the recommendation, @relistan! I have not tried Fotoimpex CHM 100, and actually I've never tried UFX 100 or Kentmere 100 either. It was the UFX 400 that I loved and miss. But so it goes, film stocks come and go. Sadly, mostly go these days. I've been using Kentmere 400, and even though I don't think it's identical to UFX 400, I've still gotten results that I'm happy with. Compared to UFX 400, it's not better or worse, just different (at least to me, YMMV).

That is very unfortunate. I had no idea that extreme was officially discontinued. I got some of both 400 and 100 and both are stellar films, especially considering the price. Now regretting wasting a few rolls of 100 on developer testing. The 100 ISO film gives results which look like a more contrasty box speed even up to 400 ISO (but with ISO 100 grain) if processed using the a good developer.

@grainyvision, I'm not sure if it was "officially" discontinued by Photo Warehouse. Some people have called Photo Warehouse to inquire directly and gotten some updated information. Unfortunately, I can't find the exact posts to cite. In any case, the UFX 400 has been out of stock for well over a year, so combined with what I've read, it's functionally discontinued for me. Very unfortunate indeed!

 

[Dusty Negative]

Extreme is no longer listed on Photo Warehouse’s site (or at least I can no longer find it), so I suppose that counts as officially discontinued.

 

[Paul Howell]

I just looked, it is listed, down the page a bit down from where it had been listed, still out of stock.

 

[Dusty Negative]

I just looked, it is listed, down the page a bit down from where it had been listed, still out of stock.

"The report of my death was an exaggeration."
- Mark Tawin, and
- Ultrafine Extreme

 

[cmacd123]

have to wonder when they are still advertising it...

 

[Paul Howell]

Still could be right, Ultra Exstreme could be dead, looking at Ultrafine films listed on the massive development chart Photowarehouse has a long history of emulsions that sooner or later die off. The first film I bought from Photwearehouse in the early 90s was repackaged 4X4 ILford PF4 cut from a roll they somehow obtained. I was in California on vacation and drove to their business, not a store front, was told that it was ILford then told it was part the deal that they not disclose how they got the roll. Another film I miss is their Tgrained 400.

 

[Dusty Negative]

I still don’t understand why they refuse to make some kind of announcement regarding the future of the film. Anything. Yes, yes, I know: a private company can do as it pleases….we have no right to know….etc.

But customer loyalty is a thing, too, and they could earn a few loyalty credits by at least reaching out (why not through Photrio? Wouldn’t cost a nickel) and providing some kind of information on their expectation of the future of the film.

Other sponsors (hat tip, Adox) do so periodically, and I believe it buys them a little extra appreciation when they do.


Signed,

Pining for Ultrafine (in Extremis)

 

[MattKing]

I still don’t understand why they refuse to make some kind of announcement regarding the future of the film.

They probably hope to get more of it, at a price that makes it possible for them to make some money on it.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Ultrafine has had multiple and different house films over the years. Right now they have Ultrafine Finesse. Before Ultrafine Xtreme there was Ultrafine 100 and 400 (different than Xtreme). Also there was Ultra and Tgrain. I suppose the way it works is they get a deal for a batch of film and they come out with a name for it. The fact that they have not marked as discontinued is because they don't want to burn their ships.

As far as I concerned Ultrafine Xtreme is gone so not waiting for it. Ultrafine Finesse is only available on 35mm so not much use for me at the moment.


Marcelo

 

[Dusty Negative]

As far as I concerned Ultrafine Xtreme is gone so not waiting for it. Ultrafine Finesse is only available on 35mm so not much use for me at the moment.Marcelo

Alas, you’re probably right. Just wish they would say as much so I can move on with my life. I’m basically just a jilted lover.

 

[Dusty Negative]

They probably hope to get more of it, at a price that makes it possible for them to make some money on it.

And, I want to give them my money!

 

[Paul Howell]

I have Finesse 100 and 400 in bulk, not available in cassettes. Photowearhouse list times for 400, had to figure out times for 100, developing times are closest to Foma 100 and 400, but it seems to shoot well at 400, with Foma I normally shoot 400 at 200 or 320 depending on the developer.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I have Finesse 100 and 400 in bulk, not available in cassettes. Photowearhouse list times for 400, had to figure out times for 100, developing times are closest to Foma 100 and 400, but it seems to shoot well at 400, with Foma I normally shoot 400 at 200 or 320 depending on the developer.

What are you experiences with Finesse vs Foma?

Marcelo

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Great thing about Ultrafine Xtreme was it was available on 120. Didnt really used the 35mm version much, perrhaps a roll or two.

 

[John Wiegerink]

If you are looking for cheap film and some cheaper papers, then look no further. If you are looking for an honest, wholesome dealer, you'd better look elsewhere. I remember when they sold off the stocks of their relabeled Shanghai GP3 100 film as a good example. It was advertised as a great old fashion traditional film. It was dirt cheap and my middle name is cheap, so I bought some 120 from them. This film had the worst wrapper bleed/offset of any film I have ever used or seen. I contacted them and told them I thought it advisable to state that this film had that flaw and might be best for camera testing or unimportant photo work. Never got a reply back. I waited a couple of weeks or more and sent them another email. Same reply......none and the same action......none. These guys seem to only care about one thing, and that's to sell. Reminds me of the old Brooklyn camera companies that sold in the back of Modern and Popular Photography in the late 50's and 60's. The term is called "shyster". I will still buy bulk 35mm from them, but 120 film purchases have gone to Ilford and Fuji for me. Sometimes trying to save a few pennies ends up costing in dollars. JohnW