Was given a roll of Agfa APX 400 . . .

[moltogordo]

Is this perchance the same film as Rollei RPX 400? Enquiring minds want to know.

Any comments on this film?

 

[AgX]

You seemingly got

"AgfaPhoto APX 400 new"

 

[NB23]

Who knows what it really is. Probably a repackaged kentmere 400.

I despise, don't trust and do not encourage those films, personally. Just too much BS around it.

 

[mablo]

AgfaPhoto APX 400 new is actually rebadged Orwo 400 film stock. The old and original Agfa APX 400 was never my favourite film and this "new" version continues that tradition. However, the "APX100 new" (Orwo 100) is a horse of a different color (no pun) and is well worth trying out. It's only available in 35mm though.

 

[flavio81]

Who knows what it really is. Probably a repackaged kentmere 400.

According to "Le Pirate Photo" (french forum), new APX 100 is almost the same as Kentmere 100 which is the same as Ilford PAN 100.
http://www.pirate-photo.fr/pages/viewpage.php?f=51&t=69

Which is different than FP4.

So i'd guess the same happens for the 400-speed films.

And all of them are excellent films, so enjoy.

 

[flavio81]

AgfaPhoto APX 400 new is actually rebadged Orwo 400 film stock. The old and original Agfa APX 400 was never my favourite film and this "new" version continues that tradition. However, the "APX100 new" (Orwo 100) is a horse of a different color (no pun) and is well worth trying out. It's only available in 35mm though.

OrWo? Are you sure? Source of the info?

I thought ORWO was dead looong looong ago...

 

[NB23]

According to "Le Pirate Photo" (french forum), new APX 100 is almost the same as Kentmere 100 which is the same as Ilford PAN 100.
http://www.pirate-photo.fr/pages/viewpage.php?f=51&t=69

Which is different than FP4.

So i'd guess the same happens for the 400-speed films.

And all of them are excellent films, so enjoy.

I have no doubt they are all excellent films. But this agfaphoto vs. Agfa photo vs. "New" vs. "No, Ilford doesn't rebrand", "yeah but technically Ilford is not Kentmere" all rubs me the wrong way.

 

[AgX]

I thought ORWO was dead looong looong ago...

Yes, and no...

There is very late spin off, Filmotec, by Orwo people. Like Film Ferrania. They too took over the former brand name.

They specialized in cine- and surveillance films, but were involved in custom manufacture too.

 

[Bill Burk]

moltogordo,

It's never a bad thing to be "given a roll of" anything.

Was it just a cartridge? Or did you get a bulk roll?

 

[AgX]

By the way, I'm not thinking of Orwo.

 

[pentaxuser]

Whatever it is I hope you enjoy the results and put them on the gallery and let us know your experience of it.

pentaxuser

 

[flavio81]

I have no doubt they are all excellent films. But this agfaphoto vs. Agfa photo vs. "New" vs. "No, Ilford doesn't rebrand", "yeah but technically Ilford is not Kentmere" all rubs me the wrong way.

They are not lying. If i recall correctly, the official response is that Ilford does not rebrand but this is not the same as manufacturing a specific film for other company. Plus everything points out that it is not an ILFORD film but a KENTMERE film.

The pirate test shows that they are very similar, this does not necesarilly mean that it's the same film but rebranded.

As for "Ilford" PAN 100, it is only sold in certain countries as such.

 

[NB23]

They are not lying. If i recall correctly, the official response is that Ilford does not rebrand but this is not the same as manufacturing a specific film for other company. Plus everything points out that it is not an ILFORD film but a KENTMERE film.

The pirate test shows that they are very similar, this does not necesarilly mean that it's the same film but rebranded.

As for "Ilford" PAN 100, it is only sold in certain countries as such.

Ok so it's not "rebranded" but "manufactured by"and it's being given another name and it's not Agfa but a new company (or not even a company) named "Agfaphoto" (see the lure?), it all rubs me the wrong way.

Anyhow, we're digressing.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

If this is the APX400 "new" I think it's not bad at all:


Hwy101 to Santa Barbara FujiKlasse-S AgfaAPX400 HC-110dilH 8min30sec 22C 1minAg3x 2013-12 VSmac 4000 Scan-140309-0014 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

Actually once dialed in I don't think there are any "bad" films.

 

[moltogordo]

No, it's a single roll - don't think it's new because it says on the cassette "Agfa-Gevaert AG . Made in Germany". Just noticed that - it came in a plastic cannister without a box to me. Whatever the case, I just got a new used Topcon RE Super for my collection so I'll run it through that camera, and put up a few shots when it's done.

With respect to Kentmere, I have read that Kentmere was bought out by Ilford (which was bought out by HARMAN), and HARMAN is letting both divisions operate independently. That's the only connection between them as far as I know. Ilford's Pan 400 and Pan 100 are a cheaper line of Ilford, and they are only marketed in certain areas. There is some question whether they are respooled or made by Ilford, but I doubt the latter.

Kentmere paper has been around for years, and so has their film. A friend of mine has used their paper for decades, and apparently so did Ansel Adams. I'm looking forward to trying Kentmere 400 myself. My film renaissance has led to all kinds of interesting discoveries, and redscoveries!

I'll kick in with those above who hint at excellence across the board right now. I'm actually looking for a "bad" 400 film that has a lot of grain to add to my palette, and am having trouble finding something that is grainy enough. My experiments with Foma 400 were very positive - nice film. Not grainy enough for what I'm after. If I can't get the grain I want from Kentmere, I'm going to have to go to pushing and high acutance developers. And I'll have to stick to my Pen FT. Whatever the case, I'm having a blast!

 

[miha]

Flavio, ilford PAN 100 is not Kentmere 100; I have used both films, they are different, dev times are way different too.

 

[NB23]

Foma 400 is one film that i avoid at all cost.
Its sensitivity, and foremost its color responsiveness is horrendous.

Yes, I'm picky. My photography requires it.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

According to "Le Pirate Photo" (french forum), new APX 100 is almost the same as Kentmere 100 which is the same as Ilford PAN 100.

Flavio
Not quite correct. If my poor French allows me, I read that Kentmere and "New" Agfaphoto APX are very similar, but PAN 100 and 400 are different.

Kentmere paper has been around for years, and so has their film.

Not correct: Kentmere films were introduced by Harman in 2009, after they purchase the former Kentmere brand. So, they are quite new emulsions. They were introduced first in the USA, then in Europe as a cheaper line to Ilford's range. It is a marketing device, in order not to tarnish the Ilford brand.
Ilford PAN range was introduced around 2000(there's a question mark here as my PDF file was released in 2002) in countries where the Ilford brand was not as popular as in the USA or Europe.

Foma 400 is one film that i avoid at all cost.
Its sensitivity, and foremost its color responsiveness is horrendous.

My dear Mr. Anonymous NB23
You are entitled to an opinion, provided it is based on facts.
Do you have examples showing the horrendous colour responsiveness?
In other words can you prove it?
And another question for you: why are you so negative?

 

[Xmas]

And another question for you: why are you so negative?

Cause he does not use transparencys

 

[NB23]

Negative, me?

Watch me go all positive in threads about the things I love.

Foma 400's results are all over the net. Google it. My prints show the issue so well that I avoid that film at all cost.

 

[miha]

Ricardo, I have been using Ilford PAN films since 1995 or so.

 

[Rhodes]

I bought 4 rolls to try out, one ate 400 with rodinal, one 400 with xtol, and both to push to 800 and 1600 and develop with something!

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Cause he does not use transparencys

Watch me go all positive in threads about the things I love.

Great!

Ricardo, I have been using Ilford PAN films since 1995 or so.

Thanks Miha!
I know you like them! So do I!
The datasheet I have is dated 2002, so was not sure when they were introduced. I do remember though by 2000 I had seen references to them.
Thanks again!

 

[flavio81]

Flavio
Not quite correct. If my poor French allows me, I read that Kentmere and "New" Agfaphoto APX are very similar, but PAN 100 and 400 are different.

I think you are correct. But they look very close !!

Cause he does not use transparencys

LOL!

 

[flavio81]

Foma 400 is one film that i avoid at all cost.
Its sensitivity, and foremost its color responsiveness is horrendous.

I like Foma 400 a lot, foremost because of its color responsiveness. Yes, yes, it does not appear to be "true" ISO 400.
But I have gotten great results from Foma 400 and Foma 100. I like it. No, i love it. I LOVE FOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I guess to each his own...

They are different to FP4 and HP5 and that's something good, because sometimes you will want the FP4 look and sometimes the Foma 100 or 400 look. HP5+ is much faster than Foma 400, as well.