What do you think of the new Orwo Wolfen NP100's sample shots?

npl

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What is wolfen NP400 ? Is it N75 or a new emulsion ?
fyi I asked orwo, it's a new 400 ASA film. I have a roll of N75 left, might order one NP400 to compare.
 

pentaxuser

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fyi I asked orwo, it's a new 400 ASA film. I have a roll of N75 left, might order one NP400 to compare.

So if there is now a new 400 film, NP400, has ORWO said if its new attributes are the same as NP100? Is it in effect identical to NP100 except for the speed?

Thanks

pentaxuser
 
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npl

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So if there is now a new 400 film, NP400, has ORWO said if its new attributes are the same as NP400? Is it in effect identical to NP100 except for the speed?

Thanks

pentaxuser

I'm afraid they didn't gave me much. I just asked if it was a new emulsion or a new name for N75, here is the reply :

"Hello [..] ,

Thank you for contacting us.

WOLFEN NP400 is our new 400 ASA film. We will amend the shop to include this in our "New Films" category to avoid any confusion.

Best wishes,"


I just check and they did edit the NP400 page since my email, there is no more photos and they now say that it's brand new. You can't preorder it. I don't see N75 anywhere. https://www.orwo.shop/collections/all-photo-films
 

AgX

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They still did not upgrade their portfolio at their site.... this all is weird.

At best R&D do their work, marketing theirs and some people hired for going online theirs. And this all during insolvency with limited means.
 

Nitroplait

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I read somewhere (their instagram account perhaps), ORWO stated that NP100 is UN54 with an antihalation layer.
I am not familiar with any Orwo products, but if N75 is 400 ISO, then one could speculate that NP400 could be the same with an added antihalation layer.
 

BMbikerider

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It is difficult to assess the quality on the screen because my screen, your screen and ever one els's screen will or can show different brightness, luminance and contrast. As it happens on my laptop they look OK, but a little low in contrast. It is difficult to tell.
 

pentaxuser

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Yes I agree but it's a pity that if it is a new film then ORWO choose not to say what is new or different about it. I really cannot work out why not telling the film buying community about its new attributes can be in ORWO's interests

It is getting to the stage with me that unless it is a new film from Ilford, Kodak or Foma then my opening position is to mistrust everything I read

pentaxuser
 
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At best R&D do their work, marketing theirs and some people hired for going online theirs. And this all during insolvency with limited means.

Going by the data sheet of NP100 which was released recently by Orwo, the new film as a significantly different spectral response compared to Orwo UN54 from which the new film is derived. What effect this has in real-world shooting is something that Orwo should have talked about but they make no mention of it. When a new film like NP100 is made, does the R&D team or the product management team employ a few experienced and knowledgeable photographers to test the film and provide feedback at various stages of R&D of the film?
 

Agulliver

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I've looked at the new Wolfen 100 on four monitors and wasn't especially impressed....but it may just be that it doesn't suit my eyes and photography needs. Might well suit other people, and I hope they enjoy it.

What I have noted is that the shop has very keep prices on 16mm movie film.....I'm wondering/hoping if they can make std 8mm film at similar prices per foot....as that would be quite amazing and something I'd buy for sure. As it is, their still photography films aren't something I find attractive. But wishing them the best of luck.
 

AgX

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I'm wondering/hoping if they can make std 8mm film at similar prices per foot.

The business was founded with the professional cinematographic market in mind. They seemingly lack 8mm perforating tools (where did they go?). But they could improvise perforating, but that again would raise costs.
 

Agulliver

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The business was founded with the professional cinematographic market in mind. They seemingly lack 8mm perforating tools (where did they go?). But they could improvise perforating, but that again would raise costs.

I did wonder if that would be the case. I'm sure that 8mm would be a low priority for them.
 

AgX

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Well, since about a year they are slowly turning to amateurs. So we shall see. But do not overlook their currrent suituation. At the moment it is not even clear who is managing director...
 

Donald Qualls

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They seemingly lack 8mm perforating tools (where did they go?). But they could improvise perforating, but that again would raise costs.

Standard 8 is the same as Double 8, is it not? There are lots of places around that perforate that format, if they needed it for their business plan they could pay Foma, Kodak, or perhaps even Ilford to do the cutting and perfing and return the pancakes for final packaging. As noted, though, 8 mm may not be in their target market.
 

Nitroplait

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The data sheet is full of copy-paste errors from the UN54 sheet - even with mention of UN54 where it should say NP100.
I see no reason to trust it.
 

AgX

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Well, not necessarily every manufacturer would toll-manufacture for a competitor. It depends on case.
Mirko some years ago confirmed that changes of attitudes took place within the industry.
 

Donald Qualls

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Surely true, but that can also depend on the definition of "competitor" -- if your target market is the same (amateur filmmakers and home movie makers), but you sell only color stock in that market, toll work for a manufacturer who makes only B&W isn't technically for a "competitor."
 
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The data sheet is full of copy-paste errors from the UN54 sheet - even with mention of UN54 where it should say NP100.

That's true. However, the key information, i.e. the three figures showing the density curve, spectral response curve and structure of the film, are noticeably different from those of Orwo UN54.
 

Nitroplait

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That's true. However, the key information, i.e. the three figures showing the density curve, spectral response curve and structure of the film, are noticeably different from those of Orwo UN54.
I am not sure why one would trust the curves when the other information published in that document has obvious errors.
In any case; ORWO claims the two film differs only by the antihalation layer:
(Source Orwofilm on Instagram)
 

AgX

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"We have been asked this question a lot since we launched our new film last week."

As if such question was not foreseeable...


Moreover mention is only made of the added AHU layer. Not other differences.
To me this makes the impression as if the entity doing their social media works on the hear-say.
 
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I am not sure why one would trust the curves when the other information published in that document has obvious errors.

What are those "obvious errors" apart from the use of Orwo UN54 instead of NP100 at one place?

I believe the curves came from the R&D team whereas the text was edited by the marketing team. @ORWO Film Official can perhaps clarify.
 

AgX

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That a manufacturer resorts only to Instagram for their communication already is weird. As if everyone interested has or wants an Instagram account.

I am rejected access by Instagram to the respective Orwo statements and thus have to rely on what is posted here.
 
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@AgX: They're active on Facebook too. It's a bit unfortunate that they didn't make the announcement about the new film here on photrio. [Maybe that's because there was a bad fight between some members when their representative had just joined photrio.] But they respond to private messages sent to @ORWO Film Official.
 

AgX

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Facebook for german non-members aperiodically is completely blocked off for days or weeks.


The member you refer to is still following what is going on at this forum, but no longer participating. To me this is telling.
 
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Agulliver

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Well, since about a year they are slowly turning to amateurs. So we shall see. But do not overlook their currrent suituation. At the moment it is not even clear who is managing director...

I stumbled across their facebook page today, and the banner appears to be super 8 film. definitely the official ORWO Facebook page and it links to their new online shop.

They're clearly active, and promoting their sales to the general public. They're on Instagram too.
 
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