Will Ilford Sheet Film ever get edge markings?

[StoneNYC]

Firstly, It was me who took this very 'off topic' so I apologise.

In finishing sheet film, you cut the lengths off the the parent roll, so for 10 x 8 sheet you cut an 8" block x the parent roll length ( say 1,500 linear metres ), and other widths off the same parent rolls at the same time obviously, that block is then 'chopped' in a separate ( automated ) process into the 10" dimension ( and at the same time the notches are put in ). I would imagine ( but do not know for sure ) the edge signing would be done when its in the 8" x 1,500m state as an optical in line process from the big slitter. We have no such in line optical exposing device, we have never had one for sheet, nor would we believe we have any real customer value in adding one. So obviously if we did it, which we could, the cost would need to be passed on in a higher product cost...do not want to do that, do not think the customer needs it either.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :



We have no such

Simon you're so polite.

I enjoyed the off topic talk and you have nothing to apologize for.

As far as I'm concerned the moment you posted saying it wouldn't happen, was the moment the issue was closed and the fun of posting silly off topic comments was perfectly fine and welcome.

 

[cmacd123]

you cut an 8" block x the parent roll length ( say 1,500 linear metres ), ....that block is then 'chopped' in a separate ( automated ) process into the 10" dimension ( and at the same time the notches are put in ).

The edge of the 8 inch by zillions of feet roll being "endorsed" would be the traditional way to mare it. You could also have a bright LED light source that would Flash monumentally when the cutter -notcher made the cut. That would allow the marking to be placed beside the notch. It might be convenient to expose the mark through the back of the film. a small opening could be ground into the cutting blade to to so.

BUT since the consensus is it is not a good idea....

I will say that I do occasionally see portraits that Fred Lum does for the Globe and Mail, he often uses a sheet of film with the makers name at the edge of the image to get a bit more eye capture effect. (sometimes sheet film and other times 120) so I can see where having the branding might be useful to some, and would remind folks that Illford is around and does make film. OTOH I can also see folks objecting to the "free Advertising effect"

One thing I would not want would be the branding that was on the Illford 35mm Cine film. That had both footage numbers and "Illford Safety Film" printed every foot with the writing reading correctly from the EMULSION side. (It did make sense for a film editor to have the numbers reading right from that side., but misusing it for stills the writing is backwards on the proof sheets. I still have a few feet of Pan-F marked that way in my fridge from a close out 200ft roll I bought year and years ago)

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that the notch codes can be "read" in total darkness. This was probably their original intent. They can also be used, again in total darkness, to determine which side of the film is the emulsion side. So they are really more useful than edge markings.

 

[Xmas]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that the notch codes can be "read" in total darkness.

Badbadbad
This is not a practical thread way off topic…
hehehe
But in a similar vein photogs who had six or more identical blad backs would nail file an additional notch in each so they could tell which back a film with eg a light leak or bad frame space came from... don't everyone do that with dark slides/film holders?

 

[Toffle]

Badbadbad
This is not a practical thread way off topic…
hehehe
But in a similar vein photogs who had six or more identical blad backs would nail file an additional notch in each so they could tell which back a film with eg a light leak or bad frame space came from... don't everyone do that with dark slides/film holders?

I had a couple of 4x5 holders that were a little wonky. I threw the worst one away, but put the other one (unmarked) back into circulation. I kind of like that John Cage randomness - knowing I'm in control of a lot of things... just not everything. (and I still get interesting prints from it, though sometimes I have to crop.)

 

[StoneNYC]

I had a couple of 4x5 holders that were a little wonky. I threw the worst one away, but put the other one (unmarked) back into circulation. I kind of like that John Cage randomness - knowing I'm in control of a lot of things... just not everything. (and I still get interesting prints from it, though sometimes I have to crop.)

Do you shoot chromes? I don't think you would like it so much then...

 

[railwayman3]

I will say that I do occasionally see portraits that Fred Lum does for the Globe and Mail, he often uses a sheet of film with the makers name at the edge of the image to get a bit more eye capture effect. (sometimes sheet film and other times 120) so I can see where having the branding might be useful to some, and would remind folks that Illford is around and does make film. OTOH I can also see folks objecting to the "free Advertising effect"

There seems to be a fashion in magazines, etc., for printing pictures (no doubt digital originals!) inside an artificial frame of the edge of a 120 or 35mm film complete with edge markings.

Artistic....but more often that not you see color pictures with Tri-X edge markings, or B&W apparently taken on film with Ektachrome markings !

 

[AgX]

There are even "frames" given to photographs that consist of the back-side of an SX-70 film.

 

[Toffle]

Do you shoot chromes? I don't think you would like it so much then...

No, I don't, and on a retiree's fixed income, it's not likely that I will start any time soon.

Tom

 

[cmacd123]

There seems to be a fashion in magazines, etc., for printing pictures (no doubt digital originals!) inside an artificial frame of the edge of a 120 or 35mm film complete with edge markings.

But Fred Lum is actually one of us! I have seen him post on this board but I can't remember his screen name.

He has gone as far as using a Brownie Camera made in the same year as his subject was born to get the real effect.

 

[Nige]

Only once a year? This better not be a classic you're neglecting.

1970. If it was in original spec (it's not) it would be worth a lot of money as it's not only a classic, it's a highly collectable Aussie legend. Unfortunately (in hindsight!!!) I bought a modified one!

Now what was the topic of this thread

 

[railwayman3]

But Fred Lum is actually one of us! I have seen him post on this board but I can't remember his screen name.

He has gone as far as using a Brownie Camera made in the same year as his subject was born to get the real effect.

Yes, I wasn't referring to him, no problem when effects are genuinely analog.

 

[Truzi]

1970. If it was in original spec (it's not) it would be worth a lot of money as it's not only a classic, it's a highly collectable Aussie legend. Unfortunately (in hindsight!!!) I bought a modified one!

Now what was the topic of this thread

Nice... but how can you only drive that once a year? Blasphemy! lol.

 

[Nige]

Nice... but how can you only drive that once a year? Blasphemy! lol.

in one word.. kids!

I actually bled the brakes before this years 'drive around the block', which meant I actually had some retardation effect! That was good!

Hoping to spend some time and money on it this year...

 

[AgX]

Well, at least the tires have edge markings.

 

[StoneNYC]

Well, at least the tires have edge markings.

haha!

Edge Markings are SOOO cool... maybe it's just because every now and then I still get guys on here that think I somehow am a fake person who doesn't even shoot film haha. I swear I really shot this, it's real film too!

 

[Xmas]

haha!

Edge Markings are SOOO cool... maybe it's just because every now and then I still get guys on here that think I somehow am a fake person who doesn't even shoot film haha. I swear I really shot this, it's real film too!

View attachment 80145

so who took the selfie on your altar?

 

[StoneNYC]

so who took the selfie on your altar?

You mean the Avatar?

That is... An image not taken by "traditional methods" ... and was taken on a water taxi boat when I was working on a movie in NYC by one of the other people working on it, I think it could have been Louis Leterrier actually but I don't remember it was a couple years ago.