Will we eventually see HR-50 in sheets?

[m00dawg]

Heya ADOX!

First, my apologies as I probably derailed you latest IG post about how awesome CMS 20 is (super excited to give it a go once my 5 pack arrives!) Second, I know the answer is probably not anytime soon since ya'll have plenty of stuff to do and are doing some amazing stuff (XT-3!!!!! YES!!!!)

But I was curious as to if we might see HR-50 in sheets soonish, maybe in a year, longer, never? While I've been generally happy with the look I get from a certain other IR sheet film, that base is just sooooo thin that it is hard to work with and also seems like I've been getting some pinholes here and there with it. I rather enjoy HR-50 in 35mm (though admittedly haven't tried IR with it yet) and I think it would be really fun in 4x5 - for normal shooting but especially trying it out for IR applications?

I'll admit it might not replace CHS ii for my everyday 4x5 shooting but there are a few things I would have in mind (besides IR) where I think the HR50 look would work well and 4x5 is my favorite format (though you have sold me on giving CMS 20 a go in 35mm!)

Again my apologize but I couldn't help to ask. Thank you for everything you do, and I know it's a lot and it's all wonderful!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

If it came out in sheet sizes, I'd definitely try it!

 

[Lachlan Young]

@m00dawg As HR-50 starts life as an Agfa technical film product (from what I understand), its availability in easy-to-handle sheet formats will likely depend on whether it is available on the thick polyester base as well as the thinner polyester base material used for the 135 version. A lot of Agfa's aerial and technical materials seem to be coated mainly on the thinner & extra thin polyester bases, while the lab/ intermediate materials often seem to offer a choice of the thin or thick polyester bases.

 

[m00dawg]

@m00dawg As HR-50 starts life as an Agfa technical film product (from what I understand), its availability in easy-to-handle sheet formats will likely depend on whether it is available on the thick polyester base as well as the thinner polyester base material used for the 135 version. A lot of Agfa's aerial and technical materials seem to be coated mainly on the thinner & extra thin polyester bases, while the lab/ intermediate materials often seem to offer a choice of the thin or thick polyester bases.

I was wondering about that yep. Given CMS also has its roots as a technical film, and given Adox's HR-50 docs mention sheet films; I'm hopeful we might see it at some point. My suspicion is probably not soon given other more pressing issues (PWT, MCC, supplying currently available sheet films, like the beautiful CHS ii, etc.). Still it's something I would love to see! IR is just soooo fun!

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

We have been working on implementing our speed boost technology on 120 and sheet formats but it is more complicated than expected and under COVID most R&D came to a standstill since measures taken to protect our employes and governmental restrictions strained our capacities to an extend that it was a challenge to keep the business operational in the way we kept it over the past year.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

So there is hope, then.

 

[m00dawg]

Completely understood, thanks for getting back to me about that! I'm glad ya'll have been able to make it through the storm as it were! Sounds like there's a lot to look forward to post-pandemic. Point taken as well, I'll enjoy what is available today (the beautiful CHS ii is my favorite 4x5 stock for instance and I'm quite loving it in 35mm as well!) and continue to be hopeful about the future!

 

[JWMster]

FWIW, I'm pulling for ADOX to offer more of its films in 4x5 sheet format, but then it appears I've overestimated the ease of doing so... assuming the other formats were simply cut down from larger material that could be sourced. Guess not. Rats!

 

[m00dawg]

FWIW, I'm pulling for ADOX to offer more of its films in 4x5 sheet format, but then it appears I've overestimated the ease of doing so... assuming the other formats were simply cut down from larger material that could be sourced. Guess not. Rats!

Indeed 120 and 4x5 are, usually, on a different and thicker base compared to 35mm. That's not always the case as I think the Rollei IR stuff might be use the same base across all the formats? Either way, it's very thin compared to a normal sheet for sure. And certainly better than not having it at all but definitely has some caveats as a result - it's precariously easy to create a kink in the film for instance - even when simply sliding the sheets into a PrintFile.

Adox uses a different base between 35mm and 4x5 with CHS ii for sure (I shoot both) and am nearly positive that's the case for CMS and would expect that would also be the same for HR50. I certainly hope so if/when it does come out in sheets since it would offer an IR solution on a proper sheet base and make things so much easier to work with. HR50 is certainly different than Rollei IR 400 - I like the look of both, but they are different. So I would likely continue to use both in the smaller formats, but in 4x5 would probably switch to only using HR50 for IR work.

 

[Lachlan Young]

@m00dawg for normal still imaging products, 135 is usually on a thicker base than 120, but a thinner base than sheet film. Some 120 products use a slightly thicker than 'normal' 120 base - or the 135 base. Some products like aerial roll film can be on even thinner bases than 120, & film pack was 120 film base cut into sheet formats.

 

[m00dawg]

@m00dawg for normal still imaging products, 135 is usually on a thicker base than 120, but a thinner base than sheet film. Some 120 products use a slightly thicker than 'normal' 120 base - or the 135 base. Some products like aerial roll film can be on even thinner bases than 120, & film pack was 120 film base cut into sheet formats.

Ah that makes sense since a lot of Rollei's product line-up is based on aerial films as I recall.