Because of National Intimate Apparel Market Week, there was no #fillmfriday post yesterday but here’s a film photography update for today.
Today’s Update by Joe Farace
For some time—it was slightly more than a year ago—I’ve been writing about and updating you on my attempt to buy a three-pack of Kodak Ultramax (24-exposure) color negative film from B&H for their bargain price of $19.99.
In March 2022, I ordered the film from B&H but was informed it was not in stock and was listed on their site as “back ordered.” B&H said they would keep me informed about when the film would be available to purchase. I received updates about every two weeks but on Friday April 28, 2023, I received the following: “This notification is sent on a first-come-first-served basis. The item was in stock and available for online purchase at the time we sent this email. However, we cannot guarantee that this item will remain available.” There was a button that said “Get Yours” and so I did. At the same I added a roll of Rollei’s Infrared 400 Black and White Negative Film to the order. So soon, I’ll have all kinds of interesting film to shoot—as soon as the weather improves. Look for reviews of all of these emulsions as well as the four films in Lomography’s Analogue Quartet, real soon now. Postscript: In case you wondered the film arrived—beautifully packed–yesterday.
Rollei Infrared 400 film (35mm)
Rollei’s Infrared 400 film is said/assumed to be manufactured by Agfa, as was my recent purchase of Rollei’s Paul and Reinhold black and white film. (See below) Rollei Infrared 400 is an infrared-sensitized panchromatic black and white negative film that has a nominal ISO sensitivity of 400. It’s also available in 120 rolls, which I would really like to try.
The film is sensitive to IR wavelengths up to 820nm and can be used to produce halation* effects with filtration and by varying exposure length. It is suitable for working in both daylight and tungsten conditions and is characterized by sharp, fine grain and high resolving power. The film has a good contrast profile with clear separation between shadow and highlight regions.
The film’s polyester base has been tested to an LE-500 (life expectancy 500 years) archival rating and features anti-curling and anti-static coatings, as well as a coating that promotes smooth film transport through the camera. Additionally, the clear base makes the processed film particularly well-suited to scanning applications.
*Halation is an effect that occurs when the bright areas of an image appear to softly bleed around the edges of dark areas. This is caused by light going through the emulsion layer, bouncing off the base of the film and exposing the adjacent emulsion.
Paul and Reinhold film
Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke founded Rollei in 1920. 100 years later, in 2020, the company celebrated the brand’s anniversary. by producing a limited edition, double pack of film dedicated to Paul and Reinhold. The commemorative case holds two rolls of black-and-white negative film, both of which carry the same emulsion.
Just like the two founders, these two rolls are intended to record, develop, and carry out the sharing of creative ideas. The film has a nominal sensitivity of ISO 640 and is said to have fine-grain and “natural contrasts,” whatever that means. Paul or Reinhold are supposed to have an exposure latitude of ISO 320– ISO 1600 and should be excellent for available light, action and street photography.
I never owned a Rollei but have always respected and admired their cameras. I have not shot either roll of the Rollei film yet but am looking forward to it soon. I plan to shoot one roll—at box speed—in one of my Canon A-series SLRs and the other in a Contax 167MT to, you know, see what happens. Based on my experience with having Mike’s Camera process black and white film, the Rollei film will be processed and scanned by The Darkroom in California.
I purchased my pack of Rollei film from Blue Moon Camera in Portland but its is currently out of stock there. If this film is of interest, you might want to try Unique Photo, who had some in stock at the time I wrote this.