kodak

Scanners the Achilles Heel

by EveNSteve

Click on the audio logo to listen to a rant on the future of film scanners. As mentioned in the audio, contact Kodak and let them know you want your $500 dedicated film scanner now!

Two great methods to let your voice be heard on this important topic:

Kodak CMO Jeffery Hayzlett on Twitter: @JeffreyHayzlett

Kodak Scanner Email Contact: kprodigital@kodak.com

If you can, do both!…let your voice be heard!… remember it is our medium! Please reference this article and the $500 dedicated film scanner in both your tweets and in your emails… pass this along to as many photographers as you know…if you get it as a tweet… retweet it and pass it on!

Fuji Discontinues A LOT of Color Films

by EveNSteve

After reading this post remember that it is always 5 o’clock somewhere so have a stiff drink ready…

I have yet to get the “official” release from Fuji but from what I gather the following is true:

Discontinued:

Velvia 50 4×5 quickload
Velvia 100 4×5 quickload
Velvia 100F 4×5 quickload
Provia 100F 4×5 quickload
Color 160s and 160c: 35, 120, 220, 4×5, 8×10, and 4×5 quickload
Color 800z: 35mm 5pack, 120 and 220
T64 in all formats
Neopan 400 in 120

Not gone only new packaging:

Provia 100F 4×5 and 8×10 now in 20 sheet boxes
Provia 100F 120 now in 5-packs
Arcos 100 120 now in 5-packs
Arcos 100 4×5 now in 20 sheet boxes.
Velvia 50, 100, 100F 4×5 and 8×10 now in 20 sheet boxes
Velvia 50, 100, 100F now in 5-packs

From what I gather this is effective immediately. So what does this mean?… 1. get a freezer and buy a lot of what you love and 2. Support companies like Kodak as they are quickly becoming the best option for the future of film…. did I mention they just released Ektar 4×5  and 8×10 sheet film? Fuji still has many amazing films so don’t despair…

One final thought… discontinuing of certain films may be ok in the long run as I mentioned in a recent interview with Scott Sheppard
Executive Producer/Anchor of Inside Analog Radio … as there are currently too many films offered for the existing size of the film-shooting market… I suspect that this attrition process will continue until we have hit a point at which each company produces their “best” films only and  in a quanity that can be sustained financially by film-shooting photographers.

If anyone has additional info please share…

A Snapshot of Insanity- Mardi Gras 2010

by EveNSteve

Yes, Mardi Gras is a bit over the top… but it is a spectacle that one has to see to believe. This quick video and snap shots were made with the help of my wife’s Kodak Easy Share camera and several shots of bourbon. (Bear in mind, all video and image were shot in the Garden District which is a far cry from the total insanity of the French Quarter…)

As for my actual artworks I will start processing film tomorrow- yes in Caffenol C!- and I will post examples soon.

Kodak Ektar 100 Now in 4×5 and 8×10 Sheets

by EveNSteve

Here is some happy film news! Eastman Kodak has just announced this morning that the very popular color negative material Kodak Ektar film (C41 process) is now going to be offered in sheet film size for 4″ x 5″ and 8″ x 10″… these new sizes complement the already offered 35mm and 120 film sizes. I have written here on FR on the strengths of this film and think this is a very positive move on Kodak’s part. Now if I could just find a lab here in Vermont who still processes C41 sheet film I’d be all set…

Here is an attached PDF that is the official release information from Kodak.

Kodak BW400CN and Fuji Acros Compared in Caffenol C

by EveNSteve

Here is an interesting side by side… shot within a few minutes of each other. The BW400CN is an EI of 200 (this film in my Caffenol C process has a very usable EI range from 50-800). The Fuji Acros is an EI of 100 (box speed… depending on processing time the Acros has a usable EI from 50-800). Both can go further in either direction but this range is the real sweet spot. The crops represent a 4″ x 4″ from a 20″ x 20″ image size… yes the BW400CN has more grain but it is much sharper and I am not sure the grain would even print at the 20″ x 20″ size. Both films have fantastic reciprocity characteristics with no adjustment required until 120 sec.

When you hover over the image it will give the description of the thumbnail.

Viva la Revolution-

Stephen

Kodak 400TX Caffenol Test

by EveNSteve

As you know I’ve been doing a lot of testing with Caffenol C in preparation for my book The Photographer’s Coffee Break but this morning I needed to run a quick test with Caffenol (no C) and Kodak 400TX… the results are really nice. With the Caffenol you get a usable film speed around 100 with nice contrast and grain… what’s not to like? Additionally, I have been spending time testing different methods to eliminate edge density which is very common on Caffenol and Caffenol C processed films- this morning I think I nailed it… more testing this afternoon but this image had no edge density which my previous tests with this film and others did have.

Kodak 400TX Caffenol Process

Stay tuned…

Viva la Revolution-

Stephen

Kodak BW400CN Processed in Caffenol C

by EveNSteve

The testing continues… BW400CN (C-41) by Kodak processed in my tweaked Caffenol C… the testing for this film is almost done… usable EI is around EI 50 – 400 / 800 all with the same processing time! Grain has a nice defined presence but not overpowering. A big advantage to this material beyond the flexability of the EI as mentioned above is the fact that is has fantastic reciprocity characteristics (no compensation required till 120 seconds) and it is very easy to scan on almost any scanner.

Below is a sample image shot with my Leica MP with a 28mm lens – the EI for this shot is 200. The dark barn board above the doors was placed at Zone 3… the light snow outside which has full detail is Zone 16!! This is a straight scan with minor adjustments in PS for contrast / levels… more soon.

Here is an example just for comparision of the same test shot on Kodak Tmax 400 processed in PMK using the technique outline here… instant coffee is looking pretty dam good!

Note: both shots were done using only natural light.