Film Photography News

New Gear For 2007: PMA Report; New And Newly-Reinforced Films

Robert E. Mayer | Jul 1, 2007

After a thorough walk about the entire two-floor trade show at the 2007 PMA this old photographer was pleasantly surprised to learn that in spite of some type or form of digitizing being involved in nearly everything photographic displayed at the show, film is not dead--yet!

The Agfa brand is getting back into the market in the U.S.A. with Vista color negative 100, 200, and 400 speeds and Precisa 100 and APX 100 black and white film, all available only in 35mm format. Fuji is reintroducing a reformulated Fujichrome Velvia 50 (RVP 50) color transparency film in 35mm, 120, and 4x5 sheet formats. It will have high contrast, high color saturation, neutral gray uniformity, excellent shadow depth, and fine grain. The previous Velvia 50 film was discontinued in 2005 when problems in obtaining some of the key raw materials arose. The last existing stocks of the prior film ran out in 2006. The new film will become available this summer.

Fuji Velvia 50

Ilford has reintroduced some of their specialist films, starting with Ilford SFX 200 black and white in both 35mm and 120 size. This unique film has extended red-spectrum sensitivity, thus it is especially suitable for landscapes and mountainscapes where it adds high density to green foliage and makes clouds stand out in open, blue sky. For architecture it emphasizes contrasts and textures. When combined with a Cokin red SFX 200 filter or similar the results are more pronounced. It will be offered in a three-roll pack combined with a Cokin red filter.

Ilford SFX 200

Kodak has reformulated and is reintroducing Kodak Gold 100 film with more color saturation and fine grain for excellent sharpness and big enlargements. Faster Kodak Gold 200 film has even brighter colors than before and deeper color saturation. Rebranded are Kodak Ultra Max 400 (formerly labeled Kodak Max Versatility 400) and the same name change applies for Kodak Ultra Max 800.