What Black and White film would you like to see revived?

Technical Pan. Nice to see Pan F is still available. Hopefully get back into 120 this year.

My absolute favorite of all time; Verichrome Pan and in 120 and 220. Last I saw of it it only came in 620. And anything in 220, but preferentially Tri-X (ASA 320) and Ilford FP-4 in 220 as well.

Agfa APX 100, the real 1995 version.

For me it would have to be Panatomic X in 35mm and 120. And also Plus X in those formats. I wouldn't mind Verichrome Pan as well, but I didn't use it enough to really get an idea on it. Pan X is still on Ebay at times, and have picked up the odd roll over the years. It keeps very well, but the grain does get bigger with age.

Agfapan APX 100 and 25 the original 1995 version, as danny_o' says.

... in a heart beat.

Edited March 10, 2019 by kparratt

For me it would have to be Panatomic X in 35mm and 120. And also Plus X in those formats. I wouldn't mind Verichrome Pan as well, but I didn't use it enough to really get an idea on it. Pan X is still on Ebay at times, and have picked up the odd roll over the years. It keeps very well, but the grain does get bigger with age.

 

Yes, I think I have two 100 foot rolls of FX. And some 36 exposure rolls, too. Maybe Plus-X, too.

None!

 

In this era of digital photography I consider myself still lucky to still have Foma 100, 200 and 400 in 120 format readily available. Wonderful stuff!

Agfa APX 100.

 

still exists!

ANYTHING in 122 size. While I have a lot of expired VP122, it has lost some speed. Some great cameras in the "3A" size.

 

As for Verichrome Pan in 135, I suspect Kodak never made it because VP has rather modest "acutance." It's not that sharp. It would be noticeable in enlargements from 35mm.

 

I've got three 100' rolls of Panatomic-X, so I'm supplied there. But I'm quite happy with T-MAX 100 and 400.

ANYTHING in 122 size. While I have a lot of expired VP122, it has lost some speed. Some great cameras in the "3A" size.

 

As for Verichrome Pan in 135, I suspect Kodak never made it because VP has rather modest "acutance." It's not that sharp. It would be noticeable in enlargements from 35mm.

 

(snip)

 

But there is VP in 126 (35mm width) and 110 (16mm width).

 

Both are supposed to be capable of sharp images with good lenses.

 

The Instamatic 7xx, 8xx, and reflex should have good enough lenses.

Definitely learning a lot from this thread. Thanks for the info, fellas!

I want Plus-X and real APX100, not the Kentmere-made stuff you can get now.

In Kodak literature, (I don't have the exact reference in front of me at the moment), Plus-X, which was available in 35mm, was promoted to be similar to VP, thus Kodak never felt the need to make VP in 35mm. Ironically, they did make it in the 828 size, which by all format purposes was the same as or very close to 35mm.

 

In my view, there wasn't a lot in common anyway between PX and VP; to me, PX was harsher and contrastier* as opposed to VP's creamy tonal transitions.

 

*Not to say I don't like PX, because I do. ;)

 

I really miss good old Verichrome Pan, and that would be lovely to revive in 35 mm and 120 roll film.

Another vote for the „real” APX 100.

And I miss Neopan 1600, shot many concerts and sports-events with it back in the 1990s.

VP also came in 126 and 110, which probably sold a lot more than 828.

126 is 35mm wide, 110 is 16mm wide.

 

But no 135.

I sent Kodak Alaris an email letter today, asking them to re-introduce two old emulsions. I would suggest if any of you also have interest in these two old films, to also email them and ask for them to make it again. Here was my letter to Kodak:

 

"Not much has been happening lately, but Kodak mentioned a year or two ago, that they are considering other films for re-introduction onto the market.

 

Can I suggest 2 B&W films of yours from the past, I'd like to see being made again? First off is an easy one- Kodak Plus X. This was a really good film for outdoor photography, especially on sunny days. It darkened the skies without filters, and with wood, really brought out the grain in the wood. I loved the look of this film, and would like to see it back on the market, even if on a limited run basis. 35mm and 120 please.

 

The other film is a little more complicated then Plus X, but I believe Kodak could pull it off. This is Panatomic X. Here is an old fashioned looking film that for its slow speed, had mid to lower contrast, even in sun. Most low speed films around 25 ISO have very high contrast, but not Pan X. The mid tones off this film were very very good. Lots of tones in the midrange. Grain was also small enough as well. I realize Panatomic X was made in the past with a now banned chemical- Cadmium. I believe with Kodaks expertise, the film could be slightly reformulated, so it could replace such chemical. Panatomic X had such unbelievable good keeping qualities, that films of this from quite a few decades back, still can produce a very usable result if shot today. Not many films today can say that. This film just didn't fog much over time. And the old fashioned look this film gives, doesn't compare to other films out there today. I understand TMAX 100 is this films replacement, but honestly, the look between the two films aren't even close. The look of the grain for example, or the tones. TMAX 100 looks rather blah to me in comparison. Panatomic X just seems to have more life in its photos. And it has a glow quality as well. This is what a lot of mid tones can do for a film. The prices of Pan X on Ebay have crept up over the years, and when its currently sold as old NOS Stock, its bought up quickly and for good money too. I petition to Kodak to at least do 1 run of this film to test the waters, so people can see what they have been missing over the years.

 

If Ilford can make their traditional grain and also T-grain B&W films still today with both being available, I think Kodak could make it work with bringing back Plus X and Panatomic X to market. With the Millenials getting into film more today, and film on the rebound, I fail to see why Kodak Alaris wouldn't consider bringing back these two older film stocks. Plus X should also be brought back for motion picture use as well.

 

Send this email to the proper people in Kodaks ranks, and please consider my and others interests in these two old films. There are people out there that want both of these to come back. The fact Panatomic X was available as an Aerial film up to the 2000s, makes me think it is still doable.

 

I'd love to hear a response on my email from you on this. Let me know if Kodak has plans for new films to come out at some point.

 

Scott Pickering- BC Canada"

Here is Alaris' email address: Profilm@Kodakalaris.com

website says: contact-us@kodakalaris.com

 

but maybe yours is more specific.

 

Or for actual mail:

 

KODAK ALARIS US HEADQUARTERS

336 Initiative Drive

Rochester, NY 14624

888-242-2424

Well ok, one more... Kodak’s T400CN, their first B&W C-41 film. It’s paler orange mask compared to its replacements (BW400CN, etc.) lent itself to easy conventional printing while facilitating machine printing at the same time. It’s the only film I felt that ever came closest in tonality to Verichrome Pan.

 

This film would be well worth reviving. I liked it a lot. Excellent tonality. I'd even settle for having BW400CN back.

Just curious.....what do You think of FP4.?

I switched to Ilford when Plus-X was discontinued and i have no complaints.

I, kind of, automatically abandoned Tri-X and picked up the HP5 habit at the same time. I like both of them very much.

Then again, i am just a hack "Street Photographer" that shoots 35mm 97% of the time. I have a RB67, but i am too lazy to use it near as often as i would like to.

Anyway.....Thanks.

I appreciate for your input (if you are still listening)

 

I like Ilford FP4+ just fine for outdoor work in good light.

Agfa APX 100 definitely and Fuji Neopan 400 (but HP5+ comes close).

Either Agfa APX 100 or Kodak Plus-X. I am not crazy about my results with Ilford FP4!

While just based on my use of the film, I've gotten tones from Rollei Ortho 25 that reminded me somewhat of Panatomic-X, although the reds are dark rather than normal shades of monochrome as with Panatomic-X. My developer for both was Kodak's HC110.

Plus X

A couple of years ago I would have thought it was impossible for any film to be revived, but I guess we've learned that isn't true. I'd sure like to see Kodak HIE revived personally, or at least a real deep infrared film. Trouble is digital infrared is a bit too good with converted sensors.

[ATTACH=full]1267766[/ATTACH]

 

Stories are that IR films were made for CIA spies. When the spies stopped needing them, Kodak stopped making them.

Though that doesn't explain things like IR127.

 

In a question in another group about IR film I mentioned IR127, which I knew about from a book years ago.

It turned out that there was a roll for sale on eBay at just that time, maybe from the 1950's. (And so not likely any good at all, except for collecting.)

 

There are two Facebook groups, one called "Expired film collectors" and the other called "Vintage film shooters".

The people in the former like collecting, but don't at all like discussion of using it. So some collector bought the IR127.

 

So, I believe it was made for spies, but also for fun.