Another Desperate Plea for Kodak Plus-X

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 their email address: Profilm@Kodakalaris.com

Edited August 10, 2021 by 25asa

Everybody loved Panatomic-X, but it wasn't reflected in sales. AFAIK, the stuff was discontinued mainly due to low sales volume, and that was when black and white films were still selling well. I loved it and when it was right for the subject, nothing could beat it. Still, with all the film I shot, I shot very little Panatomic-X. A really good film, don't laugh, was Verichrome Pan. Multi-coated and able to handle a wide range of conditions, it was underrated stuff. A similar film was Ektapan (sp?). I think it may have been a more highly developed type of Verichrome, but that's just a hunch. My best 4x5 shots were on Ektapan.

 

I wonder if the "bad" chemical problem had more to do with keeping qualities than anything else. It seemed after a certain point, the legendary keeping qualities of some films and papers were no more.

By the way, if you wait for a response from Kodak, you'll be like the knight in Bergman's 7th Seal, listening futilely for an answer to whether God exists.

email to Kodak sent.

I would love to also see Verichrome Pan return, both in 35 mm, and in 120 roll film. A great emulsion, with a lot of latitude. Made pleasing images, in my Instamatic days, made me a B&W fan. That and Plus-X would be great Black & White formulas to revive and give Kodak Alaris a good range of conventional grained emulsions.

I loved the tones and overall appearance of the images I got with Plus-X, and was sad when it was discontinued. I learned to live with TMX for a while but mostly switched to TMY-2 after it came out.

I wish this film come back

 

Edited September 18, 2021 by alain_gauthier

example

église méthodiste - Rivière-la-guerre

 

sorry: i am unable to download a picture... :(

I shot Plus X and Tri X in all formats starting in the late 60s. Here's a shot done in the evening outdoors at a party . I was stuck with Plux X in the camera and the light was fading fast. I had to shoot my Nikon F at wide open (50mm 1.4) and 1/15 sec hand held. Hence, the creamy softness.

I was stuck with Plux X in the camera and the light was fading fast. I had to shoot my Nikon F at wide open (50mm 1.4) and 1/15 sec hand held. Hence, the creamy softness.

 

Lovely candid portrait. Forgive my cropping and sharpening, but I think Plus X has a creamy softness affect inherent in the film itself, due to handling mid tones so well.

 

What a beautiful smile

I shot Plus-X for many years.

When it stopped being available i had no problem transitioning to FP4

For that matter, most of the papers i dealt with are no longer available.

They play differently, but i am also happy with the MG Fiber Paper that is still being produced.

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

 

I've got shots on Plus-X that I'd gladly exchange for the same pictures on T-max 100.

 

Honestly, the guys and gals at Kodak, Ilford, Agfa, Fuji, et al, have worked really hard for you over the years, to give you ever-improved products, and all their thanks is - "Why aren't you still making the same old cr*p that you used to?"