Anscochrome 500 Film Tested

For their July 1967 issue Modern Photography tests Ansco's latest slide film.

 

 

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Next Modern tests Kodak 2475 high-speed B&W film.

 

 

 

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Here is Modern's latest exposure meter guide.

 

 

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Here is an article on how to better control your exposure.

 

 

 

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Here is a new competitor for Polaroid named Chrislin.

 

 

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Let's go behind the scenes.

 

 

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Bennett Sherman discusses the optical bench.

 

 

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Patricia Caulfield advises you to test your slide film.

 

 

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Keppler looks at TTL metering systems.

 

 

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Ed Scully talks about a built-in exposure meter that always works, can't be broken and never needs new batteries or service.

 

 

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Ed Meyers looks at built-in TTL meters vs handheld.

 

 

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Here is this month's Too Hot to Handle column.

 

 

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Here are this month's Modern Tests.

 

 

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Switching over to US Camera magazine Ed Hannigan looks at the used camera market.

 

 

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The Leica M4 makes its debut.

 

 

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Here is a test report on the Nikon Photomic Tn meter/finder.

 

 

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Here are this month's camera equipment ads.

 

 

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Here are this month's dealer ads.

 

 

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Nice look back. I actually tried a roll of 2475 in the mid 1970's even used the recommended DK-50 developer. Still have the negatives somewhere. And yes it was grainy.

As always, very appreciative.

 

As for GAF 500, I was a (murky and grainy) fan boy.

 

A couple of years after it was cancelled, someone called it "the worst slide film ever", but there were always shots you couldn't really get any other way.

 

With this pair, almost anything was possible

 

If I recall, they also had a neat little inexpensive DIY developing kit, came in a little red box. Can't recall for sure, but I believe it did two rolls. Used the film on a few occasions -- as you say, grain or not sometimes it was the only way to get the shot.

That Anscochrome 500 (later sold as GAF 500) was amazing stuff in its day. But fast color slide film really came into its own with Ektachrome 400 and the Fuji equivalent. Both could take a one stop push without losing too much quality.

Plenty of 2475 in my film fridge. Still has cool grain, but massive base fog. About 1.0 density! I shoot at EI 200.

Who, of a certain age, can forget Henry Fonda saying G A F!

In the early 70's GAF sold a color print film in 126 cartridges which included a free flashcube. As far as grain in the Ansco/GAF 500, GAF admits there is grain as one suggestion for its use in later ads is "shooting for grain". I admit I never tried any of the Anscochromes, but I did use some of the 126 as well as some Super 8 GAF movie film.