Agfa back in production (in North America) ?

[giverin]

<p>I've just come across this press release which it fairly recent:-<br>

<a href="http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/agfa-film-re-introduced-in-north-america/2/">http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/agfa-film-re-introduced-in-north-america/2/</a><br>

I don't know if this means that they are starting production of agfa film again or just distrubuting stock that has already been produced. Good news for you guys on the other side of the pond anyway.</p>

 

[dweezil]

<p>Given that ferrania is in the equation I doubt that this is the genuine agfa film as far as the color products are concerned.<br>

I'm more thinking about re-badged ferrania film, which isn't bad but its no agfa. As for the APX100 the thing that I would like to hear most about it is that they will be doing 120 again. Sadly that is the one thing that we never hear in the near continuous stream of rumours we get to hear about agfa since it's demise in 2005.<br>

Strangely enough, reintroducing APX100 in 120 format would probably the thing that would sell them the most B&W film given the current rush to MF by amateur enthusiasts.</p>

 

[aplumpton]

<p>Paul, Erwin-</p>

<p>Is there not a project by another company to restart some parts of AGFA film production line in Europe in one of the former Soviet bloc countries? I would guess that the availability of emulsion materials might be difficult. </p>

<p>Like Erwin, I think that the AGFA APX 100 in 120 format was a great film and one which would please many who are using digital for colour but want to get high quality B&W via the film route (and either scanning/printing or the very pleasurable darkroom printmaking). </p>

[JDMvW]

<blockquote>

<p>restart some parts of AGFA film production line in Europe in one of the former Soviet bloc countries</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As a matter of interest, the <em><strong>original</strong> </em> Agfa plant in Wolfen in the former east zone, continued to make film after German reunification (Wiedervereinigung). In the DDR days it was known as ORWO (standing for <strong>OR</strong> iginal <strong>WO</strong> lfen) and it still is in business (<a href="http://www.filmotec.de/English_Site/english_site.html">link</a> ).</p>

<p>Although it apparently sells no film today for amateur use directly, Subbarayan Prasanna has found what is apparently film from this plant in repackaged form in India (perhaps Nova SilverPlus, and most likely a Nova brand that is actually called NP22, one of the old ORWO brand names.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[User_502260]

<p>I ordered ORWO film directly from the company after 1989. It was repackaged Ilford stock with the 125 and 400 speed 35mm film being PF4+ and HP5+. I later bought some of it from a U.S. mail order seller. There was also a 100 speed 120 size film which may have also been FP4+. I developed it using the FP4+ times and it was fine. It would be fun to get a large roll of their current b&w 35mm motion picture stock to experiment with. I may try to contact them directly because there probaby won't be any U.S. distributors. I only wish the dollar was a little stronger against the euro.</p>

[kparratt]

<p>The production Agfa B&W APX film has been terminated. If it were in production, 120 as well as large formats would be available along side the 35mm under the Agfa APX label.<br>

If you want APX 120, 100/400, buy <strong><a href="http://www.mahn.net/TARRete.pdf">Rollei Retro</a> </strong> while it lasts. Rollei Retro 100 and 400 as roll film 120, are cut from the "last fresh and improved" master rolls of AGFA APX 100 and 400.<br>

If you are serious, and you want to keep using it for the rest of photographic life, invest in a cubic meter of the stuff, fill the freezer and get on with it.<br>

AgfaPhoto do not manufacture film. Agfa's amateaur & professional consumer film manufacturing business is dead<br /> and dismembered. At <strong><a href="http://www.agfaphoto.com/appc/content_manager/page.php?ID=193789&dbc=e24261743f2f6d4b0c72d52b6b5c8f23">AgfaPhoto.com</a> </strong> though, you <em>can</em> download an historical <strong><a href="http://www.mahn.net/TARRete.pdf">technical data PDF</a> </strong> , showing all the now non-existent professional films. It is little more than decor, like nailing a wagon wheel to the front of a house, giving the impression that it might be ranch.<br>

Agfa-Geveart however, do manufacture films, but only for scientific and industrial applications. One of these products, thanks to the entrepreneurship of Maco, is available to us as the excellent <strong><a href="http://macodirect.de/rollei-infrared-c-1_6_56_140.html">Rollei Infrared</a> </strong> . Maco have done the work to test and offer companion chemistry, allowing us to use this film as either panchromatic or IR film, as well we can buy it in convenient 35mm, 120, 70mm and 4x5 sheet film.<br>

In an attempt to allay further confusion, Agfa-Geveart even publish a <strong><a href="http://agfa.com/en/co/news_events/press_archive_months/press_releases/CO20090804_DisclaimerAgfaPhoto.jsp">disclaimer regarding AgfaPhoto</a> </strong> .</p>

<p>Back to the 'announcement', with the exception of the 35mm Agfa APX, the other films being 're-introduced to the US', are all the familiar old hobby/tourist products. It has nothing to do with a reincarnation of the professional films. It is a marketing exercise to move the cool stored, butter mountain of those hobby/tourist consumer products.<br>

No doubt though, in spite of easy access to all the facts, rumor from the bowels of blogs will prevail.</p>

[Aoresteen]

<p>When I was stationed in Germany in the early 1980's I used quite a bit of ORWO film and at that time it was NOT Ilford stock. I found the 100 ASA stock to be quite good but the 27 DIN stuff was a bit grainy.</p>