E6?

[Rhoyle]

I put the question mark in the title because I'm wondering about the near term future of E6. Kodak has killed it off completely. Fuji has said nothing, so I'm hoping they'll continue. I'm really bothered by this for two reasons.

1) The best color and contrast that I've gotten on any photograph has been with E100G on my 60 year-old Rolleiflex.

2) I'm hoping to buy a Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm in the very near future.


In reference to #1 above, it's not in any way a statement against any other film, it's just that E100G was by far my favorite. I'll try some Fuji Provia 100F and see how that works. Although Velvia is an outstanding film, I find it just a little bit "edgy" in the saturation department. Also, I've tried some new Portra 160 in 35mm. I first thought it looked a little dull, until I looked a little closer. It really grew on me and I can punch it up quite successfully if need be on the computer.

In reference to #2, should I really spend over $800 for a lens that I might not be able to use for more than just a couple of years out? I've wanted this lens for the beautiful color/contrast rendition and I see it as a lifetime investment. I've been wanting one of these for some time now and I've now got the opportunity to buy, plus they've just become available again after many months of being backordered.

A Leica digital M is out of the question. It doesn't look like anyone else is jumping in line to produce an affordable DRF. So what now?

From everywhere I've heard, B+W seems fairly safe. I enjoy the do it yourself process of Plus-X (GONE!) and D76. Plus Ilford seems to have both feet on the ground with B+W. But color very well may end up being on the EVIL DSLR. It'll be a great loss and I'm afraid that it's coming sooner than I expected.

[kmallick]

why fret over the future thats not in your control? Enjoy the E-6 thats still available. Go out and shoot E-6 as much as you can. Thats what I am trying to do.

As for the Planar 50, you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy it NOW and in the future by adapting to either a digital M mount camera or some other M-mount compatible camera (like NEX, Four Thirds etc.)

[charjohncarter]

I try not to worry, but I still do. I'm using Astia100 and Velvia100 right now and will probably try some others. I tell myself that Portra160 is great, and it is. But there is something about E6.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

I put the question mark in the title because I'm wondering about the near term future of E6. Kodak has killed it off completely. Fuji has said nothing, so I'm hoping they'll continue. I'm really bothered by this for two reasons.

1) The best color and contrast that I've gotten on any photograph has been with E100G on my 60 year-old Rolleiflex.

2) I'm hoping to buy a Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm in the very near future.


In reference to #1 above, it's not in any way a statement against any other film, it's just that E100G was by far my favorite.

Well, Astia was my favourite, but that got killed by Fuji. But Provia is no mean film either, and that one will probably be about until the end.

In any case, Kodak killing E6 is due to the fact that they still turn out large amounts of C-41 compatible film, in the shape of motion picture print stock - if their consultants want them to reduce diversity, slide is the obvious victim. Besides, they have not held up too well against Fuji regarding slide film ever since the nineties, at least outside the US. For Fuji, there is no synergy effect from which either slide or CN could benefit, so they will hardly pull out of slide, where they have been market leader and now are monopolist, in favour of CN. But of course they might drop film entirely.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

I2) I'm hoping to buy a Zeiss ZM Planar 50mm in the very near future.

In reference to #2, should I really spend over $800 for a lens that I might not be able to use for more than just a couple of years out? I've wanted this lens for the beautiful color/contrast rendition and I see it as a lifetime investment. I've been wanting one of these for some time now and I've now got the opportunity to buy, plus they've just become available again after many months of being backordered.

I don't see why a Zeiss ZM Planar wouldn't work just as well with C-41 or traditional B&W films.

[HHPhoto]

It is very easy:

1. As long as we shoot E6 films, Fuji will produce them. The more we shoot, the higher is the likeniness that E6 will stay.
There are some rumours here in Germany, that if Fuji will stop production in the future, InovisCoat will start to produce E6 films and fill the gap.

Now is the time to shoot reversal film, the more the better. Use the time. The wonderful slides we have, we have for the rest of our life and can enjoy them. No one can take them away from us.
Carpe diem.

2. The difference between E100G and Provia 100F is not so big. Contrast is the same. Provia 100F is strictly neutral balanced, whereas E100G is a bit warmer.
Provia 100F has minimal finer grain and looks a little bit sharper.
But the difference is extremely small.
If you want Provia 100F to look like E100G, just use 100F with a very light warm filter like a Skylight 1A.
Then it is indeed very difficult to distinguish these two.
By the way, both E100G and Provia 100F have finer grain and higher resolution compared to Reala, Pro 160, Portra and Ektar. With both you get the best detail rendition.

I recommend to try Provia 400X as well: Excellent skin tones, natural, vivid colors, medium contrast (like E100G and Provia 100F), finest grain and highest resolution ISO 400 color film (better than Pro 400H and Portra 400).
Excellent results pulled at ISO250, pushed at 800, and even very good results pushed at 1600.
An excellent all around film.

Cheers, Jan

[Rhoyle]

If I decide to get the Planar, and I probably will, I'll do more BW, and mess with the Provia and do more with Portra. The results should be very good, but it'll take some getting used to.

Two of my sources (my lab and my pro photo supply store) tell me that Kokak will soon be killing off its E6 chemicals as well. Does Fuji produce E6 chemistry? They are also telling me that film's days are now officially numbered unless Kodak sells off its film division and someone else runs with it.

I think time is really ripe now for a new digital M rangefinder. If Zeiss could put out a DRF based on the Ikon, I'd be willing to bet that it would sell quite well. They's sell moe of their lenses as well.

[Rhoyle]

HHPhoto, do you know if InovisCoat is producing films that are readily available for sale in the marketplace, or are they only producing on a contract basis? I saw on their website that they've got AGFA's machinery and technology. Possibilities exist.

[HHPhoto]

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

Two of my sources (my lab and my pro photo supply store) tell me that Kokak will soon be killing off its E6 chemicals as well.

So what? Fuji and Tetenal are producing E6 chemistry. If Kodak really stops, that doesn't matter at all.
Even if Fuji and Tetenal would stop it, then CPAC, Calbe, Adox, Suvatlar, Photographers Formulary can produce it.
Production of developers is easy. That is not rocket science at all. Alone in Germany there are 5 manufacturers of photo chemistry.
All smaller and very flexible companies.

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

Does Fuji produce E6 chemistry?

Yes. See above.

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

They are also telling me that film's days are now officially numbered unless Kodak sells off its film division and someone else runs with it.

They tell you nonsense. If Kodak really stop production, which is unlikely because their film production is profitable (despite of their digital units) than that will give a huge boost in demand to Fuji, Lucky, Agfa-Gevaert, Ilford, Foma, Fotokemika, Tasma, Adox, InovisCoat.
There are enough film manufacturers to fill the gap.

Cheers, Jan

[HHPhoto]

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

HHPhoto, do you know if InovisCoat is producing films that are readily available for sale in the marketplace, or are they only producing on a contract basis?

Currently on a contract basis. If they would start production of slide films, then most probably in cooperation with both AgfaPhoto/Lupus Imaging and Adox. The films then most probably will be sold under the AgfaPhoto and Adox brand.

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

I saw on their website that they've got AGFA's machinery and technology. Possibilities exist.

They are already producing the original Agfa MCP and MCC paper, which is sold as Adox MCC and MCP.
They are producing Dye Transfer materials, and are working for the Impossible Project and help them developing the new instant color films.
All their staff, and also all their machinery is from the old Agfa plant in Leverkusen in Germany.

Cheers, Jan

[kuzano]

Originally Posted by Rhoyle

In reference to #2, should I really spend over $800 for a lens that I might not be able to use for more than just a couple of years out?

Desire and means...

When I want something as bad as you seem to want that lens, and if I have the means to get it... I do it!

Reasoning???

As you point out, you have the opportunity, but you are concerned about whether you may be able to use it two years from now.

Hell, you may get 6 good shots out of it, and one day soon, step off the curb and get flattened by a Truck.

Surely you've heard the saying..... Life is short.... Eat dessert first.