Orphaned films and developers

rpj · 10-15-2009

I have been reading some of Roger's books and writings and realized that things have changed since I last had a darkroom. For one thing, many films have disappeared and many developers also. Some have come back under different names or ownership and some have sort of returned (maybe) under very convoluted methods. One I have noticed as a big mystery is Paterson films and chemicals. They used to be highly spoken of by Roger (I used to use them), but now they seem to have vanished. Are they still available, only available in certain countries, or have they disappeared forever?

Roger Hicks · 10-15-2009

According to their web-site, Paterson FX39 is now available again, but I'll call them and check...

Cheers,

R.

Leigh Youdale · 10-17-2009

Check out <http://www.novadarkroom.com/cat/116/Paterson.html> and click on the images.

JohnTF · 10-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpj

I have been reading some of Roger's books and writings and realized that things have changed since I last had a darkroom. For one thing, many films have disappeared and many developers also. Some have come back under different names or ownership and some have sort of returned (maybe) under very convoluted methods. One I have noticed as a big mystery is Paterson films and chemicals. They used to be highly spoken of by Roger (I used to use them), but now they seem to have vanished. Are they still available, only available in certain countries, or have they disappeared forever?

I am not sure, but the only Paterson films were Acupan? which would be Foma, Foma, for example, packaged their 200 ISO film under a number of names, T200, Acupan, Creative 200, and I lost track about there, but I recall seeing it sold in the last year on line and in sheet film at Midwest.

I used to distribute Foma years ago supplied by Misha in Minn., but it all fell apart between the politics at Foma and the use of T in the name of several of their films.

Don't recommend the MF films, without testing, but the 35mm is a major space in my freezer, mostly the 200. The 800 was a very interesting film, but now discontinued.

Regards, John

sleepyhead · 10-21-2009

I lament the loss of Kodak TechPan film and technidol developer.

sevo · 10-22-2009

I miss Kodak XX-Pan, Panatomic-X and most of all Plus-X Pan/Verichrome. And Agfachrome 50S. And glass plates.

Sevo

Tom A · 10-25-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevo

I miss Kodak XX-Pan, Panatomic-X and most of all Plus-X Pan/Verichrome. And Agfachrome 50S. And glass plates.

Sevo

Kodak XX Pan is still available - I know as I just bought 10 000ft of it! I agree with missing the Panatomic X - though a good substitute is Kodak's Plus X movie stock 5231 - rate it at 80-100 asa.
I doubt there will ever be an "idiot" proof film like Verichrome Pan again. Worked with every developer and you could screw up exposure and development massively - and still get a good print off it.
As for glass plates - just learn to coat your own. At least with a Lippman emulsion you get 6000 lines/mm - a bit slow 0,001 asa or there abouts - but those contacts look great!

Tom A · 10-25-2009

There is a decent alternative to Tech Pan - Fuji's Minicopy II. Even slower than TP with a nominal rating of 6 iso - but can be pushed to 20. Extremely fine grain and high contrast.

Trius · 10-25-2009

Agfachrome 50S had my heart -- almost as much as Kodachrome. You sent it away in the included mailer, and wondered how leisurely Agfa USA or Canada wold be this time.

When the magic box finally arrived, all delay was forgiven.