2008 PMA Film Requests

[Photo-John]

The annual PMA tradeshow is coming up in a couple of weeks. Post your film-related requests here. Let us know what you want photos of and information on. Walterick will be with us at PMA to make sure film, film cameras, and other film-related products get the attention they deserve. So make sure we know what you want to see.

[Xia_Ke]

Thanks John. I'd be interested in info on any new B&W film/paper/chemistry. I saw rumors elsewhere about Nikon possibly producing a new Limited Edition FM. Not like the cheap FM10 but, a nice one. And just for drool factor, see if Shen Hao has a table with their new 7x17 or 8x10

[Xia_Ke]

PS- If anyone happens to have any demo film that you happen to pick up, I'll pay the shipping :aureola:

[mtbbrian]

Any samples you might come across will be good!
:biggrin5:
Seriously though...
Anything film related is good, I know there won't be a lot of film offerings.
If there are any range finder items, it's always good to see that as well.
Thanks John!
Brian

[photophorous]

As others have said, anything would be good. Rangefinders, whether they are film or not. Any new films. Any large format products. Film scanners. Products for digital black and white printing.

Thanks,
Paul

[Photo-John]

The more specific you guys can be, the better. But I'll make sure Rick uses this thread to make up his task list :-D

[Xia_Ke]

The more specific you guys can be, the better. But I'll make sure Rick uses this thread to make up his task list :-D

Will do :thumbsup:

Rick, I would be particularly interested in Shen Hao or Tachihara 4x5 and 8x10 field cameras. Toyo/Wisner/Wista are all nice too but, almost twice as much. Maybe some info on Schneider, Rodenstock, and Fujinon LF lens offerings. Also, can you swing by the Rollei table? They've been putting out some new film within the past year. Again... cough, cough... any b&w sample rolls in 120 or 35mm, b&w chemicals, or b&w paper that you want to pick up and send this way would be appreciated :aureola: :thumbsup:

[Xia_Ke]

Hey Rick, how's it going at PMA??? Any good news to report? Don't forget to get me some film, paper, and chemicals samples Anything good new coming out? I know Kodak has improved versions of the Portra. I'm going to be placing an order for some soon but, will be waiting to hear your thoughts on the new version :thumbsup:

[Xia_Ke]

So let's see if we can wrap up the latest in the film world from PMA 2008. (John and Rick hope you don't mind if I borrow some of your photos from it)

CAMERAS

Quite possibly the biggest news coming out of PMA 2008 in the analog sector is the Fuji Medium Format 6x7 Rangefinder. How exciting in this day and age is it to see a new medium format camera, nevermind the the fact that it is a folder to boot! Featuring 6x7 format and a manual focus Fujinon 80mm f/3.5 lens, Fuji seems to be in the right track. Granted, this is just a prototype at the moment nad things are still very hush hush but, hopefully is a sign of good things to come. If you like what you see, get those emails flowing to www.fujifilm.com :thumbsup: Here's some pics to drool over from the show courtesy of walterick:







Not quite new news but, Rollei was there in force showing off a few cameras after my own heart, the Rolleiflex 2.8 FX, the Rolleiflex 4.0 FW and the Rolleiflex 4.0 FT. The FX features an 80mm f/2.8 Planar, the FW has a 50mm f/4 Super-Angulon, and the FT features a 150mm f/4 Tele-Xenar. For more info on Rollei cameras, you can visit their website at www.rollei.com . Thanks goes out to Rick again for the pics:





Last but, certainly not least, are the new 35mm Holgas. The new models are the 135, 135PC (Pinhole), and 135BC (bent corner). These new cameras should offer all the fun of the classic Holga 120's but, in the smaller, more economical 35mm format. Here's the pics courtesy of SmartWombat and walterick:







FILM

The biggest surprise, at least to me, on the film front was the strong showing from Agfa. I had thought Scala and their APX B&W films were gone to the sands of time. Apparently I was mistaken. They even had APS film on display For the full line-up visit www.agfaphoto.com . Here's the shots courtesy of walterick:







Rollei continued their analog showing with their film line-up. This past year has seen the release their R3 and the first worthy "Technical Pan Replacement", ATP1.1. Here's another one courtesy of walterick:



In summary, to quote Rick:

Film did see a little bit of a resurgence this year, with every major film manufacturer I talked to (Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, and Ilford) pledging their alegiance to film and their dedication to sticking with it until there is no longer a market for it. Each of these manufacturers is developing new film products or revamping old ones as testament to this dedication.

Now I'm just going off of what has been posted elsewhere here and on the net. Anyone who actually attended have some more news to add? John, Paul, Rick, or Laurence?

[walterick]

Hey Aaron. I asked Nikon about the FM, and I got a blank look and "we already have the FM10." I pushed a little and was simply told that he hadn't heard anything about such an endeavor!

And as for LF, I didn't see any offerings at PMA this year. The closest I got was Schneider, who was mostly interested in talking about their digital lenses as most LF photographers are apparently going digital...

[walterick]

Hey Paul,

I can give you a little info on film scanners. Nikon said nothing new has come down the pike recently. As for Epson, their popular flatbed series of film scanners is continuing well and they are still producing middle-of-the-line scanners while their top of the line beast the V750 will probably remain unchanged for a few years still. I'll be writing up more info on these scanners soon.

Rick

[Xia_Ke]

Hey Aaron. I asked Nikon about the FM, and I got a blank look and "we already have the FM10." I pushed a little and was simply told that he hadn't heard anything about such an endeavor!

And as for LF, I didn't see any offerings at PMA this year. The closest I got was Schneider, who was mostly interested in talking about their digital lenses as most LF photographers are apparently going digital...

Thanks for checking for me The Nikon thing was just internet rumors and you know how reliable those are...LOL I didn't figure there would be much of a showing if any for LF gear. Don't suppose you snagged one of those Rolleis for me did you?

[walterick]

I have completed my summary of film at the PMA 2008! I spoke with the four major film manufacturers, talked to hardware reps and rubbed elbows with some people who are still very passionate about film. To read all about film at PMA 2008, click here to go to my blog on the PMA page:

Film: The 2008 PMA Summary

Enjoy!
Rick

[photophorous]

Hey Rick,

That's a great write up. I tried to post a comment at the bottom, but it locked up and then errored out, so I gave up...probably my computer or something. Anyway...

That's very encouraging to hear about the manufacturers' commitments to film. Were the new Kodak film rumors you mentioned for TriX? I read somewhere that they might be revising TriX again. I've heard a lot of good things about the new Tmax 400. I plan to try it sometime soon. And Fuji is right to promote Acros. It doesn't seem to be very well known, but I think it's a great film.

The only thing I find discouraging at all is the scanner situation. I wonder if the reason all the new film scanners are flat-bed do-it-all scanners has to do with those comments about sheet film sales growing more than 35mm. It makes sense that LF would be around longer because digital is no where close to competing with it. I just hope the flat bed scanners catch up to dedicated film scanner quality before Nikon obsoletes the Coolscan line. I want to try LF, so one of those Epson's might be in my future, but I don't plan to stop shooting 35mm.

Thanks for all the details!

Paul

[walterick]

Thanks Paul. I tried my bestest to pry a clue from the lips of Kodak but they were sealed. So we'll have to wait with the rest of the world...

Nikon mentioned that there was nothing new coming down the line from their film scanners dept that they were aware of, but they still carry a full line of film scanners! Epson's scanners are very good quality, especially for flatbeds. They had a print hanging on the wall done from a 2x2 scan and it was pretty amazing, considering it wasn't even done with a dediated film scanner. Judging by Epson's continuing work in the scanner sector I think we'll have quality scanners for a while yet.