Update:
After 5 years, they weren't able to make the E6 film yet, and I have my doubts if they will really make it. They made a small batch of the P30 Black and White negative film and that's all.
There is a mixed bag of reactions from the backers, some said the Ferrania guys tried to do something way beyond their capabilities, other ones said that they will never fulfill what they promised. As one of the backers, I really hope they could make it. Let's wait a bit more and see.
My personal opinion is that they at least could give the backers an equivalent reward in the form of a P30 package instead of the promised E6.
Original post below:
Film is Alive. And Kicking.
Who remembers Ferrania ? Well, they’re resurrecting from ashes in a very impressive and well-thought attitude.
(This blog is not associated with Ferrania by any means)
Intro:
Ferrania was founded in 1923 as a photographic and cinema film maker and also made some simple cameras aimed to the amateur market. The headquarters still is in Liguria region on northern Italy. In 1964 the giant American company 3M acquired Ferrania and then started to make film under other brands, but in 2012 3M shot down the Ferrania factory due to market difficulties.
In 2013 some Ferrania ex-employees started something that some would classify as crazy: to make film again, in an adequate scale for the present film market. To do this they need to salvage and acquire some large pieces of equipment and adapt them to an adequate scale. And to raise the needed money, $250,000 they started a project on Kickstart under the motto “Alive and kicking”.
“FILM Ferrania is restarting production for analog film in both still photo and motion picture formats.”
To do this they need basically three pieces from the old factory building:
Trixie: The Large Scale Triacetate Base Production Machinery, to make the plastic base.
Walter: High Volume Chemical Synthesis Lab, to make the chemical products.
Big Boy: The Industrial Film Coater
The project raised more than pledged, $322,240 backed up by 5582 people. And I hope that what they said “100 more years of analog film” comes true !
This news are very important because nowadays most of the big players already left or are leaving the game.
Agfa was the first one to leave in 2004 when its photo division AgfaPhoto went down. Agfa was founded in 1873 and had more than 100 years ! They are still working, but on medical and special materials for industry and scientific applications, but no more Agfa Ultra 50, Optima 100 or Portrait 160. No more RSX , Vista or CT-Precisa ...
The next big punch was when Kodak closed it’s photographic film division. No more Ektachrome, Kodachrome, Tri-X and other excellent films. They are history now.
Fuji has ceased making some legendary films, like the Provia 400X and they’re making a fraction of what they offered a few years ago. And they’re not sure for how long they will keep making film.
So, basically Fuji is the only maker of color film today.
Some other brave makers are producing black and white film, like Ilford, Shangai, Foma and Adox. (Thank God!). Efke and Orwo are gone, but the situation for B&W film is better compared with color films. And Svema was never an option in western countries.
The interesting part is that Ferrania decided to start the production with ScotchChrome, a positive (E6) film suitable for still and movie. I was never a fan of the old 3M films, but since they have experience with it and said it will be an enhanced version, I’m curious.
The choice for an E6 film was wise. This will not push the remaining B&W film makers and also not destabilize the market.
E6 film is much more interesting than C41 films especially if you scan. It’s a real pain to get the proper colors from a color negative film, unless you profile it (or have the ready one). You can scan and then print in a digital lab without much pain.
Not to count the fact it’s ready for super-8 and 16mm movie. I would even risk a bet about the next step: a C41 film, since Fuji is the only player making color films today.
What will come next ? Old forgotten, orphan formats like 620, 127 and 110 ? Submini formats like Minox and 16mm (Minolta) ? I sincerely hope YES ! Can you imagine how many submini cameras are idle waiting for film ? But please Ferrania, just let the APS film resting in peace.
I would love to have a good E6 film in 110 and Minolta 16mm again.
Another nice and welcomed would be about an E6 developing kit for home and small scale use for an affordable price. In some countries, E6 labs are almost extinct. I know people that would kill for it ...
And finally, THANKS Ferrania !
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