Barfen Crx100 as you will know is being
sold in two emulsions, while still in the same packaging, but with
different prices to show there is a difference, For a recent holiday I
bought a 15m roll and during making them up into cassettes it was obvious
from the emulsion colour and the NOTCHES every 36exp lengths that it was
indeed . Konicachrome film.
I exposed all the cassettes and
processed them with a Barfen 6 film kit, in fact I processed ten films
with this kit, the final ninth from the roll and an odd Barfen ‘Fuji’
cassette. I expected eight cassette were correctly processed. The final
two were a little underdone, not in the 1st. Dev. as expected
but strangely in the Bleach. However there is no doubt that this kit
will process 8 films perfectly.
The puzzle surrounding BARFEN film
certainly isn’t one of Quality as both films are excellent. But rather
one of wondering which film you are going to get next. I wrote to a Mr.
Leach, a Director at Barfen showing our concern and confusion, but never
received a reply. Recently I called by my local dealer for some Barfen
‘Fuji’ film but he had none and couldn’t say when he could expect
any more. This left me wondering if perhaps (1) Barfen were running down
their stocks of the ‘Fuji’. based film and may soon just be available
in the 'Konica’ stock or (2) Perhaps Konica too are on the point of
changing to the later emulsions. Whatever, we are certainly being left
with a very uncertain period and I am sure you feel as I do that Barf en
have made changes with total disregard to their customer’s requirements.
As I required a supply of film I turned
to the pages of the Amature Photographer adverts. In the latest issue it
is equally surprising to see such wide variations in prices for the
Konicachrome film. I finished up ordering a 30m roll from Jessops of
Leicester at £24.90 whereas Phototec ask £27.95 for the same,
both require £1.25 postage, Making Jessops the better bargain. They also
chargé £1.65 per 36exp cassette against Phototecs £2.09. But
strangely Jessop sell ‘Ilfochrome’ at £1.99 per cassette, this being
‘Konica’ in another guise. As, I feel that there is another change in
the air I would suggest that this Autumn & Winter would be a good time
for you to stock up for next year’s season of photography. If you would
still prefer to stick to the Fuji film, then Jessops sell Fujichrome
Professional l00asa at 32°48 for l00ft. or £3.15 per 36exp cassette.