Spring is upon us and for many that will mean dusting off their cameras.
It is a lovely time of year with nature renewing herself in the form
of buds, flowers and colours that are fresh and vibrant. Load up
your camera and venture forth. I am sure you will find it worth
while.
Some of our members have experienced changes in the colour balance of
Fuji `Provia` and Kodak `Elite` films.
Manufacturers are altering their products in a continual hunt for
perfection and the consumer is the last one to be informed. Recently
with the introduction of `Elite` the bleach fix in kits had to be
modified which did not cause Kodak much loss of sleep as their
process stations use separate Bleach and Fix baths. Latest news is
that Kodak are bringing in a `Green` E6 process. Hopefully our
present process will still work on the films we use.
The Club developers and Konica chrome film are giving me the best
results I`ve ever had. I can not fault the colours or contrast and
have never noticed grain on a screen. This is not written lightly as
I have processed over 50 films during the past Summer using a Jobo
CPE2 with Lift. Processing is quite uniform as agitation and
temperature is automatic and timing is by digital timer. The
chemicals are used on a one shot basis.
Konica have stated that it will soon be releasing a new slide and print
film. These will compliment not replace current emulsions.
There is at present a lot of controversy about A.P.S. which is about to
be launched in May. The initials stand for Advanced Photographic
System. The system is to enable the novice user to load their camera
and to enable the camera trade to hopefully reap great financial
benefits. They have lost out in recent years to Video systems.
The system is not much use to us as the film can not be handled by the
user. The film is in a cartridge with no film showing. When placed
in the camera the film is automatically loaded. There are three
exposure formats and these are chosen by the photographer. When
exposed the film winds back into the cartridge. The processer
returns the prints with a sample proof sheet which is numbered. To
obtain extra prints one quotes the number on the proof and the
process machine finds it in the cassette and reprint. Snags are:-
New cameras needed, 40% less picture area gives less quality and of
course extra cost which is really what it is all about.
Ron.