I have to tell you that to date we have
not had no takers for the post of “Publicity Officer” despite the
appeal in the last issue. 1 have therefore proposed that we place an
advertisement in one of the popular photographic journals in the spring,
in time to attract some new members for a full years subscription which
commences from the 1st of April
.
Some time ago when I wrote in these
comments concerning the wide adoption of the E6 process. I said
I ‘thought the process would stay around for some time without
significant change. This seems to have proved correct. However, film
emulsion technology has not stood still and there have been quite a number
of~ changes, although the processing. remains the same. Overwork generally
has prevented me from trying out the new films for myself. I believe
Oliver Barron had some 3M 1000 ASA slide film but I have yet to learn how
he got on with it. We would, be interested to have information from any
members who have tried some of the new films and perhaps have
compared them with the older ones.
Has anyone tried Kodak’s Ektachrome
P800/16.00 which has been specially designed for up-rating? Development is
basically E6 but has been called E6P. All it means is that 1st.
development is increased to between 8 & 14 minutes depending On the
speed required. The longer time gives a speed of 1600 - the
fastest film now available Sharpness, grain and colour rendering are
claimed to be good. This has been confirmed in one report I
have had but latitude at .high-speed is limited! 1 have also heard that
Kodak 64 is to be replaced with Ektachrome 100, although 64 will continue
in 110 & 126 sizes because the exposure is linked to a speed of of 64
in simple cameras.
Barfen have brought out a .READY MIX
pack of their FLEX-E6 process. It. comes in 300ml bottles ready mixed, and
is sufficient to process 3 x 36 exposure 35mm. films. As
usual you pay for convenience the retail price is around £7.50 a set.
Last time I commented on electronic
colour processes. The latest news I have is that Canon have a colour
electronic still camera on trial. This electronically records a still
image on a magnetic disk.. A playback device then produces an image on a
TV set. It is claimed these can also be sent down a telephone line.
There has been concern in some quarters
that colour developers designed for use with chemical reversal might not
behave correctly when used with light reversal. The suggestion is that
because the reversal solution is acidic, this needs a more alkaline D2 to
compensate. According to my experience there is no need to worry. The D2
is buffered to maintain correct alkalinity which simply means that
the pH remains more or less constant even though the there is carry over
of an acid solution on the reel and in the film I could detect no
significant difference using chemical reversal and light reversal with
colour developers designed for use with chemical reversal - at least with
those I have tried.
With Best ‘Wishes’ to all for a
Happy and prosperous New Year.
Brian Savage.