Re: [APML] FILM QUESTIONS!! Kodak response to film production questions (really on topic!)

["Daniel Reyna" <dreyna14@earthlink.net>]

I'm quite new to astrophotography and have been using E200 with very good
results (considering my current skill level).  The only reason why I don't
use negative fillm is because there seems to be no real concensus on what is
best out of what's available right now.  If they can specifically market PJM
towards journalists, and LE for law enforcement, why can't they make
something specifically for astrophotographers.  Something, anything with
smooth grain, low reciprocity, and great but balanced red response.  What
would I want?

1.  PPF first, probably PJM/PJ400 second in 35mm format.
2.  Once I get everything together, I would probably shoot around 20 rolls,
give or take, per year.
3.  Anything available in 35mm should be available in larger formats to be
fair.
4.  If they need to charge more for a great astro film I would gladly pay
it, within limits of course.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bert Katzung <katzung1@attbi.com>
> To: APML <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 7:32 AM
> Subject: [APML] FILM QUESTIONS!! Kodak response to film production
>questions
> (really on topic!)
>
>
> Hi Folks:
> The question of the Kodak connection sort of dropped off the radar
>screens
> for a while, but it's now back with a direct query from that Kodak vp
> I've
> been e-corresponding with. Here's how it came up: About a week ago I
>sent
> him some data from Don Westergren, who is doing a scientific test of
> reciprocity failure (out to two+ hours) in most of the popular print
> films,
> plus my own imaging results using Supra800, plus Pat Freeman's web URL,
> since Pat has some excellent and extensive real-world test images on his
> site. Kodak replied "very interesting, it will take me a while to review
> all
> this." Yesterday I sent him some additional data from Don's testing
> showing
> very quantitatively how the red layer drops after a few seconds exposure
> in
> Supra800 and Portra800. WITHIN 4 HOURS  I got an e-mail from Kodak
>saying
> "VERY INTERESTING! Kodak never checks for reciprocity failure past 100
> seconds." (Of course we knew that from the Kodak tech tables.)
>Continuing,
> he said "Of course a decision to manufacture an emulsion in 120 format
> requires some assurance of use by the professional community.... What is
> your estimate of the use of one of these films (I had referred to Royal
> Gold400, Supra400, PJ400, and PPF400) in 120 format by people in
> astronomy?"
>
> So here are some questions for APML:
> 1. If you could specify ONE Kodak 400 speed color print film to be
> available
> in both 35 and 120 format, which would it be?
> 2. How much of each size would you buy per year? (recognize that if the
> film
> you choose is Supra or Royal Gold, the minimum required to interest
>Kodak
> would be much smaller since Kodak still produces these two films in
>large
> quantities for 35mm format)
> 3. Should we just bag the whole thing and go with E200 and Provia 400F
>for
> 120?
> 4. Related question: While I don't really think that all the
>astroimagers
> in
> the world can use up enough film to convince Kodak to reactivate a major
> line of films, it would be useful if we could evoke a response from
>astro
> people outside the APML community. Anybody know how to do that? I would
>be
> happy to put out messages (like the above) if someone can point me in
>the
> right direction. I think Warren Keller started this whole
>thing---Warren,
> did you have any contacts with lists outside APML?
>
>
> I would be interested in seeing your responses to these questions on
>APML
> for as long as Gene considers it worth the bandwidth and as soon as he
> says
> "enough" you can e-mail me directly. (That will teach me to send a
>letter
> to
> Kodak! (;~))    BTW, some of Don's GREAT data should be available
>shortly.
>
> Bert
>
> Bert Katzung
> katzung1@attbi.com
> www.astronomy-images.com


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