Re: [APML] Royal Gold and Supra films

["westergren" <westergren@netzero.net>]

Alan,

Thanks for sharing this response from Kodak.  I just checked the Kodak
Website, and they still show Supra as an active product.  I couldn't find
any news release or other indicator that the Supra is discontinued.  I guess
they will announce it after the fact.

With the loss of Lumicon as a source for hypering equipment and forming gas,
I expect hypering will become less popular.  Since Supra 400 works so well
without hypering, I am stocking up with a supply in my refrigerator, at
least for a couple years I will have some.  Of the currently available color
neg films, I rate Supra 400 a close second to the New RG 200 hypered, but
the RG 200 requires full hypering for astrophotos.  The slide films Kodak
E200 and Fuji Provia are awfully good too, without the need for hypering.

Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Voetsch" <critter12952@yahoo.com>
To: "APML" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 9:33 PM
Subject: [APML] Royal Gold and Supra films


> Chris, Michael and all,
>
> I don't think I've forwarded the response I got from
> Kodak earlier this month. When this thread was being
> discussed last month, I did summarize this reply.
> Anyway here it is in its entirety. Now I'll see if I
> can find the post that tells how to tell new from old
> RG films. :-)
>
> Alan
>
>
> > Alan,
> >
> > Yes, the Kodak Royal Gold 200 and 400 are being
> > changed spectrally, and
> > unfortunately with a reduction in the red
> > sensitivity.  Kodak
> > Professional Supra Films are now discontinued and
> > will be available only
> > as long as the dealers have stock.  I am sorry to
> > say that once this
> > happens, we will not have a color negative film with
> > the extended
> > red-sensitivity found to be useful in
> > astrophotography applications.
> > The vast majority of our customers have asked for
> > color negative films
> > which offer improved color accuracy, especially with
> > respect to
> > skin-tone reproduction, blues and purples, and that
> > is the direction
> > that we have gone with our current film offerings.
> > However, if you can
> > utilize a color slide film, we do offer Kodak
> > Ektachrome Professional
> > E200 Film.  This very fine grain, color transparency
> > film offers a
> > sensitivity very similar to the discontinued Kodak
> > Pro 400 (PPF) Film.
> > Additionally, it may be exposed to an exposure index
> > (EI) of up to EI
> > 1000, while retaining its color accuracy,
> > reciprocity, and fine grain
> > characteristics.
> >
> > We hope that you will be able to utilize the
> > suggested alternative for
> > your application and appreciate your contacting us
> > with your concerns.
> >
> > Thank you for visiting the Kodak web site
> >
> > http://www.kodak.com/go/professional
> >
> > If you should have any questions on Kodak products
> > or services, please
> > be sure to revisit our site as we are continually
> > adding information to
> > enhance our support.  If you need further assistance
> > you may also reach
> > us at 1-800-242-2424  ext. 19 (Monday-Friday,
> > 9am-7pm EST)
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Peter V.
> > Kodak Information and Technical Support
> > Kodak Professional
> >
> > Original message follows:
> > -------------------------
> >
> > Hello Dale,
> >
> > We're aware that Kodak will continue to provide the
> > 200 & 400 versions of Royal Gold. The problem is
> > that
> > Kodak is changing the emulsion in these films. Both
> > films will be a lot less responsive to the color red
> > during long exposures. Red is a common color in many
> > types of Nebula we photograph.
> >
> > Currently, the three best off-the-shelf color films
> > available to us are: Royal Gold 200 (does need to be
> > hyper-sensitized), Royal Gold 400, and Supra 400. We
> > constanly have people testing all films for
> > reciprocity failure, color balance, color response
> > and
> > response to hypering techniques. Apparently all
> > three
> > of these films will be changed (already happened to
> > the R.G. line), or discontinued (Supra). Is this
> > true?
> > Can you give me any idea how long the current crop
> > of
> > Supra 400 will continue to be available through
> > retailers?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Alan Voetsch
>




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