ROLLEI LAUNCHES PROFESSIONAL MONOCHROME LINE

[Terrance Hounsell]

COMMENTS ANYONE ON THIS VERY ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM
the British Journal of Photography
http://db.riskwaters.com/public/show...ml?page=199364

Title: Rollei launches black-and-white rescue package
Date: 24 November 2004

With Ilford's future still hanging in the balance, the outlook for black-and-white film production never looked so unsure. But, reports Simon Bainbridge, a newcomer to the market promises a longterm future

It sounds like the most improbable story of the year, but it's true - a major camera manufacturer previously unassociated with film production is about to launch a new range of black-and-white products.

Bucking the trend towards a rapidly declining market for traditional black-and-white materials, Rollei has stepped into the breach with R3, a negative film designed for professionals.

Explaining the move, the German company explained: 'As a world-renowned pioneering camera manufacturer, it is one of Rollei's major concerns to make sure that discriminating photographers can rely on an uninterrupted, long-term supply of high quality monochrome film.'

Rollei added: 'In order to create a film that lives up to these expectations, we decided to enter into a joint venture with MACO, the Hamburg black-and-white specialist.'

One of Rollei's requirements for the film was that it should be able to handle a wide range of sensitivity - and indeed, R3 is said to cover the range from ISO25 to ISO1600. Citing a process similar to colour film manufacture, Rollei says the new introduction is coated with three thin emulsions of different sensitivities.

The super-panchromatic film is highly responsive to specific developer properties, the selection of which determines the film's equivalent sensitivity.

Its extreme sensitivity to daylight means that exposed film needs to be kept in specially designed black cartridges, as traditional 35mm cassettes, for example, will show 'grey lateral stripes', while 'roll film will be exposed through the film leader'.

R3 also employs an 'antihalation' layer that is coated directly onto the transparent film base, resulting, says Rollei, in greater sharpness, as 'reflections are not allowed to penetrate the film support before being reduced, but are eliminated even before they can enter the base'. The film's polyester film support is also said to guarantee the highest levels of archive stability.

The film will be available in sizes from 35mm up to 8x10 inch sheet film, along with a roll 20 inch wide and 50m long version.

Pricing and availability is not yet available, but further information is available online at www.rollei.de. The Studio Workshop plans to handle UK distribution through its Manchester premises. Call 0870 443 7986 for details.

Source:
© Incisive Media Investments Ltd 2004

[Fintan]

Pricing and availability is not yet available

Pricing is here,
http://www.rollei.de/cct/files/rolle..._09_04_d,e.pdf

[Andy K]

..
Its extreme sensitivity to daylight means that exposed film needs to be kept in specially designed black cartridges, as traditional 35mm cassettes, for example, will show 'grey lateral stripes', while 'roll film will be exposed through the film leader'.

So we'll be using changing bags when reloading our cameras then?

[jim appleyard]

Some folks on photo.net have used this and are not happy. Search over there for more details.

[dr bob]

Some folks on photo.net have used this and are not happy. Search over there for more details.

There are people who will like nothing. I would be willing to give it a try, but I wonder about Murphy's corollary which states, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." After trying some of the "new" eastern-block country film(s), I will stick with Kodak and Ilford as long as their products are available. Papers may be another problem - of course we can always "roll-our-own"(?).

[Mark Layne]

Do serious photographers really want a film with "latitude" which is unsure of its ASA?
Mark

[jd callow]

Yes people will complain about anything. I am interested in it. It does sound as if it will require a good bit of testing -- kind of like testing multiple films rolled into one.

I like the idea that someone is breaking new ground with b/w film. The current crop may be fine and dandy, but the discontinued crop has been lamented and there has not been a lot of movement forward.

My concern was that there was going to be a hunkering down with little movement as the companies waited out the strom. Someone needed to keep the ball rolling.

Wasn't there a multi layer b/w by Kodak known for its silky tones Vara -somthing?

I hope someone here goes out and buys a brick does the testing and post the results soon (so I don't have to).

[jim kirk jr.]

There is a Rollei R3 thread that I posted with one copy of the info on the new film(and
I believe jandc posted on the thread also)about one or two months ago that has the info sent to us by Maco.

MrCallow-I think Helen B has bought some and used it already.Not sure if she's developed it as of yet.

[Ed Sukach]

Its extreme sensitivity to daylight means that exposed film needs to be kept in specially designed black cartridges, as traditional 35mm cassettes, for example, will show 'grey lateral stripes', while 'roll film will be exposed through the film leader'.

As soon as I find the "leader" I'll worry about it.
You think they might be thinking of the paper backing?? If so, why did they choose a paper so permeable to light?? ... and ... "grey lateral stripes???

Sounds to me like the ad writers should coordinate more with the tech people.

[sparx]

I notice this is done in collaboration with MACO. Is this really a totally new film or a re-branding of an existing one?