Kodak discontinues Plus X

[stuny]

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I just received this via email from a friend:

 

KODAK have recently announced the discontinuance of Plus X

B/W negative film 5231 and 7231 and Plus X reversal film

7265(16mm). Plus X was introduced in October 1938 as a

Nitrate b/w negative film 1231 with twice the speed and

finer grain than its predecessor Super X Negative 1227 which

was introduced in 1935.

 

Basically it's been around for almost 72 years and was the

mainstay of b/w feature production through the late thirties

to the seventies. It was substantially improved in 1956 and

these improvements were so significant that it was assigned

a new code number 4231. Originally it had the nitrate film

designation of 1231.

 

I've shot quite a bit of Plus X reversal(16mm) back in the

seventies when I did a Film and TV course here in Sydney

Great sharpness, extremely fine grain and beautiful

contrast. Farewell old friends.

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[Steve Ash]

I've shot quite a bit of Plus X reversal(16mm) back in the

seventies ....

 

that is the problem...

Steve

[budrichard]

that is the problem...

Steve

 

Correct.

Plus-X was used in some studio applications in 35mm whereas Pan-X was more of an architectural film. Tri-X and lately Tmax can accomplish just about anything Plus-X could. I'm surprised it lasted this long.-Dick

[tgray]

Correct.

Plus-X was used in some studio applications in 35mm whereas Pan-X was more of an architectural film. Tri-X and lately Tmax can accomplish just about anything Plus-X could. I'm surprised it lasted this long.-Dick

 

This is for motion picture film. There's been no announcement to my knowledge regarding the still film.

[adan]

The mentioned discontinued Plus-X films are all motion-picture films. Kodak has dumped a lot of motion films since the start of 2010 (so much for Hollywood keeping film alive!)

 

Plus-X (more accurately "125PX Plus-X Professional") for still photography (135 cassettes and 120 rolls - is still being made and sold. There may be some variation in availability by market.

[Xmas]

The mentioned discontinued Plus-X films are all motion-picture films. Kodak has dumped a lot of motion films since the start of 2010 (so much for Hollywood keeping film alive!)

 

Plus-X (more accurately "125PX Plus-X Professional") for still photography (135 cassettes and 120 rolls - is still being made and sold. There may be some variation in availability by market.

 

Accepted but I use the bulk cine, in daylight loaders for FILCAs and IXMOO. Only 5222 left now.

 

The Kodak bean counters are cutting their distribution costs, one can assume not many cine mono people were using plus -x.

 

Noel

[tgray]

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The mentioned discontinued Plus-X films are all motion-picture films. Kodak has dumped a lot of motion films since the start of 2010 (so much for Hollywood keeping film alive!)

.

 

I think Kodak has had constant overturn on their motion products in the past. A lot of the recent cinema discontinuances were packaging or film for specific types of cameras. In the announcements I saw, besides Plus-X, it was all odd formats, like 100ft reels of 35mm (1 min of running time?) and 16mm for high speed cameras. It's the equivalent of Fuji discontinuing 12 exposure rolls of Velvia - who cares? The stocks are still being sold in popular formats/packaging, like 400ft reels of 16mm.

 

In the past two or so years, they introduced Vision 3 500T and 250D. While they still sell 2 other Vision 2 500T films and 1 other Vision2 250D film, I would imagine at some point they'll go away - after all, an improved replacement is out.

 

This Plus-X discontinuance is different. There's no direct replacement for it.

 

Of course I could be wrong about this, but I haven't seen any other stock being completely discontinued.

[MPerson]

Keep up Stuart.

 

I now have 10 x 400ft cans of 5231 nestling in the freezer now at the bargain price of £30 a can. As soon as it was announced sales virtually stopped. My supplier of Double-X (5222), rang me last week and offered me the last of his stock.

 

The full list as announced at the beginning of April.

 

I am testing the two ORWO 35mm MP offerings at the moment - 100 & 400 iso - and they also come in 100ft cans. Looks promising.

[Xmas]

Hi Andy

 

Greedy

 

Noel

[budrichard]

This is for motion picture film. There's been no announcement to my knowledge regarding the still film.

 

Many have used motion picture film for 35mm still camera applications in the past and continue to do so to this day. Its very cost effective and simple to do. I lived for years on cans of Govt Surplus 400' rolls of Tri-X movie film rated ASA 320, couldn't tell the difference between commercially loaded Kodak Tri-X.-Dick

[Xmas]

Many have used motion picture film for 35mm still camera applications in the past and continue to do so to this day. Its very cost effective and simple to do. I lived for years on cans of Govt Surplus 400' rolls of Tri-X movie film rated ASA 320, couldn't tell the difference between commercially loaded Kodak Tri-X.-Dick

 

I thought the two emulions were different i.e. plus -x cine and plus -x 635, the cine plus-x and double-x being well old for the gritty 'cine noire' look?

 

Noel

[MPerson]

Hi Andy

 

Greedy

 

Noel

 

A prudent cheapskate Noel!

[Xmas]

A prudent cheapskate Noel!

Hi Andy

 

I've no room in my fridges for food any more, not even larger, shandy or bottled water.

 

Noel

[budrichard]

I thought the two emulions were different i.e. plus -x cine and plus -x 635, the cine plus-x and double-x being well old for the gritty 'cine noire' look?

 

Noel

 

I can't tell you the specific coating, emulsion and backing differences, but once again reiterate that 35mm cine film functions is 35 cameras, one usually does some testing to determine how ti is different than your 35mm camera equivalent film whether incassesste or bulk. In my case other than ASA of 320 versas 400, the cine Tri-X functioned great. Many users must have found the same results of Plus-X cine as they are/have purchased all the remaining stocks.

I found it substantially cheaper than 100' bulk rolls of 35mm film.-Dick

[Xmas]

I can't tell you the specific coating, emulsion and backing differences, but once again reiterate that 35mm cine film functions is 35 cameras, one usually does some testing to determine how ti is different than your 35mm camera equivalent film whether incassesste or bulk. In my case other than ASA of 320 versas 400, the cine Tri-X functioned great. Many users must have found the same results of Plus-X cine as they are/have purchased all the remaining stocks.

I found it substantially cheaper than 100' bulk rolls of 35mm film.-Dick

Hi

 

Yes I have a 400 foot of 5222 in the fridge, some cine HP5+, some Russion cine, Agfa speed trap, etc.

 

But I apologise my post was not clear - two different points.

 

- Cine plus-x may be made to an older standard, i,e, the 635 Plus cassette film is not punched out from the same master reels, so wont necessarily die with the cine.

 

- You may get bigger grain.

 

Never test myself, not that fussy, like grain too.

 

Noel

[MPerson]

Hi Andy

 

I've no room in my fridges for food any more, not even larger, shandy or bottled water.

 

Noel

 

I was lucky. Our local butcher retired and gave me a large chest-type freezer ( 6ft x 4ft). I have been busy stocking it with 5222 and 5231 ready for when I move, as the postage costs will make buying cans that much more expensive. At the moment I cycle over to my suppler and fill the panniers once a month.

 

I may have to add the two ORWO offerings to the mix now!

 

 

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