[rollei_list] Re: OT perhaps: Kodak motion picture film for still cameras
- From: Allen Zak <azak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:54:25 -0500
On Dec 14, 2011, at 8:14 AM, Don Williams wrote:
At 11:31 PM 12/13/2011, Richard Knoppow wrote:
Kodak used a backing on many of its motion picture films called
RemJet. It was also a lubricating and anti-static film. It was
removed in automatic processing machines by a high pressure spray
or jet of water, hense the name. This was used on Kodachrome but
AFAIK no other still film. In fact, Kodak seems to have
discontinued it on most of their motion picture stock. I think
Kodak still has data sheets on their motion picture films on the
web site and that may tell the tale. Remjet can form a gummy mess
in processing machines not designed for it so processors tend to
avoid Kodak motion picture type films even though most no longer
have the coating.
I am not sure how much difference there is in ECN (Eastman
Color Negative) and C-41 processing, probably enough to require
the correct process.
Are any of these films related to what a company (I seem to recall
as Seattle Film Works) used to give out for free and then charge
for processing, producing slides and prints? My recollection is
they collected tails of film from movie studios and re-packaged it
for 35mm still camera use.
Their mode of operation was to give away the film, return processed
slides, prints, and negatives, and include another free roll of
film in a standard cartridge.
I tried them a couple of times and thought the results were
generally acceptable. They shut down a few years back, not sure of
the reason, I think it had to do with reduced availability of the
stock they used.
It was only a few years ago that I tossed out some un-exposed rolls
they had sent.
DAW
More than 40 years ago, I used to buy re-spooled Eastmancolor 5247
motion picture stock from studio short ends at RGB Color Lab in Los
Angeles. Regular labs wouldn't handle this stuff because of the Rem
Jet backing, but RGB's main business was movie film processing, so
they were set up for developing these negatives, then printing
transparencies from them. Like the Seattle company, $3.50 got you
negs printable at any color lab, a set of color slides and a fresh
roll of film.
For producing color slides, it was an extremely versatile system.
Balanced for 3200K lighting, the film could be exposed in daylight
corrected through an 85B filter, or if the extra 2/3 f stop were
needed, the slides could be corrected in the lab at no extra charge,
and could be pushed 1 or 2 stops for $1 more. In addition, the whole
roll of negatives, if kept intact, could produce identical slide sets
in whatever quantity needed.
At the time, the color got mixed reviews by area photographers, but I
was one who liked and preferred its palette over most of the other
then current offerings. Its lower contrast was often helpful in
tucking in the harsh sunlight of Southern California, and the bargain
price made it possible for me to do that much more unpaid color
photography.
Well, it was fun while it lasted, but it didn't last; that is, the
film. Within 10 years, the slides had gone mostly magenta and the
negatives unable to print properly. Except for some Kodachromes,
most of my color slides from that era are dead or dying. It is
actually painful for me to view them anymore.
So, there's my sad story of having been seduced and abandoned. Learn
from my folly, passing stranger!
---
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