News
No Longer Impossible…?
Deep Freeze (Photo by Paul Broome)
Very interesting article on the BJP website today, exciting news from the Netherlands!!
The Impossible Project and their UK-based partners Harman Technology (owners of the Ilford film brand) have announced that they’ve produced and tested the first run of a new black and white integral film – and while it doesn’t quite work as they’ve planned (has sepia tones apparently – which actually sounds quite cool!) it’s still a major step forward on their quest.
And as if all of that weren’t enough they’re also now planning to ressurect the 8×10 Polaroid format as well!!
And in related news, Impossible has also partnered up with clothes retailer Urban Outfitters – who are going to start stocking Polaroid Type 779 film and ONE600 Classic instant cameras in their UK and US stores. I think that counts as somewhat of a result!
It really seems as though their mission has captured the imagination of a new generation 
No More Pro 800Z… But the Future Looks Bright!
Just a week or two after Kodak’s announcement that their Kodachrome film was being discontinued – similar news has been released from Fujifilm regarding their Fujicolor Pro 800Z film stock.
As of September 2009, the production of Fujicolor Pro 800Z will cease, Fujifilm Professional says. ‘The company has a limited supply of the film in stock, enough to satisfy demand until approximatively November 2009.’
‘We have decided to remove all formats of Pro 800Z from our range due to low sales volume,’ says Fujifilm’s product manager for professional film, Russ Gunn. ‘By streamlining our selection of Professional film we can ensure our strong selling lines are protected. Sales of our colour negative and transparency films are doing very well and there has also been a recent upturn in sales of our instant films.’
At least Fujifilm’s decision seems to be based around ensuring the ongoing health of their film business (as evidenced by their creation and promotion of the choose-film.com online community), rather than a phasing out of film in general.
To further emphasise this Gunn went on to say: “Sales of our colour negative and transparency films are doing very well and there has also been a recent upturn in sales of our instant films. We will continue to support photographers who appreciate the quality and flexibility of real film…”
So definitely some good news there! Now you can all do your part by getting out there and shooting more film!
For more on the Fujifilm range of professional films visit, www.fujifilm.co.uk/professional.
And Another Film Bites The Dust…
Going, Going, Gone (...by 2010)
Kodak have announced that they will be ceasing production of the 135 format version of their reknowned Kodachrome 64 K14-processed slide film by the end of the year (the 25 and 200 ASA versions went end of life a couple of years ago). Thus bringing an end to 74 years of Kodachrome photographic history.
“KODACHROME Film is an iconic product and a testament to Kodak’s long and continuing leadership in imaging technology,” said Mary Jane Hellyar, President of Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group. “It was certainly a difficult decision to retire it, given its rich history. However, the majority of today’s photographers have voiced their preference to capture images with newer technology – both film and digital. Kodak remains committed to providing the highest-performing products – both film and digital – to meet those needs.”
So if this is one of your favourites, it might be an idea to go out there and buy up what you can 
The 120 format Kodachrome 64 was discontinued in 1996.
The full Kodak Press Release can be found here.
Test Drive a PEN?
The Olympus E-P1
Olympus’ newest addition to its camera ranks is one that has caused a massive shockwave of interest in the photography arena in the last couple of weeks (something that Olympus haven’t been able to do for years!). The E-P1 – the first digital generation edition of its classic 35mm PEN range – is looking like the must have camera of 2009, and could be just the thing to breathe life into their four thirds system.
And if you fancy the chance of trying one out for a week, just follow the link below and tell Olympus why they should choose you for a test drive!
More Instant Photography Goodness!
Diana Instant Back
Who said instant photography was a dying art form? Pish and nonsense – I say! More good news from the lovely (and ever so slightly wacky) people over at lomography.com: they have just released a new Instant Back for the perfectly-formed plastic medium format (and not at all dirty) Diana camera! And what’s more, it uses Fuji Instax Mini film – which (as we have mentioned in previous posts, when we’ve been pushing the delights of Fuji Instax photography) is still being produced (and Fuji show no signs of losing faith in the format).
You can pick up a Diana starter kit + instant back (and two films) for £117.25 (or 125 euros) now from lomography.com. And if you already have a Diana camera, you can pick up the back separately for around £75.
Visit their Diana microsite for more information: www.lomography.com/diana/
Olympus E-30 Launched
Olympus E-30
Here at PhotographyWired we could probably be justly accused of having a biased Canon/Nikon slant on the world of digital photography. But we realise not everyone sees the world in such black and white terms. Some of you out there do use other brands of camera! I know, amazing huh?
So in the interests of diversity, I thought a quick mention of the latest Olympus release might be in order
The E-30 is Olympus’ semi-pro/enthusiast model – intended to plug the gap between the E-420/520 and the professional E-3 (in Canon terms it’s pitched at the 50D level, in Nikon terms somewhere around the D90 level). It makes use of the now tried and tested four-thirds system used in all of the E-series DSLR cameras, which has won over quite a number of photographers (at all levels of ability).
Some of the features on the E-30 are to be expected – Olympus were at the forefront of providing LiveView on DSLR cameras, and the E-30 features full auto-focus LiveView, and like the E-3 it also has a very useful swivel screen LCD (I have one of these on my digital compact (Canon Powershot A640) and it really does introduce a whole new level of versatility – especially good for composing self-portraits!). › Continue reading
Nikon Announce New 35mm f/1.8
MMMmmmm I love my 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Why? well firstly because it was CHEAP and secondly because it is SHARP. These as you no doubt are aware are two qualities seldom found together in one lens. Imagine my Joy when I read today that in March Nikon are going to release a new 35mm DX lens onto the market.
As much as I LOVE my 50mm I often find it just a little too long (mostly because of my small shooting space) but a 35mm alternative that opens up to f/1.8 sounds absolutely perfect to me. I’m more than interested to get my hands on one. Heck if anyone at Nikon is reading this please get in touch as I’m more than happy to review it for you .
Prices quoted at the moment are about $199 which although more than the 50mm doesn’t sound outrageous (even on my tight budget) for what your getting. I guess price are subject to change though before it hits the stores. › Continue reading
Camera Phone Predators!!
I read the following article yesterday over at network world news and it made me chuckle a bit and then it made me a bit annoyed. I thought I’d share it here and see what you all thought.
No, we’re not joking. The Camera Phone Predator Alert Act (H.R. 414) is the real deal. Fresh off the legislative desk of New York Representative Peter King (R), the bill–currently cosponsored by goose egg–would require an audible tone to accompany all cellular phones with an installed camera that are created in the U.S. This tone, likely a clicking noise of some sort, would sound, “within a reasonable radius of the phone whenever a photograph is taken with the camera in such phone.” And don’t think that evildoers would be able to conceal their predatory ways by flicking an iPhone-style audio toggle switch. Any mobile phones built after the bill becomes a law would be prohibited from including any way to eliminate or reduce the volume of said noise.
And the reasoning for this legislation? But a single sentence: “Congress finds that children and adolescents have been exploited by photographs taken in dressing rooms and public places with the use of a camera phone.”
While this bill might very well age into irrelevance within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, it’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. Camera phones in Japan already have features like this enabled by law: A rude awakening to new phone owners that would like a way to turn off–or turn down–shutter noises that have had their volumes jacked up for this reason specifically.
It seems to me us photographers get a raw deal these days (worldwide) and this is just another example of proposed legislation that supports the idea that anybody with a camera is up to no good. I constantly get to hear of stories of photographers getting moved on or treated with suspicion by members of law enforcement. › Continue reading
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