Saturday, September 22, 2012

Polypan F Quick Review

As many know, I am a large advocate of Polypan F film.  It's a Cinecopy film, that has little to no anti-halation layer, and can give beautiful bloom effects in bright light.  It is also a very thin film, but surprisingly doesn't scratch easily, perhaps because it is a cinefilm it needs to be robust.
Now THAT'S a lot of film!There has been some speculation as to the origins of this film.  Anywhere from it being a Ilford PanF type of film, or some late-run Agfa film.  But in truth, there is only speculation, but word is, and this is still, again, speculation, a Last-Run B&W Cinecopy film from the Shostka Film Company in Russia.  They have been defunct since around 2000 when the Svema film company bought it, which also closed down in 2006.  One thing that I know, is that I just love using this film.  Sure, it's slow, and sure it isn't the most fine grained film there is, but that's fine with me. 
Whenever I want fine grain, I'll use Ilford PanF+ 50, or Kodak TMAX 100, or even Ilford Delta 100.  Those films are super fine grained.
But when I want grit, contrasty, and beautiful images, I use Polypan F.  I believe it's a true speed film of 25ASA, but will be rather flat, so film speed needs a bit of a push to increase the contrast of the film.
There is just something about this that I can't stop using.  Maybe the cost?  Maybe the speed of the film?
Or perhaps there's just something there that I cannot put my finger on, and just have to accept that for as long as Polypan is around, I will continue to use it...
 
A truly wonderful film!
 
If you want some of this amazing PolypanF check it out on EBAY.  Or, keep yourself tuned to my Blog.  I might have a special announcement to make on the availability of Polypan F to the USA in the near future!
 
Until next time everyone, keep on shooting film, and enjoy
'Click'
"CLICK" - Nikkormat FT2 35mm SLR - Sigma 70-200mm ƒ/3.5 - Polypan F
Developed in TMAX Developer 1+9
Pan-o-Rama Exaktas
"A Pair Of Exaktas" - Rolleicord V TLR - Schneider-Xenar Kreuznach 75mm ƒ/3.5
Polypan F - Developed in TMAX Developer 1+9
Cold-Stone Ingredients
"Cold Stone Ingredients" - Canon T-80 35mm SLR - Canon AC 35-70 ƒ/3.5-4.5 Macro
Polypan F @EI80 - Developed in Diafine 5+4
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2 comments:

  1. MillyNovember 27, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    I find myself agreeing with you that it's a nice film and I have not even tried it yet. The price and amount you get is unrivalled and truly amazing! I like to use Fomapan 200 and it now looks like I have found myself a 100 ISO in 35mm format to use too. Thanks for the post and great photo samples.

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  2. Mektar PolypanDecember 2, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    It is a 50ASA film, but shooting it at 100 will give you a bit more contrast. I prefer it at 80 to 100asa because of the added contrast, and even though it's a 1-stop push, it really doesn't get any grainier.
    Not a "super-fine" grain film, but a more traditional film.

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