☞ Welcome to the 76th monthly Analog.Cafe Newsletter, featuring the latest in film photography. You can sign up for free to receive it via email on the last Tuesday of every month. Lily Li Hua (Instagram: @lilianlihua) captured this image using KONO Color 200 / ORWO NC200 / Optik Oldschool OptiColour 200 film (review included).
What’s new? Kodak has been in the spotlight, with some reports suggesting they may be facing bankruptcy. In light of this, I reviewed and compared the only two color-negative films available today that are not produced by Kodak. Although Leica hasn't been in the news recently, the brand faced backlash over a now-deleted post on Threads. Additionally, they won't be the only German camera maker releasing film cameras this year; a new Widelux camera created in partnership with Jeff Bridges is on the way.
There's also an easy-to-use silver gelatin black-and-white printing kit that uses a smartphone as an enlarger, a new foldable instant film SLR in development, a new line of 617/612, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 cameras, and CineStill’s significantly enhanced scanning light source. 💛 GOLD members can delve into our detailed comparison of the two non-Kodak color-negative films, learn how to resolve Polaroid SX-70 film ejection issues at home, gain insights about the upcoming Widelux camera, download and print the most comprehensive “Guide to Film Photography” available online, invert film negatives with film Q, and occasionally win free film! 🎁 Try GOLD for free for 14 days!
In this newsletter: What's new? Is Kodak in jeopardy? A comparison of the only two C-41 films outside of Kodak. Leica's marketing missteps. Details on a new Widelux camera. DokaLab: a cardboard darkroom solution. A foldable and portable Instax Square SLR. Point-and-shoot cameras in formats 617/612, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10! Improvements in CineStill’s scanning light. Free film! Stay updated on Analog.Cafe. Support this blog and enjoy premium features with GOLD memberships!
KONO Color 200 — among the few color-negative films that are not manufactured by Kodak.
Is Kodak in jeopardy? Kodak's quarterly report this month caused a 25% drop in the company’s stock within hours. They revealed a significant unpaid debt due this year without guaranteed assets to cover it. News of this was reported by major outlets like CNN and spread throughout the photography community on blogs and social platforms. A day later, Kodak issued a statement confirming they have the funds necessary to repay the loan.
☝︎ For further reading: “Kodak may be in financial trouble (again).”
Comparing the only two C-41 films that are not made by Kodak. Fear not, Kodak remains operational, but what if they weren't? Kodak produces the majority of color-negative film available. My recent tests indicate that Fujifilm 200 is nearly identical to Kodak Gold, suggesting that nearly all recent color-negative film sold today is manufactured by Kodak (often under different branding).
However, three other factories around the world still produce new color-negative film: InovisCoat GmbH (more commonly known as ORWO) in Germany, Harman (renowned for their Ilford black-and-white film) in the UK, and Lucky in China. Yet, only two of these manufacturers' products are currently available in the market. For a direct comparison of the only two non-Kodak color-negative films, refer to “Comparing Two Newest Colour Films: Phoenix vs. NC200.” 💛
Leica's marketing missteps. Leica's social media team made a now-deleted post that was so cringe-worthy, it went viral.
A new Widelux camera. My car broke down in the desert, with the AC failing in 99-degree heat, causing a travel delay that almost made me miss a meeting with Charys Schuler, the only speaker outside Europe about the new Widelux camera she is co-developing with acclaimed actor Jeff Bridges and the owner of Silvergrain Classics magazine. Being stranded in a hot desert is a tale for another time; the important takeaway is that I arrived and learned a few things that haven't been publicly shared yet — including details about the price, design, materials, and compatibility with existing Widelux models. This month’s GOLD members' newsletter has all the specifics.
DokaLab, derived from the Dutch term for darkroom, donkere kamer, was created to bring the joy of darkroom work to a broader audience.
DokaLab: a cardboard darkroom. Setting up a home darkroom can feel like a rite of passage until you see the total cost at checkout: thousands of
Kodak was in the headlines recently; some reports indicated they are close to bankruptcy. I examined and compared the two current colour-negative choices that are not produced by Kodak. Leica faced backlash for a (now removed) post on Threads. There is also a new Widelux camera created in partnership with Jeff Bridges. Additionally, there’s a user-friendly silver gelatin black-and-white printing kit that utilizes a smartphone as an enlarger, a new foldable instant film SLR is in development, a new series of 617/612, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 cameras has been introduced, and CineStill has significantly enhanced their scanning light source.