*The films that are least likely to be useful to subminiature photographers are those that have extremely low film speeds, are extremely high contrast microfilms, require special processing, are non-panchromatic, have a resin backing or have other obstacles for you to overcome.
*Certain cameras require certain types of perforations to advance the film. Know what kind your camera needs before you buy.
* Resin Backing refers to the special carbon-black anti-halation backing added to many motion picture films. Unlike regular films, this backing must be physically removed during the processing of the film with a rubbing or buffing process. For information on removing this layer during processing, see the Robert Chapman column in the May/June (1996) issue of Photo Techniques.
* Not all film lengths listed are available in all perforation types listed. In addition, many films are available in different film-base thicknesses. Not all thicknesses are available in all lengths and perforations. In addition, different films and different lengths come on different types of spools and reels. These and other factors may affect your purchasing decision. Film specifics and availability are always subject to change when you least expect it.
* Listed microfilm speeds are estimates when these films are used in pictorial photography. Speeds listed in the manufacturers' literature are based on their intended high-contrast microfilm use. The speed that you actually use will vary greatly depending on the developer used and the contrast index or gamma sought. Check out the Darkroom for special formulas for these films.
* Many of these items are special order items which will be hard to find in sales catalogs and not financially rewarding enough to order for many local sales persons. Locating outlets that specialize in motion picture film and microfilm may prove to be useful. The manufacturers may be able to point you in the right direction.
* Not all chemicals for developing all of these films are available in packaged "kits" for easy mixing. For some processing, you will need to be able to purchase and mix the raw chemicals. Some films require extra special processing, such as heat or ammonia vapors, which can be dangerous. DON'T TRY PROCESSING ANY O F THESE FILMS UNLESS YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT PRECAUTIONS NEED TO BE TAKEN AND ARE CAPABLE OF TAKING THEM.
* Once you decide on a film, ordering it will be another obstacle. Not every
store will be willing or able to order it. First, they'll have to be able
to find it in their catalog, a more difficult task than you would think.
If it happens to be in a special catalog that they don't have, they can't
order it. And since it is not financially rewarding enough for many local
sales persons, you may need to "sweeten the pot". Don't be surprised if your
local camera store tells you "They don't make that anymore". A more common
question is "What do you want that for?" or "What are you going to do with
it?". Then they will try to talk you out of using the film that you want
and into something that they have "on-hand". They don't know what else to
say. Locating outlets that specialize in motion picture film and microfilm
may prove to be useful. The manufacturers may be able to point you in the
right direction. One place to try is Studio Film and Tape. They get
left over stock from production runs, so they have good prices. However,
their supply on the more unusual films is limited.
800-824-3130 (Hollywood)
800-467-0070 (Chicago)
800-444-9330 (New York).
Another shop to try is Prep Film Services. While their prices are somewhat higher, they are more likely to have what you want in stock, AND they offer processing. 800-793-3456 (Northville, Michigan).
You can also try Filmdex Incorporated, Centerville, VA (800-336-0192) They are very helpful and stock a wide variety of film stocks .
*Besides perforations, you'll also need to determine what type of "spooling" and length you want for the film. Films come in different lengths from 100 feet to 2500 feet. Some do not come in the "short" 100 foot size, so don't be surprised if you are told that the film you want only comes in the 1,000 foot roll! Some films come on special reels or in cartridges that make using the film more difficult.
* Technical and sales information on these films is not available from any one source within the manufacturing company, since motion picture and microfilm production (and sales) are normally separate and distinct divisions. It seems crazy to me, but you can't just call one telephone number and get all the information you need about all the 16mm films that a company manufacturers -- welcome to the 21th century! And don't be surprised when you get the right "division" of the manufacturer and the STILL don't know anything about the film that you want.
* For more information than that listed here ask for technical data sheets. Contact:
AGFA (201) 440-2500
FUJI (800) 326-0800
ILFORD
KODAK (800) 242-2424
web site for info on some of Kodak's
motion picture films
web
site for info on some of Kodak's micro films
web site for info
on some of Ilford's motion picture films
* When you know what types of film you want, check out the
SUBCLUB's SPONSORS page for purchasing
information. These are businesses that understand the needs of the
submini enthusiast.
Type of perforations are as follows: S = single, D = double, U = unperforated)
film name | film type | film use | light balance | sensitivity | daylight speed | tungsten speed | perforations | resin backing? | processing | lengths |
AGFA Copex RSM |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Pan | U | No | 100 215 420 1025 | ||||
AGFA Copex Pan AHU |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Pan | U | No | 100 130 215 1007 | ||||
AGFA Copex Rapid AHU |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Pan | U | No | 100 215 2000 | ||||
AGFA Copex Positive Film |
B&W Negative Duping | Micro Film | Blue | U | No | 1000 1600 | ||||
AGFA Copex Direct Duplicating |
B&W Negative Duping | Micro Film | Ortho | U | No | 1000 2500 | ||||
AGFA Datarex 109 |
B&W Negative or Positive | Micro Film | Ortho | U | No | 492 623 656 1246 | ||||
FUJI Super HR |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | U | No | 100 131 215 | |||
FUJI RE |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Ortho | ? | 246 492 656 1000 | |||||
FUJI MS-U |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Daylight | Pan | U | No | 215 420 1025 | |||
FUJI HRII |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | U | No | 100 131 215 | |||
FUJI HS-U |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | U | No | 100 200 215 | |||
FUJI SEII |
B&W Negative or Positive | Micro Film | Ortho | ? | 246 492 656 1000 | |||||
FUJI Fujicolor F-250D |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 250 | 64 | S/D | Yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
FUJI Fujicolor F-125 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 80 | 125 | S/D | Yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
FUJI Fujicolor F-500 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 320 | 500 | S/D | Yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
FUJI Fujicolor F-64D |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 64 | 16 | S/D | Yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
FUJI Fujicolor F-250 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 160 | 250 | S/D | Yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
FUJI Fujicolor Intermediate FCI |
Color Negative Duping | Motion Picture | ? | 1000 2000 | ||||||
FUJI Fujicolor Positive FCP |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | ? | No | 2000 3000 | |||||
ILFORD FP4 Plus |
B&W Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 125 | 100 | S/D | No | Standard | 100 400 | |
ILFORD HP5 Plus |
B&W Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 400 | 200 | S/D | No | Standard | 100 400 | |
ILFORD ILFOCHROME MICROGRAPHIC |
Color slide | Micro Film | Tungsten | 1 | S/D/U | No | P-5 | 100 | ||
KODAK Imagelink HQ |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | 20 | U | no | Standard | 100 132 215 420 600 825 1025 | |
KODAK Duplicating |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Blue | 0.25 | U | no | Standard | 1000 1600 2000 2500 | |
KODAK Imagelink CS |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | 20 | U | no | Standard | 420 480 1025 2000 | |
KODAK Thermal Print Film KF |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | UV | Blue | U | no | heat | |||
KODAK Imagelink FS |
B&W Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Pan | 80 | U | no | Standard | 50 100 103 164 215 420 480 500 825 1650 | |
KODAK Imagelink DL |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | Laser | U | no | heat | ||||
KODAK Diazo D Tonal Black |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | UV | Blue | U | no | ammonia | |||
KODAK Diazo D |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | UV | Blue | U | no | ammonia | |||
KODAK Optiwriter DL |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | Laser | U | no | Heat | ||||
KODAK Direct Duplicating |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | Tungsten | Ortho | 0.05 | U | no | Standard | 1000 1600 2500 | |
KODAK COM DR Direct Reversal |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | Tungsten | Blue | U | no | Standard | 495 627 660 1254 | ||
KODAK Direct Duplicating Intermediate |
B&W Positive | Micro Film | Tungsten | Ortho | 0.015 | U | no | Standard | 1000 | |
KODAK 7278 |
B&W Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 200 | 160 | S/D/U | No | Standard | 100 200 400 1200 |
KODAK 7276 |
B&W Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 50 | 40 | S/D | No | Standard | 100 200 400 |
KODAK Imagelink CM |
B&W Positive or Negative | Micro Film | Tungsten | Blue | U | no | Standard | 248 495 627 1254 | ||
KODAK Diazo C |
Blue & White Positive | Micro Film | UV | Blue | U | no | ammonia | |||
KODAK Kodachrome 25 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | 25 | S/D | no | K-14 | 50 100 | ||
KODAK Kodachrome 40 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 40 | D | no | K-14 | 100 | ||
KODAK 7277 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 200 | 320 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
KODAK 7279 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 320 | 500 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
KODAK 7245 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 50 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | |||
KODAK 7248 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 64 | 100 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
KODAK 7293 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 125 | 200 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | ||
KODAK 7297 |
Color Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | 250 | S/D | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | |||
KODAK 7239 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | 160 | S/D/U | yes | 100 200 400 1200 | |||
KODAK 7240 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 80 | 125 | S/D/U | yes | 100 200 400 | ||
KODAK 7250 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 250 | 400 | S/D/U | yes | 50 100 200 400 1200 | ||
KODAK 7251 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | 400 | D/U | yes | 100 200 400 | |||
KODAK 7231 |
B&W Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 80 | 64 | S/D | No | Standard | 100 400 |
KODAK 7222 |
B&W Negative | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 250 | 200 | D | No | Standard | 100 400 |
KODAK 7276 |
B&W Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 50 | 40 | S/D | No | Standard | 100 200 400 |
KODAK 7278 |
B&W Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | Pan | 200 | 160 | S/D/U | No | Standard | 100 200 400 1200 |
KODAK SO-251 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Tungsten | 250 | 400 | U | yes | 450 | ||
KODAK 2239 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | 160 | U | yes | 125 450 | |||
KODAK 2253 |
Color Positive | Motion Picture | Daylight | 400 | U | yes | 125 250 450 |
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COPYRIGHT @ 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 by Joe McGloin. All Rights Reserved.