ongarine
Dear Mirko,
I’ve had a rough translation (using Google) of your announcements regarding the ‘revival’ of some out-of-production B&W papers and films. :D
As my knowledge of German is non-existent, I apologise, but would you be so kind as to summarise here the status of the forthcoming products?
I am particularly interested in the following B&W papers:
Formerly Agfa Portriga Speed
Polywarmtone and graded Fortezo
I would be very grateful for your help.
Best regards from Verona
Daniele
MirkoBoeddecker
Dear Daniele,
The products currently in the project phase are papers identical to Agfa MCC/MCP and, for next year, films identical to Agfa APX films.
The papers are already in the second stage of testing, which will take place in July.
Photographers who are interested can apply for 5 sheets of free samples if they are willing to provide feedback in return. Applications should be emailed to mccproject(at)fotoimpex.de
As for other former Agfa papers, it depends on the cost of adapting the formulations to our machinery. If the market shows sufficient interest, we might launch a research project and, depending on the results of the initial tests, we will decide whether it is worthwhile to continue or not.
This all depends on the market situation as a whole as well.
We are focusing on small-scale niche production to ensure the continued availability of high-quality monochrome products for the future. In most cases, we cannot compete in our micro-factory with Kodak, Fuji, Ilford, Kentmere or Foma.
Therefore, we will only produce products that these companies do not (or no longer) manufacture, or where we can be competitive for other reasons.
We will not be remaking Forte products, but there are other companies involved in this venture and, once they become available again, we will certainly distribute these new Forte papers as well.
I do not think, however, that graded papers will be remade.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Kind regards,
Mirko
ongarine
Thank you, Mirko, for the opportunity you’ve given us.
I had intended to send an email to MCCproject.
My view is that the niche market for black-and-white products will be the future for fine-art and artistic photographers, as well as for those curious about image-making, since this ‘method’ will become one of the expressive possibilities in contemporary photography rather than simply an established way of producing commercial photographs.
The discussion could go on at length... but I’d be delighted if some old and new, reliable and readily available B&W products were to appear on the market.
Best regards
Daniele
