I hope that’s not too much to ask.
I’ll try to go through them one by one.
That thing up there is a casting machine. It casts whatever you put into its vessels. Currently, it can handle up to three emulsions, as you can see in the video.
However, the Kasakde is built using a modular design and could be expanded to up to 8 layers.
Coloured materials have 16 layers. So, 2 passes of 8 layers each, or 6 passes of 3 layers each.
That covers what is technically feasible on the casting side.
1 question:
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Reissue of the Pan 25
That would be feasible. The argument in favour is that it could be done quickly, as the emulsion can be purchased. The argument against is that the Rollei 25 exists and that we would still be relatively dependent on the emulsion supplier.
Experience shows that the margins available in this industry are not sufficient if two parties are to make a living from it. But technically, this would be an obvious project.
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Question 2:
CHS 100 II as a proper infrared film
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That would also be feasible. The CHS now has to be moved onto the machine, as the current coating system is no longer available. So it’s there anyway. The catch is that there is no longer a supplier for the Sensis. However, we may have access to one. If it’s suitable and affordable, then it would work.
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3 Question
Would a new edition of the old Silbermax and APX 100 also be available as roll film
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Due to the discontinuation of the raw materials, this film would have to be largely re-engineered. 100-speed films are now offered so cheaply by the major manufacturers that, as a small manufacturer, we couldn’t even afford to buy the raw materials for them. To justify this investment, we would need to be certain that we could successfully sell our film in large quantities at a price at least 50% higher than Rollei/APX/Kentmere.
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As for all the paperwork, if the PW were ever to be finalised
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That is what we hope for as well. During the re-engineering process, a raw material that had already been substituted was dropped again (despite the supplier’s assurances to the contrary). We are currently trying to have it reproduced with the help of the former supplier. However, the synthesis is so complex that it will take eight months.
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5
Also available in Chamoise
I had already confirmed that. THAT is one of the things the machine now makes possible: producing different variants of an existing product.
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6
Perhaps a panchromatic black-and-white paper to produce decent black-and-white prints from colour negatives and slides
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That too would be a variant of the existing product and could be done. However, I consider the market to be very small. Possibly so small that this variant would not be worthwhile even for us.
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7
A reissue of Ilfochrome/Cibachrome wouldn’t be a bad idea
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True, that wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it’s unrealistic. Even Ilford made losses on it, and they had the product up and running. There would have to be a sudden, massive revival in demand for Cibachrome out of the blue, and someone willing to invest millions to cover the upfront costs. Technically, it would (still) be feasible. We’ve even secured and stockpiled a large portion of the raw materials.
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and a new edition of the Colorreprodia film, but with a daylight balance for high-resolution colour photography – a CHMChrome, so to speak
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That wouldn’t work even if we were to restart Cibachrome production, because the silver bleaching process, even with the most sensitive 3200 ASA emulsion, only achieves a maximum of 2 ASA. With the silver bleaching process, the colorants are already incorporated into the film and therefore absorb a great deal of light.
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Trying, together with Agfa, to produce a cast AVICHROME
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Agfa isn’t doing this because they have casting problems. Agfa doesn’t have the full knowledge of colour film production. AVICHROME is still ‘Made in Leverkusen’.
In that respect, the cooperation in the form described could not take place.
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Best regards,
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Mirko
