Topic: Ferrania Survey

[limr]

Has this been posted before? I remember discussion of Ferrania but I don't remember a survey. Anyway, if anyone hasn't seen it or done it, here it is!

https://filmferrania.squarespace.com/survey/

[Late Developer]

Thanks Leonore.  Just completed the survey.  We'll see what happens.....

[Bryan]

It was just posted yesterday on a cine film forum that I'm a member of.  I completed the survey right away.  I made it a point to mention the lack of Color Reversal options currently available, especially in double 8mm and Super 8 film.  Prices have have been going through the roof as well.  It sounds like they are really going to make this happen the only question is what the price will be. 

[Terry]

Mysterious hints on their website about a big announcement in September....

[John Robison]

Thanks for this post. I completed it right away. I sure hope it goes well for them.

[gsgary]

I have read on another forum that they say they are going to make a B+W film but also going to make what everyone wants

[Bennybee]

Very promising. I completed their survey and wished them success. Let's hope they bring out some fine emulsions.

[Aksel]

Also did the survey but had a hard time seeing the real value in the insight they gain from it.
Hope they do well and can make it a healthy profit!

[Francois]

I don't think the survey is done for the survey's information. I see it more as a reverse advertising system. You make a survey you know film people will answer so that they know the company is active and coming-up with new products. This in terms produces some buzz which hopefully bring business.

[Indofunk]

Plus they collect your email address, and it is required that you stay on their mailing list for them to actually use your answers (or so they claim). That's why I did NOT fill out the survey.

[Pete_R]

The email address can be anything though. Just make one up. I created one just for the purpose (something I often do so I can delete it if I start getting spam on it) but haven't received anything yet.

[Francois]

I don't think they'll send stuff at a frequency that's even close to the Lomo newsletter.

[Bryan]

I've been on their mailing list for several months, I rarely get anything from them.  I actually get excited if I do see something from them.  My biggest concern is if they sell or give my email to others.

[gsgary]

I'm going to try and get some Ferrania film tomorrow https://www.flickr.com/groups/ferrania/discuss/72157631197929534/

[Francois]

My biggest concern is if they sell or give my email to others.

I know what you mean... I'm tired of getting a one in a lifetime chance to invest in a mystery company that will make me a billionaire...

[hookstrapped]

Plus they collect your email address, and it is required that you stay on their mailing list for them to actually use your answers (or so they claim). That's why I did NOT fill out the survey.

You use facebook but you don't want a small film company have your email?

[hookstrapped]

I hope (and suggested) they focus on films that have been recently discontinued and have a strong fan base, like a couple of my faves, Etkachrome 100VS and Neopan 1600.  I don't think it makes sense for them to produce direct competition to what Kodak, Ilford, and Fuji are still producing.

[Bryan]

The quote below was from about a year ago.  At that time it sounded like they wanted to start with a color negative film derived from Ferrania Solaris FG-100 for still photography and a color reversal film derived from Scotch Chrome 100.  Things may have changed since then but I rooting for the Scotch Chrome 100 in Double 8mm cine film.

Welcome
Hello and welcome to this mailing list.
Just a few words to thank everybody who subscribed, although no more than a single brand is shown at the moment on the Ferrania home page.
 
We think it is worth answering some questions that often arise on the discussion boards we are also following.
 
As you know, Ferrania discontinued its photographic products some years ago and after that some buildings and equipments were dismantled or sold because the destiny of film seemed to be compromised forever after introduction of digital. Obviously we dream to put the film in a new era where it can live in symbiosis with digital imaging technologies.
 
After more than one year of work, we are finally trying to start again with a small production of film. But rescaling a production workflow is not an easy process: some chemical products are not available anymore on the market, former Ferrania workers and engineers must be involved again in a completely new production workflow, etc.
 
We worked a lot on many of the above issues and now we are proud to say that the moment is arrived of really making film.
 
Right now there is a six month R&D project aiming to produce a first Jumbo of film. If during this period we are able to solve all the remaining technical issues and if the market gives us a reasonable preliminary feedback, we will be ready to go ahead and ship new film in the first quarter of 2014!
 
Ok, now the question is: what kind of film?
We think it is better to start revamping the very last produced emulsions. The first two that we will make are a color negative film derived from Ferrania Solaris FG-100 Plus (only for still photographs) and a professional color reversal film derived from Scotch Chrome 100.
 
And which formats?
We have the equipment to finish film in almost all photographic and motion picture formats: 110, 120, 126, 127, 135, 220, Super 8, Double 8, 16mm, 35mm and 70mm but at first we will put on line only the ones that are requested by the market.

More details are coming, please continue to follow us!

Cheers
 
The FILM Ferrania team

[Bryan]

A great little documentary of the factory in action in the 1940's.  Can't wait for their big announcement next month.

http://www.filmferrania.it/news/the-countdown-begins/2014

[Francois]

I never thought they hand-rolled the film!

And that sprocket punching machine was pretty weird... I thought it would work at a much faster pace... but this is Italy

[Bryan]

I never thought they hand-rolled the film!

And that sprocket punching machine was pretty weird... I thought it would work at a much faster pace... but this is Italy

I think that is still standard for punching sprocket holes.  Wittner just got new punches and they look like they would go on the same type of machine.  they are cutting and re-perforating to make 8mm and Super 8 film.

http://www.pro16mm.de/neu/

This is a translation of the link:

Arrived tools for DS8 (1-4)
After intensive efforts have succeeded us to acquire very rare Carbide tools for DS8 film format. These are required in order to produce also the DS8 camera film format (1-4) on polyester base in good quality. Our previous tools (hardened or tungsten carbide) were all for the Super 8 production was perfected - and are thus not suitable for DS8 the Perforationslage 1-4. With tool sets now in addition acquired by us, a separate DS8 (1-4) workflow be implemented. Since we currently they are working on two major projects in neighboring areas of business, we can not currently make any forecasts for delivery. But WITTNER CHROME 200D DS8 is a done deal. We will again settle message in the foreseeable future availability

[Francois]

I guess that's how they make them... I thought that they could have been using a large wheel that would both punch the sprockets, trim the leader and expose the edge markings in one single step... but that's probably good only for a company the size of Kodak or Fuji.

[astrobeck]

I think it's all exciting!
I just wish they would show how they manage dust...I saw the hairnets, etc. but still....  Where's the dust catcher?

I'll be first in line for some film, and told them as much in the survey!
:-)

Becky

[gsgary]

I think it's all exciting!
I just wish they would show how they manage dust...I saw the hairnets, etc. but still....  Where's the dust catcher?

I'll be first in line for some film, and told them as much in the survey!
:-)

Becky

If they make B+W I'm right behind you

[SLVR]

I had a great laugh at the scene of everyone checking the film quality with the lights on!!

[astrobeck]

I would be kind of fun, (yet extreme)  if there were people lined up and camped outside the front door waiting for the first rolls of film to come out.  Kinda like the crazies in front of Best Buy here in the states.....

I think it's all exciting!
I just wish they would show how they manage dust...I saw the hairnets, etc. but still....  Where's the dust catcher?

I'll be first in line for some film, and told them as much in the survey!
:-)

Becky

If they make B+W I'm right behind you

[Francois]

That would definitely bring media attention to them!

[gsgary]

Who's organising the trip ?

[This-is-damion]

replied to the survey.  fair play to them for doing this... lets hope its a success

[Late Developer]

This is Italy we're talking about.  I hope to be proven wrong but general snags, "unavoidable delays", strikes / political unrest, volcanic eruptions, etc. would probably mean any "release date" would need to be fixed within a timeframe of 7-10 days either way, if you're lucky.  Seriously, I've done a fair bit of business directly and indirectly with Italian suppliers over 35 years working.  Lovely, lovely people to deal with but a bit variable when it comes to delivering on time....

 

[02Pilot]

This is Italy we're talking about.  I hope to be proven wrong but general snags, "unavoidable delays", strikes / political unrest, volcanic eruptions, etc. would probably mean any "release date" would need to be fixed within a timeframe of 7-10 days either way, if you're lucky.  Seriously, I've done a fair bit of business directly and indirectly with Italian suppliers over 35 years working.  Lovely, lovely people to deal with but a bit variable when it comes to delivering on time....

Plus it's August. Nothing except epic traffic jams, mass public partial nudity, and incessant complaining about this week's government happens in Italy in August. (Well, to be fair, the last one is sort of ongoing.)

And allowing 14-20 days variability is rather optimistically precise, I think.

[Francois]

Well, you know, when you get nice weather like this, and there's good Espresso, and you can chat with the barista, or go for a gelato and there's football, and there's all the girls who do the bella figura... these things take time 

[astrobeck]

I guess we should pack the sturdy tents for camping outside their front door then if it's going to be a long haul!

 

[Francois]

But you know, good things take time... And all things Italian make you happy. So it's definitely worth the wait

[gsgary]

I had one Italian in 1979 that made me very happy her name was Motoguzzi Le Mans but I would have loved to have that other chick Laverda Jota

[mcduff]

I had one Italian in 1979 that made me very happy her name was Motoguzzi Le Mans but I would have loved to have that other chick Laverda Jota

OK stop that! A while ago you were doing a good job if telling me I should keep away from those beautiful Italians and then you have to mention motoguzzi and laverda! A friend had a Jota from back then - it was both ugly and beautiful at the same time. It was a gorgeous red (that faded to this pinkish orange in its first summer haha). But it sounded captivating when it was idling - it was the type that had the 180 degree crankpin phasing.

But to briefly leave OT, it will be exciting to see this film when it eventually shows up. I hope it is realistically priced.

[Late Developer]

My first car was a Fiat 124 (in 1978). I subsequently owned a Fiat 132 and I've always liked ice cream, Sofia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida.  I'm not sure this is relevant but it's all true.

[astrobeck]

To stay somewhat on topic...we can watch "spaghetti westerns" while camping out waiting on that film to be packaged....

[Terry]

LD: My first car was also a Fiat 124 (in 1980).  It was also my last Fiat!!!

[02Pilot]

Weirdly, I just saw a near-mint yellow 124 parked in front of the movie theater I was at last night. First one I've seen around here in probably a decade or so.

[gsgary]

Even Trabant's are better than Fiat, missus just got rid of the new 500 just out of warranty and clock on dash goes crazy turned out it is a common fault airbag sensor nearly £500 fix

[Late Developer]

Never driven a Trabant but a mate of mine (a mechanic) reckoned he wouldn't even get in one as he said it had a gravity-fed fuel tank which sat above the engine. I can't confirm this but it doesn't sound like the best idea in the world if it's true.

A neighbour had a "Wartburg" which was the crappiest, ugliest thing on wheels I've seen, aside from the Porsche Panamera (4 door "pseudo-sports cars" are just wrong, IMO, and the Range Rover Evoque (the "Essex chic" tractor - which has to be the biggest car with the most cramped interior I've ever tried to get in).

[Francois]

And then, there's the new Alpha 4C....... So beautiful, curvacious, with a roar that's just fantastic...

And pretty much every piece of furniture shown at il salone del mobile de Milano...

And Spaghetti Bolognese, Parmegiano Regiano, Prosciutto...
Lasciatemi cantare, con la chitarra in mano, lasciatemi cantare, sono un italiano

And yes for more Ennio Morricone!

[Terry]

...and the Ferrania Rondine and the Bencini Comet.  Not the most ergonomic and functional cameras I own but the coolest-looking.

[Francois]

And there's the beautifully designed Fatif view cameras which have famous designer Joe Columbo's fingerprints all over them.

[jojonas~]

and here I thought all the new activity in the ferrania thread was about some new information on their film process

[Late Developer]

I suppose there's only so much one can say about a film / series of films that haven't been announced yet - compared to Italian food, wine, cars and work ethic.....

[Francois]

and here I thought all the new activity in the ferrania thread was about some new information on their film process

[fake Italian accent on]
Well, you know, these films will be made by the best chefs in the world. A pinch of this, a dash of that, you know, you got to have your emulsion seasoned perfectly. Not enough salt and it won't hold. Too much of it and you ruin the whole dish. You mix all the ingredients with love, lay it on thin and put it all in the refrigerator for a few hours until it becomes solid. Then, all you have to do is cut it into even parts and roll it tightly. Add a bit of sunlight, a bit of coffee, a bit of vinegar and you have it, perfect film... capiche?

[/fake Italian accent off] 

[gsgary]

Going by your "Gift fron Canada" thread I'm glad the Canadian chefs have nothing to do with it

[jojonas~]

and here I thought all the new activity in the ferrania thread was about some new information on their film process

[fake Italian accent on]
Well, you know, these films will be made by the best chefs in the world. A pinch of this, a dash of that, you know, you got to have your emulsion seasoned perfectly. Not enough salt and it won't hold. Too much of it and you ruin the whole dish. You mix all the ingredients with love, lay it on thin and put it all in the refrigerator for a few hours until it becomes solid. Then, all you have to do is cut it into even parts and roll it tightly. Add a bit of sunlight, a bit of coffee, a bit of vinegar and you have it, perfect film... capiche?

[/fake Italian accent off] 

haha! okey you seem to have this sorted out carry on!