This image was made with a NEW55 single PN assembly having a target retail of $6-7 exposed and processed in a Polaroid 545 holder. After exposure, the assembly is pulled normally through the rollers and timed, after which it is opened and peeled apart, revealing the positive print, above.
The negative is separated from the assembly and dropped in ordinary hypo for a few minutes, which makes the spread reagent curl away, and separate from the surface of the emulsion, and also clears any uncleared, unexposed edges where the reagent may have missed. Normally, the reagent covers the entire negative. The negative is then washed and dried in ordinary water.
This process is quite similar to that of T55 except no sodium sulfite bath is required, and easy to get hypo (fixer) is used. We used Ilford Rapid Fixer, but any solution of sodium thiosulfate will work fine. Two aspects are apparent and important: The first, both positive and negative have the same effective speed, though the scanned appearance and dynamic range of positive and negative are different, as expected. The other is that after the two minute process, there is still some residual development activity available on the negative side. This does not affect the positive but results in some solarization of the negative if exposed to room light. We expect to reduce this by optimizing the processing time and the balance of chemicals in the reagent, so they will be essentially self terminating, while still allowing artistic control of the negative, especially the prized delicate edge effects, if the user wants.
We do not know what the archival properties will be from this process but expect with reasonable washing, the negative will last as long as any other conventional negative.
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14 comments:
I need this in my life. PLEASE let me know when it is available.
This is exciting news. Thanks to everybody working on this project. I can't wait to be a paying customer.
I'm getting excited.......... the tones are gorgeous
10 boxes to me!
The negative is gorgeous!!! Can't wait for these!
Hi, Bob,
The image from the negative looks beautiful enlarged.
ISO 100? What's the film?
Are you thinking of using the faster emulsion rather than one with a 25 or 50 ISO rating? For me, a really fast - and rare - shutter speed with 55 is 1/8 second; more typically, though, 1/4 up to to a full second, sometimes longer. I'd love to go faster, or stop down a little. Certainly ISO 100 would make natural light portraits a lot easier on the sitter, too.
Of course, if ISO 100 is just a tease, I'd be happy to have New 55 at the 25 speed I was expecting.
Glad to see this and other recent results.
Hi Lou
It's an adox formula dip and dunk 100 speed emulsion. We have used several different films so far, some are better than others in this application. I see little tradeoff in going to the higher speed. In an earlier post there is a link to a "virtual display print" where you can look very close. It's a big file. Also on flickr there are a couple of details, and the watch details, below, show just how sharp this stuff is in the minute scale.
I've followed this for so long I feel as though I am part of the process. By which to say--put me up in line for the first issues. Soon, please.
Great. Simply great.
This is absolutely amazing news. I am really looking forwards to what is going to hapen in the future.
cafe I enjoy your blog very much! You ARE part of the process.
When can we expect this film? Sorry if this has already been asked.
It does get asked all the time. This is the result of an R&D effort to determine the feasibility, costs and if certain materials can be either reinvented or substituted. Not every material source has been identified, but we are close.
That in hand, and cost information, the next step is to seek financing. When and if that happens, it would take from 8 months to a year for general release.
This film looks great! please sign me up for a couple of boxes, and let me know how I can become a supporter! I wish we didn't have to wait so long -- I only recently discovered the bliss of type 55 when a friend gave me a box expired 2008 a couple of weeks ago -- shoots great -- here are some results:
http://bobbyabrahamson.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-4x5-portrait.html
http://bobbyabrahamson.blogspot.com/2011/07/few-more-type-55-portraits.html
http://bobbyabrahamson.blogspot.com/2011/07/self-portrait-with-type-55-film.html
again, let me know how to get more involved! Thanks!
THIS IS AMAZING. WHAT A SMALL GROUP CAN DO.
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