New Insights into Cine Film without Remjet
The rumors from our first post have been confirmed and Kodak has started to launch Vision3 AHU. We can already offer the film to you.
Meanwhile, thanks to this Reddit post, the complete Kodak document on the new film material is available.
In principle, all the assumptions made were confirmed:
- Instead of the usual Remjet layer, a new layer called AHU is used
- The AHU layer contains silver and is removed in the bleach process
- There are no differences in color reproduction
- The change will be introduced gradually for all existing films Kodak Vision3 500T 5219, 200T 5213, 250D 5207 and 50D 5203 in all formats (8 to 65mm)
What is Remjet?
Remjet is, simply put, a black protective layer on the film that must be removed before development. This is the main reason why Vision films cannot be processed at every photo lab. Detailed information here.
What Does this Mean for Vision3 Films in the Future?
Our hopes have been confirmed! Since the AHU layer is removed in the bleach process, the film can also be easily developed in C-41. This makes it possible to hand in the film to any lab that offers the standard C-41 color process.
The complex removal of the Remjet layer and the need to use few specialized labs is therefore history!
It can be assumed that it will take a while before this news reaches all labs. There, your lab techs have learned in recent years to pay close attention to ensure that a film with Remjet is not incorrectly placed in the C-41 machine. The consequences of such a mixup were far-reaching, the machine has to be cleaned extensively and the chemistry disposed of.
Now there will be Vision3 with and without Remjet in parallel for a while, which will not make the situation any clearer for the labs.
The film leader serves as a quick distinction. This shows whether the film has the typical brown color or the rich black color of Remjet. Furthermore, we have decided to clearly mark our V3 cartridges as AHU.
Cinestill 800t Will Stay
Cinestill is now located on the Kodak campus in Rochester. Accordingly, we assume that Cinestill has been sourcing Vision3 master rolls without Remjet directly from Kodak for years. Therefore, it is not to likely that anything will change for the Cinestill products 800T, 400D, 50D.
The halations desired by customers are not present in Vision3 AHU, so this unique selling point remains reserved for Cinestill (as well as Reflx Lab, Aurora etc.) for the time being.
Kodak Portra Bulk Film in 400ft
In the last post, we mentioned in passing that Portra in 400ft length was tested in the USA.
Now we have learned that feature films are already being shot with the material. It will probably remain a product on special order and therefore it is unlikely that it will get into the secondary market and become available for photographers. As ultimately happened with E100D.
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