Richard had some interesting thoughts about Plus-X and Kodak:
I've never understood why Kodak decided to use virtually identical
names for very different products. There are two completely different
emulsions being sold under the general names of Plus-X and Tri-X.
One is a normal, medium-toe film, the other is a special very long toe
film intended for mainly studio product photography. The medium toe
version of both films is available as roll film and 35mm film, the
long toe version as sheet film. The tonal rendition of the two types
is substantially different. Kodak made a third film (now discontinued)
called Ektapan, with virtually the same sensitometric characteristics
as long toe Plus-X but of ISO-100 speed rather than ISO-125. Why couldn't
Plus-X have been called something else? Don't know. It appears from data
sheets of sixty years ago that even then sheet films and roll films sold
under the same name had different sensitometric characteristics. Not as
extreme as the difference between modern Plus-X roll and Plus-X sheet,
but different nonetheless. In any case, Plus-X in 35mm and roll film is
being continued and is very good general purpose film, especially for
those who don't get along with T-Max too well. Plus-X roll film looks
enough like Verichrome Pan to be a satisfactory replacement. In any case,
closer than FP-4 or Agfapan 100, both of which are are also good film.
Kodak management is stuck with trying to maintain a reasonably competitive
return on investment for its stockholders, not easy and a legal obligation,
without dismembering the company. I don't envy them. Both Henry Ford II
and William Paley (founder of CBS) said at various times that thier
greatest mistake was taking their companies public. Once you do that
the performance of the stock becomes paramount and return must be
maintained even if it winds up killing off the company. There have been
major law suits by stockholders which establish this obligation as the
highest management has. I don't want to start a political discussion but
think that this policy winds up doing damage to the over all economy and
needs some modification. In any case, Kodak's management is walking a
high-wire and doing the best it can in a changing marketplace.
--- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
*
"Get over it."
Dr. Laura
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