Kodak changes Vision 3 Films
Kodak will be phasing out RemJet backed films with those with new AHU layer.
If you are not aware, Kodak is making a major upgrade to their Vision 3 motion picture films. If you have ever shot this film before, then you are aware of the jet black layer on the film that prevents halation I in the highlights. This carbon RemJet layer had to be washed off before processing in ECN-2 chemistry or cross processing in C-41 chemistry.
Kodak is now releasing a new version of the Vision 3 films without the RemJet backing. Now the film can be processed in ECN-2 or cross processed in C-41 (still expect the same color and tonality shifts you would get processing these films in C-41) without a RemJet layer to remove first. The AHU layer washes off in the development process. Kodak states that the new AHU (Anti Halation Layer) will perform the same or better as the deprecated RemJet layer in terms of reducing halation, though they do recommend you test your results.
If you have processed ECN-2 films at home (the ones with RemJet backing) you know how it can be sort of a pain to deal with the RemJet. There is a good formula for a RemJet removal solution that does a pretty good job removing the RemJet before developing but in my experience you still have some left of the film after processing that needs to be removed before scanning. Even then, I never get all of it and have to remove any blemishes from it in Lr during post processing.
Kodak does not state that the actual emulsions of their Vision 3 films are changing other than the new AHU layer. The memo below states that the never version of the film can be used seamlessly in workflows that use the RemJet backed version.
Many people were speculating the the new version of the film could be processed in C-41 instead of ECN-2. While technically that is the case, I don’t think Kodak is shifting their cinema film to use C-41 based on the statement above. They don’t mention in the memo that C-41 is the development process for this new version of the film. It’s my thoughts that ECN-2 will still be the correct chemistry to process this new version of Vision 3 film for correct colors and tonality.
The memo goes on to show you the difference in the film with the new AHU layer and the older RemJet backed version, the AHU layer version looses that jet black appearance on the back of the film and is more dull.
In any case, I am excited to try out this new film once I get my hands on it! The other good news is Kodak is making this change to all their cinema film from 35mm, super 8, and 65mm. That means we might see this in respooled from 65mm 120/220 film!
Tell me your thoughts in the comments below, what do you think about the new Vision 3 films with the AHU layer?
