While the original Agfa-Gevaert company exited the consumer film market in the early 2000s, the AgfaPhoto brand name is currently licensed to other companies, primarily InovisCoat GmbH in Germany, who manufacture and distribute photographic films under the AgfaPhoto name. Therefore, the “Agfa” films you find today are not produced by the historical Agfa-Gevaert but carry on its legacy.
AgfaPhoto APX 100
- APX 100 is a reliable and affordable slow-speed black and white film suitable for architecture, landscape, and still life photography. It’s considered a good all-rounder, especially for those seeking a classic look with fine grain and balanced contrast.
- ISO: 100
- Grain: Fine, often described as smooth or silky, especially in good light. Grain becomes more noticeable in lower light or with significant underexposure.
- Sharpness: Good to very good, capable of capturing fine details, especially in bright daylight or controlled studio lighting.
- Contrast: Medium contrast, providing a balanced tonal range without overly stark blacks or blown-out highlights. This makes it suitable for various subjects and allows for good detail in both shadows and highlights.
- Tonality: Offers a smooth and pleasing tonal gradation, contributing to a classic black and white look.
- Exposure Latitude: Solid for an ISO 100 film, handling slight overexposure well and retaining highlights. Mid-range lighting conditions are ideal.
- Developing: Compatible with a wide range of black and white developers (e.g., D-76, Rodinal, Ilfosol 3), with standard development yielding fine grain and good tonal latitude.
- Scanning/Printing: Scans well, capturing good detail and tonality. Prints well in the darkroom.
AgfaPhoto APX 400
- APX 400 versatile higher-speed black and white film suitable for various conditions, including lower light and capturing moving subjects. Its flexibility and pushability make it a popular choice for general use and experimentation. Some compare it favorably to Ilford HP5 Plus.
- ISO: 400
- Grain: Noticeable but not overwhelming, providing a classic black and white grain structure. Grain becomes more pronounced when pushed.
- Sharpness: Good, offering decent detail rendition, although slightly less sharp than APX 100 due to the higher speed.
- Contrast: Medium to slightly lower contrast compared to APX 100. This can be beneficial in high-contrast scenes, preserving more detail in shadows and highlights. Contrast can be adjusted during development.
- Tonality: Provides a good tonal range with smooth transitions.
- Exposure Latitude: Good, quite flexible and can handle underexposure reasonably well. It’s also known for its pushability up to ISO 1600 with good results, albeit with increased grain and contrast.
- Developing: Works well with standard black and white developers and responds well to push processing.
- Scanning/Printing: Scans well, and the grain is a visible characteristic. Prints well in the darkroom.
AgfaPhoto Color 400
- A relatively new color negative film under the AgfaPhoto brand, positioned as an affordable option. It offers a distinctive look with pleasing colors and versatility for different shooting scenarios. Currently available in 24 exposures.
- ISO: 400
- Grain: Medium, noticeable but not overly distracting.
- Sharpness: Good.
- Contrast: Medium.
- Color Rendition: Described as offering warm and subdued colors with a slight yellow cast and a “dreamy” look to blues. Some compare it to Kodak UltraMax 400.
- Exposure Latitude: Good, suitable for various lighting conditions.
- Developing: Standard C-41 process.
- Scanning/Printing: Handles interiors and exteriors well, picking up details in highlights and shadows.
Historically Significant Agfa Films (Discontinued):
It’s important to remember the rich history of Agfa-Gevaert and some of their iconic films from the past:
- Agfacolor Neu: A pioneering color reversal film introduced in 1936, one of the earliest commercially successful color films. It was known for its pastel tones and natural color rendition.
- Agfapan Series (e.g., Agfapan 25, 100, 400): These were highly regarded black and white films known for their sharpness, fine grain (especially the slower speeds), and good tonal range. Agfapan 100 was particularly well-loved.
- Agfachrome Series (e.g., Agfachrome CT18, RSX II): Agfa’s line of color reversal (slide) films, known for their distinct color rendition.
- Agfa Vista Series: A popular line of consumer-grade color negative films known for their affordability and decent performance. The current AgfaPhoto Color 400 is seen by some as a successor to the Agfa Vista 400.
Company History Summary:
Agfa’s history is long and influential in the photographic industry:
- Early Years (1867-1925): Founded as a dye manufacturer, Agfa (Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation) quickly moved into photographic materials, becoming a key player in films and papers.
- IG Farben Era (1925-1945): Agfa became part of the massive chemical conglomerate IG Farben. During this time, they developed the groundbreaking Agfacolor Neu film.
- Post-War and Merger (1945-1999): After WWII, Agfa re-emerged. In 1964, it merged with the Belgian Gevaert to form Agfa-Gevaert.
- Spin-off and Decline (1999-Early 2000s): Agfa-Gevaert became an independent company in 1999 but faced challenges in the digital transition, eventually selling its consumer imaging division, which led to the bankruptcy of AgfaPhoto GmbH in 2005.
- The AgfaPhoto Brand Today (2005-Present): The AgfaPhoto name is now licensed, with InovisCoat GmbH being a primary manufacturer of AgfaPhoto-branded films, carrying on a part of the historical legacy in the analog market.
In Conclusion:
While the Agfa of today is not the same entity as the historical giant, the AgfaPhoto-branded films currently available offer a range of options for both black and white and color photography. The APX series provides reliable and affordable black and white choices with distinct characteristics, while the Color 400 offers a unique color palette in the current market. Understanding the history of Agfa provides context for the enduring appeal of this name in the world of photography.