Kodak Panatomic-X was a black-and-white film with a panchromatic emulsion and extended red sensitivity. It was identified for its really fine grain higher resolving energy and medium to higher contrast. It was excellent for significant prints that retained a ton of detail and sharpness.
Panatomic-X was a single of the slowest films ever created by Kodak with a speed of ASA 32. It was also a single of the most steady and extended-lasting films as it could be shot decades soon after its expiration date with minimal degradation. It was a film that appealed to photographers who valued excellent more than quantity and who wanted to capture the finest specifics of their subjects.
Panatomic-X was not only a film but also a aspect of photographic history. It was introduced in 1933 as a sheet film for aerial photography and it went via quite a few revisions and formats more than the years. It was discontinued in the late 1980s or early 1990s but it has left a lasting impression on numerous photographers who utilised it or admired it.
In this write-up we will discover the history and versions of Panatomic-X its qualities and applications the motives for its discontinuation and some sample photos taken with this film. We will also spend tribute to this film as a single of the finest ever created by Kodak.
History of Kodak Panatomic-X and Versions
Kodak Panatomic-X was very first introduced in 1933 as a sheet film for aerial photography. It had an initial speed of ASA 25. It was aspect of Kodak’s line of “X” films which had been developed to have extended red sensitivity and enhanced tonal rendition.
More than the years it went via quite a few revisions altering speeds to ASA 32 and at a single point ASA 40. It was also obtainable in 35mm and 120 formats for common and expert use. The film had unique names based on the format and application such as Panatomic-X Specialist
Panatomic-X Aerographic Panatomic-X Aerecon and Panatomic-X Scientific.
The film was discontinued by Kodak in the late 1980s or early 1990s but it has a reputation for becoming really steady and extended-lasting. Numerous photographers have reported shooting expired rolls of Panatomic-X with great benefits in some cases at box speed or slightly overexposed.
One particular of them is Mike Eckman who praised the film’s longevity and overall performance:
Regardless of when Pan-X was truly discontinued is largely irrelevant mainly because the most awesome attribute of this film is how it continually defies aging (sic). I’ve shot rolls of Pan-X discontinued in the 1980s 70s and 60s and the film practically constantly shoots at box speed with small in the way of degradation.
He continues
My experiences with the seemingly immortal life of Pan-X are not exclusive to me as I’ve spoken to numerous other photographers who have witnessed the very same points themselves. If you discover a roll of 35mm Pan-X from 1977 in a closet someplace just shoot it at ASA 25 and you will probably get a complete roll of good shots.
Mike Eckman “Keppler’s Vault 70: Kodak Panatomic-X” | mike eckman dot com
An additional photographer who shared his encounter with Panatomic-X is Alex Luyckx who described the film as “a fine-grained common goal film and it appears the slowest of the X-Series of films (Plus-X Tri-X Double-X). And what a film Panatomic-X is […] I’m much more a slow film junkie and appreciate Panatomic-X far much more than Plus-X.”
I bear in mind the very first time I encountered a box of Panatomic-X and seeing the film seep of ASA-32 my thoughts was blown. I had under no circumstances observed a film slower than ASA-50 (Pan F+). And then I sent it off to the lab to create it and was even much more amazed at the benefits.
Alex Luyckx Classic Film Assessment – Kodak Panatomic-X | Alex Luyckx | Weblog
Alyssa Chiarello also wrote about her encounter with expired Panatomic-X mentioning that “it has an great name […] Atomic! You cannot get any far better than this!”:
Initially released in 1933 as sheet film Kodak Panatomic-X film has been reformulated quite a few occasions considering the fact that its original release […] The roll I shot expired in 1987 so it is older than me! […] I shot it at box speed […] The photos came out really sharp with good contrast.
Alyssa Chiarello Expired Film: Kodak Panatomic-X | Aly’s Vintage Camera Alley
This relative indestructibility of the film renders it a single of the legendary emulsions for these of us in search of to rediscover the much more classic B&W film appear. Although newer emulsions have been introduced that render Panatomic-X redundant in pure technical terms (for instance Kodak T-Max 100) the appear and really feel of a classic cubic grain film of such resolution is challenging to reproduce.
Panatomic-X was not only a film for amateurs and enthusiasts but also for pros and scientists. It was utilised for a variety of purposes and applications such as aerial photography mapping reconnaissance studio photography and scientific investigation.
Traits and Applications
Kodak Panatomic-X had a thin and very hardened emulsion that supplied higher image sharpness and permitted speedy processing at elevated temperatures in contemporary continuous-processing machines. It also had a dyed-gel backing for antihalation purposes and curl manage.
The film was very best utilised for medium to higher altitude mapping reconnaissance and other earth sources applications. It was also appropriate for studio photography particularly when a higher degree of enlargement was required. It supplied great separation of highlight tones and really fine grain.
The film could be processed in a selection of Kodak black-and-white developers such as HC-110 D-76 Microdol-X and Xtol. The encouraged improvement occasions varied based on the developer temperature and agitation process.
Alex Luyckx shared his encounter with unique developers on his weblog. For instance in Xtol:
The really very first developer mixture I discovered for Panatomic-X was Xtol […] this is my individual favourite for this film […] displaying off the fine grain of the film even much more but sustaining a sharp image.²
and in D76:
[…] there’s seriously nothing at all you can do to the film to make it seem grainy. And that definitely comes across with D-76 anything is close to fantastic the contrast is low but you get an awesome tonality across the variety. You even get your whites and blacks nonetheless present. Zero grain in any of the photos definitely a good decision for this film.
Alex Luyckx Classic Film Assessment – Kodak Panatomic-X | Alex Luyckx | Weblog
Causes for Discontinuation
Kodak Panatomic-X was discontinued due to quite a few variables such as:
The decline of the industry for black-and-white films in common as colour films became much more well-liked and very affordable.
The emergence of newer films with finer grain and greater speed such as Kodak T-Max 100 and Ilford Delta 100.
The difficulty of sustaining the excellent and consistency of the film’s production due to its complicated emulsion formula and coating approach.
The environmental and wellness issues related with the use of some chemical substances in the film’s manufacture and processing.
Jim Grey lamented the loss of this film on his weblog:
As quicker films came and went […] Kodak would discontinue Pan-X only to bring it back […] It would keep in continuous production for the subsequent quite a few decades as the professional’s decision when absolute detail ought to be maintained in black-and-white photos.
He also commented on the film’s versatility and excellent:
For the type of shooting I do — handheld outdoors — slow films require good light. I went out with my ME only on complete-sun days and I nonetheless got shallow depth of field. But if you know that going in you can function with it.
Jim Grey “Shooting Kodak Panatomic-X” | Down the Road
Conclusion
Kodak Panatomic-X was a exceptional film that supplied really fine grain higher resolving energy and medium to higher contrast. It was excellent for significant prints that retained a ton of detail and sharpness. It was also really steady and extended-lasting even soon after expiration. It was a film that numerous photographers loved and miss currently.
Panatomic-X was aspect of Kodak’s legacy of making higher-excellent black-and-white films for a variety of purposes and applications. It was a film that captured the beauty and complexity of the globe in shades of grey. It was a film that challenged and rewarded the photographers who utilised it with care and ability.
Panatomic-X may possibly be gone but it is not forgotten. It lives on in the photos it made and the memories it preserved. It is a film that deserves to be celebrated and remembered as a single of the finest ever created.
Why never you comment beneath on how you bear in mind this legendary film? Do you miss it or have you moved on? Let us know!