American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1956)

Eastman Plus-X Panchromatic Negative Film (Type B) Cameramen accustomed to the older Plus-X film need make no changes in the general lighting or exposure levels when using this new Eastman negative film. By EMERY HUSE On February 20, 1956, at a regular monthly meeting of the American Society of Cinematographers, the writer presented a short paper, with substan¬ tiating film evidence, dealing with the photographic characteristics of the new Plux-X Panchromatic Negative Film, Type B, which was to be available to the trade several months later. This film is now available and in pro¬ duction use in limited quantities. The new film, carrying the same name as its predecessor, Eastman Plus-X Panchro¬ matic Negative Film, can be different¬ iated from the older film by the use of the term “Type B”, which is enclosed in parentheses after the name, and by the change of the film code number from 5231, the number of the old type, to 4231. This new film is not merely an im¬ provement in the old product; it is an entirely new film incorporating the lat¬ est advances in emulsion and support manufacturing techniques. It is a high speed, fine grain negative material, well suited to general photography, as well as to exterior photography under normal or poor lighting conditions. The film represents an excellent balance between the maximum desirable speed for most purposes and the finest grain available at that speed. This new film is of opproximately the same speed as the wellknow Eastman Plus-X Panchromatic Negative Film, Type 5231. It can be widely used for general production work and is suitable for making composite pro¬ jection background scenes, since its speed is sufficient to permit the use of small aperture in order to secure depth of field. Cameramen who are accustomed to the older Plus-X film need make no changes in their general lighting or ex¬ posure levels when using the new film. Since the type 4231 film has a much lower granularity than the type 5231, the graininess observed in a projected print therefrom is thus greatly reduced. In addition, the acutance, the factor which expresses the ability of a film to produce sharp images, is much higher than that of the older film. These prop¬ erties, graininess and acutance, assume greater importance since the adoption of wide-screen processes by the industry. The tone reproduction characteristics of the new film are excellent. In com¬ bination with Eastman Fine Grain Re¬ lease Positive Film, Type 5302, spar¬ kling highlights and good blacks are ob¬ tained, together with a very pleasing gradation of well-spaced intermediate tones. With the improved granularity and sharpness of the type 4231, the lay¬ man can readily observe the remarkable difference between the old Plus-X Nega¬ tive and the new type. This new type 4231 film has panchro¬ matic sensitizing which is slightly dif¬ ferent than that of type 5231. It is more nearly like that of Eastman Tri-X Pan¬ chromatic Negative Film, Type 5233, which in itself was slightly different than the regular Plus-X Negative, Type 5231. In a tabulation which will apear at the end of this article, spectograms, filter factors, developing rates, and other pertinent factors will be presented, such as will be available later in standard data-sheet form. As is the case with the older type ( Continued, on Page 562) 542 American Cinematographer September, 1956