In the digital age, film manufacturers must separate themselves somehow. Since its inception in 2014, German film company Kono achieves this by creating films that offer distinct looks. The company aims to create an appearance that is hard, if not impossible, to achieve with a digital camera.
Furthering its goal to create appealing films for analog photographers, Kono has announced a trio of new film emulsions.
Kono Delight Art 100 (120 medium format)
First up is the Kono Delight Art 100 film. It's an ISO 100 color negative film available only in medium format 120. The color-tinted Art 100 is not just the first film in Kono's Delight series. It's also the company's first 120 medium format film.
Kono Delight Art 100 sample image. Image credit: Kono
Delight Art 100 is based on professional film stock, and professionals carefully tint each roll. Kono writes, 'A completely new look is the outcome of carefully altered hue, saturation and contrast. ' The daylight-balanced film has a strong, distinct look, as you can see in the sample images provided by Kono.
Kono Delight Art 100 sample image. Image credit: Kono
The film is made by hand, which is a time-consuming, but precise, process. Accordingly, the film is pricey. It's $25 for a roll from Freestyle Photo and Imaging Supplies.
Kono Delight Art 100 sample image. Image credit: Kono
Kono Monolit 3 (35mm)
Another new product is a black and white 35mm film, Kono Monolit 3. It is an orthochromatic film, meaning it is sensitive to all visible light except for red. The film is extremely slow, with a speed of ISO 3.
Kono Monolit 3 sample image. Image credit: Kono
Kono writes that it's 'the perfect film stock for architecture and landscape photography. ' The film is produced for Kono with technical assistance by Svema. With its very slow speed, Monolit 3 will be difficult to use for any moving subject unless you're working with very powerful lights or using a very fast lens in bright sunlight.
Kono Monolit 3 sample image. Image credit: Kono
A 35mm roll with 36 exposures is available for $15.
Kono Monolit 100 (35mm)
The final new film is another black and white film, Monolit 100. It's a panchromatic 35mm film with an ISO of 100.
Kono Monolit 100 sample image. Image credit: Kono
Kono writes, 'Following a time-honored recipe, this motion picture stock gives your pictures an unmistakable European cinema aesthetic. ' Like the Monolit 3, the Monolit 100 was produced for Kono with technical assistance by Svema.
Kono Monolit 100 sample image. Image credit: Kono
With its ISO of 100, Monolit 100 will prove easier to use and more versatile than the new Monolit 3 film. It could be useful for many subjects, including landscapes, portraits and other daytime shooting situations.
Kono Monolit 3 is available for $13 in a roll of 36 exposures.
. dpreview.com2021-6-2 20:38
