Ortho film

Ortho films are sensitive mostly to blue light. This accounts for being
able to use a red safelight with them. Until recently Kodak still made an
ortho version of Tri-X. Currently most ortho films are lith type films.
However, there are a couple of smaller manufacturers who are coating film
with an ortho emulson which are full scale. As far as I know, these are all
roll films. Try contacting Freestyle in LA, www.freestylesalesco. I believe
thay still carry one even though they have significantly reduced the number
of inventory items in the past several months.

Ortho emulsions are really nice to use in contrasty situations with deep
shadows. Since shadows are blue, the ortho sensitivity opens these up
beautifully. I still carry a few holders of Tri-X Ortho anytime I am going
to photograph among trees.

Although it can't be developed with a red safelight, panchromatic films can
be converted to give a similar sensitivity to blue light through use of a
light blue filter.
Jim
Received on Fri Aug 16 18:07:12 2002