Petapixel has a summary of the update video about the WideluxX by SilverBridges, and the unboxing of the functional prototypes by Jeff and Susan Bridges.
This is really taking shape, and it’s probably the most exciting film camera revival.
Category: News
News (industry, events)
Harman Switch Azure film
Harman Technologies has released the Harman Switch Azure film. A colour switched experimental film, not dissimilar to LomoChrome Turquoise. Like the Harman Red, it is based on Harman Phoenix. It is available in 120 and 135 and is rated 125 ISO.
I haven’t gotten a roll to test yet.
Ektachrome 100
Kosmofoto tells us Kodak Ektachrome E100 added to Eastman Kodak’s in-house distribution.
The legendary slide film, discontinued and then revived, is now being folded back to Eastman Kodak. This comes after Ektar 100 and Tri-X 400. It’s looking like the whole range of Kodak product is being repatriated from Kodak Alaris. It feel reassuring after learning that Kodak Alaris was being bought by private equity. The were just the exclusive distributor of Eastman Kodak in a deal with the Kodak UK pension, but now it seems that the deal changed and Eastman Kodak is getting it back.
Kodak Ektar 100 and Tri-X 400
After Kodacolor, Gold and Ultramax, here is the turn of Kodak Extar 100 and Tri-X 400 to come under the Kodak rebranding as Kosmofoto reports. These two emulsions are part of the “Professional” line.
News: instax mini Evo Cinema
The tl;dr: Fujifilm announced the instax mini Evo Cinema: a movie camera shaped Instax mini Evo camera.
That means it is a digital camera that directly print on Instax mini. But the rest feels very gimmicky:
– record short videos (up to 15sec) and then print a thumbnail with QR code to share it with other.
– the “Eras Dial”: it’s like a film simulation dial but for time period specific effects, including with the audio.
Most of it requires the use of the associated mobile app.
The ergonomics look interesting, with a grip allegedly inspired by Fujifilm own FUJICA Single-8 movie camera (an 8mm film movie camera from 1965) and a viewfinder attachment to turn the small rear LCD into an EVF. Seriously Fujifilm, make this a proper movie camera that can do 4K and you get my money.
It feels like we are being punked by Fujifilm. The fact that there are very few articles (no review) and very few videos on YouTube about it is either that Fujifilm didn’t send the camera to influencers. Even the Fujifilm corporate channels are light on content with only a video in Japanese. Reading closer what Peta Pixel knows, it seems that the instax mini Evo Cinema is set to be released in Japan, with an unknown prices and international availability.
RIP Martin Parr
British photographer Martin Parr dies aged 73
Martin Parr, a British documentary photographer, was known for his colour pictures of Britain. He is often named as an influential figure among street photographers these days.
The Guardian has a short retrospective of Martin Parr photography.
The also further pieces on or by Martin Parr, with his recent work:
– August 2025 — ‘There’s something very interesting about boring’: Martin Parr on his life in pictures
– July 2025 — Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner – photo essay
– April 2025 — Martin Parr catches the cherry blossom season in Kyoto – in pictures
(One of my) Local photo store closing
The Montreal Gazette is reporting that ‘A real institution’: Old Montreal camera shop Photo Service to close after 89 years:
A Montreal photography institution is closing after 89 years of operation. Photo Service in Old Montreal will slide the key under the door on Jan. 3, leaving many photo professionals and hobbyists in limbo.
Not the first time, nor the last time. Lozeau already closed a while back (I didn’t talk about it here) after they got pillaged by Henry’s.
Last time I tried to get to Photo Service it was 3PM on a Saturday and they were closed. Feels like their hobbyist customers have to come during the week. Camtec was open, on the same street, and then I could just mail order, even though I always try to patronise local stores.
[..] the film processing lab, which he says is among the best in the city. The store’s processing and archiving services will continue after the shop’s closure thanks to a partnership with Kant Photo on Stanley St., the details of which have yet to be ironed out.
Not sure what that means. Redirect the customers? Expand Kant Photo activities with their lab machines?
Another major factor, Savard says, is Sony’s refusal to recognize Photo Service as an authorized retailer, “for unexplained reasons, despite all our efforts. We’re almost the only store of this size in Canada not to be recognized.”
Never been a fan of Sony cameras, not sure why, but that looks like Sony would rather sell at Best Buy… or they really hate small family operated outlets, as it seems to be a similar situation elsewhere.
Anyway, life goes on, that mean more business for the stores that are left.
Link: Kodak now offers new-look Gold 200 and Ultramax 400 alongside Kodacolor films
Kosmofoto reports that Kodak now offers new-look Gold 200 and Ultramax 400 alongside Kodacolor films.
In addition to Kodacolor 100 and 200, Gold 200 and Ultramax 400 are now repackaged and sold by Kodak directly instead of Kodak Alaris.
Please bring the 800 ISO that are stuck in diposable cameras.
New Fujifilm X-T30 III and XC 13-33mm
Also today were announced the new Fujifilm X-T30 III and the XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS.
The X-T30 III is just a refresh of the X-T30 II from 2021, the entry level X-series body. Added is the new processor on top of the X-Trans IV sensor, bringing it in par with the X-M5 and X-S20, with updated auto focus and video capabilities.
From the control changes, the left dial is no longer used for drive. but instead is, like on the X-T50 and the X-M5, the film simulation dial, with support for film recipes as introduced by the X-E5. Still hoping for a firmware update doing this on the X-M5.
It also adds direct printing support to the Instax Link printers as well as the associated “crops” for the Mini, Square and Wide formats. Fujifilm, can we get a firmware update to do that on the X-M5 and X-E5 ?
This camera comes optionally with the new XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS that replaces the XC 14-45. A bit wider, and shorter, slower at the long end, and it dropped the power zoom.
Shipping in November 2025 body only for CA$1249, or in December as a kit for CA$1449, in three different colours, Silver, Black and Graphite.
DPReview: Fujifilm X-T30 III adds fresh ingredients to familiar recipe.
Rangefinder less Leica M EV-1
Take a Leica M11, remove the rangefinder and replace it with an EVF, shave the price by 10% (it’s still unaffordable) and you have the Leica M EV-1.
At the most basic level, you can get essentially the same sensor in the Sony a7CR for considerable less money, and get a similar shooting experience by adapting your M-mount lenses to fit. It won’t be as small, be as nicely built or say Leica on the front, but in purely pragmatic terms, it’ll be comparable.
I think that removing the rangefinder is like removing the main reason to buy a Leica M camera. I don’t see where that make sense. If you want to use M lenses but don’t care for the rangefinder, the above suggestion from DPReview will be probably more adequate, and anything else, the law of diminishing returns applies. And instead of a Sony, you can also use any other full frame mirrorless like a Nikon Z or Panasonic S.
This doesn’t mean Leica is abandoning the rangefinder though, but I still wonder who this camera is for except if you want to 12K.
One day I shot two rolls of film in a Leica M7. And I loved it.
Leica M7
25mm Biogon f2.8
Kodak BW400CN
The Leica M EV-1 will cost CA$12,315 as per one of my local stores, and should be available starting 23 October 2025 (ie today).
Post scriptum:
David Imel video Why Leica shed its most iconic feature (YouTube) explains the rangefinder quite well, but I’m not convinced the reasoning make sense.