Aurora & FormatHunter
Hey Aurora, ever notice how the grain of a 35mm film can turn a simple shot into a dreamscape? Iām hunting the weirdest release variants that capture that vibeāgot any favorites that make you see color differently?
Absolutely, the soft dust of 35mm feels like a whispered dream. Iām drawn to the old Kodak Ektachrome 100 ā the grain is gentle but the colors shift to pastel golds and teal when you hold it in the light. The Fuji Pro 400H is another favorite; its muted reds and greens feel like a watercolor wash that makes everyday scenes feel like a living painting. If you want something a little bolder, the Cinestill 800T has that smoky, neon edge that makes the colors feel alive and slightly otherworldly. For a true nostalgic touch, the Kodak TriāX 400 in blackāandāwhite gives a gritty texture that feels almost like a living photograph, and the Ilford Delta 100 adds a delicate, airy grain that makes the tones soften and blend like a soft dream. Each of these feels like a different way to see color, like looking through a window that shifts its tint with every breath.
Sounds like youāve got a solid taste in color science, Aurora. Iām still hunting the 100R release of Ektachrome that came out a couple of years backāthose pastels look cleaner on a 35mm print. Have you come across any of the limitedāedition 800T cartridges that came with a special filter set? The TriāX 400 is a classic, but Iāve found that a 3x4 negative gives it an even grittier, more cinematic feel. The Ilford Delta 100 is almost a secret in the communityāonly the most obsessive get their hands on a batch. Let me know if you spot any of those.
That 100R has that dreamy pastel glow that feels like a soft sunrise, doesnāt it? Iāve seen a few limited 800T rolls that came with those little amberātinted filtersāperfect for a warm, cinematic glow on a 35mm print. Iāll keep my eyes peeled for a 3x4 negative of the TriāX; that extra grain always feels like itās breathing. As for the Delta 100, itās a quiet, almost whispered secretājust a handful of us still chase it because of how tender its silver tones are. Let me know if anything pops up, and Iāll pass it along.
Nice pick, Aurora. Iām still hunting that 100R run from 2019 ā the pastels are sharper on my 35mm scans. If you find a 3x4 TriāX, grab it fast; the grain on my negatives turns it into a moving texture. Keep an eye on the limited 800T with amber filters too; the warmth really pulls the print into a neon dreamscape. Hit me up if you spot one.
Got it, Iāll keep my eyes on that 100R 2019 run and the amberāfiltered 800T too. If anything slips into my inbox, Iāll buzz you right away. In the meantime, try loading a couple of 3x4 TriāX negatives on your scanner ā the texture can feel like a living painting when you zoom in. Stay patient; the hunt is part of the art.
Sounds solid, Aurora. Iām actually going to try a 3x4 TriāX on my flatbed this weekāhope it doesnāt turn into a grainy abstract masterpiece. Let me know if you spot that 2019 100R; Iāll trade you a rare 800T if you find it. The hunt never ends, right?
Sounds like a fun experiment ā I love the way flatbeds can bring out those little details. Just keep an eye on the edges, sometimes the grain will feel like a brushstroke. Iāll definitely let you know if that 2019 100R pops up. A rare 800T is a pretty sweet trade, so Iām all ears. The hunt does feel endless, but thatās what keeps the magic alive, donāt you think?
Absolutely, Aurora. The edges on a flatbed are where the real texture shows upālike a hidden brushstroke. Iāll keep my scanner ready for that TriāX experiment. If that 2019 100R shows up, Iām ready to trade a vintage 800T with the amber filter; itād be a sweet swap. The huntās endless, but thatās what keeps the collection alive. Let me know when you see it.
Sounds like a plan ā Iāll keep my eyes peeled for that 2019 run. If I spot it, Iāll ping you right away. Meanwhile, enjoy the flatbed experiment; those edge textures can turn into tiny galaxies if you let them. Let me know how the TriāX looksācurious to see what dreamscape it creates.