Ferrania ranks highest in independent colour film tests

Ferrania Imaging Technologies recently ranked first in a comparative study of 200 ISO colour films from five of the world’s leading photographic companies.

In addition to Ferrania's Solaris branded film, tests were carried out on ‘Vista’ from Agfa, ‘Superia’ by Fuji, Kodak's ‘Gold’ and ‘Centuria’ from Konica.

The study took place from October 29 to December 10 2002 at Ferrania’s Italian laboratories (located in Ferrania) and Kodak’s Bagneux laboratory in Paris.

Numerous variables were tested to judge the performance of the films, for example, ISO speed, film contrasts, colour balance and saturation exposure were examined to assess the film’s Sensitometric properties. Ferrania performed well in this area and with only one other competitor, scored above 11 marks for speed, contrast, balance and saturation.

In the tests for film ageing in hard conditions, the ISO speed, film contrast and colour balance evolutions were examined. Ferrania’s experience in film production date back to 1917, this is perhaps what made its scores so impressive! Whilst some competitors consistently failed to score a single point, Ferrania was the sole participant able to not only earn marks every time, but to achieve 18.6 points to make its film contrast performance ‘very satisfactory’.

Exposure latitude, where quality after under and over exposure was put to the test, as well as reproduction quality and resolving power (measurements made on negatives), were the remaining trials to be conducted. All proved the quality of Ferrania film, with all but one achieving a score above 16.

Overall, Ferrania was the only contributor in any category not to be allocated a ‘bad’ mark between 0 and 6. [1] Therefore, Ferrania’s average score of 15.4, made it No.1 in the test of 200 films and concluded that its quality rating of one (the highest in this case) was well deserved.

“We are delighted with the results of these tests, they have proven what we already knew, Ferrania produces photographic products of the highest quality. This vindicates our strategy of continuous investment in research and development.” says Natasha Clynes, Marketing Manager for Photocolor Systems UK, Ireland and Nordic Region, Ferrania Information Technologies.