Insights on Film Photography: ORWO's Acquisition, New Camera Releases, and Global Price Trends

This is the 88th monthly Analog.Cafe Newsletter with the latest film photography lore. Sign up to receive it via email on the last Tuesday of every month (it's free).

TL;DR: Optik Oldschool acquired ORWO, Kodak EC35 is a new $35 clamshell film camera similar to the Olympus Mju I, Lomography reveals a Simple Reloadable Half-frame camera, and insights into the growing global film price divide are discussed.

Optik Oldschool Acquires ORWO Film Factory — Exploring European Film Manufacturing

Little did you know that ORWO film plays a role in Polaroid’s production. Although ORWO's film is not exclusively used, its components are significant enough to be highlighted by Andrew Billen, the Senior Vice President of Film Manufacturing at Polaroid. He noted that raw materials are sourced from InovisCoat GmbH, a German factory that interlinks with ORWO products and contributes to the manufacturing of several other film brands as well.

Historically, ORWO has a legacy that spans over 117 years. The brand originated from East Germany, with roots in producing film that many enthusiasts still cherish. The brand's recent history has fractured its identity, leading to significant changes.

The purchase of FilmoTec GmbH and InovisCoat GmbH by Optik Oldschool, a recognized German film lab, marks a pivotal moment in European film manufacturing. This acquisition gives Optik Oldschool the ability to produce color-negative films in Europe, augmenting the diminishing landscape of film production in the region.

While the financial details of this acquisition remain under wraps, Chris Vandebroek, a key figure in Optik Oldschool who previously ventured into video game distribution, has propelled this brand into the film scene successfully.

It’s speculated that the ORWO brand itself may not come under Optik Oldschool's portfolio. The tensions within the brand’s current ownership reveal that it’s considering diversifying into various industries beyond photography.

What's significant here for film photographers? With dwindling film manufacturing locations, the gains from this purchase could potentially stabilize access to color-negative films produced within the EU, which is becoming increasingly rare.

The Global Film Price Divide: Trends and Insights

An updated Film Price Report this month provides a detailed look into how film prices across the globe have been fluctuating. While many products have seen significant price rises due to inflation, film prices have barely increased, up an average of just 2.5% since January 2026. This can be seen as a minor uptick, especially when compared to rising costs in other sectors such as energy and food.

Readers expressed sentiments reflecting that the reality of rising living costs might contribute more to their feelings around film's affordability rather than the price of film itself. This perspective sheds light on the broader context of photography as a hobby — balancing financial strains with artistic pursuits.

The report further unveils substantial geographical disparities in pricing, indicating that costs can vary dramatically based on your location, making it crucial for photographers to compare local prices against international rates.

Experimental Discoveries: Shaking Polaroid Pictures

The age-old debate continues: should you shake Polaroid photos as they develop? No definitive experiment had addressed this until now. In a recent study, different formats such as Polaroid SX-70, Polaroid Go, and Instax Mini were tested under similar conditions to explore the effects of shaking.

The findings aim to clarify whether movement damages the photo quality or changes the dynamics of the developing process. The results can lead to broader understandings of how we approach the instant photography experience. For a more comprehensive exploration of this experiment, readers can refer to the full article titled “What Happens if You Shake a Polaroid Picture”.

RETO Launches the Kodak EC35: A New Affordable Film Camera

RETO's follow-up to the acclaimed Kodak Snapic A1 has arrived in the form of the Kodak EC35. Priced at just $35, this reusable camera features a clamshell design reminiscent of the Olympus Mju I.

This design isn't merely aesthetic; it serves practical purposes such as protecting the lens from dirt and scratches, a rarity in today’s affordable plastic cameras. However, the EC35 strips away some features that enthusiasts might miss, paired with a price point that aims to attract new generations of film photographers.

While the Olympus Mju I stands strong in vintage markets at higher prices, the EC35 presents a budget-friendly option that invites experimentation without the heavy wallet impact. Curious readers can check out more about this camera here.

Lomography’s Simple Reloadable Half-frame Camera

In a move towards affordable creative filmmaking, Lomography has unveiled the Simple Reloadable Half-frame camera, priced below $30, including film. This product allows photographers to take double the photos using standard 135 film, significantly enhancing value for users.

With a strong emphasis on accessibility and user-friendliness, this innovative offering targets burgeoning photographers seeking engaging and cost-effective ways to explore film photography.

To discover more about this camera and view sample scans, readers can click here.

Improving Film Scanning: Predictable Automatic Colour Correction

Those familiar with the film Q tool will be glad to know it has received notable updates, particularly in color correction. The automatic color correction based on the Gray-World assumption offers a significant enhancement for users looking to achieve consistent, high-quality scans.

This method includes logic checks to prevent overshooting and ensures a balanced representation of colors, creating cleaner scans more intuitively. Additionally, film Q has now become an integral component for Analog.Cafe GOLD members, allowing for seamless engagement with developing negatives and addressing expired film colors.

Lifetime GOLD Membership Giveaway

As part of celebrating the 200th anniversary of photography, Analog.Cafe is running a giveaway for 12 lifetime GOLD memberships throughout the year. Ryan has succeeded in securing this month’s prize, obtaining lifetime access to all premium features, including advanced tools for negative inversion and chemical logging.

Readers are encouraged to join and enter the monthly giveaway by either being an existing member or signing up.

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