Light Lens Lab, a lens manufacturer based in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, China, recently shared an exciting update about their ongoing film project.
The founder of Light Lens Lab, Mr. Zhou, announced on Rednote (a Chinese social networking site) that the team has achieved what they describe as their “Niépce moment.” This reference honors Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, the French inventor and one of the earliest pioneers of photography. Mr. Zhou revealed that he has assembled a dedicated research team to develop a proprietary black-and-white film emulsion.
Initial tests of the emulsion have shown promising results, particularly in the successful development of a black-and-white T-Grain silver halide structure. To demonstrate the film’s capabilities, the team hand-coated and cut the film, then used a Seagull TLR camera to capture images. Despite the absence of an anti-halation layer, the film produced impressively clear and detailed images.
While the introduction of a new black-and-white film may not be as flashy as a color film release, it is undoubtedly exciting news for the film photography community. This development not only expands the options available to photographers but could also encourage healthy competition among film manufacturers, potentially leading to more affordable prices.
We extend our best wishes to Mr. Zhou and his team as they continue their amazing work. For more updates on this project and other photography-related news, please subscribe to our email newsletter.
Newly developed T-Grain Structure Emulsion:
The test rolls they made
Testing the film wih the Seagull TLR camera
