Large Format Summer
Large format film on the rise — Ilford Pan F Plus has arrived in 4x5 and 8x10, with Opticolour 200 also now available in sheet formats.
Week of 14 June 2026
A notably busy stretch for film and analogue photography, with new sheet film arriving from both Ilford and the German Optik Oldschool brand, a comprehensive new study laying out how nearly 100 film stocks actually behave, and news of closure from one of Tokyo's most quietly significant black-and-white darkrooms. The instant film market is also in motion, with both Polaroid and Fujifilm's Instax line making announcements this week.
Film & Analogue
Ilford Pan F Plus Arrives in Large Format
The most significant emulsion news of recent weeks is the arrival of Ilford Pan F Plus in 4x5 and 8x10 sheet film formats — a development that has been met with considerable enthusiasm by large format shooters. Pan F Plus, rated at ISO 50, is one of Ilford's finest-grain emulsions and is widely regarded as a benchmark for fine art and landscape work; seeing it in sheet format opens up possibilities that medium format shooters have enjoyed for years but that large format users have had to work around. Initial runs sold out quickly, which Ilford has acknowledged, but the confirmation that the format will continue suggests this was not a one-off.
The arrival of Pan F Plus in large format comes alongside Ilford's 2026 ULF (Ultra Large Format) Programme, which opens a limited annual window for ordering non-standard sheet sizes across the Ilford range — including ORTHO PLUS in specialist dimensions — and continues to serve the community of photographers working in unusual formats. Delta 3200 has also been made available in 100ft bulk rolls for the first time, providing an accessible and economical route to one of the most versatile fast monochrome emulsions in production.
Opticolour 200 in Large Format: A New Option from Germany
German brand Optik Oldschool has made Opticolour 200 available in large format sheet sizes — 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 — priced at €79.90 for 25 sheets. The film is worth understanding properly: the Opticolour 200 emulsion is the Wolfen NC200 under a new label, a colour-negative material with roots in East German Agfa manufacturing traditions. It is available via Freestyle Photo in the United States and is notable as one of very few new colour-negative options for large format photographers, a niche that has historically been underserved. The per-sheet cost works out at roughly €3.20, which positions it as a moderately priced option in a category with few competitors.
Art Lab Tokyo to Close in July
In news that has prompted an outpouring of affection from the Japanese and international film community, Art Lab in Tokyo has announced it will close on 30 July 2026. For approximately sixty years, Art Lab has operated as a specialist in black-and-white film development and darkroom printing — a dedicated artisan workshop rather than a volume processing service. The lab came to broader international attention this week through a study by Japan-based analogue photographer D.Daniel, published via PetaPixel, which used Art Lab for the black-and-white portion of a comprehensive 99-film comparison. In the lab's own statement: "For approximately 60 years since our founding, centred on black-and-white film development and black-and-white printing, we extend our deepest gratitude for the support we have received from all of you."
D.Daniel's film colour science study tested 44 colour and 55 black-and-white film stocks — one of the most methodical comparisons undertaken to date.
D.Daniel's Film Colour Science Study
The D.Daniel study — covered by PetaPixel this week — is being described as one of the most comprehensive comparisons of colour and monochrome film stocks ever published. Japan-based analogue photographer D.Daniel (@d_daniel_film) tested 44 colour film stocks from Kodak, Lomography, Fujifilm, CineStill, Reflx Labs and others, and separately 55 black-and-white stocks from Kodak, Ilford, Rollei, Fujifilm and more — 99 emulsions in total. The methodology is consistent and the results are presented visually, making the study a practical reference rather than an academic exercise. The colour film work examines differences in colour balance, warmth, contrast and shadow rendering; the black-and-white portion covers grain character, tonal range and sharpness. For photographers navigating an increasingly wide field of film options, this kind of empirical comparison has genuine utility.
Polaroid Go Generation 3 and Reclaimed Purple 600
Polaroid has been active on two fronts this week. The Go Generation 3, launched at the start of June at $89.99, is now available at select retailers from 16 June. The third generation of the Go — Polaroid's smallest camera format — measures 106.5 × 83.8 × 64.6 mm and weighs 251.9g without film. It is available in five colours: light blue, purple, teal, black and white. Film costs remain consistent with previous generations, at approximately $22 for a 16-exposure double pack of Go film.
Separately, Polaroid has announced Reclaimed Purple 600, an experimental instant film at ISO 640 built from leftover factory chemistry. The result is a film that produces images with a distinctly monochromatic purple cast — an intentional consequence of the reclaimed materials rather than a conventional photographic effect. It is available exclusively to Polaroid Members at $18.99 per pack and is a limited-run emulsion. The concept of using surplus factory chemistry to create intentionally impure film stocks sits interestingly alongside the broader trend in analogue photography towards embracing unpredictability.
The instant film market continues to expand — Fujifilm's Instax mini 13 launches 25 June 2026, while Polaroid's Go Generation 3 is now available at retailers.
Fujifilm Instax mini 13 and New Pastel Galaxy Film
Fujifilm's Instax line gains a new entry on 25 June 2026: the Instax mini 13, priced at €89.99 (UK pricing to be confirmed). The camera introduces a self-timer and a revised design compared to its predecessor and launches in five colour options: Dreamy Purple, Frost Blue, Candy Pink, Lagoon Green and Clay White. Coinciding with the launch, Fujifilm is also releasing Pastel Galaxy, a new Instax mini film stock with a pastel-toned border design. The updated Instax UP! app accompanies the launch, adding digital sharing and editing tools for mini 13 prints.
Also noted this week: the Instax WIDE 400 has been updated with two new colourways — Green and Jet Black — now shown on the official Instax UK site at £129.99. The WIDE 400 remains the most capable of Fujifilm's instant line for documentary and group photography, with its larger 62 × 99mm image area and built-in self-timer.
Lucky C200 Arrives in North America via Findlab
Lucky C200, a Chinese colour-negative film that has circulated in specialist circles for some time, is now available in North America through Findlab at approximately $1.99 per roll in both 35mm and 120 formats — making it one of the most affordable colour film options currently available. Findlab describes itself as the first North American supplier to carry it in both formats simultaneously. The film's affordability is likely to appeal to practitioners who shoot in high volume or are willing to experiment outside the major emulsion brands. Lucky C200 in 110 format is also expected to follow in the near future.
Film Scanning: Sepialumi FC-1 on Kickstarter
A new film scanning system, the Sepialumi FC-1, is currently funding on Kickstarter. The system comprises a metal-machined film carrier and an accompanying RS-1 scan stand, designed for camera scanning workflows — where a digital camera and macro lens are used in place of a dedicated scanner. The FC-1 is notable for its emphasis on precision engineering and full-frame film border capture, including film sprocket areas. Early-bird pricing is around $848 for the full kit. The campaign has reached its goal with time remaining. Camera scanning has grown steadily as an alternative to traditional flatbed scanning, and purpose-built carriers like the Sepialumi represent a maturing of that approach.
Also This Week
Gear, Glass & Light
Viltrox has announced two new EVO-series APS-C autofocus lenses available for E, Z and X mounts: the AF 90mm f/2.2 EVO and AF 75mm f/1.8 EVO, both now in pre-order. A third Viltrox announcement — an AF 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens for L-mount — is scheduled for 16 June. Sony's Alpha 7 V won Camera Grand Prix 2026 in Japan, with the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM taking the lens award. Fujifilm was notably quiet at recent trade events, with all indications pointing to a second-half product schedule; X-T6 and a new compact fixed-lens camera remain the most-discussed rumours.
The Photographic Arts
The Kraszna-Krausz 2026 Photography Book Award winners are expected to be announced this month — all four shortlisted titles remain in contention. PHotoESPAÑA opens its Santander programme on 25 June, including an exhibition of Enaire Award-winning work at the Naves de Gamazo Art Centre. The Global Lens Photography Awards 2026 have opened for entries, with an early-bird deadline of 30 July and the top prize at €1,000.
The Digital Darkroom
Nothing of immediate note from the software world this week beyond the ongoing discussion around Capture One pricing. Adobe's Lightroom Classic release notes for the June cycle have been published but contain no major new feature announcements. The first Digital Darkroom-themed issue of Photography Weekly arrives next Sunday, 21 June.
Looking Ahead
Next Sunday's Photography Weekly will be the first edition themed around The Digital Darkroom — covering software for still photography from Lightroom and Photoshop to the independent alternatives and specialist tools. Fujifilm's second-half product schedule remains the subject of considerable anticipation in the camera community, with the X-T6 still the headline rumour. Ilford's ULF Programme window closes soon for this year's cycle — large format practitioners needing non-standard sheet sizes should note the deadline. The Instax mini 13 launches on 25 June; Father's Day in the UK falls on the same day, which may drive early stock pressure on the mini and WIDE 400 ranges.
