Capix Breaks New Ground with Support for Traditional Film at the Photography Show 2024

Image Credit: Capix

As well as featuring its new B&W film processor from Colenta, Capix will be using the UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition to introduce several new products aimed at the professional and enthusiast film photography market.

March 2024 – Capix Ltd. is debuting an exciting new range of products designed to help film photography continue to thrive at The Photography Show this year, leveraging its long-established credentials as a supplier of high-quality professional film and paper processing equipment. The company is extending its support to professional and enthusiast photographers who want to use film but are increasingly finding processing equipment and parts difficult to find and maintain.

Among the products available for first look and, in some cases, purchase on-the-day, on Capix’s stand (D400), are a new 35mm film scanner; a film processor aimed at the enthusiast and semi-pro market and two on-camera light meters for film cameras. Capix will also be showcasing its new black and white film processor from Colenta.

The stand will have a dedicated analogue area with retro design so show-goers are invited to join Capix for a hit of nostalgia alongside some exciting new products developed to help keep the ‘old ways’ of film alive.

There will also be the opportunity for visitors to shoot images using a film camera on the stand and have them processed using the new Colenta BW 7 Tank Film Processor. Industry legend, Ilford, is kindly providing the chemistry and film for this activity, to give visitors the chance to experience, in real time, the sort of quality they can expect from this powerful combination.

Image Credit: Capix

Colenta BW 7 Tank Film Processor 

Centre stage on the Capix stand at TPS will be the new Colenta BW 7 Tank Film Processor.  This processor is Colenta’s response to the specialist requirements of processing the wide range of BW films now available.  To ensure all process parameters are optimised, Colenta has teamed up with Ilford, utilising the specialist Ilford RT BW Chemistry in their processor.  This unique combination of advanced Colenta Processor technology and renowned Ilford chemistry expertise, means the new Colenta BW Film processor can effectively process a wide range of films exposed at differing ISO speed ratings.  Program selection on the processor means that almost individual attention can be given to the photographer’s film process requirements – a step change in Professional BW Film Processing.

The Colenta BW 7 Tank Film Processor is available now.

New Aura 35 Professional Film Scanner

A brand-new scanner for the professional market, the Aura 35 is the first new model to be launched in at least a decade, with many existing products more than 30-years-old, making servicing and maintaining them increasingly challenging as spares become scarce. The Aura 35 can scan film at speed, while protecting the quality of output. Optical resolution is 4150 dpi or 24MP for 24×36 while an antistatic ionising brush helps keep film pristine as it is inserted, resulting in crystal clear scans reproduced with the warmth and detail that only film can deliver, and no compromise on quality.

The Aura 35 has been designed with robustness and longevity in mind. Intended for intensive, daily use, scanner hardware is modular, repairable and upgradable, with industry-standard spare parts available to future-proof investment, while also limiting environmental impact. Aura promises continuous software updates and improvements to make the machine a sound investment for photography labs looking to capitalise on the resurgence of the film market.

A pre-production unit will be available for very first look on the Capix stand. Thereafter Aura 35 will be available through Capix via an exclusive UK and Ireland distribution contract signed with Auralab in Paris.

The Aura 35 will be available in autumn/winter 2024.

Image Credit: Capix

AGO – for processing film at home

The AGO is an exciting new semi-automatic film processor, being launched in collaboration with Vintage Visual following a crowd-funding campaign. The first production units of the AGO will be available to buy on the Capix stand at a special show price, while visitors to the stand will be among the first to see it in action and try it out. With its small footprint and competitive price point the AGO will bring the joy of processing their own film, at home, to a whole new generation of film enthusiasts.

While the aim of the AGO has been to keep it small and affordable, so that it is not too disruptive to either home or budget, it features specifications that feel as though they belong in a bigger machine. The AGO intelligently agitates films, reminds users when to change chemicals; and which ones are next, holds pre-set programs for different film-developer combinations and adjusts time in response to temperature changes.

AGO enables photographers to develop B&W, C-41, E-6 and ECN-2 films at home, whether their chosen film is 35mm, medium format, 4:5 format – or even RA4 paperfilm. It is compatible with Paterson Super System 4, so it can be optimised for the amount of films, even the largest 8-reel 35mm film tank.

Capix has a UK and Ireland distribution agreement in place for the AGO, with units available from spring/summer 2024 so TPS is a genuine first chance for photographers to try-out and, potentially, purchase this new gem of a processor before it is available in store.

The AGO will be available from spring/summer 2024, priced at RRP: £400 inc VAT.

Image Credit: Capix

KEKS KM02 OLED light-meter

The final new product providing a draw for film-enthusiasts on the stand at this year’s show is the KEKS KM02 OLED light-meter. Super simple to use, with ground-breaking features and outstanding performance, the KM02 offers film photographers increased control with customisable options for aperture, shutter speed and ISO stops as well as an exposure compensation feature which enables manual adjustment of exposure from -3EV to +3EV in 1/3 increments. It offers flexibility too, with the ability to save pre-sets for up to three separate cameras and lenses.

Packaged in a small, sleek but tough exterior shell, the KM02 features 21 hours continuous use battery life, continuous and single metering modes and a VEML7700 high accuracy ambient light 16-bit digital resolution sensor with software ensuring accuracy and readability for photographers, no matter what their environment or their subject.

Sitting on the hot- or cold-shoe of any camera, the KM02 is an excellent option for photographers wielding a much-loved older film camera that does not have metering, or whose on-board metering has failed.

Image Credit: Capix

The KEKS KM-Q will also be on display. This is an ultra-compact OLED light-meter that packs impressive performance into a size comparable to a sugar-cube, redefining portability.

The KM02 and KM-Q are available now, with KMO2 RRP £139 inc VAT and KM-Q RRP £119 inc VAT.

Visit Capix Ltd on stand D400.

For more information, please visit the Capix website.