Testing ORWO MA-8

This is ORWO Mikro-Aufnahmefilm (MA) 8. In the past century people used it to archive records, blueprints, letters, technical papers, etc. In other words, documents. This film has the ability to capture and store limited amount of gray shades but will never forget your labyrinth signature on a wedding certificate.

In the leaflet I found in the canister they say it may store on its emulsion A0-size of a document on a single frame. Old time flash drive, dependent only on light and an eye to browse it. Other details include sensitivity between DIN 6 and 9 (ISO 3 – 6). Panchromatic, sensibilized. More here:

ORWO MA-8 leaflet in German

Elsewise.

Opened the canister to test what kind of genie I let out of this tin. First test showed The Bad, The Ugly and no sign of The Good.

First encounter with MA-8 // ORWO A-03, 8 min. at 20°C

Felt like I ate a banana with its skin. Remembered what I’ve read from other people testing old bulk films — first, pill out few meters and then judge the core. Films get rotten outside in. Even in a tin. Even in.

Few winds later:

ORWO MA-8 shot with Mamiya RB67 and cut sheet cassette 6.5x9cm // ORWO A-03

ORWO MA-8 @ ISO 25, Kodak D-76

Let’s see how it looks like at ISO 50:

My edition of this film looks absolutely dramatic @ ISO 50. The format came out of Pentacon Six and an adapter for the 135 cassette (this roll is unperforated).

Back to ISO 25.

ORWO MA-8 @ ISO 25 // D-76