Kosmo Foto Unveils a Noir-Inspired 35mm 400 ISO Black-and-White Film
Shooting black-and-white film in the daylight is one thing. Shooting it when the shadows lengthen and the gloom grows is another. Over the last three-and-a-half years, Kosmo Foto has been selling its debut film, Mono, to photographers around the globe. Released first in 35mm and then in 120 in 2019, nearly 50,000 rolls have been sold so far. Now Kosmo Foto has announced the release of Agent Shadow, a noir-inspired ISO 400 panchromatic black-and-white 35mm film stock currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter.
The film is being launched with something no film brand has ever done before – a special collector’s box (made to look like a film-noir spy’s briefcase) which comes with a graphic novella called ‘The 36 Frames’. It tells the story of Agent Shadow’s late-night dash across a nameless city, pursued by mysterious assailants. The graphic novella is drawn by My Mate Does Art, the designer responsible for Kosmo Foto Mono’s packaging, and the film noir-influenced box for Agent Shadow 400 itself.
The ISO-400 panchromatic black-and-white 35mm film pushable to ISO 3200 – and beyond is made by one of the most famous names in film production, with nearly 150 years’ experience making film and photographic products.
On the topic of development, Kosmo Foto says any standard black-and-white developer should get the job done and notes there will be an accompanying development table once the film ships. At box speed, Kosmo Foto says the grain is ‘fine.’ When pushed, both contrast and grain increase. As for comparable films, Kosmo Foto says it’s similar to Ilford PAN 400 and Delta 400.
“The 36 Frames” comes in a boxset made to look like a vintage briefcase – the kind of thing that would contained secret rocket plans, the formula for some doomsday weapon, or a list of counter agents in a film noir classic.
“Agent Shadow is a tried-and-tested emulsion perfectly happy to be shot in lower light, letting you capture life at the dark end of the street,” says Kosmo Foto. “Capture witching-hour cityscapes with glorious grain; shine your lens on night-time escapades without needing the attention-grabbing announcement of a flash. Take portraits in shade and overcast window light. Step into the shadows and find a world in black-and-white just waiting to be documented.”
Below are a collection of sample photos captured with the film:
The film will be available in sets of four, as well as discounted sets of 10 and 20. A $24 pledge will secure you an ‘Early Bird’ four-pack. For a $46 pledge, you can get an exclusive ‘Agent Shadow Briefcase Box,’ which includes five rolls of Agent Shadow and an exclusive graphic novella titled ‘The 36 Frames’, all packaged in a briefcase-inspired box. The first rolls are expected to ship in October 2021.
More info on the Agent Shadow Kickstarter campaign.
