Fuji says the whole field of holography is about to undergo a major advancement with the introduction of Fujifilm holographic film which, it says, sets new standards in quality, consistency, and speed
The world of three-dimensional holography has been quite dormant over recent years save for its continued progress in security packaging, credit cards, and other types of authentication, and the foray into 3D portraiture as witnessed by the recent 'blue' portrait of the British monarch Queen Elizabeth.
However, a major development by Fujifilm looks set to revive the field of hologram creation across a wide section of commercial and artistic applications.
Fujifilm of Japan has entered the holographic film market straight in at the top of the tree with the highest quality, highest consistency and highest speed film now available.
Branded Fujifilm F HL and distributed exclusively in Europe, Africa, and Middle East regions by Fujifilm subsidiary Fuji Hunt, this media is three to four times faster than any other holographic film currently available.
This means there is less exposure time needed, less chance of vibration, and a far brighter image.
The Fujifilm F HL film, which will be available from 1 July 2006 via the Fuji Hunt website, will initially be directed to holographic display applications.
This is an area in which the film's high consistency plays an important role.
Whereas until now two batches - or even two boxes - of film could never be guaranteed to be of the same configuration, and thereby ensure consistency, the Fujifilm product does exactly that.
The company's long history of producing photographic film of exceptional quality has provided the basis for manufacturing this high-grade panchromatic, photosensitive silver halide emulsion which is coated on a tri-acetate cellulose base.
The film's high sensitivity, ultra fine grain and low noise make it the perfect choice for producing masters as well as reflection or transmission transfers.
"It is Fujifilm's belief that 3D images will be an integral part of the future of imaging," says Greg Jackson, sales director of Fuji Hunt's holography programme.
"It is for this reason that the company has invested deeply in holographic R+D and utilised its unique experience in the field of film coating and production.
As a result, the Fujifilm F HL film incorporates all the benefits of Fujifilm photographic film which have been configured to produce the highest possible quality for superb results.
"The availability of this high standard film is likely to regenerate a great deal of activity and interest in the holography field, bringing together academic and scientific applications with more visually artistic uses, such as will be found in works of art as well as for advertising, signage, commercial imaging and printing purposes." Jackson will be expanding on the application of Fujifilm F HL film technology for the display holographic market when he makes a presentation at the 7th International Symposium on Display Holography being staged 10-14 July at the Optic centre in North Wales.
