A specialized film laboratory in London has unveiled a limited edition black-and-white reversal film called Euston 400, marking the first branded film product from Aperture Printing. This innovative release represents a significant development in the analog photography community, as black-and-white slide films have become increasingly rare in recent years.

According to reports from Kosmo Foto, the new film is based on a modified version of Rollei's black-and-white negative stock that has been repurposed into slide film through a newly developed processing technique. The transformation was made possible by proprietary chemistry developed by one of the lab's team members, demonstrating the creative potential of modern film development techniques.

Aperture Printing, located in central London near the famous Euston Road, is offering this exclusive film only through direct purchase at their physical store on Rathbone Place. Analog photography enthusiasts who want to experience this unique film stock will need to visit the shop in person, as the company is not offering online sales for this limited release.

The development of Euston 400 was spearheaded by Alex Cole, a skilled lab technician who joined Aperture Printing earlier this year. Cole's expertise has been instrumental in creating what the company expects to be the first in a planned series of black-and-white films specifically designed to be shot as slides and processed using the lab's proprietary chemistry.

While black-and-white slide film might seem like a novel concept to some photographers, it actually has historical precedent in the film photography world. Agfa previously manufactured Dia, a very low-speed 12-ISO slide film that was eventually succeeded by Scala 200X, a more practical and widely adopted film stock that remained popular until its discontinuation in 2005. More recently, in 2019, German film manufacturer Adox introduced Scala 50, which is essentially a slide-compatible version of their HR-50 film stock, proving that there remains interest in this specialized format.

Cole explained that the concept for this project had been in development for an extended period, emphasizing that creating a reliable and scalable process requires significant time and research. "Understanding the chemistry and mechanisms of black-and-white reversal has been a personal research project since 2023," Cole told Kosmo Foto. "Testing of the process didn't start until March 2025. Each chemical stage was tested individually to give a whole understanding of the process. Our reversal recipe has successfully developed 50 black-and-white slide films."

The meticulous approach taken by Cole and the Aperture Printing team demonstrates the complexity involved in developing new film processing techniques. The extensive testing period, which involved examining each chemical stage individually, was crucial for ensuring consistent and reliable results before bringing the product to market.

Looking ahead, Aperture Printing has ambitious plans for expanding their slide film offerings. The lab intends to release two additional slide films, both of which will also be based on Rollei black-and-white emulsions, suggesting a continued partnership with the German film manufacturer and a commitment to building a comprehensive lineup of reversal films.

For this initial release, Aperture Printing has produced only 60 rolls of Euston 400, emphasizing the limited and exclusive nature of this offering. The film is priced at £10 per roll (approximately $8 USD), making it accessible to serious analog photographers while reflecting the specialized nature of the product. Processing services are available directly from the lab at £26 (approximately $20 USD), or photographers can opt for a complete package that includes scanning services for £34 (approximately $26 USD).

The pricing structure reflects the boutique nature of this offering and the specialized processing required for black-and-white reversal film. Unlike standard black-and-white negative processing, which is widely available, the reversal process requires specific chemistry and expertise that few labs currently offer.

This launch represents more than just a new product; it signifies a growing trend of small, specialized labs pushing the boundaries of what's possible in analog photography. As major film manufacturers have scaled back their offerings over the years, independent labs and smaller companies have stepped in to fill gaps in the market and experiment with innovative approaches to film photography.

The introduction of Euston 400 also highlights the continued vitality of the analog photography community, where enthusiasts actively seek out unique and distinctive film stocks that can provide different aesthetic qualities and shooting experiences. Black-and-white slide film offers photographers the ability to view their images as positive transparencies, providing a different way to experience and share their work compared to traditional negatives or prints.

For photographers interested in learning more about the technical aspects of this development and Cole's approach to creating the reversal process, a comprehensive interview is available through Kosmo Foto, providing deeper insights into the chemistry and methodology behind this innovative film stock.