Last Updated on 10/29/2024 by Chris Gampat
Gratifyingly unpredictable. If I had to sum up the experience of using the Revolog Echo 35mm film in two words, this would be it. With an emphasis on creativity and unpredictability, Revolog isn’t just another company making film stock. They produce unique films that allow you to push the boundaries of what traditional analog photography results are expected to look like. The Revolog Echo offers photographers an opportunity to infuse their images with unique, psychedelic visual effects.
Table of Contents
Who Is Revolog?
Based in Austria, Revolog (which I’m guessing is a portmanteau of the words Revolutionary and Analog) was founded in 2009 when three photographers in Austria teamed up to work on a diploma project at their photography school. With the idea to create something unique in the analog photography world, a year of experimentation resulted in them creating 8 different types of creative film stock. 15 years on, their website currently lists 19 different types of 35mm and 120 film. We got our hands on the Revolog Echo film stock, and the results certainly didn’t disappoint.
Revolog Echo
I once saw a documentary about Sound-color synesthesia, a fascinating neurological condition in which individuals “see” colors when they hear sounds. Certain sounds trigger the perception of specific colors, creating a blended sensory experience. I saw results with Revolog Echo that I imagine people who experience this phenomenon see. I found it produced a surreal effect on the results. It’s almost like seeing light trails intertwined with a visual representation of sound waves reverberating randomly across the image.
Of course, being analog film, these effects are baked into the film stock itself and don’t require any special kind of processing. Revelog Echo gives photographers a highly stylized, surreal result. The effect can be subtle in some cases, while in others, it can absolutely dominate the frame. Analog photography itself has a much greater level of unpredictability and the Revelog Echo film stock multiplies that manifold.
Gear Used
We received the Revolog Echo 200 film stock. This was tested with my Nikon N2020 and my analog photography friend Don Surrendra’s Pentax Spotmatic.
My Observations Using Revolog Echo
Here are some thoughts!
Low Light For Best Results
These kaleidoscopic-like patterns can be considered consistent in nature across each film roll. Their exact placement will vary depending on how the film interacts with the scene you’re photographing. During daylight, the results are pretty much seen only in the shadows. The most stunning shots I observed were the ones taken at night or in low-light conditions. At times, the results almost looked like an outworldly laser beam from space had hit the film at the exact moment the shutter was released. For future rolls, I might exclusively shoot after sunset.
No Two Pictures Can Ever Have The Same Results
Embrace the unpredictable with this stock. You can never be sure how the trails and patterns will interact with your subject. Without a doubt, that’s the main joy of using this film. Photographers who love happy accidents won’t be able to stop shooting with this one. Just don’t beat yourself up if a frame or two doesn’t turn out how you expected it to
Better Than Light Leaks?
If you’re a fan of combining analog warmth with a modern, glitchy aesthetic, Revolog Echo might be right for you. This stock is ideal for concepts like retro-futurism, where blending analog and digital aesthetics is a key part of the overall look. each photograph becomes an opportunity to explore new compositions and subject matter. And where photographers these days often add light leaks to try and add character to their images, consider almost all Revolog Echo images to have something totally individual in this regard.
Sometimes You Might See Nothing Unique
This, however, is only an issue when shooting in bright light. The above image is a good example of this. The light trails and patterns are hardly visible. Try and get more darker areas in the frame to avoid this from happening. Since this is pre-exposed Kodak 200 film stock, it would be best to shoot underexposed based on what your meter says. That way you
Image Samples
Who Should Buy Revolog Echo Film?
If you’re looking for your analog photography results to stand out instantly, buy yourself a handful of Revolog Echo film today. If you’ve been feeling uninspired or stuck in a creative rut, this film is an excellent tool to help get your creativity flowing. The unpredictable nature of this film stock forces you to think differently at times while helping you take a more laid-back approach at other times. Each click becomes a mini adventure of sorts. You can’t expect anything to turn out the way you want it to, and honestly, that’s what I really got a kick out of from this. If you’re ready to add some psychedelic magic to your film photography, Revolog Echo is a perfect choice.