Unavailability of Fuji E6 chemical kits?

[AgX]

As I indicated above, in Europe they still got their 2014 E-6 product listing online. But this listing need not reflect reality.

 

[halfaman]

Checked by email with retrocamera.be and got this answer: "Unfortunately, this kit has been discontinued by Fuji and will not return anymore."

 

[mtjade2007]

Are E6 chemicals really gone, dead? How about the availability of commercial E6 processing? I have not shot E6 for years but still have some Provia and Velvia 50 in my freezer. I guess my chance of trying to home processing E6 is no longer possible?

 

[AgX]

This thread is about the 5L E-6 kit from Fuji.

 

[mtjade2007]

You are right. My mind went to a bigger picture. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[AgX]

Of course this is troublesome for most of us, but there still are other small volume E-6 kits.

 

[Scott J.]

I recall that back in 2019 Kodak made an announcement on their Instagram page that they were investigating bringing an E6 kit back to market. I wonder if the discontinuation of the 5-liter Fuji-Hunt E6 kits will motivate Kodak to redouble their efforts in that regard.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I recall that back in 2019 Kodak made an announcement on their Instagram page that they were investigating bringing an E6 kit back to market. I wonder if the discontinuation of the 5-liter Fuji-Hunt E6 kits will motivate Kodak to redouble their efforts in that regard.

Let us hope so. A replacement 5 litre 6/7 bath E6 kit would be a useful product in the marketplace, unlike the superfluous rebranded films we see too much of.

 

[halfaman]

I recall that back in 2019 Kodak made an announcement on their Instagram page that they were investigating bringing an E6 kit back to market. I wonder if the discontinuation of the 5-liter Fuji-Hunt E6 kits will motivate Kodak to redouble their efforts in that regard.

As far as I know netiher Eastman Kodak nor Kodak Alaris produce or sell photochemicals. The business was sold to Sino Promises holding in 2020 even they are still sold under the "Kodak" brand.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

As far as I know netiher Eastman Kodak nor Kodak Alaris produce or sell photochemicals. The business was sold to Sino Promises holding in 2020 even they are still sold under the "Kodak" brand.

Another option might be for Tetenal or Bellini to produce a line of E6 separates in single-user volumes.

 

[halfaman]

They already have those as kits, Tetenal in 2.5 liters and Bellini in 1 liter presentations. The only problem is they are so expensive that I don't know if it worth the effort.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

The only problem is they are so expensive that I don't know if it worth the effort.

Some of the small kits have always or often been disproportionately expensive. Tetenal and Bellini could package "mid size" quantities more similar to the Fuji Hunt or Kodak kits of the past; another option would be to make available each step as an individual product line, so that bleach is fully utilized and developer not over utilized etc.

 

[MattKing]

As far as I know netiher Eastman Kodak nor Kodak Alaris produce or sell photochemicals. The business was sold to Sino Promises holding in 2020 even they are still sold under the "Kodak" brand.

Send the suggestion to Sino Promise: ehs-questions@sinopromise.com
They are currently struggling massively with pandemic related shipping bottlenecks and some of the remaining issues after the change of ownership but a large proportion of their staff and administrative structure came over from Kodak Alaris.

 

[Henning Serger]

Hello,

for all who have been using / are using the Fuji Hunt E6 kit:
There is the possibility that this unavailability will only be temporary. Solutions for a future supply are currently evaluated. Please stay patient.
I am cautiously optimistic that a good solution can be found in the coming months.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[mtjade2007]

The Freestyle store now says it is no longer manufactured. It's been 2 months since this thread was posted. It is not a temporary unavailable issue. Fujihunt is dead probably.

 

[AgX]

Fujihunt is dead probably.

They cancelled 1 or 2 of their 2 hobby kits. And you say the manufacturer is probably dead.

 

[Henning Serger]

The Freestyle store now says it is no longer manufactured. It's been 2 months since this thread was posted. It is not a temporary unavailable issue. Fujihunt is dead probably.

That is completely wrong. The Fuji Hunt factories are all running.
I am in direct contact with them. That is the reason why I have posted above. Future solutions are evaluated.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[mtjade2007]

Fuji Hunt C-41 and E-6 chemicals are all out of stock, discontinued or no longer manufactured at the 3 most popular photo chemical retailers, B&H Photovideo, Freestyle and Unique Photo in the US market. I did not search hard enough but I doubt they can be found anywhere in the US. This did not just happen. It has been a while. To consumers this indicates the Fuji Hunt Photo chemicals in the US are history. I agree Fuji Hunt is not dead. They make tons of other products. Photo chemicals may be still listed on their web site but the reality is they don't exist in the US market.

 

[MattKing]

Most likely they aren't making them in the smaller volumes any more that those retailers would sell.
The wholesale suppliers to labs - do they still sell them?

 

[AgX]

Over here they do.

 

[mshchem]

The large volume Fuji E6 is available from Unique. I have enough chemistry to last me for a long time. The US Fujichrome chemistry sold in bulk is different from EU version in two baths. Conditioner and final rinse.

 

[mtjade2007]

The large volume Fuji E6 is available from Unique. I have enough chemistry to last me for a long time. The US Fujichrome chemistry sold in bulk is different from EU version in two baths. Conditioner and final rinse.

Thanks for the info but they only have Fuji 1st developer, color developer and reversal bath chemicals. There is no bleach/fix and else. I wonder if they will ever stock the reset any more. If they will they will let you submit an inquiry so that they will notify you when new shipment arrives. They have Kodak 1st developer and color developer in stock too but not anything else. This makes me wonder what is really going on.

 

[mshchem]

Thanks for the info but they only have Fuji 1st developer, color developer and reversal bath chemicals. There is no bleach/fix and else. I wonder if they will ever stock the reset any more. If they will they will let you submit an inquiry so that they will notify you when new shipment arrives. They have Kodak 1st developer and color developer in stock too but not anything else. This makes me wonder what is really going on.

Probably going to a "global" formula. I bought my stash from Unique Photo over a year back. I'm thinking Fuji will resupply. I hope!

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Thanks for the info but they only have Fuji 1st developer, color developer and reversal bath chemicals. There is no bleach/fix and else. I wonder if they will ever stock the reset any more. If they will they will let you submit an inquiry so that they will notify you when new shipment arrives. They have Kodak 1st developer and color developer in stock too but not anything else. This makes me wonder what is really going on.

At least in the UK, my experience is that sometimes you need to phone or e-mail with requirements for specific products; retailers and distributors don't always list everything available on their websites.

 

[nbagno]

When I chatted with Freestyle, they were looking at alternatives to the Fuji-Hunt Kit. Either Freestyle mentioned it, or I read somewhere else that they were looking at Bellini as a potential replacement of the Fuji-Hunt Kit.