220 film being discontinued?

Sal Santamaura · Oct 15, 2015

ic-racer said:
...they never made T-max in 220...

That was for a reason, and not because sales of 220 were down back in 1987 when the TMAX films were introduced.

120 TMAX acetate base is 4.7 mils, much thicker than any other medium format roll film base, except Delta 3200, which also wasn't offered in 220. Typical is around 4.0 mils. Actually, when first introduced, 120 TMAX was even thicker at 5.1 mils, but that jammed many cameras (mostly Mamiya), so Kodak lowered it to 4.7. Even at 4.7, there isn't enough room on a spool for 220 TMAX.

Sirius Glass · Oct 15, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
My understanding is:

120 film in A12 back = 12 exposures

220 film in A24 back = 24 exposures

120 film in A24 back = 11 exposures due to different frame spacing produced by the back, which isn't expecting a full-length paper-backed roll. There's also the issue of different thickness when using 120 in an A24 (220) back.

I could be wrong, I've been eating a lot of Cheetos.

You are right.

alanrockwood · Oct 15, 2015

taomeister said:
Hey there, I heard a troubling rumor that Kodak is discontinuing their last bastion of 220 film - Portra 160 and Portra 400.

Since these two stocks are (AFAIK in the USA) the only remaining stocks left that you can purchase from big retailers in 220 I'm worried those of use who shoot with 220 backs will get completely left for dead. Any confirmation on this? I can't seem to find any definitive press release discontinuing 220 for Portra 400 or 160.

Drat! And just a few days after I purchased a camera capable of shooting 220 film.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 15, 2015

Also sad for those who have the 70mm back.

Sirius Glass · Oct 15, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Also sad for those who have the 70mm back.

That ship steamed out of the train station a long time ago. About the same time that the steam locomotive sailed out of the harbor.

iakustov · Mar 20, 2017

This seems to be the most recent thread concerning 220 film discontinuation.
So, it looks like today the only film still produced in 220 is Velvia 100.
I like 220 size because of the price and convenience to develop more rolls at once.
I still have around 30 220 rolls of portra in my freezer with some fresh Velvia 100, but as there will be no color negative 220 film produced, my rz67 220 back would be soon kept unused (i usually shoot slides in 6x6 cameras only as 6x7 projectors are hard to find).
Sad..

RalphLambrecht · Mar 20, 2017

taomeister said:
I think whomever is willing to go back in on a 220 black and white film can effectively have sole market position and garner a ton of goodwill... From me at least.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

goodwill doesn't pay bills and why should they repeat mistakes that led others to bancrupcy?

OptiKen · Mar 20, 2017

iakustov said:
This seems to be the most recent thread concerning 220 film discontinuation.
So, it looks like today the only film still produced in 220 is Velvia 100.
..

Where do you find Velvia 100 in 220 rolls?

destroya · Mar 20, 2017

OptiKen said:
Where do you find Velvia 100 in 220 rolls?

its still being sold in Japan i think

Prest_400 · Mar 20, 2017

Is 220 Velvia still currently manufactured and not discontinued and running off stock?
I grabbed a single pack of 160NS 220, which is the last C41 220 available. Discontinued but still stocked around Asia.

There is a rumour about Shanghai GP3, which was discontinued due to a factory upgrade or whatever, becoming available again in rollfilm format. There's Shanghai Pan in Sheets, so it's a sign they went forward. The interesting part is that there was consideration of making 220 if the 120 was rather succesful (5000 roll run).
The most recent is by Stearman Press, about a month or so ago posting in LFF (IIRC). So far not much known about it though.

iakustov · Mar 20, 2017

OptiKen said:
Where do you find Velvia 100 in 220 rolls?

destroya said:
its still being sold in Japan i think

I bought Velvia 100 from Kumar here recently (he posted the thread regarding fresh Japan film not long ago), and he mentioned this is the only film which they (Fuji) produce..

220 film being discontinued?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency