Aerochrome is now discontinued

EASmithV · Feb 15, 2010

I received this in my inbox, figured you all should see. I wish we could pressure Fuji to make some color infrared film.

Hello,

You are receiving this mail, because you have at some point written and showed interest in the film that I supply.

Kodak has just discontinued the 1443 Aerochrome Color Infrared Film!!
What does that mean?
It means there will be no more fresh color infrared film manufactured anywhere in the world. The Color Infrared Film story is at its end!

If you are still interested in buying some, I only have 120 medium format or sheet film in 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10.

I have purchased some of the last bulk. I now have about 700 rolls of 2009 and 2010 stock in 120 format and some sheet film. After that, it is pretty much over. I may acquire a few more rolls of expired film in the future, but we can say that by this time next year, the supply of fresh film will be gone.

To everyone who supported this project and bought film, I thank you sincerely and I hope you had as much success and enjoyment with it as I did. Over the course of the last few years, we watched Kodak HIE, Kodak EIR, Aerographic and now Aerochrome disappear. Some of the photos taken with this film, however, will be around for generations and I am happy and proud to have been part of that!

Thanks again and have a photographic day.

Dean Bennici

DanielStone · Feb 15, 2010

well, this was bound to happen sometime... the digital sensors have taken over surveillance, along with high-flying, low(or never)-maintenance satellites. even aerial mapping for the most part is digital now....

sad day indeed...

-Dan

listen to the 2nd one down on the page, they talk about having to store infrared and high speed films in SALT mines to keep them from fogging!

Scott_Sheppard said:
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Dead Link Removed

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thisismyname09 · Feb 15, 2010

It's not necessarily dead yet. It just means we'll have to start making the film ourselves.

I may buy a roll or two, though if I recall, it's pretty expensive film. I've never even tried B&W infrared.

perkeleellinen · Feb 15, 2010

I got the email as well, always sad to see a product go. I bought 35mm Aerochrome off Dean but he had very limited supplies of that and now only sells 120 and sheet film. An exotic film.

Alexander Ghaffari · Feb 15, 2010

Yeah, I got that email too, and here is what I am wondering.

The National Forestry Service (or whatever US government agency over that department) signed a 10 year contract in 2008 with Kodak. In the contract, is said that Kodak Aerochrome III 1443 had to be produced for the US government until AT LEAST 2018. I saw the document.

It is 2010. 2010 minus 2008 equals 2. 2 is a smaller number than 10. What the heck is going on? What kind of financial penalties does Kodak have to pay to the US government for not honoring their contract? Hell, I get raped by the government as an honest worker. Can you imagine how the government treats entities that break contracts with it???

AgX · Feb 15, 2010

The weak position of type 1443 had been clear before.

And that it had been discontinued was already announced by Kodak in october last year and an order deadline given as december 31st.

(It is is still listed on their website though. A matter of negligience, or they still have some on stock...)

AgX · Feb 15, 2010

DanielStone said:
...even aerial mapping for the most part is digital now....

This comes true for the larger surveying companies. But there are still one-plane, one-camera companies.

benOM · Feb 15, 2010

I best hurry up and order some, as I've just brought a MF camera so I can use some!

Pinholemaster · Feb 15, 2010

Advances of digital IR probably pushed the US Forestry Service to close the contract earlier than 2018.

Mike1234 · Feb 15, 2010

For some reason he can't get the full-range color neg film which is what I want. I don't shoot IR or chromes.

Photo Engineer · Feb 15, 2010

Alexander Ghaffari said:
Yeah, I got that email too, and here is what I am wondering.

The National Forestry Service (or whatever US government agency over that department) signed a 10 year contract in 2008 with Kodak. In the contract, is said that Kodak Aerochrome III 1443 had to be produced for the US government until AT LEAST 2018. I saw the document.

It is 2010. 2010 minus 2008 equals 2. 2 is a smaller number than 10. What the heck is going on? What kind of financial penalties does Kodak have to pay to the US government for not honoring their contract? Hell, I get raped by the government as an honest worker. Can you imagine how the government treats entities that break contracts with it???

What if the government broke the contract with Kodak?

"Hey Kodak, we don't want any more IR film!"

Does the US Government have to pay penalties?

PE

mark · Feb 15, 2010

Nah, it is Kodak's fault. It is always Kodak's fault, no matter what happens it is Kodak's fault. The earth quake in Haiti, Kodak. AL-Qadea, Kodak. My unbalanced front right wheel, Kodak. The bastards.

nickrapak · Feb 15, 2010

Mark, you forgot San Andreas. That's also Kodak's fault.

bob100684 · Feb 18, 2010

Alexander Ghaffari said:
Yeah, I got that email too, and here is what I am wondering.

The National Forestry Service (or whatever US government agency over that department) signed a 10 year contract in 2008 with Kodak. In the contract, is said that Kodak Aerochrome III 1443 had to be produced for the US government until AT LEAST 2018. I saw the document.

It is 2010. 2010 minus 2008 equals 2. 2 is a smaller number than 10. What the heck is going on? What kind of financial penalties does Kodak have to pay to the US government for not honoring their contract? Hell, I get raped by the government as an honest worker. Can you imagine how the government treats entities that break contracts with it???

Did you think it could be the GOVERNMENT who wanted to end the contract?

Aerochrome is now discontinued

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