E100GX Discontinued

[Ektagraphic]

Today I emailed Kodak Professional to check the status of E100GX and Elite Chrome 100 and I recieved this email back

Hello, Patrick,
Yes, the Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100GX Film, catalog number 114-1191 was discontinued due to lack of demand. As an alternative, you might use a Kodak Wratten Gelatin #81A Filter with the Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100G Film, catalog #188-4576.

The Kodak Elite Chrome 100 Film, however, has not been discontinued and is in inventory for your dealer to order for you if they do not have it in stock.

Hope this helps. Please let us know if we may be of future assistance.

Sincerely,

Peter V.
Kodak Professional
Technical Support
800-242-2424 ext. 19

Yet another choice taken off the board. I know we thought it was on and off from what we saw at B&H but it's now confirmed

 

[mrladewig]

ARGGG!!!!!

I really like that film and wanted to see it in sheet films. Throwing an 81A in front of E100G does NOT produce the same result. I've always wondered why it wasn't as popular. It seemed that E100SW was more popular than E100S and E100GX was the replacement for SW. What happened?

That said, yesterday a friend gave me about 40 expired rolls of it that had been frozen from purchase so it should take me a while to burn through it.

Here's to E100GX
Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

 

[SuzanneR]

Bummer... I don't shoot much chrome, but really liked that one on the few occasions I did need it.

 

[colrehogan]

I just received some 8x10 E100G and EPP (can't remember what it's called) from B&H. I don't think I've ever shot the other stuff. Bummer.

 

[Ira Rush]

Yup, I knew it!

Yup, I knew it... back in May of this year (see my post on this issue) I could not find it anywhere.... and I mean anywhere!

Had a feeling it was going bye-bye, first Kodachrome, now this.... makes one want to hoard like a miser

Now I hope, they don't decide to pull the plug on VS or G (which is likewise hard to find).

Guess the boys in Marketing for Big Yellow think the whole world thinks like they do ... "Lack of demand"... say again..... maybe, just maybe if the Big Yellow K stopped killing their E-6 line, they would have a better and larger market share instead of "handing it to their competition on a silver platter"

 

[removed-user-1]

I've never used this particular film, but the trend is a little alarming. I think I am going to place a large order of my favorite films soon, and stick it all in a freezer!

 

[aldevo]

Yup, I knew it... back in May of this year (see my post on this issue) I could not find it anywhere.... and I mean anywhere!

Had a feeling it was going bye-bye, first Kodachrome, now this.... makes one want to hoard like a miser

Now I hope, they don't decide to pull the plug on VS or G (which is likewise hard to find).

Guess the boys in Marketing for Big Yellow think the whole world thinks like they do ... "Lack of demand"... say again..... maybe, just maybe if the Big Yellow K stopped killing their E-6 line, they would have a better and larger market share instead of "handing it to their competition on a silver platter"

Sadly, I think Kodak's pronouncement on E100GX is true. They recently threw out a bunch of it at a store near where I live - despite discounting it heavily in an effort to move it before it was well past its expiration date.

It's unfortunate there's so much confusion. It seems to be a given that over the last 10 years that if you ask two different Kodak reps whether or not a film has been discontinued you will get two different answers.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Oh hell another disappointment!

Jeff

 

[BradS]

ARGGG!!!!!

I really like that film and wanted to see it in sheet films....

It was available in 4x5 at first. Maybe they dropped it early on? I never paid much attention as I always preferred E100G anyway.

 

[2F/2F]

Didn't Kodak just suggest it as a replacement for Kodachrome? Then they discontinue it less than a quarter later? It is a gorgeous film. What a loss!

I have never tested whether or not their 81A filter suggestion on the G makes it look like the GX...but it is quite possible that the only difference between the two was a slightly different color balance.

 

[BradS]

...but it is quite possible that the only difference between the two was a slightly different color balance.

Didn't Kodak essentially market it as such? They claimed that the GX version was slightly warmer than the G version...that is all.

 

[2F/2F]

Didn't Kodak essentially market it as such? They claimed that the GX version was slightly warmer than the G version...that is all.

I always assumed as much...because that is what Kodak said.

Still, a film that is slightly warmer without needing filtration is a wonderful thing to have on hand.

I tried the G a few times. I preferred the GX for the warmth. It was a difference, but as I said, I never tested whether or not color balance was the only difference.

I use neither of them a lot, favoring my stockpiled EPN sheet film, and new EPP for medium format.

 

[BradS]

I honestly never even tried E100GX. I went from Provia to E100G and the difference was like peas and carrots ! I guess I just never looked any further....

 

[Brandon D.]

Wow, I actually have some expired 100GX in my fridge that I have been reluctant to use. Yikes!

 

[funkpilz]

I never used it. I use Fuji for chrome and Kodak for color neg. So far, none of the discontinuations have affected me personally. Sad to see so many good films go, though.

 

[mrladewig]

In my opinion, E100GX enhanced the warmth of warm/earth toned subjects but the cool tones (especially blue) remained clean and crisp as they are on E100G. I find that an 81A filter on E100G muddies the blues a bit in comparison and warms the neutral tones differently.

I was not shooting large format when E100G/GX were released, so I don't know if they made it available in sheets at one time, but I've never seen it.

I really like several of Kodak's products and applaud their recent releases like TMY, Portra 400NC and Ektar, but the discontinuations (readyloads, E100GX) have affected my ability to use their products.

 

[B&Wpositive]

Pat,

What about E200 and Elitechrome 200? Did you ask?

 

[brianmquinn]

Pat,

What about E200 and Elitechrome 200? Did you ask?

See the post titled Elitechrome availability?

In it I posted and email reply from Kodak, here it is again:

"Yes, I am sorry to say that Kodak Professional Ektachrome E200 Film was discontinued in 120. It does continue to be available in 135-36. "

And FYI the stock number for E100GX given at the start of this post is for the 135-36.

 

[brianmquinn]

A thought just came to me. Film of any sort is no longer really a mass market product. It is now a specialty item that only a small percentage of the public uses. I don't think Kodak has figured that out. They keep getting rid of items that don't sell in massive amounts. As they get rid of favorites they act like we will switch to what ever is left that they sell. In fact may of us are moving on to other suppliers if Kodak can't supply us. For example I have a Pentax Digital SLR. I no longer shoot 35mm color print C41 as a result. I do still shoot a lot of slides however. I recently ordered 80 rolls of Kodachrome and planned to transition to E100GX after Dec 2010. I always hated the Ektachrome blue cast and thus felt that E100GX was nicer. I have tried Ektar but it just does not offer any significant advantages over my Digital SLR for me. If Kodak does away with all slide film I will no longer have anything to buy from them.

 

[B&Wpositive]

Brian,

I understand what you are saying in your last post.

In your second to last post, the thread you mention is actually one that I started. I remember you stating that 120 E200 is gone. However, the thing I don't understand is, how or why would a film be discontinued in only one format? To me, seeing E200discontinued in 120 is a tip-off that it's soon to be gone in 35mm as well...especially noting that I can't even find it in stock at B&H lately. Likewise for E100GX in 120.

And speaking of Elite Chrome, the EB-100 is still marked as "discontinued" at B&H, even though I emailed them and questioned this a few weeks ago. ED-200 is in stock as normal. EBX-100 is not carried at B&H, but Adorama has this consumer version of E100VS.

So, it appears that we're down to a few 100 speed E-6 films and a 64T emulsion. E100G, EPP, E100VS, EB, and EBX. That's Kodak's "product lineup" now, apparently...five 100 speed films and a tungsten one.

You may want to check out the feasibility of using EB-100 or even E100VS/EBX-100 as substitutes for E100GX (assuming those are still available). I keep hearing that EB is in between the color balance of E100G and GX, though I haven't used the the E100 series of films, so I can't comment on the accuracy of the statement.

 

[brianmquinn]

What I do not like about the E100VS/EBX-100 are the skin tones I get with them. I did just order 20 rolls of E100GX from Unique photo while I can still get them. I Know E100GX and like it . Now I will have to buy a roll or two of some others to try out as a replacement for both Kodachrome and E100GX.

 

[Ektagraphic]

If I loose E200 I am really screwed.

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Rats! I really do like GX. It was always hard to get a hold of though. Especially local shops. Over a year ago I couldn't get a straight answer out of my local shop why they couldn't get it in. I am more than a little bummed out about all these discontinued films. I am happy for Ektar, for sure, but this is not good news.

Kodak, I like your products, I buy your products, please keep making them. I hope there is an announcement of a new film from them instead of this discontinued/retired news.

D.

 

[Film-Niko]

Good alternatives

If I compare my E100GX and my Elitechrome 100 slides, I can't see a significant difference in the color balance. Elitechrome 100 has a warmer balance, too. No difference concerning resolution and grain either.

The technical data publication for E100GX and Elitechrome 100 give the same specs. No difference. Looks like Elitechrome 100 is the amateur version of E100GX.

Elitechrome 100 or E100G with Skylight 1A or 1B filter (deeper blues as with a warming filter) are probably very good alternatives for E100GX users.

 

[flatulent1]

Why is it, every time a film's demise is dealt here with much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, I feel compelled to rush right out and buy a bunch? I did this with Kodachrome, I did this with 800Z, and I'm fighting the urge to do it here, a film I've never used.

By the way, Adorama is showing stock on 120, Calumet is showing stock in 135, and it's available at Amazon through assorted channels...

Stop me before I buy again!