Thank you each for your in depth updates on the product. And yes, I was also one of those that chased the Velvia 50 4x5 merry-go-round from pillar-to-post over the years. I can recall even buying a batch here in the USA and sending it to an on line friend in Australia who could not get it at the time back in the day. As a group we even sent emails to the Fuji CEO at that time on the product.
No more chasing left in me. I'll bare the price to a point, but not the hide-and-seek process.
Again, thank you all for sharing your knowledge & perspectives on the product at this time.
Very much hoping for the best at this point......