Fuji freezer film rumour

[cmacd123]

google tells me that this says "
April 5, 2024
Information on domestic introduction of color negative film “FUJIFILM 400”
Dear customers
Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Fujifilm products.
Sales of "Fujicolor SUPERIA X-TRA 400" will end as soon as the stock runs out. In line with this, we will be introducing ``FUJIFILM 400'', a color negative film sold overseas, into Japan from today."

 

[cmacd123]

Not looking good...

I suspect that that is an understament. we may all have to cast our eyes to the north of italy...

 

[mshchem]

Is this the end of what?

 

[GabrielC]

Today, it was announced that Japan will also stop producing the Xtra400.

Well freezer or not. it seems that they will continue to drop their support for film
At least kodak fixed its supply problems, and Harman is trying a foray into colour

 

[Agulliver]

Indeed not good news. The "Fujifilm 400" is some sort of Kodak-produced film. I've shot one roll and was happy with it....it doesn't seem to be quite the same as Kodak Ultramax 400 but I was shooting subjects I've not shot on Ultramax and in no way was I trying to compare the two or perform any kind of test.

Kodak and Fuji had, in the past, different characteristics and I much preferred Fuji....though I am grateful that Kodak remains in the game and will continue to support them.

The last time I saw genuine Fuji Superia 400 was on a trip to the USA in October 2022. Everything I've seen in Europe and the UK since 2021 has been the Kodak-derived "Made in USA" Fujicolor 200 and 400. From what I can tell, it is in no way bad....but it is what it is...

 

[foc]

So I do I understand the Fuji statement correctly? Fujifilm will discontinue their own made Xtra 400 and introduce to their domestic market (Japan) the Kodak made Fujifilm 400.

 

[Kino]

So I do I understand the Fuji statement correctly? Fujifilm will discontinue their own made Xtra 400 and introduce to their domestic market (Japan) the Kodak made Fujifilm 400.

That's how it reads to me.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Back in 2019 we discussed Fuji cutting Superia 400:

Superia X-tra 400 set to disappear from sale in Japan

Fuji has recently updated its film lineup in Japan (the one country where their lists are kept regularly updated). https://fujifilm.jp/personal/jan/color.html?pSch501010101 The revised consumer colour negative lineup is; - Fujicolor 100 in 36/27exp - Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 in 36/27exp -...

www.photrio.com

 

[AnselMortensen]

Is this the end of what?

The beginning.

 

[pentaxuser]

At least kodak fixed its supply problems, and Harman is trying a foray into colour

Just a pity that Ilford Harman has so far to go to catch up with Kodak colour - at least for me it has. It's a Kodak monopoly for now as I see things.

pentaxuser

 

[GabrielC]

Just a pity that Ilford Harman has so far to go to catch up with Kodak colour - at least for me it has. It's a Kodak monopoly for now as I see things.

pentaxuser

I can understand this point of view, it is clearly more experimental. I do wonder how fast they will improve.

Back to Fuji, only left:

-Superia premium (unavaible outside japan)
-Fujicolor 100 (japan-only again)

-Provia (Rare)
-Velvia 50 (Rare)
-Velvia 100 (Forbidden in the US, can be frequently found in France since a month or two)

Not counting Ilford made acros and Kodak’s films

That’s frankly not a lot, only slides are only left and not reliably
But to be fair to fuji, at least they’re maintaining instax and it is actually unmatched in the instant film game

 

[SilverShutter]

Stupid question maybe, but is C200 still a thing? Or has it also been replaced by a Kodak made film? I can buy it online here in Ireland at 13€ a roll (not a chance I'm paying that) but is this the same emulsion or what? Seems like the only thing that would be left on sale here in Europe actually made by Fuji would be C200 and the Chromes, or am I missing something?

Depressing anyway.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...Ilford made acros...

Fuji freezer film rumour

Hello everyone, There is welcome news of new fuji (made in Japan) film in Japanese shelves, as shown in the following video : However, this news is followed by many commentators saying that Fuji did not restart mass production of film, but instead are only selling film cut from old master...

www.photrio.com

 

[Agulliver]

Fuji C200 has been replaced by "FujiFilm 200" in recent times outside of Japan at least. Which is "Made in USA" and we can therefore say it is manufactured by Kodak with some considerable certainty.

 

[GabrielC]

Stupid question maybe, but is C200 still a thing? Or has it also been replaced by a Kodak made film? I can buy it online here in Ireland at 13€ a roll (not a chance I'm paying that) but is this the same emulsion or what? Seems like the only thing that would be left on sale here in Europe actually made by Fuji would be C200 and the Chromes, or am I missing something?

Depressing anyway.

It’s not listed on Fujifilm’s japanese website so I don’t think it still exists

Fuji C200 has been replaced by "FujiFilm 200" in recent times outside of Japan at least. Which is "Made in USA" and we can therefore say it is manufactured by Kodak with some considerable certainty.

Probably right

 

[SilverShutter]

Okay, so if I understand correctly, there's no widely available C41 Fujifilm actually made by Fuji anymore, only slides? Which would obviously mean there's no manufacturing going on, I mean who would run an entire film operation just for E6.

 

[GabrielC]

Okay, so if I understand correctly, there's no widely available C41 Fujifilm actually made by Fuji anymore, only slides? Which would obviously mean there's no manufacturing going on, I mean who would run an entire film operation just for E6.

Outside japan, it would seem like it.
There could be manufacturing however. Instax all have a negative part. Fuji probably produces only highest margin products, instax and maybe slides.
Negative supply lines won’t be scrapped due to instax, I only hope they won’t get rid of their confectioning lines for 135 and 120. So I hope they keep on producing slides as il will show they still have a proper line for conventional film.

I have the hope (but I most probably will be disappointed) that Fuji could start making films again once they manage to supply instax correctly

 

[koraks]

Which would obviously mean there's no manufacturing going on, I mean who would run an entire film operation just for E6.

I don't think that's accurate.

For one thing, Fuji in Japan will likely retain their film manufacturing capabilities even if they don't actively use it, because it's a strategic asset.
Moreover, they do coat loads and loads of silver halide film. Instax is a film-based product, too.
Then there's the paper manufacturing, which is arguably a small operation as it is now, but it shares at least some of the assets with film coating. These shared assets would in any case be intangible ones, but possibly tangible ones as well.
It's quite conceivable that on top of this, they allow E6 manufacturing to float around for a bit, potentially even in part to keep certain knowledge and competencies alive.

 

[GabrielC]

For one thing, Fuji in Japan will likely retain their film manufacturing capabilities even if they don't actively use it, because it's a strategic asset.

Pack film could well be a warning sign that it’s not the case
I agree for coating capabilities, but as far as confectioning goes, I’m far less certain

 

[koraks]

I'm speaking about coating. Confectioning definitely will not be regarded as a strategic asset. There's nothing special about it comptence-wise; it's just well-understood mechanics that any company could do if they were interested.

 

[Agulliver]

We do know that Fuji values the production of Instax materials.

Has anyone yet done a proper comparison of the FujiFilm branded 200 and 400 films and products offered by Kodak? How do they compare to Gold and Ultramax?

I've shot just one roll of the FujiFilm 400 and I didn't get the feeling it was the same as Ultramax....but that's one roll. Hardly enough to be certain.

I am given to wonder why Fuji have apparently contracted out manufacture of C41 film to Kodak if they have no intention of actually resuming manufacturing the stuff themselves. It keeps the brand name alive but is there much point if they have no intention of getting back into the business of making C41 film? So I remain hopeful that they do intend to make C41 again....though another possibility has entered my mind, which is that they're keeping the Fuji name alive because they have contracts with retailers that they need to fulfil. FujiFilm is sold in several major retailers on both side of the Atlantic, for example.

 

[Prest_400]

Well, that is disappointing. If being quite optimist and related to the 2019 thread, they might be having the Kodak Fujicolor filling in supply while they are focusing in Instax. Or eventually, long term, supplying film in an arrangement similar to Acros (keeping the original product properties) or just outsourcing Kodak.

I am given to wonder why Fuji have apparently contracted out manufacture of C41 film to Kodak if they have no intention of actually resuming manufacturing the stuff themselves. It keeps the brand name alive but is there much point if they have no intention of getting back into the business of making C41 film? So I remain hopeful that they do intend to make C41 again....though another possibility has entered my mind, which is that they're keeping the Fuji name alive because they have contracts with retailers that they need to fulfil. FujiFilm is sold in several major retailers on both side of the Atlantic, for example.

I echo your thoughts. And it's interesting because C41 has supposedly had a lot of demand with the backlogging since the pandemic. 35mm C41 particularly being the hot cakes that they could not confection quick enough. I don't think E6 does as much.

 

[koraks]

I am given to wonder why Fuji have apparently contracted out manufacture of C41 film to Kodak if they have no intention of actually resuming manufacturing the stuff themselves.

Apparently they make money by doing so. Capitalizing on the brand name they've got.
A secondary motive can be their commitment to their existing customer base, which has involved at least in the past remarks like "we'll only switch off the lights once our last customer has departed" etc. This is one practical way to live up to that promise, although I think you and I will agree it's a bit of a disappointing way to do so.

 

[mshchem]

It might be cheaper for the consumer to have Kodak make Fuji color negative. Allows Fuji to maximize Instax, allows Kodak to maximize conventional film.
Sounds crazy but it might be true???

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...Confectioning definitely will not be regarded as a strategic asset...

Tell that to Mirko at ADOX.