Fuji Kills Fujicolor Pro 800z (maybe)

[Photo Engineer]

Having seen the results of tests of color materials with hundreds of subjects I know what you mean about preference. It looked like random results, but there was logic to the data. People preferred garish colors for the most part with higher contrast (consumer) and pros wanted more accuracy and better sharpness and grain. Their ideas of accurate color was what varied so much.

PE

 

[mikebarger]

Guessing the majority must like the Kodak product better as it seems to sell at volumes to keep Kodak making it as opposed to Fuji dropping their 800 version.

Mike

 

[clayne]

Honestly I find some of the defeatist and towel-throwing attitudes in here a bit sad. Stand by and watch?

 

[Ektagraphic]

From my POV, improved 64 tungsten and Portra 800 would be 1000x more useful to me than new T-Max 400 and Ektar.

What do you not like about Ektachrome 64T?

 

[GJA]

At least everyone has a chance to buy it and unlike Kodachrome you will be able to process it well into the future. If you love this film, buy enough to last for the rest of your life. Then buy a very large freezer, a Seal-a-meal and some lead bags. Im pretty sure that if you eliminate these three threats to film (heat, moisture, and radiation), it could well outlast you.

 

[JanaM]

I started my "photographic career" in the "golden age" of film photography almost 30 years ago.

At that time 800 ASA CN films didn't exist. No film at all from Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, Konica on the market.

Now we have an excellent Kodak Portra 800 in 135 and 120, and excellent Fuji Superia 800 in 135 format.
And Rollei-Film currently is asking the customers, whether they are interested in an 800 ASA color negative film from Agfa-Gevaert. If the demand is sufficient, they intend to offer this Agfa-Gevaert film to the market.

And then we have the excellent Fuji Provia 400X, which gives outstanding results pushed one stop to 800. Higher resolution, finer grain and better sharpness compared to the 800 CN films. And wonderful natural colors.

When I started photography, I only have dreamt of the wonderful films I have today.
The bottle is half full, not half empty .
Let's enjoy the films we have.

Jana

 

[xtolsniffer]

Good post JanaM, let's celebrate what we have and what we can do with it!

 

[mikebarger]

I doubt you'll ever see the end to posts listing someone's favorite film/paper/whatever being dropped.

Reading the reasons why a product should be continued is sometimes amusing.

Mike

 

[Sirius Glass]

I doubt you'll ever see the end to posts listing someone's favorite film/paper/whatever being dropped.

Reading the reasons why a product should be continued is sometimes amusing.

Mike

 

[clayne]

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=865834

Fujifilm's Pro 800Z film not dead afterall

Fujifilm Professional is considering keeping its Fujicolor Pro 800Z alive, BJP has been told

Last week, Fujifilm announced it was set to discontinue production of the Fujicolor Pro 800Z film, blaming the axe on decreasing demands. At the time, Fujifilm's product manager fo professional film, Russ Gunn, said that 'by streamlining our selection of Professional film we can ensure our strong selling lines are protected. Sales of our colour negative and transparency films are doing very well and there has also been a recent upturn in sales of our instant films.'

The film would have been available in the UK until November 2009. However, in a reversal, Fujifilm in Japan is now looking at options to keep the film available to photographers. BJP understands that a final decision has yet to be made.

 

[Jedidiah Smith]

Hmmm...well, that's one way to increase sales for a month. Maybe they had some large stock on hand that they wanted to clear, and sales shot up enough after the interview to do it?
If it were possible to scale back their production to just barely exceed demand (always looks better when places are not completely out of stock), they could probably keep making it.

Jed

 

[clayne]

Well I think it's prudent for people to write if they care and/or purchase the film. It atleast extends the life a bit more for more people to discover what a good emulsion it is.

 

[mikebarger]

I think spending money on the product is what really counts.

87 posts isn't generating much capital.

Mike

 

[clayne]

I think spending money on the product is what really counts.

87 posts isn't generating much capital.

Mike

Bought 60 rolls of 220 800Z just the other day.

 

[mikebarger]

Good man.

Mike

 

[Sirius Glass]

Bought 60 rolls of 220 800Z just the other day.

Good, keep it from the hoaders!

Steve

 

[Chazzy]

Good luck to those of you who want the film to continue in production. I don't use it myself, but I am always on the side of those who want to keep using their favorite films.

 

[markbarendt]

Just got this from Fuji.
_________________

Dear Mark Barendt:



Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM U.S.A, Inc. Please allow us to assist you.



FUJIFILM USA is not discontinuing the PRO 800Z film. We have film in stock and will have for the foreseeable future.



We sincerely hope this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.



Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.



Respectfully,

Systems Communication Specialist

Customer Care Department

Technical Services and Support Division

Imaging Group

FUJIFILM U.S.A, Inc

 

[mudman]

me too!

 

[2F/2F]

Just got this from Fuji.
_________________

Dear Mark Barendt:



Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM U.S.A, Inc. Please allow us to assist you.



FUJIFILM USA is not discontinuing the PRO 800Z film. We have film in stock and will have for the foreseeable future.



We sincerely hope this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.



Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.



Respectfully,

Systems Communication Specialist

Customer Care Department

Technical Services and Support Division

Imaging Group

FUJIFILM U.S.A, Inc

I got the same form letter. They must be getting a lot of calls and e-mails about it.

All I can say is "THANK FUCKING GOD"

 

[Sirius Glass]

Finally a step in the right direction.

Steve

 

[Chazzy]

Maybe I will have to give this stuff a try, if it is available in 220 or 120.

 

[keithwms]

Maybe I will have to give this stuff a try, if it is available in 220 or 120.

Both.

 

[B&Wpositive]

FUJIFILM USA is not discontinuing the PRO 800Z film. We have film in stock and will have for the foreseeable future.



We sincerely hope this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.

I'm not exactly sure what this means. The second sentence is open to interpretation. Perhaps Fuji doesn't even know yet what they are going to do.

I got a totally different email response. Here is the main part of it:

"While it may be true that digital cameras are advancing quickly to meet the quality of film and optical cameras, many photographers find that they prefer the qualities of film over digital. And as long as photographers are using film, we hope to be supplying it to them. We are fully engaged in creating innovative film products that will continue to raise quality standards to new levels. As long as there is a demand for such products, we will continue developing and supplying them."

I am waiting for Scott S's interview to clarify the situation.

 

[JBrunner]

I have added a (maybe) to the title of the thread.