Fuji Pro 800 Z is not dead

[benjiboy]

I read today on on Fuji's Use Film Club site. that although they announced last September that Pro 800Z was to be discontinued, they have been surprised at the customer reaction World wide, and have decided to continue manufacturing it.

 

[perkeleellinen]

It's currently priced very cheaply in the UK - cheaper than Superia 800, 400H and the 160 films. I think I like it more than Superia 800, it seems better on the skin and I like how 800Z and 400H are only 5cc magenta in difference when printing.

 

[vitor]

Yes, they did announce later that they would continue to produce it.
I have bought some last month.

 

[Chazzy]

How does it compare to Portra 800 in 120?

 

[benjiboy]

800Z is more saturated Chazzy and more contrasty and has the fourth emulsion layer that improves it's performance in mixed lighting, whereas Kodak Portra 800 is softer in contrast, colour balance, and saturation that makes it particularly suitable for portraits in low lighting conditions. IMHO Fuji 800Z is much more suitable film for general purpose available light photography and capable of amazing results considering it's speed in low light.

 

[Matt5791]

They are only continuing it in 135 - 120 has gone. Official from Fujifilm UK, because we tried to order some!

 

[IloveTLRs]

It's always good news when a film escapes from the jaws of death

Maybe if everyone came to Japan and started buying Neopan 400 in 120 ...

 

[2F/2F]

They are only continuing it in 135 - 120 has gone. Official from Fujifilm UK, because we tried to order some!

Well, fuck a duck! That was the only reason I used the film instead of Press 800!!!

 

[benjiboy]

Well, fuck a duck! That was the only reason I used the film instead of Press 800!!!

After you with the duck.

 

[Existing Light]

After you with the duck.

since when did the number of ducks drop so low that we have to share?

 

[2F/2F]

Look, I don't care, ok...as long as I am first.

 

[jvan01]

in my experience Portra 800 seems to have better underexposure latitude than 800z.

 

[benjiboy]

since when did the number of ducks drop so low that we have to share?

We don't have to share, it's just that in these days of bird flu at least I know where 2F/2/Fs duck has been.

 

[kraker]

They are only continuing it in 135 - 120 has gone. Official from Fujifilm UK, because we tried to order some!

Matt,

Could it be that that is "only" the case for the UK? Fujifilm.com still has 120 and even 220 listed, and I just received a five-pack of 120 from an order placed in Germany. Fujifilm USA still lists 35 mm, 120 and 220, and even Fuji in my country still lists these 3 confections.

 

[Matt5791]

Matt,

Could it be that that is "only" the case for the UK? Fujifilm.com still has 120 and even 220 listed, and I just received a five-pack of 120 from an order placed in Germany. Fujifilm USA still lists 35 mm, 120 and 220, and even Fuji in my country still lists these 3 confections.

I'm not sure - but this is an excerpt from an email from the head of pro film at fujifilm UK (Yes they do have someone specifically in this role!)

Hi Matthew

Got your order. However there are some issues you should know about before it is processed...

Pro800Z 120 is discontinued.

Whether this means it is around in other parts of the world, I dont know, but I would think not.

They also tell me they have ceased production of 220 "Japan will not make any amount"

I will double check these issues though.

Matt

 

[kraker]

Thanks for sharing that, Matt. I guess we will just have to wait and see...

Let us know if you receive more information (if you are at liberty to share).

 

[perkeleellinen]

When 800Z was threatened with extinction last year I emailed Fuji UK to ask if this was global or not. The reply was that this was global, but of course Fuji later changed their minds. Any how, the email I got also said that Fuji UK would not risk ordering anymore of this film as they were worried it wouldn't sell:

My last order date for stock from Japan is mid Sept 2009 and
this stock would normally be due to arrive in the UK in Jan 2010. However,
I have no intention of ordering any more and taking the risk of it not
being purchased by UK wholesalers/dealers. We still have some stock left in
the UK and we will just run this out

Now, I wonder if they decided to risk ordering the 135 films but thought 120 was still too much of a risk.

 

[ajuk]

I wish it was tungsten balance, or at least had a lower colour temp than other daylight films.

 

[Matt5791]

When 800Z was threatened with extinction last year I emailed Fuji UK to ask if this was global or not. The reply was that this was global, but of course Fuji later changed their minds. Any how, the email I got also said that Fuji UK would not risk ordering anymore of this film as they were worried it wouldn't sell:



Now, I wonder if they decided to risk ordering the 135 films but thought 120 was still too much of a risk.

I'm going to phone and find out for certain.

Matt

 

[Tom Kershaw]

The situation with these Fuji films seems even more confusing than with Kodak. Last Autumn the British Journal of Photography published news that Fuji 800Z would continue to be manufactured.

 

[marylandphoto]

This is good news. I love Fuji 800. I used it to shoot the Eagles-Redskins game at Cooke Stadium in December 2008. On a side note, I may have been the first photographer to shoot an NFL game on film in years. The results were great.

 

[Thingy]

800Z is still available from BH Photo

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2545&N=4277998830+4291439075+4294949439+4294950370

 

[perkeleellinen]

Thingy, have you looked into buying any 800Z from B&H? When I checked, the postage charges were high (£27 for ten rolls) and then there's also a 'duties & VAT charge of £32, meaning the total price for 10 rolls of 120 is £87. Too high for my blood, but it might be possible to combine shipping/tax with a few others in the UK and do a bulk order.

 

[pentaxuser]

I'm going to phone and find out for certain.

Matt

Matt What was the result of your phone call?. On the subject of discontinuation or otherwise of this film it seems that it ressembles the saying about economists: If you lay every economist together you still wouldn't reach a conclusion

pentaxuser

 

[perkeleellinen]

This week I bought 10 rolls of 35mm 800Z from 7DS and they came without boxes. I emailed them to ask when the expiry dates were but, as usual, they didn't reply. So I wrote to Fuji UK and I also tacked onto the end of the query a question about 800Z's future. Is it actually discontinued, I asked. This is the reply:

Pro800Z is now discontinued, there will be no further manufacture, we still
have some stock left in the UK, but when this is gone it will not be
replaced.