Fuji reproduced 220 pro400 C41 film / Kodak 220 PORTA discontinuing sales in Japan

[jun]

Well, Y2015 has begun and it seems to be OK to inform something happening in Japan.
1.
Fuji was able to reproduce 220 size “pro400” (Japan only proC41 film, this is not 400H) in Y2014 in limited quantities.

Note that Fuji officially discontinued this “pro400” 220 film on March 2013 (see link below, paragraph 4, pro400 is a Japanese market only C41 pro film).
(http://ffis.fujifilm.co.jp/information/articlein_0022.html)

See attached photo (the one that I bought around end of Nov. 2014, reproduction 220 size pro400 film, Note expiration date).

When I first saw this fresh film on the shelf at Yodobashi, I couldn’t believe my eyes since these were completely depleted and gone away (and Fuji provided 400H as an alternative for pro400 in Japanese market but no 220 size for 400H).

I have heard that Fuji was able to do this because:
a) Found that the material were at their hands to make this film reasonably (“in limited numbers”)
b) Thought that there would be still some demand for this film in Japan if they make it.
This fresh 220 film was coated/manufactured in Y2014.

This film is available only in single roll package and it is JPY1080 (inc. 8% sales tax, equiv USD8.33 W/O sales tax) thus the price is comparable when it was available in the past.
http://www.yodobashi.com/富士フイルム-FUJIFILM-PRO400-220-24枚撮/pd/100000001000267714/

Since I don’t normally use 220 film, rather use 120, but interested that Fuji reproduced 220 film so I bought some and shoot it.
The results were just like the pro400 in 120 that I used several years ago.

There seems to be some members in APUG that living in Japan so one can try this film “if you want to”.
This is a limited production film so may be gone soon.
Looking at the web, you still can get it via web order but only limited to one roll per person now.
You “may” able to get it if you go to Yodobashi (e.g. Shinjuku-West store) in some quantity but I am not sure (when I bought it on Nov 2014, there was some left, but when I revisit in December Y2014 none was available. Today according to the web they still have some but better check it first).

My suggestion if you are really going to try this film:
“Be careful not to underexpose” (You know what I really mean).
Just my two cents.

Note that reproduction of this film is not reflected in Fuji’s web site or in the Professional Store “National Photo” web site, which I 100% trust for film availability.
This is because it is limited production product (if the “guy” is telling me the truth, well it is a very small batch from a big company, anyway no export).
It seems to be that only Yodobashi handles this film (Yodobashi's special order???… not sure…but in the past…).

Also note that Fuji is still NOT discontinuing some 220 size color films in Japan (mostly E6 and one C41).

2.
PORTRA 160/400 in 220 size discontinuing “sales” in Japan
See;
http://www.nationalphoto.co.jp/1F/kodak_news_06.htm - Kodak
It is in Japanese so some simple translation given below;
===========QUOTE ==========
Date: Dec. 12th, 2014

Due to low demand, Kodak announced that the “sales” of the following professional films are discontinued:

PORTRA 160 220 in (5 roll packs)
Suggested replacement -> PORTRA 160 in 120 or Fuji Pro160NS in 220

PORTRA 400 220 in (5 roll packs)
Suggested replacement -> PORTRA 400 in 120 or Fuji Pro160NS in 220

Directly contact us for availability.
=========UNQUOTE===========

NOTE1: It doesn’t say where they are going to discontinue sales, but this should be Japan.
NOTE2: It doesn’t say which Kodak announced this. Kodak Alaris Japan???
Well if you look into Kodak Alaris Japan web site, there is no info about this PORTRA 220 format discontinuance.
But I don’t bother, as their web site has bunch of discontinued product listed there but it is useless since it lists too old products such as 127 / 620 films!
NOTE3: It doesn’t say that manufacturing of these films are discontinued but says “the sales” is discontinued.

Will be any implication of this worldwide?
Well, will see what happens.

For me, KODAK = PORTRA.

I don’t use 220 much but maybe red flag for 220?

Anyway in 2014, Kodak substantially raised the price of their films two times here in Japan.
Bit scary.
This is a reason I may have to look into Fuji for C41 120/(220) Size film for alternative.

NOTE:
NationalPhoto’s web information about availability of film is the most reliable information for availability of film in Japan (They are pro shop and have the accurate info from the maker and/or importer).
I have referred their web for information about availability/discontinuation about approximately 10 years and never had any issue.
You can rely on it.

Sometimes film manufactures web site info is not organized and National Photo’s web site information may be clearer because it is much more organized.
They sometimes release official discontinuation announcement earlier than the film manufacturer but the info itself is correct.

For example, they have recently released discontinuation info of Fuji’s liquid emulsion (named Art Emulsion) and Velvia 100F 120 one day “prior” that of the Fuji’s official discontinuation announcement.

Bottom Line:
If there is film discontinuation info here (National Photo’s web), sadly that film will be discontinued (at least in Japan) when the time comes and most of the times, more sadly, same film will be discontinued worldwide when the time comes.
This is a fact and I have seen this all times happening.

Well, may be some other discussion may be done pertaining to availability of some other films, but it is too long now, thus I will finish it here.

 

[mnemosyne]

I'm not sure what to make of this. I somehow get the feeling, that it's not gonna help Fuji's reputation among the APUG crowd.
Jun, what is your source that the film was freshly coated in 2014? I admit I am no expert in these things, but somehow doubt that it would make economic sense for Fuji to coat a film in "limited quantities", even if they had the raw materials at hand. Doesn't it appear more likely that they simply stumbled over a "forgotten" master roll somewhere in cold storage and figured out a way to turn this into cash?

The price rise for Kodak films in Japan is not much of a surprise when you see the current YEN/USD exchange rate. It's more of a surprise that it came so late.

 

[jun]

I'm not sure what to make of this. Jun, what is your source that the film was freshly coated in 2014? I admit I am no expert in these things, but somehow doubt that it would make economic sense for Fuji to coat a film in "limited quantities", even if they had the raw materials at hand. Doesn't it appear more likely that they simply stumbled over a "forgotten" master roll somewhere in cold storage and figured out a way to turn this into cash?

See the exp date in the photo.
Also why limit sales one roll per one person max if they want instant cash?
Of course, I understand what film wasn't coated in Y2014 but still not discontinued yet

 

[jun]

The price rise for Kodak films in Japan is not much of a surprise when you see the current YEN/USD exchange rate. It's more of a surprise that it came so late.

Kodak films price was up before the YEN/USD exchange rate was changed significantly.
Also they didn't claim YEN/USD exchange rate as the reason for the price hike (rather demand issue, April/May Y2014).
Of course, the price hike was much more than the YEN/USD exchange rate change.

 

[mnemosyne]

Kodak films price was up before the YEN/USD exchange rate was changed significantly.
Also they didn't claim YEN/USD exchange rate as the reason for the price hike (rather demand issue, April/May Y2014).
Of course, the price hike was much more than the YEN/USD exchange rate change.

OCT 2012 1 USD = 78 YEN -> APR 2014 (time of price hike, according to you) 1 USD = 103 YEN

Now, that's what I call a significant change

If the current weakness of the YEN persists, Kodak might be forced to rise prices again

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

To note that it is a practice for the Americans at Kodak to "feeze" master rolls.
That isn't true for other companies like Harman / ILFORD Photo.
That might not be true as well as for Fuji.
The expiry date on the film shown by Jun goes right for a 3 year life span. To note that most Ilford B&W films have a 5 year life span.

Enjoy your fresh film.
Don't forget: buy it fresh, use it up and keep the factories smiling!

 

[jun]

OCT 2012 1 USD = 78 YEN -> APR 2014 (time of price hike, according to you) 1 USD = 103 YEN

Now, that's what I call a significant change

Kodak did raise the price of their films in Y2012 & JULY 2013 in Japan thus it is obvious that above shall be amended as;

JUL 2013 1 USD=JPY 99.7 -> Apr 2014 1USD=JPY 103

Now, that's what I call an insignificant change

 

[thminhduc]

I was in Japan last week and just bought the Fuji Pro 400 in 220 format. Now I'm wondering if there is any difference between the Pro 400H and Pro 400? Or should I just shoot it like 400H? Thanks guys & gals.

 

[MartinP]

The Fuji discontinuation notice suggests Pro400 in 120 as a replacement for the 220 rolls. Don't forget that the 120 and 220 film is the same material, in the same width -- all that changes are the edge markings and the packaging (leaders instead of backing paper).

I suggest that the film is not (yet) being discontinued, only the packaging. Even then, it seems that if the retailer thinks they can sell enough of it they can still order a run. The sky is not falling.

 

[Xmas]

The Fuji discontinuation notice suggests Pro400 in 120 as a replacement for the 220 rolls. Don't forget that the 120 and 220 film is the same material, in the same width -- all that changes are the edge markings and the packaging (leaders instead of backing paper).

I suggest that the film is not (yet) being discontinued, only the packaging. Even then, it seems that if the retailer thinks they can sell enough of it they can still order a run. The sky is not falling.

They would not be able to finish 220 film with out out both 220 backing paper and 220 boxes, the reel of 120/220 film is a common item. Finding something lurking at back of store room...

 

[Prest_400]

The state of 220 is a bit chaotic, isn't it? Seemingly in Japan (according to Japanexposures and a couple shops I have seen online) Fuji still seemingly finishes some films in 220 and if it is so, they are the last man standing in 220.
I would like to get my hands into one of these pro400 220 just for the sake of shooting 220 once, on a lazier day for reloading.




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