Fuji statement: Commitment to film

[Diapositivo]

I just would like to point out that the fact that film sales of Fujifilm now account for 1% of sales, while in 2000 it accounted for 19% of sales, doesn't mean - as one would instinctively think - that film sales have dropped to 1/19 of what they were, because in the meanwhile sales of cameras have certainly climbed a lot (not very many digital cameras around in year 2000, and not very many cameras sold by Fujifilm in that year either, Fuji never was a big player in camera making before the digital age).

The two data I would be interested in are:
- Is film profitable at the moment? (this information should be in the stock exchange filings, although I agree that the attribution of common costs makes this kind of measures always a bit tricky)

- How much film is sold today by Fujifilm compared to year 2000?

 

[nsouto]

I miss Astia a lot. And I haven't seen Superia 800 or Pro800Z in any format for a while now...
Don't think I'll miss Pro160 if it goes: never liked it for scanning. And Reala doesn't stand a chance against Ektar100.

Provia100F is so close to Astia nowadays in terms of grain that it is a perfect substitute: my carefully collected Astia Neat Image grain samples all match 99%-100% to Provia RDPIII, which is the best proof they are just about the same!

All Provias are sensational slide films, never seen better. Definitely worth the extra moolah. And Superia 400 (Xtra-400) is a sensational colour negative film nowadays. I've got so much stashed away of both, I think I'll run out of places to develop them before I run out!


Long live Fujifilm. Only wish their digital cameras came anywhere near what their film does. Nope, I really don't like that Xpro-1: there is so much wrong with it... But it's excellent if it sells well, it'll help the film side to stay viable.

 

[brianmquinn]

I don't see why any company would sell a part of the company which is profitable - especially Kodak if it's their only profitable part.


Steve.

The problem is the share holders want more return on investment. If their film business is worth $1 million but the profit is only 1% they declare that profit too small. They then decide it would be better to sell it for the million and invest that money in the next big thing. But they keep getting the next big thing wrong and make no money at all.

Kodak has sold off may parts of the company that were profitable. You can't really find a good buyer for a division that is lossing money. They then used this money for their mostly failed transition into new technology.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I don't see why any company would sell a part of the company which is profitable - especially Kodak if it's their only profitable part.


Steve.

As Brian said ...

In 2004 Eastman Kodak sold its Civilian and Governments Systems to ITT. C&GS had less than 0.1% of Kodak's employees and brought in over 3% if the profit in 2003. Must feed greedy stock holders ... want brains ... want brains ...

 

[batwister]

Then we shoot B&W. And when B&W film is gone, we coat and shoot glass plate.

Or maybe an Impossible-like project will come along, we could be part of it, and we'll make and sell some crappy approximation of today's decent film that we'll nevertheless be happy to shoot, hipster like, but better than nothing. Until we die. And who cares beyond that?

These post-apocalyptic posts always give me hope.

 

[batwister]

Just wanted say that I've refrained from buying some Provia 400 today, with the price increase - £6 a roll. As much as I like the film, I can't afford to get hooked. If that's a shared mentality, despite how great the film clearly is, Provia is obviously next.

 

[Brian C. Miller]

Well, batwister, if you want to know why the film manufacturers are in trouble, that would be it. "Oh, please keep making film! But I'm not buying any..." Support is only truly shown with a purchase. Is £6 really that much? What else cost you £6? How long did that purchase last? Was it on a meal? Was it on some clothing? What?

How about if you go and buy some Tri-X instead? Or some UK-made FP4 or HP5 or Delta? The survival of film is dependent on all of us, and it all depends on us consuming it. That, and nothing more.

 

[batwister]

Well, batwister, if you want to know why the film manufacturers are in trouble, that would be it. "Oh, please keep making film! But I'm not buying any..." Support is only truly shown with a purchase. Is £6 really that much? What else cost you £6? How long did that purchase last? Was it on a meal? Was it on some clothing? What?

How about if you go and buy some Tri-X instead? Or some UK-made FP4 or HP5 or Delta? The survival of film is dependent on all of us, and it all depends on us consuming it. That, and nothing more.

Oh, I'll continue shooting film, and if I like a film I will shoot it consistently (which is my obsessive problem), but I refuse to be led down a financial blind alley is all! They won't take me down with them, screwing us for every last compassionate penny. To Ilford I will always remain committed - even though I have the occasional fling.