Fujifilm to discontiue FP-100B and 400B instant films (in Japanese market)

[IloveTLRs]

I just spoke with Fujifilm Japan- from around June 2010 they will discontinue the FP-100B and 400B black and white instant films.

FP-3000 black and white and the color films will continue.

I'm sure this will impact quite a few people out there

 

[keithwms]

Will they discontinue those in all formats? That would be a tremendous shame. Is Fp100c being continued? And if I may ask, what is the name of your source?

 

[willrea]

This after they just started to import the 100B for 4x5? Seems like a waste.

I guess I'll need to start stocking up.

 

[IloveTLRs]

And if I may ask, what is the name of your source?

My source is Fujifilm Japan.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

My source is Fujifilm Japan.

Do you have a person's name and an e-mail address or a phone number? We like to be very careful about the accuracy of such statements, so that rumors don't spread and become self-fulfilling prophecies. Who would someone contact to verify this information?

 

[jasonhall]

Damn!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Okay, I found another thread with a description of the original poster's sources--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

A little more specificity would still be useful.

 

[wildbill]

Bullsh*t! Be more specific. Japan? Did the source say wordwide? Someone started this rumor here a couple months back and it turned out to be the twin packs of instant film only. The clarification came from fuji usa. In the mean time everyone freaked out while waiting for an official response. The information given to camera shop customers is generally inaccurate when it comes to products going away. Time and time again, these threads start with "the guy at my camera store said....."

 

[keithwms]

Until there are real specifics I will remain surprised. But we should also bear in mind that Fuji, unlike certain other companies, has reversed decisions to discontinue products. Also there is the difference between their product line in the USA versus in Japan. So... we need more details.

 

[IloveTLRs]

I just spoke to Fujifilm Japan for the second time - Fujifilm as in the company in Japan that makes the film in question. The number I called was 092-432-0307 (from a cell phone), the other number is 0570-00-1080 (from a land line.) I spoke to a Ms. Hayama and Ms. Sato, both supervisors of the Fujifilm Japan service center (in Japan.)

In regards to the films listed here, I was told the following:

FP-100C (color) in regular size and 4x5 will not be discontinued
FP-100C Silk (color) in regular size will not be discontinued
FP-100B SUPER (B&W) will be discontinued in both regular and 4x5 sizes in June 2010
FP-400B SUPER SPEEDY (B&W) will be discontinued in regular sizes in March 2010
FP-3000B SUPER SPEEDY (B&W) will not be discontinued - 4x5 and regular sizes

FP-500B (B&W) in 4x5 size will be discontinued in March 2010

This information is for the Japanese market. Fujifilm Japan told me they don't know how it will affect the rest of the world.

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

Well that sucks. I cant say I ever used the 400/500 speed versions, but a nice 100ISO black and white was handy to have.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks for checking and clarifying. This is important to do, because we get a lot of posts of this sort based on sketchy information from camera store employees or regional distributors who may only be aware of what is happening in their local area or may be actively trying to get out of the film portion of their business.

Anyone in a position to check other markets? I'm posting a query on choose-film.com, which is Fuji UK--

http://choose-film.com/?page_id=5&xdforum_action=viewthread&xf_id=4&xt_id=387&pstart=0&search_words=

 

[keithwms]

Thanks for the extra info. Now.. one more request: tell us where to send our letters! Is there an email address of a higher-up?

 

[namke]

Ok, so - with the power of Twitter - I sent a message to 'Choose Film':

ChooseFilm Any response to the end of FP100B etc.? (there was a url link here which no longer exists)...

This is the response:

"ChooseFilm: Hello Namke, There are no plans to discontinue any of the FP Instant Film range for Fujifilm UK."

So, different hymn-sheets perhaps? Or a positive result?

 

[aluk]

Hmm... the response I got from Fuji UK a short while ago was that they don't really know what is happening, but they are looking into the matter (presumably with headquarters in Japan) and will make an announcement sometime in the next few days. Guess we'll just have to wait for a press release in order to confirm all of this.

 

[gr82bart]

ChooseFilm is a 3rd party marketing company contracted by FujiFilm UK. What would they know?

Regards, Art.

 

[Ektagraphic]

I loved that film. What is their resoning? There are plenty of users...I thought. Hopefully that is only for Japan.

 

[Ektagraphic]

It is also great to test exposure....

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

ChooseFilm is a 3rd party marketing company contracted by FujiFilm UK. What would they know?

Regards, Art.

Choose-Film is run by a marketing agency called WPS Media, but is owned by Fujifilm UK and appears to be regularly monitored by them. Here's a discussion on the forum that identifies the players--

http://choose-film.com/?page_id=5&xdforum_action=viewthread&xf_id=3&xt_id=19&pstart=0&search_words=

User "Fujifilm UK" seems to be the userid for one or more actual representatives of Fujifilm UK, and they usually respond directly to queries about Fuji products and services with the kind of information that one would expect them to know.

 

[IloveTLRs]

Where is the FP series of film made? In Japan only? Overseas, too? If it's made overseas as well perhaps Fuji would only discontinue it here? But that doesn't make sense as there are plenty of film users in Japan.

Fujifilm Japan's contact number is 03-5962-6200 in Tokyo. At the bottom of this page is a link to submit inquiries "Inquiry re this product" - the form is completely in Japanese, however.

 

[Chazzy]

Just when I was thinking about buying a pack film holder for the Fuji 4x5 films.

 

[GraemeMitchell]

This will be sad if true, as I actually use 100B professionally for proofing. It took me a few tests after switching from Polaroid, but I managed to get TX in HC-110 to match the 100B almost exactly at the same EI. But guess I wasn't burning enough of it...

If instant pack film disappears it will spell the end of using film on commercial jobs for me (I proof 35mm with a pack film camera too). Will be bummed when that day arrives.

 

[John W]

Just when I was thinking about buying a pack film holder for the Fuji 4x5 films.

Same here! I'm wading through back-episodes of the Inside Analog Photo podcast. One I listened to just this week (July 18th ep. w/ Michael Bryant, IIRC) talked about using the negative from the pack films, similar to working with Type 55. That sounds like loads of fun... Was hoping to use FP-100B or FP-400B...

 

[BetterSense]

I've never used instant films of any kind. Can someone explain to me what this means for the instant-film situation? I understand that polaroid is making no film whatsoever but that Fuji was making the kind of instant films you can use in a large-format camera. Is fuji discontinuing it all too, or will there still be other Fuji instant films? What is different about the films they are discontinuing?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I've never used instant films of any kind. Can someone explain to me what this means for the instant-film situation? I understand that polaroid is making no film whatsoever but that Fuji was making the kind of instant films you can use in a large-format camera. Is fuji discontinuing it all too, or will there still be other Fuji instant films? What is different about the films they are discontinuing?

I have used instant films for 40 years as testing and proofing for clients when shooting 4x5 transparencies. Since I shoot color for clients I have always used color instant films. This won't impact me much, but there are many photographers that use instant films in both b/w and color as final products for the unique one-of-a-kind images that can be made. Fewer tools in the toolbox mean less creativity.