Future availability of Neopan 400 in 120

[BetterSense]

There are rumors of Neopan 400 being discontinued in the Japanese market. I have noticed that the 120 size Neopan 400 has been intermittently sold out at Freestyle over the past year, and last time I ordered it was back ordered. Will Freestyle be able to get this film in the future, or should I "stock up"?

 

[Chazzy]

I'm concerned about this myself. I've been wanting to give it a try as a possible substitute for TXP in my folders.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I just ordered ten more rolls from the Fuji online shop at Choose Film. I love the tonality.

 

[freestyle]

Thank you for your question. We did run out of this film, but have received product and it is back in stock.

At the moment there is no interruption of supply that we are aware of, and we will continue to offer this product as Fujifilm continues to make it available.

 

[fotoman]

I queried Fuji directly, and received the folllowing response...

"Thank you for contacting Fujifilm, USA's Contact Center. Please allow us
to assist you.

At this time, we do not have plans to discontinue the Neopan 400
professional black and white film in the 120 format.

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 again. It would be our pleasure to assist you.

Thank you for your interest in Fujifilm products and services."

 

[mikebarger]

Do they make it in 220?

Mike

 

[BetterSense]

As of now, there is on B&W 220 film being made (TXP was just discontinued).

 

[TWoK]

Fuji did discontinue Neopan 400 in 120 earlier this year.

 

[dehk]

Fuji did discontinue Neopan 400 in 120 earlier this year.

Read the thread above.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I thought there was a rule on APUG not to speculate on rumour about product(s) discontinued in whatever/whichever market?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I thought there was a rule on APUG not to speculate on rumour about product(s) discontinued in whatever/whichever market?

What and deny the drama queens and doomsday criers a chance in the Sun??

Steve

 

[TWoK]

There is no speculation. Look here: http://fujifilm.jp/information/articlead_0029.html

 

[wotalegend]

There is no speculation. Look here: http://fujifilm.jp/information/articlead_0029.html

There should certainly be no speculation because it has been a known fact for several months that Neopan 400 has been discontinued in 120 size, and it has been widespread on this and other forums. What I don't understand is Fuji's official reason, which I read was to do with the banning of a component in the manufacture of the backing paper - if that is the case why have they not stopped production of all 120 size films? Surely Acros and the various colour films use the same backing paper.

 

[TWoK]

I agree it is quite perplexing.

 

[BetterSense]

Indeed; especially since this leaves Fuji with no 400-speed medium format film at all. It's not like they are discontinuing one of their 400 speed films, they are discontinuing their only 400 speed film, and I haven't heard anything about them replacing it either.

 

[srs5694]

What I don't understand is Fuji's official reason, which I read was to do with the banning of a component in the manufacture of the backing paper - if that is the case why have they not stopped production of all 120 size films? Surely Acros and the various colour films use the same backing paper.

I seem to recall a similar explanation being bandied about a few years back when Fuji discontinued Velvia 50. Within a year or so, they started manufacturing it again, presumably with a slightly tweaked formulation. If I ever heard an explanation of precisely what happened, I don't recall what it was. It's conceivable that history will repeat itself for Neopan 400, but I wouldn't count on it.

As to the question you pose, I recall hearing that backing papers need to be tested against specific films, because the two can interact and produce bad effects. If my information (and memory) are correct, then, it's conceivable that the backing paper for Neopan 400 may have been different from other Fuji backing papers. Note, however, that I have no priviledged knowledge; I'm just speculating.

 

[IloveTLRs]

I seem to recall a similar explanation being bandied about a few years back when Fuji discontinued Velvia 50. Within a year or so, they started manufacturing it again, presumably with a slightly tweaked formulation. If I ever heard an explanation of precisely what happened, I don't recall what it was. It's conceivable that history will repeat itself for Neopan 400, but I wouldn't count on it.

Yes, there's a bit more information in the Velvia Wikipedia article. I wouldn't bank on it happening either, but many, many people were disappointed at it being discontinued (which Fuji told me over the phone) so who knows how Fuji will play it?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, since Neopan 400 has been discontinued in 120, I am going to stop using it!

Steve

 

[wotalegend]

Well, since Neopan 400 has been discontinued in 120, I am going to stop using it!

Steve

A wise decision Steve. How long did it take you to reach that decision? ;-) I'll stop using it too when my small supply runs out. I'm not holding my breath for it to re-appear with new backing paper, so the next thing is to work out what to replace it with.

Cheers, Peter.

 

[fotch]

I was thinking of trying it but never did. I won't order it now, the H*ll with them (Fuji).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, since Neopan 400 has been discontinued in 120, I am going to stop using it!

Steve

A wise decision Steve. How long did it take you to reach that decision? ;-) I'll stop using it too when my small supply runs out. I'm not holding my breath for it to re-appear with new backing paper, so the next thing is to work out what to replace it with.

Cheers, Peter.

I found a roll and a roll of 120 Rollei 400 in the refrigerator last night. I guess I am going to forced to use them this weekend. It is a tough life, but someone has to live it.

Steve

 

[wotalegend]

Just to open an old wound, wasn't the official reason from Fujifilm for Neopan 400's discontinuance in 120 that there was an environmentally unfriendly component in the backing paper? Well, being no chemist myself, I have just noticed (and I don't know why it took me so long) that on appearance the backing papers for Neopan 400 and Acros 100 are exactly the same. There is nothing printed on either of them to identify which film it is. The only identification of film type is on the packaging and on the sticky tab at the end of the film. Have Fujifilm conned us?

 

[pentaxuser]

There is nothing printed on either of them to identify which film it is. The only identification of film type is on the packaging and on the sticky tab at the end of the film. Have Fujifilm conned us?

It does seem strange and yet there must be some good reason for its discontinuance. I don't believe that Neopan 400 wasn't selling enough so Fuji used a lame excuse to stop production.

The chromogenic 400( allegedly made by Ilford) continues so there is a demand for 400 Fuji film.

I hope the issue, whatever it is, can be solved and it will re-appear.

pentaxuser

 

[wotalegend]

........ The chromogenic 400( allegedly made by Ilford) continues so there is a demand for 400 Fuji film......


pentaxuser

I have read that the chromogenic 400 sold by Fuji is actually Ilford XP2. It's not sold worldwide anyway; certainly not here in Oz and I think not in the US either.

 

[BetterSense]

What chromogenic 400? Do you mean Fuji has a chromogenic B&W film? I didn't know that. I do know that Fuji is still selling the Acros as well as color films in 120, so the backing paper thing never made sense to me. The chemical I heard blamed was PFOS.