Hard times for Kodak continue

[JMC1969]

Charles;

You have misread my posts then. Film is made at Rochester and Chalon, but types differ. Paper is made at Harrow and Colorado but widths differ. All plants can make all products, but it is best to segregate paper from film for technical reasons.

PE

I'm not 100% sure why I want to know so badly, but is there any chance you could break this down just a little more for me PE? As in, which plant makes which paper and which film. I guess I am kinda interested because it would possibly tell us where the market for each is stronger. As to say, I don't imagine they would have the plant in Harrow making a paper size that was mostly used in a region farther away. I would assume they have placed things as to serve the demand of the product. I searched for this info before asking with no real luck other than what you have already given.

Thank You

 

[WolfTales]

Had Kodak sold film and paper better, this would have had a better chance surviving as a feasible business model capable of competing on a large scale in the global economy.

Only a hand few of people got the idea with film and paper.

Other firms and technologies came in and did a better job at competing.

Kodak did good with research. But it failed to see the larger picture of what the broader market wanted, which was moms taking shots of their kids birthday cakes in a changing technological environment.

For now, film and paper seem like it will probably belong to a niche market. Which is also fine.

I hear that the economic case for describing the elasticity of demand for beer is usually described in terms of pizza. So film should never ever be confused with pizza when describing beer FYI.

My 2 cents.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I'll try an answer here. The Harrow color paper is sold world wide except for sizes wider than 40" which is made at the Colorado plant. So, the Harrow market is a huge one spanning the world. All MP products such as camera and print films are made in Rochester. So, that gives you a breakdown of some of the production as far as I know it.

Kodak has a big share of the market in moms taking shots of their kids birthday cakes. These are the Kodak disposable cameras on shelves in most super markets and drug stores. Moms pick them up in-line waiting to be cashed out with their groceries. And, sales of these disposable cameras with negative film are quite brisk. The problem is now finding places to get the film processed. This is not Kodak's fault. The chain of grocery stores locally have closed down their front end minilabs so it is hard to get the film processed. You see, the moms want the pictures, but now they forget to get the film processed or do not due to the current economic situation. These are outside of the control of EK.

I've tried to give some answers to both posts here. I hope the information helps.

PE

 

[JMC1969]

Yes, Thank You PE. I work for one of those last remaining photo labs, but we are not the super market which means those same people buying disposables have to search us out and make an extra trip. I would say most of the people in our town that have a need for us, don't know we exist because we are not on a regular footpath. We are working at our best to get our name out there, but as it is for most, money is tight and advertising is not getting any cheaper.

 

[AgX]

Film is made at Rochester and Chalon,...

The Chalon plant has been blown up in 2007.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Someone recently told me that there was a small remanant working there on film coatings for medical and other purposes. I was workiing on that statement. I will check when I see my associates on Friday at lunch to verify my comment or show that I goofed again.

PE

 

[DanielStone]

its ok PE. some just seem to nitpick .

-Dan

 

[AgX]

Daniel, I would be happy if I goofed on that.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I may be wrong here, but I "think" Kodak is the only maker of film and paper worldwide that has more than ONE facility. Ilford, Foma, Efke/Adox, Gevaert, Fuji...AFAIK, only have one manufacturing campus each now, although I was aware that Fuji DID make color paper in the USA at one time.

 

[seadrive]

I think we have to recognize that the "art photography" community has, for decades now, been subsidized by the general photo-snapping population. The shift to something that is easier and less expensive was inevitable. Photography as an art form is now on the same level as canvas and pigment, i.e. low volume and (therefore) expensive. Time to stop complaining about it, and just get on with it.

 

[mopar_guy]

I am NOT an artist. I AM a snapshooter. I refuse to buy a digital camera because it would be obsolete next week. If I buy film and chemicals and paper and sent stuff off to the lab, it supports the economy. I like my dog and I occasionally take photos of him with my Graflex.

 

[Perry Way]

I think we have to recognize that the "art photography" community has, for decades now, been subsidized by the general photo-snapping population. The shift to something that is easier and less expensive was inevitable. Photography as an art form is now on the same level as canvas and pigment, i.e. low volume and (therefore) expensive. Time to stop complaining about it, and just get on with it.

You know that's what I was thinking too.

But I also think there's a possibility that the advancement of technology will present new opportunities to the community. For example.. what about a Make-Your-Own coating machines or things of that nature?

 

[AgX]

Phototone,

Both Fuji and Agfa still have overseas coating plants. Though I am not sure whether the latter still coats on a halide base overseas (if it ever had).

 

[Photo Engineer]

The Agfa plant in the US was closed before it really opened. I got a notice of the auction of all of the equipment including coating and making equipment here in the US. Fuji did coat some material here, but now imports master rolls from Japan and only packages here. At least this is what I have been told. Konica also had a plant here, but it has closed long ago.

PE

 

[Tom Kershaw]

PE,

I think Fuji manufactures Crystal Archive in the Netherlands.

Tom

 

[Photo Engineer]

That could very well be. IDK much about current Fuji operations and I am losing touch with the Kodak operation from being away from it so long. I merely commented on what I knew at one time. In fact, I seriously doubt if they make CA in the Netherlands anymore just as they quit making it here. I would guess, due to volume, that they have cut back to importing master rolls and packaging them for the European trade. IDK. Just a guess. The volume is just not there anymore.

PE

 

[jovo]

...But I also think there's a possibility that the advancement of technology will present new opportunities to the community. ...

Yes, making digital negatives for use with alt processes has now become almost commonplace. OTOH, I wonder how much longer Pictorico "film" will continue to be made since "box lights" are rapidly replacing overhead projectors. Just when you figure out how to adapt, ya gets slammed with yet another bit of "progress".

 

[removed account4]

I may be wrong here, but I "think" Kodak is the only maker of film and paper worldwide that has more than ONE facility. Ilford, Foma, Efke/Adox, Gevaert, Fuji...AFAIK, only have one manufacturing campus each now, although I was aware that Fuji DID make color paper in the USA at one time.

fuji made color (35mm ) consumer film here in the us too.
the film stock was made in rhode island and it was finished
in the carolinas.

 

[removed account4]

I refuse to buy a digital camera because it would be obsolete next week.

HUH ?



i know this isn't a f v. d debate here, and sorry for adding my 2¢ ...
i never understand this way of thinking.

i have something that uses numbers instead
of silver, and it is maybe 6 years old and works fine.
i have a computer ( 2 ) that are power pc macs
that work fine, and versions of whatever that big-name software package
is called that is 2 or 3 generations behind what is being sold now ...
and it works fine too ...

forgive me for being naive, but i never understand why people think
they NEED to upgrade everything, instead of using " don't fix it till its broke "



========

 

[jovo]

...forgive me for being naive, but i never understand why people think
they NEED to upgrade everything, instead of using " don't fix it till its broke "...

...which is why my cell phone doesn't have any apps...it just makes phone calls. Sometimes I feel like I should join a support group. :rolleyes:

 

[Richard Wasserman]

...which is why my cell phone doesn't have any apps...it just makes phone calls. Sometimes I feel like I should join a support group. :rolleyes:

Me too! My kids just don't understand....

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Just because something is improved, or replaced with a new model doesn't mean the older model is not capable of the same results it always has been capable of.

 

[JMC1969]

fuji made color (35mm ) consumer film here in the us too.
the film stock was made in rhode island and it was finished
in the carolinas.

Can anyone confirm exactly what they (Fuji) do at the South Carolina plant. Are they just a packaging plant or are they Manufacturing in this plant. I was under the impression that Crystal Archive was made there and then sent to NJ for packaging.

 

[removed account4]

from what i was told, they actually coated assembled the 35mm film ..

 

[WolfTales]

Mom always subsidizes. That's why she's mom.

The photography industry is maturing and that's a good thing.