Here we go again: Fujifilm price hikes and film cuts

ericdan · Jul 11, 2015

jun, I can confirm that E6 is still in relatively heavy use in Japan. At least compared to other countries.
Almost every convenience store or train station kiosk carries disposable c-41 cameras and Superia 400, but more serious photographers seem to prefer E6 here it seems. I went to a few camera stores to get film around Mt. Fuji and around Nikko and most of what they carried was E6. Furthermore, in Tokyo they have E6 only labs like "CREATE" in Ginza and Shinjuku. You can still get your slide film developed in 1 hour for 750 yen!

jun · Jul 12, 2015

MattKing said:
Sal:

Do you have a source for the 220 info? The Website still refers to 220 being available - in fact specifically lists it as an advantage.

Black and White has not, of course, been available in 220 for some time, so the revision to the backing paper makes sense.

In fact, the removal of the 120 and 220 numbers from the backing paper may make it easier for them to use the same paper for both.

MattKing,

See the following :

http://www.nationalphoto.co.jp/1F/kodak_news_06.htm

See the document dated 2014.12.12 (Excuse Me ... Oh, it is in Japanese)
You see:
PORTRA 160-220
PORTRA 400-220
BW400CN 135-36
which clearly stipulates "Kodak announced discontinuation of these products" .
NOTE:National Photo is a pro shop, and very accurate about product availability.
They have accurate info.
If they say discontinuation here, that product always go.

Don't believe info from Japan for USA product?

Then:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/742780-USA/Kodak_220_Professional_Portra_400.html
I see the word "Discontinued".

There is no doubt that unfortunately 220 film will go soon.

Regards,
jun

cmacd123 · Jul 12, 2015

And the backing paper for 120 and 220 is entirely different. with 220 having more than one type of Start mark.

I guess I will have ot see if I can convert my Mamiya 220 Inserts to look (and work) the same as the 120 inserts.

Sirius Glass · Jul 12, 2015

I really wanted 220 to be a success but when it first came out and in the last ten years when I looked again there was never the selection of films and the pricing worked against its practicality for me.

MattKing · Jul 13, 2015

cmacd123 said:
And the backing paper for 120 and 220 is entirely different. with 220 having more than one type of Start mark.

I guess I will have ot see if I can convert my Mamiya 220 Inserts to look (and work) the same as the 120 inserts.

Strange, as the National Photo link refers to a 2014 dated notice of discontinuance, while the Kodak website lists it as current in the 2015 Pro Film List.

I don't put a lot of faith in any particular retailer's "Discontinued" references - even B & H's - because they aren't necessarily consistent with the manufacturer's.

Xmas · Jul 13, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
Noel
They picked up the 100 because it was the newest recipe that had being reformulated.
Or so was my understanding.
Might also be due to materials available.

Correct newest meant it was the lowest risk to restart for items needing:

-a substitute for contraband or
-non availability or
-increased cost

Lots of commercial materials just disappear and the substitutes need process alteration eg if you are using semi conductors one only designs with components with a second source. Laying out PCB circuits with additional real estate to allow for any non equivalence.

The next newest would normally be longer in gestation and need more money and time - risk to an accountant.

The Ch have a near monopoly in rare earths eg for lenses cause the U.S. Did not like the env damage of mining...

Lead and Thorium are not employable for optics for health risks in factory.

Xmas · Jul 13, 2015

ME Super said:
Yes, but I do have a recollection that their next moves would be ISO 400 E-6 and possibly the 800/3200P. According to Dave, Nicola et al are fans of tungsten-balanced films too; There was some talk from E-6 shooters (I was one of them) of asking them to introduce a 640T emulsion instead of a 400D, as a 400D shot through an 80A color correction filter results in a 2-stop loss, making the effective speed EI100, whereas a 640T emulsion with no filter is really 640T, and shot through the proper color correction filter for daylight only drops the EI to 400.

If I can't have a 640T emulsion, 400D or 800/3200P daylight balanced is certainly okay with me.

Yet another APUG thread gone off-topic This thread was about Fuji, I swear!

T film is very niche?
Dead Link Removed
It did not say T?

GarageBoy · Jul 13, 2015

Well- I'll definitely be saving up some cash to pick up more Provia 400X- I feel like I've been chasing one discontinued emulsion after another (E100VS to Tmax P3200 to Neopan 400 to Provia 400x)

MattKing · Jul 14, 2015

FWIW, the Portra 160 film is still available from B & H in 220 format: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Format_220&ci=2545&N=4093113317+4130468173

Roger Cole · Jul 14, 2015

GarageBoy said:
Well- I'll definitely be saving up some cash to pick up more Provia 400X- I feel like I've been chasing one discontinued emulsion after another (E100VS to Tmax P3200 to Neopan 400 to Provia 400x)

It's been discontinued in the US for some time. I stocked up on a couple year's worth, and paid nearly $20/roll for the last I bought. I don't know what it would cost to bring over some remaining stock from Japan but I'd imagine it won't be cheap.

mooseontheloose · Jul 14, 2015

Roger Cole said:
It's been discontinued in the US for some time. I stocked up on a couple year's worth, and paid nearly $20/roll for the last I bought. I don't know what it would cost to bring over some remaining stock from Japan but I'd imagine it won't be cheap.

Right now it's about $6.70/roll for 120 and $8.50/roll for 35mm. (US$)

I remember when prices like that used to scare me off, now I don't think anything of spending that or more, depending on the film (all discontinued ones).

Roger Cole · Jul 14, 2015

Is that in Japan? I'd snap up a bunch more for that price (135 - I don't generally shoot E6 in 120 as I shoot it for projection and don't have a medium format projector.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk and 100% recycled electrons - because I care.

trondsi · Jul 14, 2015

Sad news, but if I need a bit more speed I push Provia 100f one stop with excellent results (haven't tried two stops yet, but I'm fairly sure someone said that 1.5 stops also looks good). I really hope Provia 100f will continue.

Roger Cole · Jul 14, 2015

Sure it pushes ok but it's not a substitute for a faster film. Provia 400X pushes two stops ok too and you can get a pretty decent 1600 out of it. Well 1250 anyway.

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 14, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
Right now it's about $6.70/roll for 120 and $8.50/roll for 35mm. (US$)

I remember when prices like that used to scare me off, now I don't think anything of spending that or more...

Sounds to me like maybe a short duration business opportunity knocking on the door?

Ken

Sal Santamaura · Jul 15, 2015

Sal Santamaura said:
Yup, no more Kodak 220 manufacturing...

MattKing said:
...Do you have a source for the 220 info?...

Sal Santamaura said:
I'll plead for mercy due to being unwell today. The only source is a (faulty?) recollection of other posts saying so. I'm usually more rigorous than that. Sorry.

MattKing said:
Pleading granted

jun said:
...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/742780-USA/Kodak_220_Professional_Portra_400.html

I see the word "Discontinued"...

MattKing said:
...I don't put a lot of faith in any particular retailer's "Discontinued" references - even B & H's - because they aren't necessarily consistent with the manufacturer's.

Felling a little better now. The best I can come up with is this:

http://www.pdexposures.com/rumor-kodak-alaris-discontinued-220-portra-films/

It includes a January 13, 2015 letter from Kodak Alaris detailing the discontinuation of 220 Portra, with an estimate that existing stock would last approximately six months. Since we're right at the six month point now, B&H's status notation for Portra 400 probably signifies the pipeline has been emptied, while a total of 602 Portra 160 rolls in 220 size remain as of this moment. How much longer they'll last is anyone's guess.

MattKing · Jul 15, 2015

Thanks Sal

That looks pretty official, so I am therefore officially sad.

I wonder if the technical support telephone number at the bottom of that letter actually works.

I guess that each consolidation has the possible effect of strengthening that which remains .....

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 15, 2015

MattKing said:
I guess that each consolidation has the possible effect of strengthening that which remains .....

I wonder if Martha at the Cincinnati Zoo ever felt that way too?

Ken

Xmas · Jul 15, 2015

The pigeon?

jamie young · Jul 15, 2015

The odd thing is that alaris is listing 220 portra as a a stock item, both 160 and 400. I'd like to get an accurate answer to it's availability over the next year or two

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 15, 2015

Xmas said:
The pigeon?

It's a cautionary tale about inexhaustible supplies and never-ending "consolidations"...

Ken

Sal Santamaura · Jul 15, 2015

jamie young said:
...alaris is listing 220 portra as a a stock item, both 160 and 400. I'd like to get an accurate answer to it's availability over the next year or two

Kodak Alaris has already provided you the answer. Read its letter as posted in the link I included with post #40.

Xmas · Jul 15, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
It's a cautionary tale about inexhaustible supplies and never-ending "consolidations"...

Ken

Denial more likely...

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 15, 2015

Xmas said:
Denial more likely...

That too, yes.

Ken

ericdan · Jul 17, 2015

Wanna expand my provia 400X stash. How long past expiration date do you guys think 400 speed slide film will last in the freezer?

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Here we go again: Fujifilm price hikes and film cuts

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Here we go again: Fujifilm price hikes and film cuts

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