Inside Fujifilm

[tezzasmall]

I'm having a bit of trouble viewing the original link:
http://video.toggle.sg/en/series/inside-the-storm-s2/ep2/475145[/QUOTE]

But just in case anyone else is as well, it is also view-able here:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/tv/tvshows/inside-the-storm/fujifilm/3501396.html

Terry S

 

[RattyMouse]

@Ai Print and Ratty Mouse:
Please stop your personal fight. It is going on for such a long time now, and it is totally boring us and is counterproductive for this (and other) interesting topics.
Thanks.

Give me a break. ONE person entered this thread to crap all over it and that person was NOT me.

 

[flavio81]

@Ai Print
But I think most film photographers will agree with me when I say:
Your standard photo films are outstanding, often the benchmark in the industry.
Please be more active in this market, too!!!
You have demonstrated that you are able to be successful with film in the current age with Instax. Please extend your activities on your other film products, too.

I agree with this!

However, the last years Fuji has been "milking the cow" increasing the price of their films (particularly reversal) steadily. This is where I stopped liking Fuji. I used to shoot Fuji almost exclusively back in the good old film days.

 

[Ai Print]

I agree with this!

However, the last years Fuji has been "milking the cow" increasing the price of their films (particularly reversal) steadily. This is where I stopped liking Fuji. I used to shoot Fuji almost exclusively back in the good old film days.

It's hard to say if they are really milking the cow or not, the obvious drop in demand since about 2000 has affected every film maker and the individual companies have responded differently. I would love to get Acros in 120 for $2.50 a roll like I did when I bought 400 rolls of it from Adorama on an impending price increase, but I also know that is not happening.

@Ai Print and Ratty Mouse:
Please stop your personal fight. It is going on for such a long time now, and it is totally boring us and is counterproductive for this (and other) interesting topics.
Thanks.

My initial response to this had nothing to do with him, you can actually thank the other posters who took this topic off the rails, and the rails are about "Inside Fujifilm".

 

[NJH]

Thanks Terry, I did have a bit of trouble with the original link but your one works fine. Fantastic documentary, really enjoyed that and inspirational for anyone working in a technology led industry.

 

[RattyMouse]

I'm glad everyone liked the video I posted. Happy to contribute here!

 

[Prest_400]

Fantastic documentary. I did infact watch it a couple of days ago through another forum but forgot to post it here.
It is fantastic to see the insides of Fuji and the personnel. We do have a grasp on Kodak thanks to PE and other parties involved, and from themselves. I always got the impression of Fuji being more distant.

As for other failures, it is pretty hard to keep your head above water when every time you turn around, someone is suing you.
PE

It interestingly shows a different Japanese Corporate Culture. The commitment to keep photography business around because it is their legacy and mission.
I do wonder if taking down pack film had anything to do with INSTAX's success. It could be possible that the same space would be repurposed for the new square instax. They sadly discontinued a few excellent films rather recently as well. Curiously, they were the last to finish 220, until last year.

 

[Photo Engineer]

At one time, there was a Japanese Cabinet Ministry for Photography. And, they made a year long study of photography in the US. There was a great government commitment to the industry.

Our government considered Kodak to be a monopoly to be beaten into submission.

PE

 

[Film-Niko]

It's hard to say if they are really milking the cow or not, the obvious drop in demand since about 2000 has affected every film maker and the individual companies have responded differently.

I see it in a similar way. Film demand is now about 3% compared to its record level in 2000. It is just impossible to continue without price increases in such a dramatic change.
And Kodak has raised prices as well.
Often even more than Fujifilm.
Lots of Kodak films here in my country are more expensive than the Fuji counterparts.

But there was a difference in public communication.
Fujifilm has always publicly announced their prices increases (and was then bashed heavily by all the internet haters).
Kodak has been much more quiet and in the last years only informed their whole salers about price increases = no or much less bashing from the global film community.

So Fujifilm concerning communication has been more honest in this respect, and Kodak more clever.....

Regards,
Niko

 

[RattyMouse]

I wish Fujifilm could explain why films like Provia 400X and Neopan 400 can't possibly in some way be saved. Why can't Fujifilm run a master roll of each film once every year or two and sell it? If they are so committed to film, why not keep important films like this available?

 

[keenmaster486]

I wish Fujifilm could explain why films like Provia 400X and Neopan 400 can't possibly in some way be saved. Why can't Fujifilm run a master roll of each film once every year or two and sell it? If they are so committed to film, why not keep important films like this available?

Probably because they're already putting everything they've got into their current lineup.

If you want Provia 400 back, but more Fuji film in general so they smell cash.

 

[RattyMouse]

Probably because they're already putting everything they've got into their current lineup.

If you want Provia 400 back, but more Fuji film in general so they smell cash.

Everything they got? I doubt that very much.

I try to by Fuji film but they keep discontinuing the films i want. Hard to buy them when they are no longer made!

I bought 40 boxes of Neopan 400 for twice the price Fuji charged when they made it. Now someone else gets the money instead of Fujifilm.

 

[richardHaw]

maybe I can make an article about Fuji's film factory

 

[AgX]

A fascinating video about Fujifilm and the transition into a post film company. Even so, there is a LOT of information about their film history and how they used film based technology to enter into new markets. Komori-San has to be THE smartest CEO in recent history.

Agfa forsaw that development and started re-thinking their consumer branch in 2000. They though nevertheless got into trouble with the world econonomic crisis that hit their industrial markets.

Changing a company from making consumables to machinery for instance yields less regular revenues.

 

[CMoore]

maybe I can make an article about Fuji's film factory

I would dig seeing that.
I guess i am the singular minority. The video was a Big Mediocre for me.
I really have no interest in "business". I do not care what Fuji does now to survive. They would sell car tires and barbecue grills if they could make a decent profit.......which is 100% fine. Again, that is business in a Capitalist Society, but it holds no interest for me.
If you are into Winchester Rifles, you do not give a rats ass if 89% of Winchester is now making the worlds best Bank Teller Machines and Light Sets for Police Cars and other emergency vehicles.

 

[mshchem]

Don't forget Eastman Chemical is very much alive and well. It's current market capitalization is close to 12 billion USD, annual revenue is over 9 billion. EMN was in the right place, with the right products, at the right time. All the fear over Bis Phenol A (BPA) Let Eastman polyesters take away much of the market for polycarbonate. And they still make good old Estar resins, Tenite and a lot more. Great company. Spun off from EKCo.

 

[cmacd123]

Don't forget Eastman Chemical is very much alive and well.... Great company. Spun off from EKCo.

the continuing story. EK seems to spin off their winners and have to wind down their (Many) losers.

 

[mshchem]

the continuing story. EK seems to spin off their winners and have to wind down their (Many) losers.

Eastman Chemical was spun off in 1994. I'm sure that Kodak wanted them to stand on their own feet. Plastics sure were not as profitable as photographic film in 1994. This was way before the digital onslaught.

George Eastman started Eastman Tennessee in 1918 to insure he didn't have to depend on Europe for basic feed stocks. If you look at the website, Eastman Tennessee was involved in production of the atomic bomb, and in WWII they made 1.5 million pounds of high explosive a day. Fuji has survived as an intact company. I would be curious if the SUM of the former companies and spin offs (some induced by the US Government) of Kodak are greater than the intact Fujifilm???

Where will Apple be in 10,20 years. The comparison is valid. FILM was such a revolutionary technology. Kodak led the way.
Mike

 

[CMoore]

That is very interesting that you mention WWII.
The Whole Country was mobilized.
Rock Ola stopped making Jukeboxes and started making M1 Carbines. Singer went from sewing machines to include munitions, etc etc. It was something we will never see again.....hopefully.