Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

[perkeleellinen]

- Reala 35mm is no longer imported and is effectively no longer going to be available in the UK
- Pro 800Z - again I quote "35mm is not a very popular line, but I've not heard it will be dropped. 120 has already been dropped." (dropped meaning no longer imported by Fuji UK)

Thanks for the clarification. Seems like the two films I'm interested in may have to be imported from somewhere.

Incidentally, Neopan 1600 is a 35mm only film.

Reala in 120 a big seller. Hmm, I wonder if this is the push I need to buy a medium format camera...

 

[frdrx]

The rumour/information/gossip on PFOS and Neopan:

http://www.japanexposures.com/2010/02/26/fujifilm-to-reorganize-film-lineup/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/neopan/discuss/72157623596550024/#comment72157623478226823

Thanks.

Perhaps some further clues can be found in the Annex F Questionnaires submitted to the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants. The Japanese say therein that:

The Japanese government acknowledges that there were 3.6 tons of PFOS used in the photo imaging industry in Japan in 2004 and that the use of PFOS was deemed to have been essential.

The Americans filled in the following uses of PFOS in the photo industry:

...

(a) use in coatings for surface tension, static discharge, and adhesion control for analog and digital imaging films, papers, and printing plates, or as a surfactant in mixtures used to process imaging films; and

...

I wonder what they mean by `digital imaging films'. What both parties seem concerned most about, however, are semiconductors.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Just as 3M still makes "Scotch Guard", Kodak makes film. AFAIK, PFOS is not an essential ingredient. Fuji claims that it is for them. I cannot understand the difference.

PE

 

[bob100684]

Just as 3M still makes "Scotch Guard", Kodak makes film. AFAIK, PFOS is not an essential ingredient. Fuji claims that it is for them. I cannot understand the difference.

PE

Is PFOS significantly less expensive than other options? Or, did it suddenly become not an option for fujifilm where as Kodak had the foresight to phase it out on their own terms?

 

[Photo Engineer]

PFOS does not appear to have any extraordinary features over any other surfactant. It certainly would not be less expensive than some that I know of that are much more readily available and these other surfactants AFAIK are more friendly to the environment.

PE

 

[F80p]

I hope this is just a demand and supply issue (country wise) and they will not kill any product totally.

 

[AgX]

Vicky,

You misunderstood what I tried to hint at:
Fuji Germany referred to the Tokyo headqarters adapting the film assortment. This could either mean that

-) Tokyo headquarters decide what their foreign subsidaries have to import

or that

-) Tokyo headquarter cancelled those films for all markets.

I went for the worst case and added those two films (Reala in 135 and Neopan 1600 in 120, with doubts on that type 120) to the japanese cancellation list from last month.

 

[perkeleellinen]

I wonder what the minimum order quantities are for Fuji Japan.

 

[Matt5791]

What does come out of this: Fuji is the choice for Colour Reversal, Kodak the choice for Colour Negative. Ektar is very popular and Portra outsells the Fuji alternatives (with us anyway) despite the fact it is more expensive. As Fuji limits formats in Reala, the range in Ektar is being expanded......Interesting.

 

[perkeleellinen]

The Fuji pro shop have just increased their prices on 35mm Reala 10 packs from £23.66 to £33.37 (28% increase). Glad I bought my 20 rolls last week now.

 

[benOM]

I noticed that, I ordered neopan 400 120 yesterday at £7.99 per 5 pack and today it's £9.99!

 

[perkeleellinen]

Hope pay day arrives before the prices increase at 7DayShop, I want to get 20 rolls of 800Z too.

 

[bob100684]

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/film_camera/
anyone notice it only lists color neg and reversal there? No b/w films page.

 

[rayonline_nz]

Bob, yes I see that.

I think that Fuji's b/w are numbered. Not so sure about their complete neg film though.

All in all I think both Fuji and Kodak would leave 400 for cheap print film, rid their amateur slides, consolidate their pro print and slide film. I bet they would finally get rid of the 800Z and Portra 800. Not sure about Provia 400 and E200 though. Velvia has a few versions so that might get streamlined too. It would not surprise me if Astia goes as well.

 

[marylandphoto]

At this point, this thread has become pure speculation. You'd think they'd give us a firm answer by now. :rolleyes:

 

[2F/2F]

At this point, this thread has become pure speculation. You'd think they'd give us a firm answer by now. :rolleyes:

Just as Kodak has, IMO, given the message, "Buy Fuji" or, "Buy Ilford" for over a decade, Fuji is now giving the message, "Buy Kodak." What else are we supposed to do? I am stocking up on the most unique emulsions (800Z, T64, and Reala), and using them till I am out, then trying to find a substitute. There is nothing even close to any of these films, IMO, so they are what I am going to try to stock up on.

 

[perkeleellinen]

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/film_camera/
anyone notice it only lists color neg and reversal there? No b/w films page.

The UK version is more complete:

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/film/film.html

And of course, Japan:

http://translate.googleusercontent.....co.uk&usg=ALkJrhj8-VqqiR3-oYyDn_Xm8OzYjUlUhg

http://fujifilm.jp/support/pdf/filmandcamera/handbook/filmguide_vol14.pdf

 

[clayne]

Fuji is not giving up on it's BW emulsions. Chill out people.

 

[rayonline_nz]

I think b/w are the safest. A bit surprse Fuji's Global site doesn't have b/w. I also would be surprised if Fuji pulls out of the Pro neg film totally. Not saying I don't take the author's credentials though.

If i was Kodak or Fuji, from a business perspective, I would get rid of all their amateur film (print film and slide film) with the exception of 400 speed consumer print film.
That can be for disposable cameras and many point and shoot cameras don't recognise faster than 400.
Amateur slide is not really cheaper than the pro version. I'm not in the USA, but we need to go to a pro shop to get Elite Chrome or Sensia.

Just my view and that is pro neg 800 would inevitably be cut.
In time Velvia would be consolidated.

I've noticed 100 speed consumer 35mm or APS has been delisted from kodak.com. They also don't have faster than E200.
B&H list Sensia 400 import as discontinued and the USA version at $9.95, when Provia 400X is $8.95.
My 2c. Amateur print and slide film, would on the chopping block.

 

[clayne]

I've noticed 100 speed consumer 35mm or APS has been delisted from kodak.com. They also don't have faster than E200.
B&H list Sensia 400 import as discontinued and the USA version at $9.95, when Provia 400X is $8.95.
My 2c. Amateur print and slide film, would on the chopping block.

Then perhaps you should by some film mate?

FFG has always had a crummy website like that. FFUSA seems to actually have a more accurate view of things: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/professional_photography/film/index.html

 

[rayonline_nz]

Then perhaps you should by some film mate?

I have 30 rolls in my freezer.
I can only import film with a total price of under $200US before it attracts import tax. I pay $60US for freight.

Film is just too expensive, where I live. Velvia 50 cost us $20US a roll for 35mm. A roll of 160S cost us $14US. Provia 400 might be up to $25US a roll.

 

[clayne]

I have 30 rolls in my freezer.
I can only import film with a total price of under $200US before it attracts import tax. I pay $60US for freight.

Film is just too expensive, where I live. Velvia 50 cost us $20US a roll for 35mm. A roll of 160S cost us $14US. Provia 400 might be up to $25US a roll.

That's completely ridiculous. I used to live in Wellington and remember regularly feeling annoyed at GST and the like. They're not stupid about it either, so it's a bit hard to get around.

 

[bob100684]

The UK version is more complete:

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/film/film.html

And of course, Japan:

http://translate.googleusercontent.....co.uk&usg=ALkJrhj8-VqqiR3-oYyDn_Xm8OzYjUlUhg

http://fujifilm.jp/support/pdf/filmandcamera/handbook/filmguide_vol14.pdf

I guess I'm just surprised the BW film isn't there since that's the address printed on my box of neopan.

 

[rayonline_nz]

Things in NZ has been more competitive with digital products.

Even back in 2006 a Nikon F100 was $2000 new or $1,300 used (USDs). While at B&H they were $1,000 new. Film photog has always been more expensive. I stroll down to Kmart of the supermarket and Superia film are $4US.

One of the pro labs, they have a branch in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. They had to clean my negs and gave me a free roll of 160C, the price of that was $19.95NZ (135 format) and the expiry date was within a month :rolleyes:

These days with the used goods and our online auction, film cameras at least has come down in price. Lenses have gone down with digital but still maybe 20% more than the USA.

Processing is not too bad at $4US for dev only for print film or $10US for dev only for slides. Mounting OTOH cost an extra $10US more. If you want some quality prints printed (a set) that's $10US more. In Auckland there are even more pricey labs, ones that get recommended here on this forum, they might be around 20% more.

 

[rayonline_nz]

The NZ GST is going to be increased to 15% from 12.5% ...

I was searching the net, Auckland Camera has a roll of Provia 400X for $39.95 a roll.