Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

[clayne]

By the time i die I wonder what will remain of photography other than a bunch of digital trash. I'm past the point of making allowances. I absolutely don't have to support a technology which is killing an art that I'm into.

 

[GeorgK]

Starting a thread on a wide-spread internet forum on discontinuation of products without valid information (and camera shops are NOT valid sources of information) is close to libel. A company might lose customers (or at least reputation) based on this (very likely) mis-information.
And it's plain stupid, too. But thats normal for the web.

 

[Ian Grant]

Starting a thread on a wide-spread internet forum on discontinuation of products without valid information (and camera shops are NOT valid sources of information) is close to libel. A company might lose customers (or at least reputation) based on this (very likely) mis-information.
And it's plain stupid, too. But thats normal for the web.

In a written, published, magazine - the British Journal of Photography, there's a prediction that E6 processing will almost disappear within a year. That's not actually as speculative as it sounds because in many town's/cities the closure of E6 labs has accelerated in the last 2 years.

In a separate thread I mention Birmingham, the UK's second largest city, there's now just one professional lab left processing E6 in all formats, ten years ago there were close to 20 labs in and around the city offering E6. If that many labs have closed then E6 film sales must have shrunk in comparison.

Ian

 

[frdrx]

In a written, published, magazine - the British Journal of Photography, there's a prediction that E6 processing will almost disappear within a year.

I wonder whether it is more of an agenda than a prediction.

 

[Ian Grant]

I wonder whether it is more of an agenda than a prediction.

No, this is one magazine that reports accurately and has no digital only agenda, and the figures on lab closures across the UK and in other countries isn't speculation, it's fact.

Ian

 

[frdrx]

No, this is one magazine that reports accurately and has no digital only agenda, and the figures on lab closures across the UK and in other countries isn't speculation, it's fact.

Ian

I'm glad to see that stated by one of their readers. It's good to know that the BJP isn't working against us, but it still sounds overly pessimistic to me. Perhaps the author only forgot to mention that mail order processing will take over.

 

[JohnArs]

Another camera store rumor it appears....I wonder if any rumor that originated from a camera store film counter has turned out to be correct? Sure have read a lot of them that have turned out false here and on LF.

They only whant them not have in there stock anymore this bastards;--))))

But the next with a rumor like this should get stoned, killed or shoot with films which are not discontinued;--(((
I really can't here this b...sh.... anymore.

Cheers Armin

 

[lilserenity]

I am taking this all with a huge pinch of salt. The other week my local shop told me that RA/RT 4x5L was discontinued and no replacement.

They were wrong, it's not and it's just their distributor no longer stocks it or they don't want to carry it no more.

I would take anything, no matter how good the stockist is, with a pinch of salt until it comes from the horse's mouth.

The same store also told me Rodinal was discontinued, it isn't -- they're still a good store but they don't know everything.

Agreeably some strange communication from Fuji of late but I would take this all with a boulder of salt.

At some point we will probably only have black and white left, but I still think we're a long way from that; I would think Fuji would have made a bit more noise if they were cancelling all their professional 160 speed films, we had the 800Z thing last year -- 35mm only in the UK it seems now but people say 120 isn't...

Who knows.

Just shoot the damn stuff while you can.

 

[mikebarger]

I'm doubt Fuji is dropping out; hoping this more of someone who likes to spread gossip. But worst case, if they do drop out it drives the remaining volume to those still standing. At least they will be stronger.

Mike

 

[Ektagraphic]

No offence 2F/2F...I totoally believe what you say but when I said something like this on another forum and called a liar so you may want to watch out This does come as a suprise. It seems like Fuji has not discontinued a lot of film as recently as Kodak has been doing....It is really as shame that all tungsten films for still photography are gone. We should really find a way to get movie film cut up.

 

[mikebarger]

I don't think anyone is calling him that (did you read a post you thought that...or just)...but are saying camera stores tend to be a really unreliable source of information concerning the manufacturers intentions and it might be better to confirm the information before posting it as news.

Mike

 

[Ian Grant]

Actually Mike, the discontinuation of at least one of the films was in a Fuji Press Release a year ago (March 2009) - T64, the fact that there's still some around now when Fuji thought it would be finished around July of last year shows just how poorly it was selling.

The same source Russ Gunn of Fuji Professional Sales, UK, announced that 800Z was being phased out a couple of months later so 2F/2F's post is accurate and reflects Fuji policy.

If you really want a shock check how few Kodak Pro Labs & the Fuji equivalent still process E6, the numbers is now very small.

Ian

 

[mikebarger]

They recanted on the 800Z, I believe. Not an issue for me as I don't use a single Fuji product. If they are shrinking, it only helps the remaining players.

To be honest, guess I get tired of all the gloom and doom threads, many mere speculation, that may be better off in the soapbox (I've got that forum ignored )

Anyway, I didn't think anyone was calling the OP a lair as suggested above, but calling out camera store counter guys as less than reliable source.

 

[bagdad child]

Hang on... what's going on here? Astia has been discontinued as well?

 

[Tom Kershaw]

According the the fujilab.co.uk site, Astia 100F has been discontinued. I don't know whether this is a UK discontinuance or worldwide.

Tom

 

[2F/2F]

I will try to get them to let me read a copy of the letter.

I have been going to this place for a long time (since they opened, in fact), and this would be only the second time they have ever been ahead of me on any discontinuance. (I heard about Portra 100T first from them.) However, it would also be the first time that they (or any camera retailer) have ever "spread a rumor" to me, as some people have suggested all camera stores do. Usually, it is me letting them know what is up! (There is a first time for everything, however.) The latter statement is why I wanted to post to get the gang to figure out what is going on. The more sources, the better. That is all I intended. Those who cannot or will not read will take it as me starting a rumor. I knew very well I would be called things and looked down upon by posting it...but, I just do not care, when it comes down to it! I want to find out what is going on, and why Fuji is saying ridiculous things to their retailers if they are not true.

 

[nickrapak]

I would take what you are reading here on this tread to the bank... Trust me

Stop your crying and start your BUYING !! - NOW

Scott, Do you know something that we don't know(or suppose to be false, but may actually be true)?

 

[2F/2F]

That would be a VERY bizarre move on the part of Fuji.

I agree totally. It would be the weirdest film discontinuance I have heard yet. Kind of like Ford discontinuing all trucks and commercial vehicles, and leaving us only with passenger cars.

 

[2F/2F]

They recently announced 20 sheet boxes of sheet film, so I doubt everything has been canceled, maybe this is a repackaging like Fuji is doing here in Japan to many of its films. IE no more single rolls, 5 rolls boxes, etc. Sounds like a misread or dealer going off the handle prematurely.

Gary

I would find this to be the most likely scenario, as taking away their 160 films would be effectively closing down shop.

 

[mikebarger]

Sounds like you have a better group of counter guys than most. At my local shop they don't annoounce anything unless they have the email/letter posted at the counter.

Mike

 

[railwayman3]

According the the fujilab.co.uk site, Astia 100F has been discontinued. I don't know whether this is a UK discontinuance or worldwide.

Tom

WTF, I didn't know that!!!!!!!!!!! I was relying on using Astia when my stocks of K64 are finished.

Official, it's the 35mm version, apparently UK.

So much for Fuji supporting analogue. Thank God for Ilford...if they ever finish, I'm going to take up knitting instead. :rolleyes:

 

[2F/2F]

Sounds like you have a better group of counter guys than most.

FWIW, they are mostly women ("gals"). It is probably why they are better than most!

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Discontinued in '120' (Fuji Astia 100F): http://www.fujilab.co.uk/catalog/astia-100f-pack-p-79.html

Tom

 

[2F/2F]

I wonder if the use of digital cameras as a substitute for film has anything to do with these discontinuations.

 

[Michael W]

Not an issue for me as I don't use a single Fuji product. If they are shrinking, it only helps the remaining players.

I can't agree with that statement. As Simon Galley from Ilford has written here several times, a strong industry & competition is good for all the manufacturers. Bear in mind that many of them are sourcing the same raw materials from the same suppliers, so a drop in demand from a major player could affect availability of those materials to the others.

Also, I wouldn't assume that all photographers currently using Fuji materials will move to Kodak if they are discontinued. It might well be the push that sends them to digital, or painting. If Fuji discontinue a large amount of their unique emulsions it will be a really bad thing for traditional photography. I hope it doesn't happen.