Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

2F/2F · Mar 7, 2010

goldie said:
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.

Well, they are going to do it eventually, and probably fairly soon in the grand scheme of things. It is just a question of when.

All I can say is that I hope their black and white films survive the demise of their color ones, and the same with Kodak.

mikebarger · Mar 7, 2010

I've got just over 700 sheets of HP5+ (4x5) in the freezer, and as I use a box I reorder. Not likely to catch me to off guard.
120 I don't shoot so much anymore (should sell the Hassys stuff before it goes to zero in value), but still keep the freezer at about 200 - 250 rolls any given time, again rotating as it is used (Kodak Tri-X).

Paper will be the killer as it's keeping properties aren't as good, I think.

Anyway I can't keep them from going out of business, so I'll keep shooting and buying (and protect the stash).

Mike

imokruok · Mar 8, 2010

2F/2F said:
Note that though T64 was discontinued some time ago, they just found out about its discontinuance from Fuji.

Just wondering, where is it you shop? I bought a bunch of T64 in 120 from Freestyle yesterday, and was helped by the same woman who's usually there at the back counter on the weekends. Very helpful. She did, however, say that the T64 was discontinued. I swung past Samy's as well to get a part that Freestyle didn't have, and was told the same thing by their film staff.

In terms of other film being discontinued by Fuji, I would really take it with a grain of salt. Fuji is still producing high-end film cameras, so it wouldn't make much sense to keep developing cameras if you're not going to make the film necessary to use them. For example, they make a point-and-shoot "natura" camera that takes pretty nice color pics at high ISO. Can't imagine they'd drop their 800 or 1600 films if they're still pushing the camera. Well, actually, I can...

railwayman3 · Mar 8, 2010

goldie said:
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.

Your first paragraph is very true, and also typical of the open, honest and helpful approach which I have always found from Simon and Harman/Ilford. (Have Fuji or Kodak ever posted anything here?)

I was really felt quite "shocked" to find that Astia is discontinued, and, for the first time, started to have doubts about my ongoing long-term serious interest in photography. Obviously I shall continue with B&W while-ever Ilford
supply materials, but I have no interest in digital beyond "family snaps". After that, it might, seriously, be time to borrow my wife's watercolor painting gear.....

clayne · Mar 8, 2010

The more and more I read this the more I think someone has fed you a line of horseshit, 2F/2F. I can't see why Fujifilm would discontinue all of those specific color-negative films. It's half of their offerings.

Ian Grant · Mar 8, 2010

clayne said:
The more and more I read this the more I think someone has fed you a line of horseshit, 2F/2F. I can't see why Fujifilm would discontinue all of those specific color-negative films. It's half of their offerings.

The only problem is Fuji themselves have announced some of the films are discontinued and not all are on 2F/2F's list, and it's unlikely they'll be the only company to severely cut their range of colour films within the next year.

Ian

Tom Kershaw · Mar 8, 2010

Ian Grant said:
The only problem is Fuji themselves have announced some of the films are discontinued and not all are on 2F/2F's list, and it's unlikely they'll be the only company to severely cut their range of colour films within the next year.

Ian

On the other hand, if Fuji pulls out of a portion of their film range, Kodak may see increased sales of Portra and Ektar (which they seem to indicate is a strong seller).

Tom

railwayman3 · Mar 8, 2010

Tom Kershaw said:
On the other hand, if Fuji pulls out of a portion of their film range, Kodak may see increased sales of Portra and Ektar (which they seem to indicate is a strong seller).

Tom

I think that the important word there is "may".

As others have said (including Simon Galley of Ilford, quoted above), anything which reduces choice and competition is not good, and also the loss of a favorite film may be the "last straw" which persuades either a pro or amateur to go digital. And (not knocking them), but with all Kodak's well known problems and film discontinuances in recent years, I'm not sure where their film ranges might be in a few years time.

Yes, Ektar and Portra are fine films, but some prefer the color balances and results from other films. It's a bit like saying to an artist that "all watercolor paints are discontinued, but you're all right, you can still buy oil paints".

mikebarger · Mar 8, 2010

If customers have turned their back on Fuji (decreased sales) you can't expect Fuji to give up it's ROI (Return on Investment) and keep making products not carrying their weight.

It may be bad long term, but the those still in it will get some kind of a bump from those that stay with film.

Mike

clayne · Mar 8, 2010

mikebarger said:
If customers have turned their back on Fuji (decreased sales) you can't expect Fuji to give up it's ROI (Return on Investment) and keep making products not carrying their weight.

It may be bad long term, but the those still in it will get some kind of a bump from those that stay with film.

Mike

However, you need competition. Trust me, you do NOT want reduced offerings and consolidation.

Erik Petersson · Mar 8, 2010

No information on the Swedish Fuji website of any discontinuation of Astia.

Peter de Groot · Mar 8, 2010

The more I read about this the more I want to get into wet plate photography and making your own emulsions. Now I need to find out if one can make a color emulsion as well ;-)

Shangheye · Mar 8, 2010

There is a possible logic here if you extend it to the Pro range. Most pros today are using digital, and therefore that range of colour films is of limited interest to them. It is possoble that Fuji has decided to consolidate the Pro part of the portfolio and allow consumer films to continue (which may make sense, since that is where all their sales are and particularly in their film ready snap cameras and in developing nations).

I too would regret a decision like that if they made it, since it reduces choice, and that is always bad for the art and the pocket (imagine of there was only one company making only one 800 film...)....I just realised, if Fuji lose 800Z...that is exactly the situation!

K

clayne · Mar 8, 2010

Given that they mentioned T64, and 800Z discontinuance was discussed in the past (and revived), the only new one here is 160C/N. I honestly think the photo store is just drumming stuff up that was either heard of before or possibly (but doubtfully) new news. When I see the notice from Fujifilm USA, then I'll believe it. Until then, Film FUD.

Ian Grant · Mar 8, 2010

clayne said:
Given that they mentioned T64, and 800Z discontinuance was discussed in the past (and revived), the only new one here is 160C/N. I honestly think the photo store is just drumming stuff up that was either heard of before or possibly (but doubtfully) new news. When I see the notice from Fujifilm USA, then I'll believe it. Until then, Film FUD.

Unfortunately the list has been released by Fujifilm officially to their dealers in the UK & US so there's no doubting anything written about what's discontinued.

Ian

clayne · Mar 8, 2010

Ian Grant said:
Unfortunately the list has been released by Fujifilm officially to their dealers in the UK & US so there's no doubting anything written about what's discontinued.

Ian

Reference?

lilserenity · Mar 8, 2010

clayne said:
Reference?

I have only seen reference to the US getting these letters but nothing on the UK just yet -- the reference for this was a recent post on JapanExposures as well as the OP.

I have e-mailed Fuji in the UK for some clarification.

Vicky

coriana6jp · Mar 8, 2010

At this point, there has only been copies of alleged postings, I saw this, I heard that etc. Even the posting on Japanexposures was only an reference to an alleged email. Until there is either a copy of the official email or an official annoucement from Fuji US/UK we should relax a little bit. No one has provided that yet. No other sites, other than filmwasters, a little blurb at the LF forum and here have anything posted yet other than rumor and speculation. I think we need official word before we can continue, otherwise we are just wasting bandwidth and time.

Gary

lilserenity · Mar 8, 2010

Gary,

I agree. I have contacted Fuji for this reason.

Vicky

perkeleellinen · Mar 8, 2010

Fuji UK are good at replying fast and it's usually a manager rather than someone quoting a script.

Ian Grant · Mar 8, 2010

lilserenity said:
I have only seen reference to the US getting these letters but nothing on the UK just yet -- the reference for this was a recent post on JapanExposures as well as the OP.

I have e-mailed Fuji in the UK for some clarification.

Vicky

Also Fujifilm's own Japanese website. The relevant part is some will go when stocks are finished.

Ian

coriana6jp · Mar 8, 2010

I can read Japanese quite well, heck its my job (Japanese/English/Chinese translating) and the problem is the Fuji Japan website does not match at all the list that was posted here. The only certain thing is Neopan 400 in 120, T64 in all flavors, and Fuji 160C in 120. Most of the rest of it involves repackaging issues, not out right discontinuances that the original poster mentions.

Gary

coriana6jp · Mar 8, 2010

Ian Grant said:
Also Fujifilm's own Japanese website. The relevant part is some will go when stocks are finished.

Ian

Again, only Neopan 400 in 120, Fuji 160NC (160C) in 120, and T64 in all flavors are definate. And quickloads are gone, as well as some special order items. That is not the same as complete stopping distribution of items that the original poster listed.

Which is why we need to wait for confirmation from Fuji, not hearsay, which is all we have at this moment.

Gary

Chazzy · Mar 8, 2010

I don't understand why Fuji would drop Neopan 400 in 120. It's been my impression that as the faster films get better and better, more people use them instead of the slower films. Does Fuji have another 400 speed black and white film, or are they surrendering that category entirely to Kodak, Ilford and the rest?

AgX · Mar 8, 2010

No other classic processing ISO 400 b&w film. (But still a EI 400 b&w instant film.)

Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

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