Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

Ken Nadvornick · Mar 10, 2010

Erik Petersson said:
Aren't we all buying film? All of us who are reading this?

Good point.

And I continue to be repeatedly told, as if I am truly stupid or something, that if I continue to buy <fill in this space with your favorite film/format>, then it will continue to be made.

Sure as hell hasn't worked so far...

Ken

lilserenity · Mar 10, 2010

naugastyle said:
I don't have the link now but this has been discussed here before. Reala in 120 is already discontinued.

Is it really? Because all I can find is threads on unavailability in the US (I'm in the UK) e.g. (there was a url link here which no longer exists) being the most recent thread.

Vicky

Stephen Schoof · Mar 10, 2010

I've been following this thread but really have nothing useful to add, except to further the sentiment that this seems like a really bizarre move by Fuji. Not saying I don't believe the evidence, but why did they reverse the earlier discontinuance of 800Z only to yank it AND the bulk of their pro-neg lineup a few months later? Are there really that many more people buying consumer-neg that they would keep those going if things are so bad on the pro front?

In all honesty, I haven't used Fuji C-41 (except for Reala) since I quit shooting weddings years ago - now my roll-a-month of family shots is all on Portra and Ektar. The bulk of my semi-pro film use is still Fuji E-6 though, a hundred or so rolls a year - and if Velvia, especially 50, should happen to be axed anytime soon, I will probably stop kicking against the pricks and finally buy a Dwhatever.

mikebarger · Mar 10, 2010

If it was "wildly popular" they would not be discontinuing it. I'd guess it was behind HP5+ and all the Kodak 400 films in US sales. I acknowledge my guess may be no better than your guess. Looking in the gallery, talking with folks, reading on the forums, I see a lot more traffic concerning the use of Kodak and Ilford 400's than Fuji.

Mike

naugastyle · Mar 10, 2010

lilserenity said:
Is it really? Because all I can find is threads on unavailability in the US (I'm in the UK) e.g. (there was a url link here which no longer exists) being the most recent thread.

Vicky

There was an older thread with the link to the Japan announcement as well...will try to find it.

Edit: OK, here it is:
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/jan/color/35mm.html?pSch501010106

Those who read Japanese here said that the (*1) next to the 120 Reala means that it will be discontinued when stock is used up. Since some of the biggest US sources (B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, Calumet) have depleted their stock, for those of us here it's essentially gone. I bought mine from another store I wasn't familiar with, so it's out there but harder to find. I imagine with the smaller population buying from the UK, the discontinuation is simply not obvious yet.

faintandfuzzy · Mar 10, 2010

Scott_Sheppard said:
Everybody:

I have had face to face meeting with Fujifilm this week and this is the deal.

160s, 160c, 800z and T64 in "ALL SIZES" also Neopan 400 in 120 - GONE...

With the possibility of some more (chrome) (I have no idea what is for sale in Japan now or in the future)

If you want some of this film you better go buy it NOW !!

I commented on this thread days a go but I guess no one believes...

I will have a interview on this very topic very soon.

This is what happens when people don't BUY film !!

I will update everybody on this topic soon.

So NOW go buy some film and SHOOT IT !!

Thanks

Scott

Very disappointing Scott. As someone who has just started going back to Fuji film for wedding work, I'm devastated at this move. Not only does this mean the lower and higher speed films are gone for my 35mm use, it also means Fuji will not have any 4x5 sheet C41 to feed my camera! Talk about a self fulfilling prophecy!

I stopped crying and started buying....but they decimated the C41 pro line to the point where I'm going to have to decide if I'm going to stick with Pro400H as my wedding mainstay. I love that film, and it hurts to think it could go. I just hope that 400H will be there last film made....for a long time....so that I can benefit from having my life back for wedding photography!

David Luttmann

2F/2F · Mar 10, 2010

At this point, there is nothing to do but just hope that this helps Kodak.

Ektagraphic · Mar 10, 2010

Have been trying to get through to talk to Fuji but having a hard time.....

Ektagraphic · Mar 10, 2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fuji_Blimp.jpg

Interesting....FUJFILM MEANS DIGITAL. Kind of deceaving when they have a name like Fujifilm

AgX · Mar 10, 2010

naugastyle said:
There was an older thread with the link to the Japan announcement as well...will try to find it.

Edit: OK, here it is:
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/jan/color/35mm.html?pSch501010106

Those who read Japanese here said that the (*1) next to the 120 Reala means that it will be discontinued when stock is used up. Since some of the biggest US sources (B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, Calumet) have depleted their stock, for those of us here it's essentially gone. I bought mine from another store I wasn't familiar with, so it's out there but harder to find. I imagine with the smaller population buying from the UK, the discontinuation is simply not obvious yet.

I read that listing as the Reala type 120 1-film package being sold out and be replaced this year by a 5-film package.

lilserenity · Mar 10, 2010

AgX said:
I read that listing as the Reala type 120 1-film package being sold out and be replaced this year by a 5-film package.

That too was my impression, in fact thinking about it I was told by my local dealer in mid-2008 Fuji were discontinuing single Reala 120 in the UK; and since then I have only bought 5 packs.

Vicky

naugastyle · Mar 10, 2010

I don't know, because I don't remember what the (*2) next to the 120 5pk means in that link. What I do know is that it is simply not available at the most-prominent US outlets anymore. It's not like I walk into B&H while the film counter staff hides all the 5-packs, and because I've only asked for a single roll, they then say, "no, sorry, we don't carry it at all."

lilserenity · Mar 10, 2010

Typically there is no *2 footnote but there is a:

* Available in four years early May 2:2010.

I guess that means four months early May 2010.

Hopefully that is what it means.

marylandphoto · Mar 10, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fuji_Blimp.jpg

Interesting....FUJFILM MEANS DIGITAL. Kind of deceaving when they have a name like Fujifilm

That blimp picture was taken on 2005. It reminds me how long we've been dealing with all this

manualcrank · Mar 10, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
Where did you here this?

Don't recall, it's probably wrong anyway. Acording to japanexposures.com

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

everything's being dropped without replacements.

John Shriver · Mar 10, 2010

Not deeply surprised at Fuji's move. Kodak has spun one or two new generations of each of the Portra films in the last few years. All Fuji did in the same period was rename and repackage them. Not enough sales to sustain capital investments. So with all the improvements, Kodak must have gained market share.

I'll miss 800Z, it had a pleasant bit of punch for a fast film.

One surprise is that there isn't more carnage on the E-6 side. Maybe Fuji's market share is stronger there? There's nothing like Velvia 50 in Kodak's E-6 portfolio.

Ektagraphic · Mar 10, 2010

Just by reading around here I think Fuji has the largest E-6 market share. It seems like almost all the E-6 most people shoot is Fuji not Kodak.

marylandphoto · Mar 10, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
Just by reading around here I think Fuji has the largest E-6 market share. It seems like almost all the E-6 most people shoot is Fuji not Kodak.

Kodak's E6 lineup just doesn't do it for me anymore. I was a big user of the "original" E6 films---EPN, EPR, EPP, EPY, etc., along with Velvia (I never was a fan of E100VS).

With those gone, I have the choice of E100G vs. Provia/Astia, E100VS vs. Velvia, and (roughly speaking) E200 vs. Provia 400x. In each case, the Fuji films are a bit cheaper, and I tend to get more consistent results with them. With the risk of being speculative, E200 seems to be hanging by a thread; I can barely find it anywhere, and it's only available in 35mm. This is not to trash the Kodak films at all, merely stating that I've moved from shooting mostly Kodak, to shooting mostly Fuji.

Voneville · Mar 10, 2010

I needed some color film in 120 for a shoot on short notice and I had to pay out the nose for it. I paid 18 dollars for 1 roll of Kodak Ektacolor 100g and 1 roll of Porta 160nc. I almost cried. I bought it locally and supported one of the last chain stores (a small local one) in my area that still carries pro film, so I didn't mind as much as if I had to spend that kind of money at say Walmart, but it was still painful and I don't think I can afford to buy anymore film from them. I actually went in to get Velvia 50 and Reala, but they didn't have any of either, so Kodak got my business.

I'm a huge fan of Neopan 400 and will be sad when I can no longer find it. I also really like Acros 100, so hopefully that will be around for a while.

Tim Gray · Mar 10, 2010

Voneville said:
I bought it locally and supported one of the last chain stores (a small local one) in my area that still carries pro film, so I didn't mind as much as if I had to spend that kind of money at say Walmart, but it was still painful and I don't think I can afford to buy anymore film from them.

I gave up trying to buy locally. Unless they actually have good prices. I bought some Portra one time at like $10/roll, and I noticed after the fact that it was the old version. I just order online. I'd rather buy two rolls for the price of one - more film being used anyway.

Ektagraphic · Mar 10, 2010

Local is convenient but never the best film price.

Tim Gray · Mar 10, 2010

It's not even particularly convenient. I have to drive about 25 mins to get to a store that has a decent selection of film.

Tim Gray · Mar 11, 2010

More news: link.

Sounds like Neopan 120 was cut because of environmental concerns. 160S is getting rebranded as 160NS with no emulsion changes. No mention of 800Z or some of the other products Scott mentioned. Reala in 35mm was mentioned though. Looks like a legitimate story, but who knows.

pellicle · Mar 11, 2010

has fuji discontinued C-41 (in 4x5 or other sizes)?

Hi

on another forum (hybrid photo) there is a thread suggesting that Fuji has dropped essentially their C-41 films (in particular 4x5)

I can't see anything on their web site, anyone the wiser?

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 11, 2010

Threads merged.

Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency