Interesting news about Fujicolor Pro

[Photo Engineer]

They actually did this?! That doesn't make any sense to me.

Yes, they did, in the 80s. I used to have a copy of the ad on my office wall at EK.

PE

 

[Photo Engineer]

Try "the Japanese people".

Heh, who cares by now.

PE

 

[imokruok]

While we're talking discontinued film, I posted way back in this thread about why I don't think Superia/Natura 1600 will be discontinued in the near future. (i.e. that Fuji is still marketing cameras for use with this film.)

Quick question: was I wrong in assuming that it hasn't been discontinued, and isn't it the only 1600 color film still available? I tried to get some at a local shop today and was told it was discontinued. Since it's still widely available and I haven't heard otherwise, I'm guessing the store just isn't carrying it anymore.

Maybe I need to start pushing Portra 800...

 

[clayne]

I can tell you one thing about Fuji's communication style: it's very much in line with other Eastern/Asian styles insofar as saving face goes. The whole 800Z ("okay, we'll bring it back guys!") debacle is a perfect example. Ask yourself if they even manufactured a single new spool of 800Z since then.

 

[2F/2F]

By the way...

I would just like to say to all the people who talked trash about my counter people:

My counter people can kick your counter people's asses.

 

[AlexG]

There's no link to an official press release. "160S is getting rebranded as 160NS with no emulsion changes" sounds as an awful marketing move to do.

This sounds like Fuji is doing this because they don't want to rebrand Japanese film for the U.S.. The Japanese version of 160s is called 160NS.

 

[gurkenprinz]

in the grand scheme of things, it appears as though the three film manufacturers have made a deal to at least survive with what their strengths are: Fast forward to 2015 and: Ilford b+w, Kodak C-41 only and Fuji will make E-6 film.

Disclaimer: This thought entered my head on the throne, where all good conspiracy theories are conceived...

 

[clayne]

This is yet the third rebrand of 160, btw.

NPS 160
Pro 160S
160NS

I believe all of them are exactly the same too. I don't think 160, specifically, got the "4th layer" changes, but I could be wrong. They should have just added a P and we could have gone fully backwards.

 

[Ektagraphic]

in the grand scheme of things, it appears as though the three film manufacturers have made a deal to at least survive with what their strengths are: Fast forward to 2015 and: Ilford b+w, Kodak C-41 only and Fuji will make E-6 film.

Disclaimer: This thought entered my head on the throne, where all good conspiracy theories are conceived...

I think Kodak will stay in black and white maybe even longer than they are in C-41......

 

[argentic]

I don't mind Kodak, Fuji or Ilford discontinuing products that don't sell. Unfortunately that's unavoidable. But I DO mind them lying about it. What is wrong with telling your clients ahead of time that a product will be discontinued?

I once loved the high quality of Kodak. But several times, they have discontinued products just a few weeks after telling us the contrary. Such an untrustworthy company won't get one cent of my budget anymore. I simply cannot afford recalibrating my methods every year because Kodak disrespects me as a client.

As long as Ilford or Fuji just tell me the truth, they can count on me voting for them with my wallet.

 

[Ektagraphic]

I once loved the high quality of Kodak. But several times, they have discontinued products just a few weeks after telling us the contrary. Such an untrustworthy company won't get one cent of my budget anymore. I simply cannot afford recalibrating my methods every year because Kodak disrespects me as a client.

:munch: And people continue to wonder why Kodak does not show up around here.

 

[Stephen Schoof]

I have no brand loyalty because Kodak and Fuji both have some pretty obvious flaws - I use the products I like. Kodak never did come up with a decent competitor to Velvia 50 (E100VS was a nice try, but grainier, and never updated), which I've always thought strange since they've been able to do most anything else. And Fuji makes some great stuff, and responds to its clients (Velvia 50 re-intro), but has dismal communication with its own customers. Why is it so hard to issue a clear press release and update the website for each of the world's markets?

 

[Prest_400]

in the grand scheme of things, it appears as though the three film manufacturers have made a deal to at least survive with what their strengths are: Fast forward to 2015 and: Ilford b+w, Kodak C-41 only and Fuji will make E-6 film.

That's the way I've always seen it. Kodak will be C41, and may keep one or two E6 emulsions. Fuji will be mostly on E6, but I believe they would keep some C41. Ilford, will be on their B&W business.

There has been a lot of confusion of what Fuji is doing. I'm surprised that they decided to discontinue Reala and Neopan/Presto, aside of the others.

 

[DanielStone]

By the way...

I would just like to say to all the people who talked trash about my counter people:

My counter people can kick your counter people's asses.

now, now, no need to go and get like that 2f.....



-Dan

 

[F80p]

Companies have to undergo consolidation in their product line up. There is no other way out
Unless everybody disband their digis.
I hope film does not become equivalent to painting brushes.
Guys theres a plan! Treat every digi guy very very nicely and make him to convert to film

 

[gurkenprinz]

That's the way I've always seen it. Kodak will be C41, and may keep one or two E6 emulsions. Fuji will be mostly on E6, but I believe they would keep some C41. Ilford, will be on their B&W business.

There has been a lot of confusion of what Fuji is doing. I'm surprised that they decided to discontinue Reala and Neopan/Presto, aside of the others.

Very surprised about the Neopan, too. Must really be an environmental or raw material issue. Too bad, Neopan in all speeds and sizes is my favourite film

As for the other discontinuations, they fit our theory... Actually, I think it is a smart move (if it is true). They will be able to keep some economies of scale without cannibalising each other. Pareto-Efficiency (if this is an English word - I am not sure) also has to be considered. By focusing on those products in which they are able to generate larger sales and/or bigger margins, they will be able to provide us with those emulsions they stay with much longer.

So, if there isn't a cartel already, maybe they should start one..

 

[edp]

Am I alone in preferring Kodak for E6 films (especially E100GX, I had to fill my freezer when they quietly canned that) and Fuji for C41? I like the E100G(X) warmth, and find Velvia 100 especially to have a bit of a cool green cast.

 

[kadath]

I prefer kodak for e6 as well. I don't like fuji greens, since I find them too garish. However I love using fuji c41 (800z) in low light. A better compromise for me personally would be kodak for low speed (e100g and ektar), fuji for high speed (pushed provia 400x and 800z). I use fuji acros and 1600 neopan for b&w at the moment. So the whole fuji e6, kodak c41, ilford b&w doesn't work for me.

One of the main selling points of using film (for me) is the different looks you can get with different films. How I can get the look I like by using a different film to what someone else may like. The different tones, colour balance, style etc. Take that away, and you're just left with some generic e6 'look', c41 'look'. In a way, it's like the restriction of a digital camera, where the sensor just records everything exactly the same without any nuance or individuality. I always call it the digital 'look', because no matter what anyone does in photoshop it all looks the same. How is that acceptable to anyone?

 

[applesanity]

There's a real easy way to stop the speculation.


I called FreestylePhoto.biz (800-292-6137) and the CSR confirmed to me that the 160 films are done. *Gone. *Bye bye. *They were informed officially by Fujifilm. *I didn't ask about the other films because I don't shoot them. *There is some confusion as maybe one of the versions of 160 may be rebranded. *I'm not going to wait for that. *I'm heading over to B&H right now to stock up. *I'd go to Freestylephoto.biz, but the supplies have already run out.

 

[nickrapak]

Am I alone in preferring Kodak for E6 films (especially E100GX, I had to fill my freezer when they quietly canned that) and Fuji for C41? I like the E100G(X) warmth, and find Velvia 100 especially to have a bit of a cool green cast.

No, you're not alone. I prefer Elite Chrome 100 to any Fuji options for everyday shooting. IMHO, it is closer to what E100GX was than E100G is.

 

[Fotogeorge]

I found this story on British Journal of Photography, that should shed some additional light about availability of Fujifilm.
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=873759

 

[marylandphoto]

If Astia were to go away, then isn't Sensia the amateur version of it...or is that Provia?

 

[benjiboy]

Fuji UK has plenty of these films http://www.fujilab.co.uk/catalog/film-c-30.html,and they ship worldwide, I just ordered a ton of the stuff I use on line, my only problem now is I'm going to need another freezer.

 

[Stephen Schoof]

I found this story on British Journal of Photography, that should shed some additional light about availability of Fujifilm.
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=873759

I've seen that, but unfortunately it only confuses things. If accurate, what do we make of the long secret list that so far only camera stores have been made privy to, but reputable sources swear is true?

 

[B&Wpositive]

800Z?

I found this story on British Journal of Photography, that should shed some additional light about availability of Fujifilm.
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=873759

Nothing there about 800Z. Does that mean 800Z is safe? I need some for an upcoming project.