Is Fujichrome Effectively Dead Outside of Japan???

Is Fujichrome done for?

  • Yes

    Votes: 5 26.3%

  • No

    Votes: 5 26.3%

  • Unclear

    Votes: 9 47.4%
  • Total voters
    19

mshchem

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It seems as if Fujifilm has abandoned distribution of Fujichrome through the channels I use, online sellers like B&H.

Leaves only Ektachrome, which I love.

Scares me about the future of E6.

Cost is so high it's purely a luxury good now.
 

Paul Howell

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I have not seen any gray market Fuji chrome or color, the fujicolor sold here is rebranded Kodacolor. Are they still selling in Japan?
 

Paul Howell

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I see expired Fujichrome from Japaneses Ebay sellers but not any in date. Did all versions of Fujichrome have Phenol, isopropylated phosphate. With the current move to deregulate environmental regulations wonder if it will make a return.
 
Last edited:

Prest_400

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retina_restoration said:
I thought Fujifilm ceased distribution of Fujichrome products to the USA because of the ban on one of its components, Phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1)
Click to expand...
IIRC just Velvia 100 is affected by this.

Europe wise, Fujichrome (120) is sporadically available according to some fellow forumers but it sells immediately and I haven't noticed any availability during this summer despite having alerts on for some (German) distributors. I gather the same for US as some of y'all mention being able to purchase some when it is rarely available? Heck, even some still have old prices (53€ for a 120 pro pack anyone?). 35mm Fujichrome is however more available.

I voted unclear: Schrödingers film
 

B.S.Kumar

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Velvia 50 and 100 and Provia 120 are available in extremely limited quantities in Japan. I've shipped a substantial quantity of these films in the past few months.

Kumar
 

F4U

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I don't understand why a company would halt export of something that still is manufactured and marketed.
 

MattKing

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F4U said:
I don't understand why a company would halt export of something that still is manufactured and marketed.
Click to expand...

Serve the local market, because there isn't enough to go around.
And of course, this may be as a result of the US distribution subsidiary making the strategic decision to withdraw it from the US market because of the limited supply.
 

B.S.Kumar

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Fuji has not said anything officially about discontinuing the manufacture of Fujichrome. But it is widely believed that the film being sold now is from the last few master rolls. Like every company in Japan Fuji also faces a shortage of skilled technical staff. This is in addition to market forces.

Kumar
 

ChrisArslain

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Why would they when they are selling plastic cameras with one inch sensors that simulate the film experience for $800+? I'm so mad about this, sorry.
 

Disconnekt

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As I see it, Fuji's gone over to Instax & Digital pastures & just slowly taking their time to exit the film making side of things.
 
OP
OP

mshchem

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Dribble out a little bit for marketing. Helps sell digicams. Hopefully Eastman Kodak can keep E6 film available, I really like Fujichrome and Ektachrome.
 

ChrisGalway

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If you live in the US or Europe, just look on Amazon ... lots of Fujichrome including, believe it or not, Velvia 100 in the US (I thought it was banned). But the prices are silly ... or rather, they are on a par with those in Japan, i.e. high. It's a similar price to Ektachrome.

I bought two rolls of Provia 100f 35mm for €22 each (Amazon Prime, UK site) last week for delivery to Ireland. By the way, on Amazon these goods come from the "Fujifilm Store" ... where most of the items are digital cameras

FotoImpex (Berlin) had 120 size Provia a couple of weeks ago, but they were charging €19/roll, so I'm just waiting for some to come available at the "normal" EU price of around €60 for a box of five. I got my last lot (3 boxes) around 4 months ago and have been waiting for me since then ... hope to get some before December (2025 to be clear) ... you need patience in this game, it's available, occasionally.
 

loccdor

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I was able to get some Velvia 100 in the US for $10 a roll on eBay last year. Expired 2018 and shot like fresh. Many are being sold for crazy prices, but if you're patient and browse new listings frequently, you can find deals. It's a waiting (and testing) game.

I believe the ban only applied when trying to bring it through customs, not for domestic sales. And even then I have a feeling they'd not catch a small amount for personal use. I can't imagine a specific niche photographic film is high enough on their list of "contraband" to remember unless someone in the know were to report it.
 

retina_restoration

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B.S.Kumar said:
Fuji has not said anything officially about discontinuing the manufacture of Fujichrome. But it is widely believed that the film being sold now is from the last few master rolls.

Kumar
Click to expand...

I’m betting this is true. The end of the supply is undoubtedly in sight.
Instax is the most successful thing Fuji produces - it’s huge. Why bother with dumb old E6?!
 

ChrisGalway

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How do they store these "master rolls"? The Provia I get hold of (occasionally and randomly) typically has a Use-By date of 18-21 months prior to my date of purchase. But was this film actually coated many years ago (2010 or so?)? How come it keeps so long?
 

B.S.Kumar

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Perhaps extremely tight temperature and humidity control?

Kumar
 

B.S.Kumar

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Fuji has leveraged its knowledge of photographic film into products as diverse as face shields for medical use and high quality cosmetics.

Kumar
 
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