Is Fujichrome Effectively Dead Outside of Japan???

[B.S.Kumar]

Many photographers use Jobo, Filmomat and similar machines to process their own film. Some of them may also be processing film for others.

Kumar

 

[gbroadbridge]

I process all my own C-41 and E-6. I used to use a CPE2 but these days a water bath in the sink with an aquarium heater suffices.
I was scared of it (especially E-6) for a long time but it's really not difficult.

Costs about $3 a roll and is not particularly difficult or time consuming.

 

[AZD]

Here they are:

- Nichols Photo Lab - C-41 & E6 are dip and dunk, B&W is by hand. They also have a small selection of film, but only Kodak. I do my own B&W, but take all my color film here.

- Essential Photo Supply - Wonderful people that own this camera store and lab. They sell both new and used gear, and have the best selection of film in the city. Used gear selection tends toward the high end (Leica, Hasselblad, Rollei, etc.) but they also have some more affordable stuff. Their lab does C-41 and E6 with roller processor machines. Not sure how they do B&W. They also sell chemicals, paper, etc.

- Acme Camera Co. - Focused on used film cameras. They’ve also recently started selling some vintage HiFi gear. I bought my Rollei SL66 and Nikon S2 from them. They have a lab doing C-41 and B&W. They send E6 to Nichols.

- Pictureline - No used gear, but the best selection of new gear and a decent stock of film and darkroom supplies.

- Allen’s Camera - Locations in Salt Lake and Provo. New and used gear, film, darkroom chems, and a lab. C-41 for $6 / roll. They send E6 out, presumably to Nichols. Super nice people. I bought my very nice Leica IIIg from them.

- Film Cult Lab - Never used them, but the guy that runs it is a nice guy and comes to our photo walks.

- The FiND Lab - Lab and community space/store in Provo with a newly opened lab location in Salt Lake. They do a lot of mail order processing business. C-41 and B&W in house, and I think E6 as well. I’ve never used them, but they have a great reputation. I did buy a very nice Nikon S3 2000 set from them.

There are also two public darkrooms here: Photo Collective Studios (B&W only) and The Red Room (B&W and RA-4).

The options in SLC are pretty surprising given the size of the market. This seems to be true regardless of your hobby or special interest. You can find at least one dedicated retailer for almost anything. It’s a weird oasis in the desert.

There’s definitely is a market for film though. I’ve seen people walk into a store and drop a lot of cash on film and cameras. Fun experience @armadsen, I was at Acme when a large collection of TLRs arrived in a giant case and helped wheel them inside. They’ve been selling well since then apparently.

I do wonder whether this odd bubble (in more ways than one) is distorting my perspective. But as long as the infrastructure is there I’m trying to take advantage of it. It’s pretty great being able to get 12-24 hour E6 processing, or pick up a box Ilford paper on the way home from work.

 

[ChrisGalway]

It’s pretty great being able to get 12-24 hour E6 processing, or pick up a box Ilford paper on the way home from work.

Lucky you!

 

[mshchem]

pick up a box Ilford paper on the way home from work.

First I would have to get a job. I'll stick to webshopping

 

[armadsen]

Fun experience @armadsen, I was at Acme when a large collection of TLRs arrived in a giant case and helped wheel them inside. They’ve been selling well since then apparently.

I bought (well mostly traded for) one of those: a pristine Yashica 635 with the 35mm adapter!

 

[tom43]

Just received some 120 Provia from Fotoimpex in Berlin

 

[mshchem]

Just received some 120 Provia from Fotoimpex in Berlin

 

[ChrisGalway]

Just received some 120 Provia from Fotoimpex in Berlin

Yes I saw that, but the limit (for me at least) was two rolls and adding the postage it just wasn't worth it! At least the price per roll of €12.70 was OK.

 

[armadsen]

B&H has Provia in stock. Won’t Didn’t last long.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/181489-USA

 

[Koakashii]

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.

I hear Kodak is on the way down too from their $400mil debt they’re currently in so Fuji seems to be our only solid provider for the foreseeable future

 

[armadsen]

I hear Kodak is on the way down too from their $400mil debt they’re currently in so Fuji seems to be our only solid provider for the foreseeable future

That was sensationalized reporting, really. https://www.kodak.com/en/company/blog-post/statement-regarding-misleading-media-reports/

 

[Spektrum]

Thank you for this link. You don't even realize how much you calmed me down.

 

[armadsen]

I ordered a few rolls of Provia from B&H on Wednesday right before I posted here. They arrived today. The expiration date is 05/2027, which is the latest expiration date I've seen. The last rolls I got, a couple months ago, were 01/2027.

So, everything is continuing as it has for years now: a slow trickle of fresh dated Fujichrome films coming from Japan. I wish it were more available, and certainly wish it were cheaper, but I've actually been able to keep enough on hand to never run out by carefully watching for restocks and buying enough to last through the following 3 or 4 months. Same goes for Velvia 50.

 

[ChrisGalway]

I ordered a few rolls of Provia from B&H on Wednesday right before I posted here. They arrived today. The expiration date is 05/2027, which is the latest expiration date I've seen. The last rolls I got, a couple months ago, were 01/2027.

So, everything is continuing as it has for years now: a slow trickle of fresh dated Fujichrome films coming from Japan. I wish it were more available, and certainly wish it were cheaper, but I've actually been able to keep enough on hand to never run out by carefully watching for restocks and buying enough to last through the following 3 or 4 months. Same goes for Velvia 50.

View attachment 405355

Yes, that’s what I do, it just takes patience! I have 18 months supply of in-date Provia 120 size in the freezer and with a bit of luck I will be able to replenish it over time so I always have the same number of boxes in the freezer. I hope.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Provia 100f 120 size available today in EU from https://www.ilfotoamatore.it/home.asp (€16.80/roll + delivery).

 

[lamerko]

There is Velvia 50 in Fotoimpex Germany, but they have overstated the price

 

[loccdor]

I'm just glad the stuff is still being made. Fuji films have always been the best of the best in my opinion.

 

[Samu]

There has been some Velvia 100 available in Europe recently without the usual, strict 2 or 3 roll limit per customer. I ordered just 10 rolls in 135 size from Nordfoto Versand. Availability is patchy, but at least Fuji is still making slide film. I sincerely hope the situation will get better, as there isa clear demand for Fuji films - both slide and color negative. And when talking about slide film, Fuji films are the best.

 

[ChrisGalway]

And Nordfoto offer good prices! But availability is patchy, and 120 size difficult to find, both Velvia and Provia.