It's official, Kodak is selling its film business.

[amsp]

This is either terrible news, or great news.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120823006226/en/Kodak-Takes-Steps-Successful-Emergence

 

[BrianShaw]

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[zsas]

So film is part of the personalized imaging business which is up for sale. Not too surprised there. Hope one of you here can buy it

 

[robbalbrecht]

Hmm.

 

[BMbikerider]

I have long thought after the demise of Kodachrome then the other little bits and pieces, their B&W paper etc, some of the B&W films that Kodak didn't have their heart and mind in the business. Perhaps, like Ilford in the 90's they will be bought out and someone will have a think about what is making money and bring some of the other 'specialist' items back onto the market. HIE Infra red and Technical Pan would be a good start! Oh boy wouldn't just be great?

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Well, thank God for Ilford, Fuji, Adox, Foma, Shantou ERA, Efke and whoever makes the Arista and Rollei films...

 

[donkee]

Can't really say I will miss them.

Hopefully someone does buy then film division then I can actually spend money with them.

 

[amsp]

Maybe this is more appropriate now...

 

[Diapositivo]

This news IMO is neither good nor bad. The good news will be when somebody buys the film business.

The fact that they are selling doesn't mean there is a buyer out there. They are selling the patents as well, with the known difficulties.

Maybe if they managed to sold the patents for $2B they wouldn't be selling these others divisions now.
This sale could be the result of failing to find a buyer for the patents, for the expected money.

 

[batwister]

Someone give Mr. Branson a call, maybe he'll get us all shooting film in space? Right after he's taken us to the moon to pick up the Hasselblads.

 

[Kevin Kehler]

Film is not part of this sale and almost all B&W is considered Commercial Film:

Kodak noted that in addition to the commercial, packaging and functional printing and enterprise services businesses, it also continues to own and operate the Consumer Inkjet, Entertainment Imaging, Commercial Film and Specialty Chemicals businesses, given the company’s expertise, capabilities and strong customer relationships in these markets, as well as their combined cash-generating capability.

Taken from: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/kodak-takes-next-steps-toward-200600489.html

 

[amsp]

Film is not part of this sale and almost all B&W is considered Commercial Film:

Kodak noted that in addition to the commercial, packaging and functional printing and enterprise services businesses, it also continues to own and operate the Consumer Inkjet, Entertainment Imaging, Commercial Film and Specialty Chemicals businesses, given the company’s expertise, capabilities and strong customer relationships in these markets, as well as their combined cash-generating capability.

Taken from: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/kodak-takes-next-steps-toward-200600489.html

So why is Kodak Professional on Facebook saying the opposite?

"Kodak Professional: Yes, the full still film line, including PORTRA, EKTAR and TRI-X falls within the Personal Imaging Business."

https://www.facebook.com/kodakprofessional

 

[SkipA]

What do you make of this part of the same article you linked to, Kevin, in particular the part I emphasized?

The Personalized Imaging business consists of Retail Systems Solutions (RSS), Paper & Output Systems (P&OS) and Event Imaging Solutions (EIS). RSS is the worldwide leader in retail print solutions with a global footprint of 105,000 KODAK Picture Kiosks; P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products; and EIS provides souvenir photo products at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a leading and comprehensive portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers.

Which traditional paper and still film products are referred to? I would think that B&W would be part of that.

I figured the commercial film products referred to movie film. I'd be happy for some clarification.

 

[zsas]

Doest sound like they will keep still film

From the Business Wire article:

Accordingly, the company has initiated sale processes for its market-leading Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses.

The Personalized Imaging business consists of Retail Systems Solutions (RSS), Paper & Output Systems (P&OS) and Event Imaging Solutions (EIS). RSS is the worldwide leader in retail print solutions with a global footprint of 105,000 KODAK Picture Kiosks; P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Who cares what Kodak does nowadays. Lots of other film to use.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kevin that is what I thought but the next paragraph states

The Personalized Imaging business consists of Retail Systems Solutions (RSS), Paper & Output Systems (P&OS) and Event Imaging Solutions (EIS). RSS is the worldwide leader in retail print solutions with a global footprint of 105,000 KODAK Picture Kiosks; P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products; and EIS provides souvenir photo products at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a leading and comprehensive portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120823006226/en/Kodak-Takes-Steps-Successful-Emergence
​

 

[Sirius Glass]

Who cares what Kodak does nowadays. Lots of other film to use.

The rest of us do. Now go sit in the corner!

 

[PKM-25]

This post by Kodak film and paper PR rep Colleen Krenzer on RFF is aimed squarely at the still film user:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1950538#post1950538

Now it gets real interesting....

 

[MaximusM3]

Oh well..I got plenty of Tri-X, but honestly, I am a lot more preoccupied about what and when to shoot, than what to shoot it with.

 

[lxdude]

The rest of us do. Now go sit in the corner!

+1

 

[Uncle Bill]

I'm taking a wait and see approach. If a group a lot like Harman comes to the surface and makes a decent offer for Kodak's "still photography" division and makes a go of it. It might not bad in the end.

I like shooting with Tri-x, Ektar100 and Portra 400 but I'm also comfortable shooting with HP5, FP4, Delta 100, Neopan Acros 100, Reala 100 and Fuji 400H. The only concern I have is replacing Dektol as my print developer and for now I don't see the point of panicking just yet.

 

[lxdude]

Maybe this is more appropriate now...

View attachment 55901

 

[munz6869]

I care!! I'll use TXP320 until someone stops making it (and then I'll use Ilford HP5+) because the negatives I'm seeing these days are 'just so', and every time a film/chemical etc. is stopped I have to 're-tune'. The quality of Kodak film has been awesome (although now I'm using Fuji Acros instead of Plus-X - that's pretty awesome too!)

In summary: mixed emotions...

Marc!

 

[Sirius Glass]

No! APUGgers unite and buy up all the Kodak film and put it in your freezers to keep the film from the hoarders!

 

[PeteZ8]

No! APUGgers unite and buy up all the Kodak film and put it in your freezers to keep the film from the hoarders!

That's more like it