It's time for a sticky with a regularly monitored/update list of available color film

[mnemosyne]

I am fed up with threads or posts here on APUG and other places incorrectly claiming that "film XY has been discontinued" resulting in misinformation and confusion among film shooters and generally spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt among the community.

This is especially a problem with Fujifilm Japan color (especially) reversal film products, as the relevant news releases appear in Japanese language and are more often than not misinterpreted and misread by irresponsible websites/blogs trying to break the news as quickly as possible by wild guessing or making use of Google "translations". False rumors spread quickly over the web and are difficult to root out. I think this phenomenon has a very damaging effect and is detrimental to our most vital interests.

My suggestion would be to have a sticky thread here in the product availability forum that lists the available (color reversal, color negative) products and formats in current production by Fujifilm Japan;I would be willing to edit and maintain such a list and update any changes as soon as they are officially announced by Fujifilm Japan through a press release, so anyone interested in the current state of affairs can simply return here at any time and check the current situation and knows he is looking at a reliable source.

While the situation in Japan may not accurately reflect the product availability situation in local markets like US, Australia, UK, Europe etc, it is still valuable, as anyone who is really interested in a product will know that, even if he cannot get it in his local market, he is ultimately still able to get it through direct ordering from Japan.

What do you think?

 

[benjiboy]

There already is a product availability forum on this website.

 

[mnemosyne]

There already is a product availability forum on this website.

I am not sure what you are trying say. Did you read my post?

 

[benjiboy]

I am not sure what you are trying say. Did you read my post?

I read your post, but don't know how you can ensure the accuracy of of the posts by members claiming that this or that film is going to be discontinued, there are too many people who take great delight in spreading alarm and despondency, the Chicken Little Syndrome either on purpose or they just haven't checked their facts.

 

[mnemosyne]

I read your post, but don't know how you can ensure the accuracy of of the posts by members claiming that this or that film is going to be discontinued, there are too many people who take great delight in spreading alarm and despondency, the Chicken Little Syndrome either on purpose or they just haven't checked their facts.

I would be willing to edit and maintain such a list and update any changes as soon as they are officially announced by Fujifilm Japan through a press release, [...]

As written my intention is not to base the list on any sort of specualation or rumor (we indeed have enough of that) but on the official communication (press release) from Fujifilm Japan.

 

[fotch]

I don't think its needed. Its not like we need something like GasBuddy to buy film. JMHO

 

[RobC]

From Fujifilm Japan website

35mm Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/35mm/index.html

APS Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/aps/index.html

Professional Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/professional/index.html

Reversal
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/reversal/index.html

B+W
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/monochrome/film.html

So from the last one which is their B+W offering I can't see if its available in 120 or not. But since its so easy to look at the Japan website I don't see the problem and I don't speak or read Japanese.

Just putting your cursor over any of the links in their website brings up the link address in English which makes it pretty simple to navigate their site. But if you're clueless to that little technique then maybe its harder for you.

 

[mnemosyne]

From Fujifilm Japan website

35mm Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/35mm/index.html

APS Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/aps/index.html

Professional Colour
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/color/professional/index.html

Reversal
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/reversal/index.html

B+W
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/monochrome/film.html

So from the last one which is their B+W offering I can't see if its available in 120 or not. But since its so easy to look at the Japan website I don't see the problem and I don't speak or read Japanese.

Just putting your cursor over any of the links in their website brings up the link address in English which makes it pretty simple to navigate their site. But if you're clueless to that little technique then maybe its harder for you.

Well you don't have to explain me, because I don't have trouble finding this kind of information and I do read Japanese and have subscribed to the Fujifilm Japan press releases (this is why I offered to maintain the list ...), so I am quite aware which films are available and which not, but then I wonder, if it is so so easy to find this kind of information for the average film shooter, then why do we have so many photogs that are apparently so ill-informed about what films or formats have been discontinued or are available? Why do we have to have a lengthy discussions again and again every time another guy or gal turns up and whines "What shall I do, now that Velvia 50 (or Velvia 50, or Provia, you name it) has been discontinued in sheet film (roll film... you name it)"? Wouldn't it be easier if people knew "whenever I have a question or doubt about availability of a certain film type I can have a look at the sticky at the top of the product availability forum and find reliable, up to date information there?

 

[MattKing]

Just start the thread in this Product Availability sub-forum. Title it something like "Fuji News releases-Film Availability" and post links as and when there is something new.

You can always ask the moderators to make it a Sticky.

 

[RobC]

I have no preference for a sticky or not. There's nothing stopping you using this thread and just posting in it everytime you have an update which brings it to everyones attention.

You won't ever stop people from from posting rumours whether they have any foundation or not. That's the way of the web where any numpty can post whatever they like. Been guilty of it myself on more than one occasion but sometimes you learn stuff by doing it.

The biggest thing with Fuji (and Kodak) and Probably Ilford too which people don't undertsand is that they have minimum order quantities (by the pallet or pallets I think) for the regional distributors and the regional distributors have minimum order quanties for the country distributors and they have minimum order quantities for the retailers. So even whats available in Fuji Europe may not be available from Fuji UK. But these days with online buying it doesn't take 5 minutes to find a source for any film in production. So for me its a non issue unless a film actually goes out of production rather than not being supplied to any region/country.
But I would rather order from a retailer in my own country for speed of delivery which is usually next day so I know when it will arrive.