I'm not pretending that what's inside is anything to be excited about, though. I mean, I'd be all over if they brought back something fun like Portra 400NC, Ektar 25 or Ektar 1000. My excitement and money for crappy new films will be reserved for those from Harman, Inoviscoat, Adox and Lucky...
I don't like calling films "crappy". Rome wasn't built in a day. In any case, I am glad that there are a few companies trying to make color negative film. I will continue to buy the ones from Harman and Inoviscoat, understanding that they are not competitive with Kodak. Buying those films is a bit like an act of charity --- an effort to fund a project you want to support.
I am sure I will buy a couple of rolls of Lucky because I like to try everything once, but I will focus on Harman and Inoviscoat because I want to keep Western manufacturing alive.
I'm not pretending that what's inside is anything to be excited about, though. I mean, I'd be all over if they brought back something fun like Portra 400NC, Ektar 25 or Ektar 1000. My excitement and money for crappy new films will be reserved for those from Harman, Inoviscoat, Adox and Lucky...
I don't like calling films "crappy". Rome wasn't built in a day. In any case, I am glad that there are a few companies trying to make color negative film. I will continue to buy the ones from Harman and Inoviscoat, understanding that they are not competitive with Kodak. Buying those films is a bit like an act of charity --- an effort to fund a project you want to support.
I am sure I will buy a couple of rolls of Lucky because I like to try everything once, but I will focus on Harman and Inoviscoat because I want to keep Western manufacturing alive.
At this point, anything from Kodak that's remotely exciting is really hard to imagine. They might go totally wild and release a current emulsion in another box or maaaaybe another format (like Kodacolor, Vision3 AHU, Portra in cine rolls), but that's about it. They are the only (proper) game in town and they would like to get some money from this situation. I can't blame them.
Actually, domestic can be in the US, Europe, etc. Wherever domestic production has been shipped offshore, the quality, I think, has gone down as manufacturers race to the bottom in competitive pricing.
They make it clear that the exciting part of the announcement isn't supposed to be the branding. What we are meant to be excited about is that they are now selling directly to distributors, and that they've invested in manufacturing and have increased production. I think it's perfectly reasonable to be happy about those things.
Imagine if Eastman is shipping directly to big retailers like B&H and other stores around the USA. That's why they can sell a roll at $9 each. They should make a deal with Alaris to do the same with the rest of their film so it can be more competitive. Of course, a royalty or some other financial payment has to be made to Alaris. Maybe Eastman will buy Alaris.
I am sure that Harman, Invoiscoat, Adox and Lucky are delighted that one person on a photo forum thinks they are "crappy".
Personally I am grateful that these companies, large and small, are trying to perfect colour film and provide some competition and future-proofing to the market.