Kodak gives out 8,000 rolls at Photoplus expo

fLOVE · Oct 26, 2009

This past weekend here in NYC at the PDN Photoplus expo, Kodak says they gave away 8,000 rolls of film from their booth. Just wanted to spread the word to show there are still that many people looking to shoot film. I only wish Ilford had been doing something similar, or if Fuji had even shown up.

I was also a little disappointed that Epson and Noritsu didn't bring any scanners along, but I was happy to see the Impossible Project representing at the ICP booth, even bought an SX-70 and some TZ film myself. -f

PeteZ8 · Oct 26, 2009

That's awesome to hear. Not so much that they found enough interest to give away 8,000 rolls, more so that they are still pushing the film end of their product line.

Any word on progress from the Impossible Project from the show?

Ektagraphic · Oct 26, 2009

What film(s) did they give out? My guess is Ektar! This is pretty great news. If they were giving out slide film, I think I'll slip into a coma

fLOVE · Oct 26, 2009

Well I talked to the IP people who were there and the gist that I got was it's still going to be B&W film is first up next year. Whether it's manipulatable or not they're not sure yet. Color will follow some time after. The main thing Polaroid is doing is making a new camera, purely speculating that it'll be a low end/cost 600 style. The IP people said they are also working on a camera, but it won't be for a while. Their first priority is getting the film out there, and doing it right. There are literally nearly a billion polaroid cameras out there, but the film and types is what's needing replenishing, so they're devoting their efforts to the film. Sales will also provide revenue to allow them to have more spending capital clearly. I was also told that they managed to salvage the 8x10 machine before it was sold off for scrap....so there's a possibility that down the road we could see some new 8x10 IP film...maybe. Sadly I feel the pull apart films, aside from Fuji, are no more, unless they commission new machines to produce the film, which IF it were to happen wouldn't happen for a ways off I'm sure. That's the best I know, in the mean time you can help support them at Dead Link Removed and you can purchase Polaroid film and cameras at http://www.polapremium.com/ Enjoy!

david b · Oct 26, 2009

I wonder how many of the free rolls are now on ebay?

Chazzy · Oct 26, 2009

It's a great gesture from Kodak. I certainly wouldn't have minded getting some complimentary 220 Tri-X.

fLOVE · Oct 26, 2009

Ektagraphic said:
What film(s) did they give out? My guess is Ektar! This is pretty great news. If they were giving out slide film, I think I'll slip into a coma

They did give out slide film, Ektachrome. They had a nice display with a little bit of everything, but what was being given out was 35mm and 120 of Ektar, Tmax 100 & 400, Portra 160 (can't remember if NC or VC) and 800, Ektachrome, 100 & 200 I think?

I'd of preferred some TriX but took some Tmax.

PeteZ8 · Oct 26, 2009

Wow, I was under the impression that IP had picked up most or all of the machines before they went to the scrap yard. They have some pictures of machinery on their website, I wonder what is missing?

fLOVE · Oct 26, 2009

david b said:
I wonder how many of the free rolls are now on ebay?

Well They were all labeled "SAMPLE NOT FOR RESALE" on the boxes...so if you find any there with that then you'll know.

fLOVE · Oct 26, 2009

PeteZ8 said:
Wow, I was under the impression that IP had picked up most or all of the machines before they went to the scrap yard. They have some pictures of machinery on their website, I wonder what is missing?

Well it's my understanding that the plants in Mexico and MA were both essentially gone before IP could get anything from them, exception being the 8x10. It's mostly the integral films like 600 and TZ that they have there in Holland. So again I think the 3.25x4.25 and 4x5 Polaroids are just what's left is left kind of situation. Thankfully Fuji does make Color and B&W in both sizes. Personally though I'd like to see Fuji make more types, like an artistic stock, or where it gives you a negative on top of the print without bleaching off the back, and a faster speed B&W in 4x5 would be cool too.

Ektagraphic · Oct 26, 2009

Someone pinch me! Kodak actually promoted a slide film! That is really, really, really, awesome news! You go KODAK!!

Jeff Kubach · Oct 26, 2009

That is great news! I hope they do this more often.

Jeff

Ektagraphic · Oct 26, 2009

I know they gave out a lot when Ektar came out. If you called them, they sent you a free roll! I got some before it even hit the stores!

Darkroom317 · Oct 26, 2009

Ektagraphic said:
Someone pinch me! Kodak actually promoted a slide film! That is really, really, really, awesome news! You go KODAK!!

Yay! There is still hope in the bright analog world.

Karl K · Oct 26, 2009

Free Ektachrome not labeled as "Sample"

fLOVE said:
Well They were all labeled "SAMPLE NOT FOR RESALE" on the boxes...so if you find any there with that then you'll know.

I got two free 135-36 Ektachromes, neither one labled as "Sample". When I arrived at about 1:00PM Thursday, the wait for the free film was less than 5 minutes. Later on that day, the wait was over fifteen minutes. The free film was a big draw.

ken472 · Oct 26, 2009

I love the news about the film giveaway, especially since I'm a lifelong film user.. My wife is dragging me kicking and screaming towards digital. I really would like to know "What is the Impossible Project?"

photomem · Oct 26, 2009

The Impossible Project is an attempt in Europe to reverse engineer and produce Polaroid film.

More info:

Dead Link Removed

PeteZ8 · Oct 27, 2009

photomem said:
The Impossible Project is an attempt in Europe to reverse engineer and produce Polaroid film.

More info:

Dead Link Removed

And I believe they have a few Polaroid refugees in their camp to help things along. With Polaroid's recent announcement to produce MORE 600's, it looks like they even have the support of the big "P" as well.

Matt5791 · Oct 27, 2009

It's great to hear Kodak promoting their film - the biggest problem in the UK though (and one of the reasons I started Ag Photographic) is people want to shoot film but can't actually find any to buy! The number of people who we get calling for something straightforward like Portra and saying "I cant find it anywhere".

This is a major problem, because if people can't find something they will use an alternative, like digital - the number of phbotographers who say "I'd love to be shooting film.....but I cant get what I want". It is tragic. Hopefully we are going to turn this around.

Matt

fLOVE · Oct 27, 2009

Karl K said:
I got two free 135-36 Ektachromes, neither one labled as "Sample". When I arrived at about 1:00PM Thursday, the wait for the free film was less than 5 minutes. Later on that day, the wait was over fifteen minutes. The free film was a big draw.

Oh, well the rolls of Tmax I got had it, I just assumed the others did, my bad.

fLOVE · Oct 27, 2009

photomem said:
The Impossible Project is an attempt in Europe to reverse engineer and produce Polaroid film.

More info:

Dead Link Removed

It's better than just an attempt now, they've successfully made a film that can produce a sustainable image. They will def be coming out with a B&W pack film early next year. If I'm not misinformed they are presently testing and tweaking their film formulations trying to create the best product for us as possible. Color films are also in the works and will come out further into 2010. Polaroid may also reintroduce a film or two, but their contribution is mainly in named support, and commitment to making a new camera to sell. The IP people are really doing the leg work. They have also hired some former Polaroid employees to work on some of these projects, including refurbishing SX-70's and they are designing their own camera for later down the road.

fLOVE · Oct 27, 2009

Matt5791 said:
It's great to hear Kodak promoting their film - the biggest problem in the UK though (and one of the reasons I started Ag Photographic) is people want to shoot film but can't actually find any to buy! The number of people who we get calling for something straightforward like Portra and saying "I cant find it anywhere".

This is a major problem, because if people can't find something they will use an alternative, like digital - the number of phbotographers who say "I'd love to be shooting film.....but I cant get what I want". It is tragic. Hopefully we are going to turn this around.

Matt

I know what you mean, unless you live in a photo hub or urban setting, odds are getting a hold of analog film supplies are near impossible. I know I'm spoiled living in NYC. That being since the general public has en mass shifted to digital, and in all honesty can we blame some of them? They don't care about many of the things that make film so special to most of us, while the instant nature, lack of commitment to images, and no need to 're-up' but every few years is appealing to them. So if you become one of a handful in an area who want to keep using it, sadly your local photo store probably can't sustain the business on you and your friends alone.

I sincerely hope all of you make efforts to seek out websites to order your supplies from and can mail in to labs if need be. There is a huge support system here online now for analog shooters and printers and so long as there's a will there's a way. Best of luck to all!

Kodak gives out 8,000 rolls at Photoplus expo

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