Kodak Infrared Film to be discontinued - May 07

[ben-s]

The official line from Kodak UK

Kodak have just phoned me back;

The films are still in production with no particular schedule for discontinuation, but they will not be ongoing products.
You should still be able to get hold of both films easily.

Still a confused message. But the writing is obviously on the wall for both films, either now or in the near future.

Hope this helps.

 

[aldevo]

I don't use HIE any more at all and, naturally, I cannot speak with any authority whatsoever regarding EK's future plans for it. But if I were to ask Magic 8-Ball if HIE were on its way out, I suspect it would answer "Signs Point to Yes".

I did get an email from a friend who uses HIE and frequently buys it small batches all over the place. She has not received HIE with a date beyond early/mid 2008. It could well be that EK last did a coating run of HIE some time ago and has since decided it will not be doing another.

I suspect those with a continued interest in the film might do well to purchase existing inventory. There is no perfrect alternative for HIE and the potential for downstream gouging is substantial should EK ever make a formal announcement.

Just my $0.02. I sincerely hope that whatever course of action you choose works out for the best.

 

[Matt5791]

My UK wholesaler has now told me that only the colour infrared is being discontinued! I was about to order a stack of the black & white for resale stock but will have to hold off until the issue is resolved. So for the time being, anyone who has an interest in HIE please keep questioning the Kodak supply chain until there's a consistent response.

These type of confused messages from Kodak are a total joke.

Yes - I am bashing Kodak because they throughly deserve it.

They need to stop fiddling around and make some definitive decisions / anouncements.

Matt

 

[PatTrent]

I don't hate Kodak either - I've been a loyal user of their color film for over 25 years, but their website does not reflect current product availability very well and my statement simply was intended to reflect that.

This is true. Their web site showed Plus-X as being available in 220 when I checked it two weeks ago. So their product listings are not current.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

In some cases of film discontinuance, the reason is the unavailability of certain key components used to make it. In the case of Infrared film, I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable. I know that there are Efke, Agfa/Geavert and Ilford that continue to make "some" films with infrared sensitivity, so that makes the information somewhat odd,...but perhaps it is the particular sensitizing dye used by Kodak that is drying up, and the cost to re-engineer the film is greater than the return from potential sales. Fuji of course had a guaranteed winner with Velvia 50. hence decided to spend the funds to re-engineer the emulsion around a component that was not available anymore.

 

[aldevo]

In some cases of film discontinuance, the reason is the unavailability of certain key components used to make it. In the case of Infrared film, I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable. I know that there are Efke, Agfa/Geavert and Ilford that continue to make "some" films with infrared sensitivity, so that makes the information somewhat odd,...but perhaps it is the particular sensitizing dye used by Kodak that is drying up, and the cost to re-engineer the film is greater than the return from potential sales. Fuji of course had a guaranteed winner with Velvia 50. hence decided to spend the funds to re-engineer the emulsion around a component that was not available anymore.

Sounds plausible.

I hoped to get more info. about HIEs future availability by following up with the Boston-area retailer I spoke with early last week at the "Photographica" show in Wakefield, MA.

Unfortunately, at the 11th hour the retailer elected not to show.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I doubt the retailers actually know any substantial information.

 

[aldevo]

I doubt the retailers actually know any substantial information.

On the whole I would agree - unless the retailer has attempted to re-order recently and encountered difficulties.

The retail rep. I hoped to speak with today at the show shoots HIE in 35mm and old 4x5 stock religously. That wasn't the person I spoke with earlier in the week who declared the films discontinued. This 2nd individual has a fanatical devotion to the stuff and would make it his mission in life to obtain accurate info. regarding availability.

That all being said, he'd likely want to fill a refrigerated boxcar with the stuff and probably wouldn't want others getting in the way of that. In fact, he's hands-down the most unpleasant rep I've ever had to deal with...:rolleyes:

 

[Renato Tonelli]

I wish Kodak would make a statement one way or another. As customers, users of their products, we need to know. I would even go so far as to say that we have a right to know. We spend a lot of time testing these materials and it is inexcusable of them not to be forthcoming with relevant information. HIE is a unique emulsion and is not matched by other infrared films on the market.
What a nuisance! What's next - Tri-X?!?

 

[AgX]

...I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable.

Does this mean that we had now even have to hoard chemicals...?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Does this mean that we had now even have to hoard chemicals...?

No, not processing chemicals, which many of are used in other applications.

 

[AgX]

No, Phototone, my remark was not meant to be that serious.
I know a lot of sensitizing agents out of literature, and a lot of interesting sensitizers can still be aquired in small amounts. Further I know that this does not mean industry can apply certain chemicals at profitable rates.

But this possible going out of production of certain chemicals could became another problem.

I'm not doomsdaying though. Just thinking.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

No, Phototone, my remark was not meant to be that serious.
I know a lot of sensitizing agents out of literature, and a lot of interesting sensitizers can still be aquired in small amounts. Further I know that this does not mean industry can apply certain chemicals at profitable rates.

But this possible going out of production of certain chemicals could became another problem.

I'm not doomsdaying though. Just thinking.

PE (Photo Engineer) has commented on this several times on the forums here at APUG. Some chemicals are eliminated for environmental concerns, and thus products using those chemicals are discontinued. (Panatomic-X for example due to Cadmium) Some chemicals just become unavailable in quantities or price required for large volume manufacture of photo film or paper, and thus those products are discontinued. (Possible sensitizer dyes for Infrared films)

 

[cdkrenzer]

From Kodak

All,

I work with Ketchum, which is Kodak's public relations firm and in particular, I work on the film business.

Over the past week, various postings have discussed the future of KODAK High-Speed Infrared Film/HIE and KODAK EKTACHROME Professional Infrared EIR Film/ ESTAR Base and. Because the reports contain some inaccurate statements, we wanted to address them directly with you.

Kodak will continue to sell the KODAK High Speed Infrared Film/HIE and you can continue to order this from your dealers.

KODAK EKTACHROME Professional Infrared EIR Film/ESTAR Base is being discontinued due to low volume. Stocks remain, and we expect this film will continue to be available for several months.

Best,

Colleen Krenzer [/B]

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Colleen,

Thanks!

Cheers,

Frances E. Schultz

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

All,

I work with Ketchum, which is Kodak's public relations firm and in particular, I work on the film business.

Kodak will continue to sell the KODAK High Speed Infrared Film/HIE and you can continue to order this from your dealers.

KODAK EKTACHROME Professional Infrared EIR Film/ESTAR Base is being discontinued due to low volume.

Stocks remain, and we expect this film will continue to be available for several months.

Best,

Colleen Krenzer [/B]

Now we know. Thanks.

 

[wideopeniris]

HIE _not_ to be discontinued

From the horses mouth

<snip from email>

Over the past week, various postings have discussed the future of KODAK High-Speed Infrared Film/HIE and KODAK EKTACHROME Professional Infrared EIR Film/ ESTAR Base and, because the reports contain some inaccurate statements, we want to clarify the situation.

1. Kodak will continue to sell the KODAK High Speed Infrared Film/HIE and you can continue to order this from your dealers.

2. KODAK EKTACHROME Professional Infrared EIR Film/ESTAR Base is being discontinued due to low volume. Stocks remain, and we expect this film will continue to be available for several months.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Patrick Hamilton
Public Relations Director
Kodak CDG EAMER
T: +44 1442 846 794
M: +44 7715 175 043
K Net: 65 46794
patrick.hamilton@kodak.com


<snip from email>

This was a very prompt reply from Kodaks PR guys. Thanks to them for clearing this up. So HIE is OK - dont panic - leave some stock for me to buy!

K.

PS amazing what happens when you ask...:rolleyes:

 

[wideopeniris]

apologies for relaying already posted info

Our proxy failed to reload the page properly so I didnt see latest posts.

Sorry.

K.

 

[aldevo]

I also sent an email to Ms. Krenzer and she graciously confirmed the authenticity of the post in her name (sad times, when such things are deemed necessary). So we have now confirmation from multiple sources.

I also suggested that it would be cool if Kodak had a consistent presence here to keep the FUD from getting out of hand, and she pledged to forward along the request.

Will that request succeed where others fell on deaf ears? I don't know but it's at least somewhat promising that Ms. Krenzer posted here of her own accord.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Maybe Kodak and Ketchum woke up to the fact that social media is something worth paying attention to. I hope Ms. Krenzer sticks around, we need a source of reliable information so rampent speculation about product can be nipped in the bud.

Bill

 

[aldevo]

Final "post-mortem"

I sent Silverprint (the originator of the rumor) an email late last week suggesting that they give this Patrick Hamilton chap a call to get the straight story.

And, magically, this morning I found out that the good Mr. Hamilton's email is now quoted - verbatim - on their web site.

I sent that email because I found it less than amusing that Silverprint started the rumor (which proved to be only partially true - and never in the fashion that they expected it to be) and then cited this very thread as a source to fan the flames of the hysteria - and panic buying.

Mind you, I don't even use HIE any more...

 

[Confusion Circle]

Oh, THANK GOD! I was beginning to hyperventilate reading this thread! No more HIE would just kill me! I will miss EIR, but I don't use it very much.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

if Anyone In Australia is looking for Kodak EIR colour infra red film I bought 200 rolls of it upon the announcement it was discontinued and have it in deep freeze. Im selling it at my lab.

~Steve
The Lighthouse