Kodak no longer selling E100D directly to customers?

[Alan Edward Klein]

I read today at AnalogCafe, that Eastman Kodak have decided not to sell any movie stocks for bulk loading. Besides Ektachrome, this would also affect Vison3 films and Double X. These films are sold only if the client can show a proof that the film will be used for shooting a motion picture, according to this article.

Hope Fuji will resume, because the idea of having just one slide film available, which costs 30€ a roll of 135-36 is not a nice perspective.

Sounds like the new owners of Alaris sent Eastman a lawyers letter.

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

I read today at AnalogCafe, that Eastman Kodak have decided not to sell any movie stocks for bulk loading.

I wonder if this includes CineStill. The lack of remjet is annoying, but at least I'd have access to a tungsten-balanced film. I also like Eastman XX 5222 (developed in D96), for certain applications.

 

[koraks]

I wonder if this includes CineStill

Virtually certainly not.

 

[Michael Howard]

I just found out that Atlanta Film Company is out of stock on the Euphoric 100, in both 135-36 and 100' spools. I sent a message to them to see if they expect to get it back in stock. Will keep you posted upon response.

 

[MattKing]

Has anyone recently attempted to order from EK directly single 400' rolls of 5222 or one of the Vision films, and can they indicate whether there has been a policy change with respect to those films as well?

 

[OrientPoint]

Has anyone recently attempted to order from EK directly single 400' rolls of 5222 or one of the Vision films, and can they indicate whether there has been a policy change with respect to those films as well?

They will not sell you 35mm film of any sort unless you can establish that your use is motion-picture related. This is based upon direct experience in the past two weeks.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks.
{I put my question in as a quotation in the same post as your answer, to make the two together easy to reference}

 

[lamerko]

They will not sell you 35mm film of any sort unless you can establish that your use is motion-picture related. This is based upon direct experience in the past two weeks.

I wonder if this applies to Europe as well. After you mentioned here about the ordering issues, I decided to get another 400ft roll of Ektachrome, even though I still have quite a few from the previous one. I received it from the courier today.
It would be a real shame if they stopped access to these goodies…

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

The bankruptcy agreement between Eastman and Alaris allows Eastman to distribute movie film only. It's only to be sold to movie companies not for the purpose of cutting them up to be used as still photos. All Kodak still films like Ektachrome or Tmax are to be distributed by Alaris only. It appears Eastman is violating the agreement by backdoor selling their movie film to be repackaged as still film through third parties or the final user. I wouldn't be surprised if Alaris is demanding payment from Eastman for loss of earnings for film they didn't sell because still photographers were using Kodak movie film instead of buying Kodak still photo film from Alaris.

 

[dokko]

As an individual, how would I prove that I want to make a short film and not cut the roll up and load it in photo cameras?

I can understand that there might be a legal way to prevent other companies from reselling, but I would think if I buy something for my own use, I‘m free to do with it whatever I choose.

I guess they can decide to only sell it to registered movie production companies, but I was involved in several film projects shot on 35mm that were produced independently without a production company.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

As an individual, how would I prove that I want to make a short film and not cut the roll up and load it in photo cameras?

I can understand that there might be a legal way to prevent other companies from reselling, but I would think if I buy something for my own use, I‘m free to do with it whatever I choose.

I guess they can decide to only sell it to registered movie production companies, but I was involved in several film projects shot on 35mm that were produced independently without a production company.

If you buy one roll, you're probably using it for photo stills. When you were doing independent film projects shot on 35mm, how many rolls did you use?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I suppose Eastman can also ask you to sign a purchase guarentee stating you'll only use it for movies.

 

[MattKing]

I can understand that there might be a legal way to prevent other companies from reselling, but I would think if I buy something for my own use, I‘m free to do with it whatever I choose.

Just as EK is free to restrict sales to authorized purchasers - it is akin to any "exclusive distribution" agreements.
The sales to motion picture productions are essentially wholesale, rather than retail transactions - B2B.

 

[dokko]

If you buy one roll, you're probably using it for photo stills. When you were doing independent film projects shot on 35mm, how many rolls did you use?

usually in the 4-15 rolls range.
But I could well imagine a lower budget music video project where we'd shoot 1 roll E100D, 1 roll Double-X and the rest on VHS for a mix of styles.

 

[mshchem]

I've got mine, and a 400' roll of XX. in my cosmic ray proof Indiana Jones lead lined refrigerator!

 

[OrientPoint]

As an individual, how would I prove that I want to make a short film and not cut the roll up and load it in photo cameras?

I can understand that there might be a legal way to prevent other companies from reselling, but I would think if I buy something for my own use, I‘m free to do with it whatever I choose.

I guess they can decide to only sell it to registered movie production companies, but I was involved in several film projects shot on 35mm that were produced independently without a production company.

EK is not (currently) making people sign sworn statements. Any order that includes 35mm film requires approval by a supervisor, and that approval is based upon information provided in a "Kodak film production form." The form is simple and seeks details about production company, shoot locations, dates, director and what stocks you'll be using. It's all very reasonable, in my opinion.

I would think someone "making a short film" on a single 400ft roll of 35mm Ektachrome (or other 35mm stock) would raise eyebrows. If you're not a production company but have a legitimate motion picture-related use for 35mm they'll work with you. If you need 8mm or 16mm they'll sell you whatever you want, no questions asked. I would expect most short films made by individuals to be on 8mm or 16mm. 35mm filmmaking is not a casual pursuit.

 

[cmacd123]

400ft of Ektachrome is a REALLY short film, 4 minutes including the leader and trailer. Might be enough for ONE TV commercial... if you don't need a retake.

Film Calculator

Use this Film Calculator to determine the run time for any length of film in any format, including Super 8, 16, 35 and 65 mm.

www.kodak.com

(note the calculator seems to have a bug, delete the number of frames toget it to give you the right time.

 

[Joel_L]

I find all of this sad. Seems like every time I find a way I can happily shoot film, the door gets closed. I can roll a 36 exposure roll of E100D from my 400ft roll for about 8 dollars. When an Alaris 36 exposure roll of E100 cost 26 dollars, it's not going to happen and I will be done with shooting film. I don't know how much of an issue there is with un-authorized respoolers vs individuals that alaris thinks they are loosing business to, but in my case it's zero, at the current film prices, I'm not buying. Alaris would have to get E100 down to 15 dollars or less which I doubt will happen. I think businesses in general are pricing themselves out of existence.

 

[mshchem]

I find all of this sad. Seems like every time I find a way I can happily shoot film, the door gets closed. I can roll a 36 exposure roll of E100D from my 400ft roll for about 8 dollars. When an Alaris 36 exposure roll of E100 cost 26 dollars, it's not going to happen and I will be done with shooting film. I don't know how much of an issue there is with un-authorized respoolers vs individuals that alaris thinks they are loosing business to, but in my case it's zero, at the current film prices, I'm not buying. Alaris would have to get E100 down to 15 dollars or less which I doubt will happen. I think businesses in general are pricing themselves out of existence.

I hear you. I wonder if this decision is final? I suspect that somehow if E6 is going to continue to be a thing it's going to need to hit more price points than, $1/ 35mm transparency (not mounted).
Somebody needs to offer 100' bulk rolls, or spin off a entry-level film (something like Alaris does with Gold)

I've got a freezer stocked for maybe 12-18 months of 120 E6 films, then it's $90/5 120 E100. Or about $2/ 6x6 cm transparency.

Sad state of affairs.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I find all of this sad. Seems like every time I find a way I can happily shoot film, the door gets closed. I can roll a 36 exposure roll of E100D from my 400ft roll for about 8 dollars. When an Alaris 36 exposure roll of E100 cost 26 dollars, it's not going to happen and I will be done with shooting film. I don't know how much of an issue there is with un-authorized respoolers vs individuals that alaris thinks they are loosing business to, but in my case it's zero, at the current film prices, I'm not buying. Alaris would have to get E100 down to 15 dollars or less which I doubt will happen. I think businesses in general are pricing themselves out of existence.

Alaris might be able to lower prices if their distribution cost goes down when they increase the quantity sold. RIght now with movie film competing with their sale of still photo film where they get no earnings, they sell less. Regardless, Alaris's contract with Eastman precludes Eastman from selling more competitive still film. So they're protecting their rights. It may be costing you more, but what Eastman is doing appears to violate their contract.

 

[George Mann]

Kodak is now dead to me. I will have to stick with shooting color photo's with digital from now on.

 

[pbromaghin]

I still have about 1100 ft of Vision 2 - the old stuff - in the fridge. As one who finds "doing" of digital boring, and C41 is so expensive, that would be the only way I could shoot color. But then, the reason it's still there is because scanning bores me even more.

 

[dabsond]

I have been using respooled 100d from Flic Film. Haven't seen anything on thier website yet about this. I know Alantic Film Co has thier responded 100d maked as out of stock. I am thing about putting a bulk order with Flic Film to tide me over.

 

[LeoCherne]

Sounds like the new owners of Alaris sent Eastman a lawyers letter.

This sounds as though the film stock is specific for motion picture which may be based on some different processing parameters and different perforations.

 

[George Mann]

This sounds as though the film stock is specific for motion picture which may be based on some different processing parameters and different perforations.

It's the same emulsion, and the perforations are compatible with our cameras.

I have been using it for a few years now.