Kodak out of stock in Tokyo

[ericdan]

I just went to two BicCameras and Yodobashi's flagship store in Shinjuku. Nobody has any kodak portra 400 or Tri-X left. They have a few portra 800s and some T-Max left and everything else says you have to order the film now if you want to buy. Seems like they're not stocking it anymore.

That's really sad news. While I don't mind ordering the film, this doesn't sound like good news at all.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I know what you mean, here in Richmond, VA I have to order the film I want.

Jeff

 

[Brian C. Miller]

But you can buy lots of Fujifilm in Japan, right? I'm guessing that wasn't out of stock.

 

[ericdan]

Correct

 

[PKM-25]

Did you happen to check to see if both the in stock items and order only items reflect the price increases that were reported to be effective as of June 1st?

 

[ericdan]

Didn't see any price increase for Portra 400. It's 4790 yen for a 5-pack just as when they had it in stock.
The in stock T-MAX is also at the old price still.

 

[PKM-25]

Well now I am curious as to what is going on with distribution and these supposed price increases....I might reach out to my contacts and see if I can dig something up. Maybe get ahold of Bellamy at Japan Camera Hunter and see if he can shed some light on it...

I hate more than anyone to speculate but if the rumored price increases are around the corner, I could see how retail outlets would be hesitant to stock the film if they fear it becoming short dated due to purchasing reactions to the new prices....

 

[ericdan]

Please. I am very curious, too!

 

[faustotesta]

Here in the old continent (at least in Italy) it's normal buying rolls through web. Very few shops keep stocking films....

 

[Nuff]

Here in the old continent (at least in Italy) it's normal buying rolls through web. Very few shops keep stocking films....

Japan has lots of film everywhere. Kind of, at least compared to Australia where there's no film anywhere.

ericdan, I started a thread about the same issue back in January and February. Kodak can't keep the stocks shelved and the distribution is terrible throughout asia after they switched hands, and while I was travelling in Japan I switched to Pro 400H.

You might want to give Popeye Camera a try in Jiyuugaoka. It's a great suburb for street photography too, currently one of my favs in Tokyo.

 

[Xmas]

Buy Hp5+.

Send to letter to CEO Kodak Alaris mark it personal in confidence on outside of letter enclose outer carton of HP5+ flat packed.

Kodak closed down Kodachrome after they had sent grovelling letter back with each developed slide box for a long interval before hand.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Well now I am curious as to what is going on with distribution and these supposed price increases....I might reach out to my contacts and see if I can dig something up. Maybe get ahold of Bellamy at Japan Camera Hunter and see if he can shed some light on it...

I hate more than anyone to speculate but if the rumored price increases are around the corner, I could see how retail outlets would be hesitant to stock the film if they fear it becoming short dated due to purchasing reactions to the new prices....

I don't think they are price increase rumours. A 120% price increase took effect in Japan from 1st June, particularly sheet film. It will flow through the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia) over the months. A lot of bitter, negative commentary about Kodak doing this. It will only serve to drive photographers away from Kodak (to Ilford, FOMA...), not endear them to it.

 

[Nuff]

Buy Hp5+.

Send to letter to CEO Kodak Alaris mark it personal in confidence on outside of letter enclose outer carton of HP5+ flat packed.

Kodak closed down Kodachrome after they had sent grovelling letter back with each developed slide box for a long interval before hand.

From the last time I was in Japan, all Ilford films are double the price of Kodak and Fuji in Japan...

 

[ericdan]

HP5+ 36exp 597 JPY
TRI-X 36exp 840 JPY

 

[ericdan]

Time to move to Ilford

 

[Nuff]

Thing shave changes! Last time I was there ilford was 880 yen for 120 roll and kodak way cheaper. I didn't check 35mm stuff since I just stocked up on neopan.

 

[Xmas]

From the last time I was in Japan, all Ilford films are double the price of Kodak and Fuji in Japan...

Yes but if there is an empty shelf and Neopan 400 is kaput what do you buy and how do you address problem
letter to CEO might get a free cassette in post and a forward to marketing/distribution.

Posting on APUG not useful

 

[PKM-25]

Ok, I am back awake now, have to drive my wife to the airport...

I made three inquiries last night, two in Japan and one stateside, nothing other than speculation back yet. This is what I consider to be a big deal so somehow an official statement needs to be made. For a short time we had Colleen Krenzer on here at least giving some effort but that was pre-Alaris.

I remain cautiously optimistic but at some point word has to go out as to what is really going on. My entirely selfish fear is that Asian / Pacific Rim regions get so expensive and tight that eBay speculators start to really too quickly deplete stocks stateside as they flip the film overseas...

I'll let everyone know if I find anything solid...

 

[ericdan]

I double checked, Ultramax 400 (500some yen --> 1020 yen) and Tri-X 400 (400 some yen --> 850 yen) exactly doubled in price.
None of them are in stock.
Portra is still listed at the old price, but i am sure if ultramax doubled in price then it won't be long before portra goes up.

 

[Xmas]

HP5+ 36exp 597 JPY
TRI-X 36exp 840 JPY

Thanks ericdan

For those in Ja suggest you need to snail mail the KA CEO an Ilford HP5+ box

# no Trix on shelf
# Ilford HP5+ cheaper

mark 'personnel and in confidence' on outside of envelope this gets it to his PA his PA will pass to marketing who may send you a cassette

advising you are never going to buy or use any KA products this side of hereafter

copy to local financial paper

Don't bother with posting here other than 'done it'.

Note I've no vesting relationship with Harman Ltd/Ilford and I may write to CEO myself.

I do use HP5+.

Noel
PS in UK bulk trix is almost 2x the price of bulk HP5+ and near to 4x 5222 if you get 5 off 400 feet of cine, the cine delivered next day to your door or works

 

[Jaf-Photo]

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, current Kodak films are going out of stock in Sweden too, with no set delivery date.

I also think it is a serious matter that the supply chain is not working.

Web stock is only a temporary fix.

 

[ericdan]

Thanks ericdan

For those in Ja suggest you need to snail mail the KA CEO an Ilford HP5+ box

# no Trix on shelf
# Ilford HP5+ cheaper

mark 'personnel and in confidence' on outside of envelope this gets it to his PA his PA will pass to marketing who may send you a cassette

I just wish it would be that easy to get the CEO's attention.

 

[Xmas]

I just wish it would be that easy to get the CEO's attention.

The PA will intercept and pass to marketing at end of month the PA will summarise complaints 23 or whatever number.

The CEO is only worried about company report figures at UKs company house for Kodak Alaris Ltd. and his golden goodbye.

Copying the letter to local paper may help Kodak as it shows them ignoring lossy parts one might hope they are addressing profit parts

 

[PKM-25]

I wrote my contacts at Kodak this morning, but of course did not engage in any of the juvenile antics suggested here such as saying I am never using the products again if I don't get my way or attaching a photo of an HP5 box.

Every time I have ever reached out to them, I have gotten back a reply and in many cases, a solution. Also, they have been made aware of this thread and it's concerns. My main point was that what is being reported here is a big deal so if it is truly the new normal, then an official statement might be a good idea.

One thing I might implore to folks here is how easy these types of threads are getting locked once they get to mud-sliging levels. So try to avoid speculation if you can, because that is when it gets nasty and, well, locked...

 

[ericdan]

Yeah, nice idea. I might add a personal message in German for Ralph. Maybe then his PA will ask him what it says...