Kodak price increase

MattKing · Jan 16, 2023

This thread is coming perilously close to requiring closure.
Arguing about what might be causing price increases isn't likely to reveal much of use - unless someone here actually has some actual input on the prices themselves.
I know I'm interested in seeing what the new prices actually end up to be. And I'm hopeful we might see some indications in the next couple of years that some of the supply chain and distribution disruptions will resolve. But I expect I'll hear more about how all the inputs are still increasing in price, no matter where in the world they originate.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Differences in the exchange rate of currencies among countries also make a big difference in film and everything else.

I'm seeing it with my trip to London. I already reserved a room. They're charging me naturally based on the British pound. The dollar has been devaluing against the Pound. So by the time I get to England, and pay for the room then, I'll wind up paying a lot more when the charge company charges my account in American dollars based on the value of the higher pound against my dollars. So the trip will cost more than anticipated. Of course, that means Ilford film costs me more in America but Kodak film costs Europeans less.

Last June, I bought Velvia 50 film directly from Japan. I was charged roughly $165 in Yen at the time. Today, at the same cost charged in Yen, I would have to pay $193 in American dollars to buy the same amount of Velvia. That's a 17% increase with no change in the manufacturer's charges. All because the American dollar vs. the Japanese Yen exchange rate has been decreasing.

Credit cards gets one the best exchange rate possible.

Helios 1984 · Jan 16, 2023

Even the prices of expired films are going up. I'm watching an auction for a 4-pack (24exp) of Fuji Superia 400 that expired in 2005. The winning bid is currently 37$USD... People are going nuts.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

In another thread FOMA's prices went up too. This is not only catching, it is habit forming too.

removedacct1 · Jan 16, 2023

albireo said:
Bitching about forum users bitching about a film price increase. Meta-bitching essentially. Priceless.

Not as Meta as bitching about me bitching about forum users bitching about price increases! LOL You're funny!

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

albireo said:
Bitching about forum users bitching about a film price increase. Meta-bitching essentially. Priceless.

These are some of the same people who will not use stop bath with indicator or PhotoFlo because those products are so damned expensive.

BrianShaw · Jan 16, 2023

This was a trolling thread from the beginning… and has proven so.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

BrianShaw said:
This was a trolling thread from the beginning… and has proven so.

Yep, it brings out the Kodak haters, the Ilford haters, the Fuji haters ...

BrianShaw · Jan 16, 2023

That, and a complete assortment of “meta-bitches”. A productive community building activity.

MurrayMinchin · Jan 16, 2023

Maybe, in the end, there will be a positive outcome to this thread. I, for one, learned a new word; metabitching: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Metabitching

Perhaps we can propose a new word, such as multimetabitching, megametabitching, or in really bad threads it could be called, megamultimetabitching.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

MurrayMinchin said:
Maybe, in the end, there will be a positive outcome to this thread. I, for one, learned a new word; metabitching: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Metabitching

Perhaps we can propose a new word, such as multimetabitching, megametabitching, or in really bad threads it could be called, megamultimetabitching.

Put that in your Funk and Wagnalls.

removedacct1 · Jan 16, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
These are some of the same people who will not use stop bath with indicator or PhotoFlo because those products are so damned expensive.

I don't quite get that, since you buy a bottle of Photoflo once and you're set for twenty years.

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 16, 2023

MurrayMinchin said:
No, but do you think it is right that Kodak raises its film/paper prices when the price of silver hits a high? Do they think we're dumb enough to assume they only buy silver when the market is high? Wouldn't they buy in bulk and load up when the price was at a low point? Raising film prices at silver market peaks smacks of being nothing more than a money grab.

I acted with my wallet. I had moved to Ilford for paper back in the Gallerie days and stayed with Ilford using Multigrade FB, but started using HP5, mixing my own developer & fixer, and haven't bought a Kodak product in over 10 years.

Did the same thing this summer, buying an electric car. No more of my money will feed record profits built on phantom reasons. We live in BC (Canada) where water generated electricity is comparatively cheap and gasoline prices are high, so it was time.

Prices on everything are going up, not only silver but other film materials required in manufacturing as well as the cost for labor. So film prices go up at the same time. Why are you assuming it's only about silver? Restaurants aren't raising their prices for dinners only because their costs for steak went up. All their costs are going up including rent, labor, vegetables, and soda.

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 16, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Credit cards gets one the best exchange rate possible.

What do you mean? How else besides credit cards do people purchase things overseas?

KerrKid · Jan 16, 2023

I would mark it up to supply and demand but it couldn't possibly be that.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

paulbarden said:
I don't quite get that, since you buy a bottle of Photoflo once and you're set for twenty years.

It needs [sarcasm][/sarcasm] labels.

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
What do you mean? How else besides credit cards do people purchase things overseas?

Cash. It has been used for thousands of years. You could try your good looks.

mshchem · Jan 16, 2023

I made up a bottle of Matt's Photoflo in isopropyl alcohol a couple days ago. The bottle of Photoflo was an unopened, glass, bottle c. 1968. Works great. I have been given or cleaned out enough Photoflo, stop bath and hypoclearing agent to last me for 20 years.

Mostly I think the prices reflect what the market will bear. Clearly people are going crazy with film. That's good, correct?

MattKing · Jan 16, 2023

mshchem said:
Mostly I think the prices reflect what the market will bear.

You obviously aren't hearing the struggles I've been privy to about keeping costs in control, holding on to staff, obtaining necessary components at anything approaching a reasonable costs, actually obtaining things that are necessary (no matter what the cost), obtaining components in a timeframe that is practical, actually getting stuff shipped, no matter how much you are willing to pay ......
It is really rough out there.

MurrayMinchin · Jan 16, 2023

As a proponent of antimegamultimetabitching, I will be resisting tit-for-tat responses.

mshchem · Jan 16, 2023

MurrayMinchin said:
As a proponent of antimegamultimetabitching, I will be resisting tit-for-tat responses.

Good Call!

foc · Jan 17, 2023

Photography is one of my hobbies so if prices increase it may slow down my use of certain films but if I want to use a film, the price won't stop me. If just means I won't be using it as often as I would like.

Photography may not be a cheap hobby, but you can always join a golf club or back horses or own a boat if you want to spend your money.

albireo · Jan 17, 2023

I disagree that this was a trolling thread from the beginning. I found it an interesting thread, honestly.

Firstly, because I learnt about these new price increases.

Secondly, because I was interested in sampling the range of reactions to the news by forum users. Some people found it ok, some people found it barely acceptable, some people found it unacceptable and were attempting to suggest alternatives exist. All good, and overall an enjoyable read for me.

Then of course you have the smartar$es feeling the need to tell everyone off and adding absolutely nothing of value to the thread.

Which is puzzling. I mean, there are plenty of threads around to give a meaningful contribution to. You have no constructive opinion about the Kodak price increase? Is it a non-issue to you? Then just move on, man. Go take some pictures. Go make some replenished Xtol.

BrianShaw · Jan 17, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Prices on everything are going up, not only silver but other film materials required in manufacturing as well as the cost for labor. So film prices go up at the same time. Why are you assuming it's only about silver? Restaurants aren't raising their prices for dinners only because their costs for steak went up. All their costs are going up including rent, labor, vegetables, and soda.

… and don’t forget the huge increases in cost of transportation/shipping, and rent, insurance and other facility costs.

Don_ih · Jan 17, 2023

MurrayMinchin said:
do you think it is right that Kodak raises its film/paper prices when the price of silver hits a high? Do they think we're dumb enough to assume they only buy silver when the market is high? Wouldn't they buy in bulk and load up when the price was at a low point?

In all likelihood, Kodak (just like everyone else) only buys what they need to use at that time. There's no room in a functioning manufacturing company to either pay for or store materials like that.

Kodak price increase

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