Had they been an early investor in CCD or CMOS sensor technology, they might have been able to stay relevant.
Fuji's still around, hasn't gone bankrupt, and has a fairly diverse portfolio--
Very interesting! I did not realize this was what had saved FujiImage sensors is indeed one of the big opportunities that Kodak missed. But not because they didn't invest early; Kodak was one of the world's leading CCD image sensor manufacturers in the 1980s and 90s. I don't really know why that business didn't thrive, but they had an early lead in it. It's really too bad because, although it wasn't a huge business in the 90s, it is now, and it looks like a healthy growth sector for the long-term future as vision in one form or another gets added to every machine you can think of.
Fuji does have a diverse portfolio now, and makes a point of publicizing it, but that's been a long time in the making. What Fujifilm really did right, whether by great judgment, luck, or some of both, was they found one profitable, large-scale business that leveraged their experience and expertise and which they could make money in quickly, right when their film business was cratering. That was coatings for LCD panels, what Fuji calls "highly functional materials". That business saved Fuji from the kinds of wrenching problems that Kodak went through. They have other profitable businesses now -- they are even manufacturing COVID vaccines -- but the LCD coatings are what saved them back in the early 2000s. It's really a kind of serendipity when you think about it: they went from coating emulsions onto paper (and film, of course) in order to display images to coating anti-reflective and other coatings onto LCD panels that display images.
Of course Fuji deserves a lot of credit for identifying that opportunity and executing decisively to take advantage of it. Lots of people know this I'm sure, but Fuji's CEO wrote a book about it, which is an interesting read. He is clearly a hard-nosed fellow.
https://www.amazon.com/Innovating-Out-Crisis-Fujifilm-Vanishing/dp/1611720230
Same for Kodak Alaris and Eastman Kodak before them (for several years). Manufacturing had been contracted out for many years.I have no idea what SinoPromise has to do with the manufacturing of this, if any role, other than they own the Kodak chemistry legacy.
Hopefully whoever is putting this stuff together can get it right. The brown Dektol is disturbing. Helluva thing to pick up a Kodak product and have doubt.Same for Kodak Alaris and Eastman Kodak before them (for several years). Manufacturing had been contracted out for many years.
The recent quality problems coincided with US based Kodak Alaris (in most marketing capacities) attempting to bring manufacturing back to the USA, after Tetenal went into receivership.
True but as I see it the next really helpful post on this is the one that quotes SinoPromise's statement that the problem(s) has/have been solved and how. I haven't seen that yetHopefully whoever is putting this stuff together can get it right. The brown Dektol is disturbing. Helluva thing to pick up a Kodak product and have doubt.
Not like the old days
I agree. Need to rebuild customer trust, and flush the brown Dektol.True but as I see it the next really helpful post on this is the one that quotes SinoPromise's statement that the problem(s) has/have been solved and how. I haven't seen that yet
Until then it is a bit like the kids in the backseat continually asking: Are the there yet, Daddy? and the answer is : Not yet but I'll tell you when
pentaxuser
This was how people used to do everything. I have scales, chemicals everything I need. I have enough stockpiled XTOL to last me a couple years. I wouldn't tolerate brown paper developer that's sure and certain!I threw out ALL my old Kodak chemicals in January and bought the raw materials to make my own D-76, FX-37, paper developers, etc. Reliable, consistent, and exactly what I needed. I did eventually receive the Xtol Kodak promised me, and it works as expected, so I MIGHT eventually buy it again.
I have enough stockpiled XTOL to last me a couple years.
Well KA/SinoPromise have had a couple of years to get things right. I have never had a bad batch. I have used XTOL since it first appeared, love it.My recent XTOL is working pretty well. I haven't had time to play with chemistry at all this year, and have been using XTOL on everything.
American way starting about 1980. Kodak was the best in the world at analog photography, cameras film, paper.Kodak’s problem was the “american way of doing business”. This is what killed them.
I haven’t received mine either. They said I would receive it in mid-February, but didn’t say which year.I still haven't received mine, although it's being looked into... I hope.
I still haven't received mine, although it's being looked into... I hope.
I completely forgot about that. Haven't received mine either.
American way starting about 1980. Kodak was the best in the world at analog photography, cameras film, paper.
It's like depending on a single source of food. Sooner or later something will happen.
My Dad bought a new 82 Chevy Impala when he retired. Transmission failed, engine issues. Had zero power, one of the last and worst examples of the "American Boat" thing must have weighed 2000kg. He put 150,000 miles on it. US car companies seem to have abandoned the notion of making a moderately priced sedan. I just purchased my 4th Subaru, 2nd Crosstrek, has all the safety bells and whistles, gets good, for awd 2.5L, fuel economy. I don't drive long distance. If I do I've rented a bare bones Dodge Charger, like a Cop car. Beautiful on the highway, but not a good choice for my only car.Yes, the dreadful 80s... my Dad purchased a ford escort in ‘84. The brand new car lasted 4 years, went from new to TOTAL JUNK in 4 years. Even the front seats backrest broke, had to drive sitting like on a bench.
Toyota and Honda are still benchmark. My Subarus have had issues, Subaru fixed both times. But I have only had to replace wheel bearings.When we came back from Japan, we bought a brand new Ford Windstar van to lug the family around. Parts starting dropping off after a few weeks. Then the manifold was constantly coming loose. After a few years, we did what my Japanese wife said we should do and that was to get a Toyota. The RAV4 served us well. Traded it in and now enjoying our Rogue for the past three years. Ford really does stand for fix or repair daily!
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