Neopan 400 in 120 going away?

So all the other 120 films don't need this charge-control agent?

pentaxuser

Perhaps other films control the static charge differently. Perhaps Fuji is working on a way to do this with Neopan 400. We don't know. What I do know is that Neopan 400 in 120 is a very good film, and that I like it. I think it's just as good as Tri-X 400, and here it has been selling at very attractive prices. If it's really gone forever, there's nothing can be done about it. However, let us not forget that Velvia 50 was once gone and is now back.

From another thread, I wonder if Foma has already stopped using this agent considering the issues with marks on 120 film.

Mike

Took a few days, but B&H finally ran out (I assume) as it is no longer listed on their website.

I just got the 50 rolls of Neopan I ordered from Fuji UK a few days ago. It's dated Sept. 2010. I guess they stopped making it a while ago, are just selling off their inventory.

I ordered 30 rolls from Fuji UK as soon as I heard about the discontinuation. Neopan 400 was the cheapest b&w film available to me (when ordered from UK, its expensive in Estonia). Only films that are cheaper are the Chinese films off ebay.

I really hope they manage to replace the PFOS with something else.

manfromh said:

I really hope they manage to replace the PFOS with something else.

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From what I understand from the representative of Fujifilm U.K. it was indeed one of the materials used in 120 that literally prevented its continuance on the spot as they say. In other words it was a sudden decision that wasn't and couldn't have been foreseen.

It remains to be seen what that material was and whether the problem it causes is unique to Fuji Neopan 120 or simply unique to what the Japanese health and safety executive regards as acceptable. This in turn begs the question of why a body banning the use of the said material suddenly discovered its use and decided it was banned. Surely the Japanese equivalent of the Health and Safety Executive know what materials were used in the manufacture of Neopan 400 in 120?

I don't think we can conclude that PFOS is definitely the problem. However I think we can conclude that unless Fuji tells us more then Fuji users will make the switch because they feel that Fuji isn't concerned about our distress at the prospect of the sudden demise of Fuji Neopan 400 in 120.

Saying nothing more than Fuji has said to-date has to be the very worst strategy for retaining Fuji customers

pentaxuser

This makes sense. The ban was called into effect in May 09, so Fuji may not have made another 120 master roll, and obviously now, cannot with that formulation. I still have hope, Velvia came back from something similar.

The irony here, although unrealistic, is that hypothetically if Fujifilm instead made 400PR in 220 format, they could possibly avoid the PFOS issue and become a hero out of it in the process.

Yeah, and I wonder if this PFOS has anything to do with TXP320 going away.

Sorry to hear this. Wish now I'd not given away an extra brick from the freezer. Still have some Presto 400 4x5 though. It was a very nice replacement for Tri-X, and when living on Maui, was much easier to get too.

Guess this leaves a hole in the 400 speed range, but at least Rollei films are around, and I'm alright with paying their higher prices for what now is hands-down (in my humble opinion) the finest b&w films available today.

Still have some Presto 400 4x5 though. It was a very nice replacement for Tri-X, and when living on Maui, was much easier to get too.

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They had that? I always wished they made Neopan 400 in sheet sizes.

BetterSense said:

They had that? I always wished they made Neopan 400 in sheet sizes.

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Yep, I think I've got 3 or 4 boxes left. It was for the Asian market only (for some reason), and being in Hawaii, I was able to get it from the local Fuji warehouse.

My 30 rolls arrived today. August 2011 expiry. Off to a Zip-lock bag and into the freezer!