Neopan film

[37th Exposure]

Does anyone know if we'll still have Fuji Neopan 400 in 120 size? Fuji's website makes no mention of discontinuation. Another post on APUG says Neopan will be sold in 5-packs only and yet another says only the Acros will be continued. Popular Photography magazine's most recent issue just flat out said no more Neopan 400 in 120 but I don't trust their silver halide editorial aptitude anymore. I just saw five-packs of the 400 on a German website (MacoDirect, which I've just had a positive experience with on my recent first order though it wasn't for Neopan). I've always bought it in single packs and never saw a fiver here in the USA. Who's right?

(If Fuji is going to be so cagey with their products, I'm defecting to another brand outright. If the pictures didn't come out so good I'd have done so already. I know they have ignored requests for basic technical data and they had one of the rudest reps at one convention I attended. At least Kodak is upfront about these things and Ilford is even more conscientious about customer service. Dearly departed Agfa once went so far as to send an airmail letter all the way from Germany to answer a technical query I made online.)

 

[tkamiya]

There were so many threads about this already. Basically, Neopan 400 was officially discontinued in Japan pending exhaustion of remaining stock. ISO 100 version will be packaged in 5 only and continued in this format. In US, Fuji officially says there are no plans to discontinue Neopan 400.

I, as well as some, don't think this is reasonable. Some disagree. The one who really knows aren't talking. (or sticking to an official reply)

 

[fschifano]

AFIK, and this seems to be the official word, is that Neopan 400 in 120 size is discontinued. Neopan 400 continues to be available in 135 size. Acros 100 in 120 size is still a current product to be sold in 5 packs only. Of course, this doesn't prohibit a retailer from selling individual rolls if the retailer is so inclined.

Whatever else is going on behind the scenes, I don't know. Perhaps Fuji is working on a new 400 speed film to replace it. Perhaps not. I'd like to think that they are. Neopan 400 is a good film that sold for very attractive prices here in the US. Is it better than the rest? Not really, but it's just as good as any of the others and sold for a lot less. Their customers have come to expect that, and I don't think that they'll be able to sell enoogh of a new product to make the a reasonable profit if they can't beat Kodak and Ilford's price point.

So don't hold your breath waiting for it. If it comes out, that's great. If not, oh well, them's the breaks.

 

[DLM]

Not sure if it was rumor or fact, but I read something about there being a different chemical used with the 120 size that caused its discontinuation and not the 135.

I would hope that they are going to introduce something new. It just seems like not having a 400 speed b&w film is kind of odd. I would think that if and when film is in its last days, that the holdouts would mostly be people shooting medium and large format, and having only a 100 speed black and white available just seems weird. That is, unless they are going to completely rely on color film sales.

 

[brian steinberger]

I would love to think that Fuji is working on a way to keep Neopan 400 or a replacement alive but I've accepted the fact that it's most likely gone. I agree with DLM that it would be weird to not offer a 400 speed film in black and white at all. I see that Neopan is still in stock at B&H but at a much higher price. I ordered 30 rolls a few weeks ago and now have 60 rolls in the fridge. I'll pray that when those rolls are shot Fuji will have found a way to keep manufacturing!

Btw... I believe that Neopan is the best 400 speed film in black and white. I've been banging my head against the wall for the last few months to find a replacement, and to absolutely no avail, (hence why I ordered more Neopan!)

 

[Lanline]

Neopan is gone. I keep buying it when my suppliers get some in stock, but the reality is NEOPAN 400 in 120mm IS OUT OF PRODUCTION. I have 87 rolls on ice right now.

 

[Athiril]

It may come back, it went away or same/similar reasons to Velvia, and it is quite popular, so it may pull a Velvia at some point

 

[fschifano]

Like I said, I'm not crying over it. If they bring something out at a similar price point to what they had, I'll use it. Otherwise, I'll just use TMY-2. Costs a bit more, but man, that stuff is simply the bomb. Now Acros is really nice too, and sells for less than TMX. Have you seen the price of Plus-X lately? Scandalous! Why is it at least 25% more expensive than anything else Kodak offers in 120 B&W films?

 

[Lanline]

What I don't understand is Fuji introduces a new 6x6/7 camera and then promptly kills off it's line of B&W film. That's a bit of a disconnect if you ask me.

 

[Ian Grant]

What I don't understand is Fuji introduces a new 6x6/7 camera and then promptly kills off it's line of B&W film. That's a bit of a disconnect if you ask me.

Fuji haven't deliberately killed off Neopan 400, i

It's down to non availability of certain raw chemicals, and they aren't the only company to suffer. Foma had to stop production of their Fomapan 200 for similar reasons and Mirko of Fotoimpex/Adox has said that APX25 can't be re-introduced again for the same reason.

Ian

 

[fschifano]

Again, I could be wrong about this, but it's my understanding that Foma plans to re-introduce Creative 200. If that's so, then one can logically assume that they've found a way to overcome the limitations placed upon them by the loss of certain raw materials used in the manufacture of the product. If Foma can do it, then I'm sure that Fuji has equally good people who can figure out the solution. It takes only will power and money.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

If Foma can do it, then I'm sure that Fuji has equally good people who can figure out the solution. It takes only will power and money.

And I think it's a calculation of return on investment that's going to be the ultimate decider. Aspects such as 'having a complete lineup of films' ought to be weighed into such a decision, one would hope.
Let's hope for the best. Many people love Neopan 400 for its somewhat unique characteristics, and it's not good to see a film with such longstanding heritage to simply just vanish without being replaced.

It makes me wonder how much it would cost to re-formulate the emulsion to abide by environmental norms. It would be interesting to know how many rolls of film they need to sell in order to break even on that investment.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I hate to see Neopan 400 120 go by the wayside, but we have to adjust!

Jeff