New Gold films, 100UC and 400UC discontinued in 120

[braxus]

There were too many other indirect posts that did not reveal all info for everyone to notice, so Im cross posting this here for others to read.

I called Kodak Canada and they confirmed it. BOTH 100UC AND 400UC are
discontinued in 120 rolls, but still available in 35mm. They were saying their
new Portra films were so close in look to the UC films, there was no need to
carry UC on in 120 format. So it looks like my favorite color neg film in 400
is gone for good. I did not get any impression that these films would return in 120 as per another posting. I was told the old UC films already had the new technology in them, so there is no NEW version coming as far as I know.

Also Kodak has revised their Gold 100 and 200 films. They have slightly finer grain (PGI 42 and 44) and say they have brighter colors which I assume means saturation is greater. Kodak says"-KODAK GOLD 100 Film, a classic film for those who prefer to shoot at low speeds, now offers more color saturation for brighter, more colorful prints." Sharpness is still high. They must have put some of the new technology of their Portra films into the new Golds. Im suprised grain size wasn't reduced further though. These will be available on a stock rotation availability. I put an order through today for some Gold 100 and they are back ordered on it with availability in April, so I assume this will be the new stuff. The last revision of Gold 100 was I believe 1999 (version 6), so the new version has been 8 years coming. I am suprised they did this though as Kodak said they wouldnt be updating their consumer films a couple years back. But maybe the new technology was too easy to implement in all films. Ron may be able to comment here.

 

[copake_ham]

Whenever a film manufacturer "updates" film types I feel good!

Thanks for the info, Braxus.

 

[wirehead]

How nice of them to... you know... announce anything where we can see it.

This makes UltraColor 100, UltraColor 400, EPT, EPJ, and who knows what else gone with not a peep on the website. At least with Porta 100T they had the courtesy to let folks know it was going to be gone.

This sucks. The biggest problem is that I'm used to UC400. And I love how it looks in 120 format.

 

[braxus]

As per Kodak announcing such things on the website, didn't Ron say the web guy was laid off preventing such announcements?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Kodak has run ads that 'through ongoing R&D Portra films now have finer grain' (approximate quote from a recent ad).

I had heard this was coming, but didn't know it extended to Gold as well. This is the much awaited 2 electron sensitization that effectively could make a 400 speed film look like a 200 speed film and a 100 speed film look like a 50 speed film in terms of sharpness and grain.

It is currently use in the vision motion picture film.

There was a paper given on this last year in May by the workers on the project.

PE

 

[braxus]

Ron,

Wouldn't the two electron sensitization reduce grain further then just 3 PGI? Going from 45 to 42 doesn't seem like much of a jump, especially for a 100 speed film. But I could be wrong as Portra 160NC was 36 and is now 32. According to one Kodak rep I talked to today, the UC films already have the new technology in them.

Another point Im wondering is someone was looking at the graphs between the old and new GA 100. They mentioned the spike at one point and how the new film may have slightly less saturation. ProImage 100 was always known as the professional version of Gold 100, but it had slightly less saturation and was rated 43 PGI. Would then the new Gold 100 be basically a modified ProImage 100 film with maybe a revision of the PGI number? It would be that they were just consolidating the two films (Gold 100 and ProImage 100) into one. But from looking at the graphs of the two films, they dont seem similar.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Scott;

I don't know what the new films are really like. That stop in speed grain was an estimate, but in reality it could translate into any ratio depending on the efficiency of the osmium salt and the emulsion.

I was giving an estimate based on what I heard at the talk. You would have to look at the actual data on the Kodak web site.

Sorry.

PE

 

[braxus]

No worries Ron. I tried to find the old tech pub of Gold 100 and had no luck. The new one is available as is Profoto 100 and ProImage 100. The new GA100 looks different in the graphs compared to the others, so its probably safe to say its a new film.

Whatever the results of GA-7 will be, I have 10 rolls on order from Kodak. Its been back ordered with availability in April. Im hoping that order will be the new stuff.

 

[Sirius Glass]

So should I stock up on UC400 120 :confused: OR hope that Kodak will offer a saturated print film at that speed and size? :confused:

I am having 50 rolls of UC 400 120 held for me so that I can keep them from the horders. Should I pick them up or not? Please advise.

Interested readers [me] want to know.

Steve

 

[braxus]

I would grab it while you can. Freezing it will keep it longer, even if for some reason it does come back which Ive been told is no. Kodak told me 400VC is the replacement, but with less contrast of course. Kodak did not say this film will return because 400VC is similar in look. Thats why they killed it in 120 in the first place. Personally Im going out to grab myself some of this before it does go. Its my favorite 400 film. I called Kodak again today and they told me these two UC films were discontinued as of October last year. And that there is NO stock left in the warehouse, so its whats left in stores at this point.

 

[PatTrent]

Why is it that just about the time I become really familiar with a film it gets discontinued or updated? :rolleyes:

Oh, well, I guess I shouldn't complain--at least they are still making film for us.

 

[braxus]

Well I bought the last rolls of 400UC 120 at the store Im close to. I could go into the city to buy more, but I don't shoot as often these days and use film even less then I used to. So what I have will do me. I also got some expired 100UC 120 as well. They had more- but I grabbed only what I felt I'd use.

As a side note- Kodak is no longer listing HD 200 on their site. I assume its also been killed off. Not suprised as not many stores stocked it anymore the past couple years. I never did get to try it, but there are better choices out there.

I just hope by the time my freezer box gets down and I need to get some new rolls of which will probably be 160VC and 400VC, they wont kill them off in 120 as well by then.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just got back from Samy's. They made me buy 55 rolls 120 UC 400. They said that they did not want the horders coming in and they made it my job to stop them. I guess someone must take on the tough jobs. They said when my stash runs out they should still be selling VC 400 in 220 rolls.

Friends from Kodak tell me that film in the freezer should last 10+ years.

Steve

 

[braxus]

Well I had to pull some films out of my freezer box to put the new stuff in. I need a bigger box! Somehow if they knew a film was discontinued, I'd wonder about a store forcing one to buy whats left. The one I was at today couldn't get rid of their 100UC 120. I wonder how long it will take them to sell now that people have been warned the films are no more.

 

[25asa]

Oh.
So this explains why I received 1 propack from Adorama and the other 7 are "back-ordered".

I got the last propack of 100UC in 120?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well I had to pull some films out of my freezer box to put the new stuff in. I need a bigger box! Somehow if they knew a film was discontinued, I'd wonder about a store forcing one to buy whats left. The one I was at today couldn't get rid of their 100UC 120. I wonder how long it will take them to sell now that people have been warned the films are no more.

They gave me a choice either 50 rolls at the regular price or 55 rolls at the regular price minus 5%.

They really twisted my arm!

Warning these postings may be infected with irony!!!

Steve

 

[braxus]

Oh boy. I can see the auctions on Ebay in a year. $50 for a box of 5 120 films of 400UC. Hey if I dont ever use my film, I can sell it making some bucks.

 

[FilmIs4Ever]

Kodak really needs to cut out this bullshit with not telling people they've discontinued a product until they've run out, which eliminates any opportunity to protest their decision or try to save the said products by placing orders for them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kodak really needs to cut out this bullshit with not telling people they've discontinued a product until they've run out, which eliminates any opportunity to protest their decision or try to save the said products by placing orders for them.

What and ruin all the fun we are having here???

Steve