Note From HARMAN technology Limited : Re Price Increases

[Christopher Walrath]

I do not know of a Kodak rep here, perse. However, in the 'New Executive' thread in the News forum I relayed some communication that indicates an interest on their part to delve into digital and move away from analog. Can't blame, P&L and all. But it is good to see Harman's dedication to traditional supplies.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear All,

The new paper is a multigrade type emulsion, neutral to warmish in tone on a textured Hahnemeuhle fine art base, it is designed to be tonable and lithable. The feedback from our customer field trial testing so far is very, very positive. I have seen many of the field trial prints and I think they just look stunning. The launch is estimated to be in Q2 2011.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Tim Gray]

Can't wait to try the new paper! I saw a sample of it and it looks great. I just got a proper print washer too so I'm almost ready to do a lot more fiber...

I do not know of a Kodak rep here, perse. However, in the 'New Executive' thread in the News forum I relayed some communication that indicates an interest on their part to delve into digital and move away from analog. Can't blame, P&L and all. But it is good to see Harman's dedication to traditional supplies.

Oh, I read that. I didn't read it the way I guess you did.

I did read into Kodak releasing several new films over the last couple years as well as them discontinuing some other low sellers that they are making an effort to 'trim the fat' and bring new products to market. But that's another discussion altogether.

 

[tkamiya]

Simon,

Is the new paper Fiber only or RC as well?

 

[Marco B]

Dear All,

The new paper is a multigrade type emulsion, neutral to warmish in tone on a textured Hahnemeuhle fine art base, it is designed to be tonable and lithable. The feedback from our customer field trial testing so far is very, very positive. I have seen many of the field trial prints and I think they just look stunning. The launch is estimated to be in Q2 2011.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

That sounds very interesting, especially since I know of no other paper on a real "textured" base, unless hand coated. May be a unique product than.

But I sure hope I will be able to buy through any affordable channel here in the Netherlands by the time it hits the market...

 

[Marco B]

Simon,

Is the new paper Fiber only or RC as well?

Textured RC, are you sure you would even want that?

Sounds like a contradictio in terminis...

 

[PhotoBob]

price increase, new paper

Thanks for the update Simon.
I recently ordered paper FB and buy some film locally.
Thanks for helping me stay true to my art.

 

[MaximusM3]

Thank you, Simon! And, that's all I got to say

 

[Mark_S]

This will be the telling point. Kodak is a bit cheaper right now and if they don't follow suit they'll be a lot cheaper and that will be hard to ignore in film at least...

I used to use almost exclusively Kodak films, mostly Plus-X and Tri-X. When Kodak discontinued Plus-X (sheet film), I had to find a replacement, and although I never found anything that had the same qualities, I did find something that worked. For me the inconvenience of changing films with the time and effort of testing and becoming comfortable with a new film far outweighs the difference in price. This is why I now use almost exclusively Ilford films. I hope that the supply of Ilford film will outlive me, and I am pretty certain that Kodak will be finished producing film long before I am finished exposing and processing it.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I have tested this paper and have a large order ready for it. Murals and 20x24, Simon I need it by the end of March.

This is a wonderful new paper that works much like Ilford Warmtone, and is on a wonderful textured stock.
It prints well in traditional methods, solarizes beautifully as well liths just like my favorite lith paper Ilford Warmtone.

I think this is a total home run product and good on Harmon for releasing a silver based paper when all the sniviling & whining of product going away , Here Harmon does the unexpected and gives us a new silver paper.

This company is worth supporting with our wallets IMHO

Dear All,

The new paper is a multigrade type emulsion, neutral to warmish in tone on a textured Hahnemeuhle fine art base, it is designed to be tonable and lithable. The feedback from our customer field trial testing so far is very, very positive. I have seen many of the field trial prints and I think they just look stunning. The launch is estimated to be in Q2 2011.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I had a chance to test the new paper as well, plus received permission to use it for the APUG post card exchange. So if you're part of the post card exchange you either have a sample of the new paper or it will show up in your mailbox.
-Rob

 

[Laurent]

Thanks for the information, Simon. I'll continue supporting Ilford by buying film and paper from them.

Note that I'm a bit excited about this new "fine art" paper, and the sooner it becomes available, the sooner I'll buy some !

 

[Tony-S]

I just ordered 15 rolls of Delta 400/120 and a box of HP5 4x5"/25.

 

[hpulley]

The run is on...

 

[bsdunek]

The new paper sounds very interesting - I'll order some as soon as I can.

 

[Sim2]

Dear All,

The new paper is a multigrade type emulsion, neutral to warmish in tone on a textured Hahnemeuhle fine art base, it is designed to be tonable and lithable. The feedback from our customer field trial testing so far is very, very positive. I have seen many of the field trial prints and I think they just look stunning. The launch is estimated to be in Q2 2011.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Throwing my unwanted 2p thoughts in here...

Whilst I, like most other users, would prefer not to see prices rise at all I have to applaud Ilford for bringing a new photo paper to the market place. I may be wrong but this doesn't sound like a "rehash" of an old/different producers paper but a totally new product. I am quite excited and intrigued by this.

U.K. base trading conditions are the most difficult they have been for a good few years; a recent 2.5% VAT (sales) tax hike, fuel duty rises, employee N.I. tax rises, energy cost price hikes etc the list goes on, everything is going up except general salaries. With these conditions a brand new paper product is launched into a market sector that is said to be dying, if not dead!

As a die hard "analogue" user I take some comfort that there is at least one manufacturer that is actually investing in development of products for us and that they are a U.K. manufacturing company - a rareity.

Apologies for the ramble however I believe that Ilfords visible and interactive presence here is something to be applauded and shows an understanding of how to operate in the niche market that we seem to have now.

Sim2.
*Back to my coffee and off soapbox*

 

[Maris]

Frankly I don't care what Ilford charge for their products as long as their prices reflect the cost of manufacture and incorporate a decent profit margin to keep the company going.

What I do resent is the diversion of money to intermediaries. Shippers, warehousers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers all want their their cut. In this on-line world the only option I need is to deal direct with Ilford. What ever price Ilford charge, even if it is hurtful, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing they are actually getting the money.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Hear! Hear!

 

[chimneyfinder]

The new paper sounds similar to the discontinued 'Fotospeed Tapestry' that was highly regarded for lith developing. Is anyone having experience of both papers aware of a comparison ? Sounds interesting.

 

[mwdake]

Thank you Ilford for your commitment to B&W photography.

I grew on on Ilford film when I was a kid and used to buy rolls of 120 from the chemist shop at the top of my street.
Now I am half a world away in the land of the big yellow box I still use Ilford products for the most part and will continue to do so as long as they are available.

 

[2F/2F]

Thank you for the letter.

I will continue to buy Delta 3200 (and SFX every now and then) in 35mm format, as they are unique. I also will buy 120 films, and sheet films every now and then. But with the other high-quality alternatives to most of the Ilford paper and chemical range out there for significantly less money, I just won't use the paper or chemicals. They are simply exorbitant. When Arista Premium goes away, I will go back to HP5, but or now, with Premium still here, you cannot argue with comparable quality for half the price. Kodak has a rebadged Freestyle film, and so does Fuji. So Ilford must be getting killed in that area, at over twice the price.

 

[jacarape]

Frankly I don't care what Ilford charge for their products as long as their prices reflect the cost of manufacture and incorporate a decent profit margin to keep the company going.

What I do resent is the diversion of money to intermediaries. Shippers, warehousers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers all want their their cut. In this on-line world the only option I need is to deal direct with Ilford. What ever price Ilford charge, even if it is hurtful, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing they are actually getting the money.

I don't mind those guys so much, they are people that are providing real work. Heck, what good would it do if there wasn't a "shipper"?

But in your sentiment I agree, piss off PayPal (in the English sense, not American).

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Another thanks to Harman/Ilford for your publicly stated support for analog B&W photography... AND your willingness to back up your words by continuing to offer a full line of the highest quality analog products available. In a market where we are constantly bombarded with the message that film and paper are no longer viable commercial products, your company leads the way in proving - by its actions -that this is not so.

Indeed, when others have discontinued B&W paper manufacture entirely with the public excuse that there was absolutely no more market interest in paper, your mention of an upcoming brand new paper product means that at least three new, or ressurected, world-class B&W papers will now have been introduced into that non-existent market in a relatively short period of time.

While I am not personally a fan of textured papers, I will nevertheless commit to purchasing some when it becomes available. Both out of open-minded curiosity and, more importantly, as a reciprocal show of support.

And the price increase? Not a problem. In fact, I'm not even going to alter my purchasing cycles to try to "beat" it. I will simply continue to purchase what I need, when it's needed, at whatever price helps to provide for its continued availability.

To do otherwise would be, I believe, both short-sighted AND truly shooting myself in the foot...

Ken

 

[munz6869]

I've always used Ilford paper and chemicals, and a variety of Kodak, Ilford & Fuji films. I aim to do so for as long as I can. Maybe I'll spend less money on beer...

Marc!

 

[michaelbsc]

... Maybe I'll spend less money on beer...

That gets easier as you get older.