Phoenix II - released 2025-07-16 - speculation and hints during the lead up

[dcy]

How else are they supposed to fund R&D on a product that took huge multinational companies decades and many millions to perfect?

Speaking of funding R&D, I seriously prefer Harman's model than the "kickstarter" model. My 4 rolls of Phoenix II arrived in the mail today. With Harman's model, I get a product right now, and I am fully aware of its limitations. I wish more companies were able to fund R&D this way instead of doing a kickstarter (I know that's not always an option, I just wish it was done this way more often).

Having just one competent manufacturer of CN film is not healthy....as great as Kodak's products are.

Not only that, but that one competent manufacturer is seriously hamstrung in its ability to make or sell new CN film products. I cannot legally go out and buy a roll of CN film from Eastman Kodak.

 

[MattKing]

Not only that, but that one competent manufacturer is seriously hamstrung in its ability to make or sell new CN film products. I cannot legally go out and buy a roll of CN film from Eastman Kodak.

Just as you cannot legally go out and buy an iPhone from FoxConn.
The decision to go entirely B2B was a direct result of Eastman Kodak descending into bankruptcy due to the huge weight of costs imposed by its pre-existing distribution and marketing infrastructure - infrastructure that was far greater in size and scope than their R&D and manufacturing operations.
Many business entities have had to make similar decisions.

 

[mshchem]

My theory is that Harman has a "perfect" 400 speed Ektar beating color film ready to go, however they have a dozen master rolls of the development mules that they have on their books that they need to get rid of first.
So we have at least Phoenix II to VII to get through first before we get to the good stuff.

 

[dcy]

Just as you cannot legally go out and buy an iPhone from FoxConn.
The decision to go entirely B2B was a direct result of Eastman Kodak descending into bankruptcy due to the huge weight of costs imposed by its pre-existing distribution and marketing infrastructure - infrastructure that was far greater in size and scope than their R&D and manufacturing operations.
Many business entities have had to make similar decisions.

The comparison to FoxConn isn't apples to apples. FoxConn did not invent the iPhone. My understanding of the settlement is that Eastman Kodak is literally not allowed to sell Kodak Gold retailers like B&H Photo, or even market it. A better analogy would be if Apple lost the right to sell the iPhone to retailers or make ads for it. Eastman Kodak currently sells movie film to CineStill. They cannot sell still film to CineStill. So this is not about going B2B. I am not expressing an opinion on whether the settlement was good or bad. I'm just saying that it's a legal constraint, not a simple business decision they could change their mind about.