Photokina 2012: Fuji Neopan 400 is back

[perkeleellinen]

I never knew 135 had been cut! Supplies have been OK here. Glad it's back as it's my favourite, but odd that I never knew it had gone away...

 

[B&Wpositive]

Hello,

I've visited this years Photokina and besides their new Instax camera and two new silver halide colour photo papers (for the increasing market of photobooks) Fujifilm presented the re-introduced Neopan 400 (135). Visible both in the showcase and the brochures at their booth.
I talked about Neopan 400 with the responsible Fujifilm manager, and he told me the reasons for the Neopan 400 comeback are

- Fujifilm has successfully solved the problems with one raw material, which caused the former production stop
- they see increasing demand in this film segment
- in Germany the Fujifilm BW film sales of the last three years have been the highest they ever had (new sales record)
- there is an increasing interest in film from younger photographers.

He said that if there is new interest and sufficient / increasing demand than Fujifilm is in principle willing to re-introduce films. At least there is no "if the production has stopped, the product will never, ever come back" policy at Fujifilm.
It's all about demand.

Best regards,
Henning

Seriously, this is like one of those things that goes on behind closed doors that you never really know about...who knew Neopan 400 was going to be discontinued? And then revived. To most people, it's going to just seem like they kept making it right along...in stock at B&H, et al, right now.

But great film, and good to hear. At least Fuji has now brought back two films...Velvia 50 and Neopan 400 135. But what about 120 format Neopan 400?

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

He said that if there is new interest and sufficient / increasing demand than Fujifilm is in principle willing to re-introduce films. At least there is no "if the production has stopped, the product will never, ever come back" policy at Fujifilm.
It's all about demand.

This is the crucial piece. Film photographers, especially in North America, have become conditioned to the extinction model. Once gone, it's gone forever. Gone along with the entire infrastructure that made it. And all of the personnel that ran that infrastructure. And all of the raw materials required by that infrastructure. And forever is a long, long time.

It's good to hear others may be thinking more progressively regarding film's future. And aren't hiding from any modest increases in market demand.

Ken

 

[polyglot]

I've never tried Neopan 400 and I don't shoot 135. If this comes back in 120, what's it like? Is it a fine tabular grain like Acros or TMY2 (probably my 2 favourite films) or is it more of a Tri-X/HP5 kind of thing?

And while Fuji is bringing stuff back, how about bringing a few more of the C41 emulsions back in 120 (160C!) and 4x5.

 

[brian steinberger]

I've never tried Neopan 400 and I don't shoot 135. If this comes back in 120, what's it like? Is it a fine tabular grain like Acros or TMY2 (probably my 2 favourite films) or is it more of a Tri-X/HP5 kind of thing?

And while Fuji is bringing stuff back, how about bringing a few more of the C41 emulsions back in 120 (160C!) and 4x5.

It is NOT a "tabular" grain film like Tmax or Delta. It would be considered traditional but I found the look more in between the two, possibly leaning more toward a traditional film look. The film is super smooth, with a nice shoulder. I used it exclusively when it was available. Now I have to use two films to get by. I developed Neopan 400 in Xtol and Rodinal and it sang it both but in particular Xtol. Other die hard 120 Neopan 400 shooters will agree. It could be shot at box speed in Xtol or pushed one stop with fantastic results. Such an amazing film, I hope that it comes back. I'm down to 15 rolls left of my stash and I use it sparingly.

 

[Klainmeister]

I'm down to 8 rolls out of the 40 I bought last year....am I dreaming???? http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/professional_photography/film/neopan_black_white/400/index.html

 

[brian steinberger]

I'm down to 8 rolls out of the 40 I bought last year....am I dreaming???? http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/professional_photography/film/neopan_black_white/400/index.html

Call it dreaming or wishful thinking... I'll believe it when I see some new in stock somewhere!!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Great! Anxious to try it. Love Acros 100.

 

[Klainmeister]

Seriously, this just made my night. HOLY CRAP I HOPE THIS IS REAL!!!

 

[brian steinberger]

I know, I couldn't believe this thread when I read it this morning even though the OP was referring to 135 Neopan 400 I'm positive he had to be talking about 120 considering the talk of the chemical that caused production to cease. The only hope I'm holding onto now is that the Fuji USA site has it listed as available in 35mm and 120. Who knows, maybe someone just forgot to remove this from the site!! Does anyone know if this was listed as so months ago??

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Neopan 400 in 120 is wonderful stuff. I love it because I feel I can get such a variety of looks from different exposures and development. In theory you can do that with any film but somehow Neopan 400 really shines in this aspect for me. I have a decent amount still stashed away in 120 and in 35mm bulk rolls of Legacy Pro 400 but would really love to relax and not worry about my twindling supply...


Albany roof garden macro SL66 80Planar(old) Neopan400 Rodinal 1-50 9min30sec 22C 1minAg 2008-06 ES 4990 001 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr


El Cerrito Hills Park Rolleiflex2-8EPlanar Neopan400 D-76 1-1 9min30sec 20C VS 007 FF by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr


Mimi Albany playground Rolleiflex3-5Planar Neopan400 D-76stock 6min 20C 1minAg2x 10-2011 VSmac 9000 Scan-120226-0003 by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

 

[DWThomas]

I hope this all comes about. A few years back I bought a couple of 120 rolls to try. Shot a roll in my Perkeo II and was favorably impressed, shortly after, the discontinuation was announced. Almost made me afraid to try another new-to-me film!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

BTW, what's the story with Neopan 1600? Is that still around?

 

[Roger Cole]

BTW, what's the story with Neopan 1600? Is that still around?

I don't believe so, but Fuji is showing they will bring back films if the demand is there, and with Kodak just canceling TMZ, the time might be ripe.

I've not used Neopan 1600 other than one roll in a camera that I'm shooting now that someone offered here in exchange for a print from it. I do use TMZ in 35mm and Delta 3200 in 120 and planned to just go to Delta 3200 in both, but I'd certainly give Neopan 1600 a shot.

Mixed news today really. This is great news. The new Jobo processor is great news, even if pricey. The new Rollei cameras are good news, falling short of great news for those of us who'd never drop that much money on a film camera. Discontinuation of TMZ, not good news.

 

[Klainmeister]

UPDATE: I sent an email to Fuji and got this sad news in response:

Dear Kyle,

Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM North America Corporation. Please allow us to assist you.

We do not currently have any information regarding a potential reintroduction of Neopan 400 film in North America. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

We sincerely hope this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.

Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.

Respectfully,

Damion
Authorized Customer Care Representative
Customer Care, Imaging Division
FUJIFILM North America Corporation
Email: contactfuji@fujifilm.com

-------------------------------------------

So either they are holding their cards in close--maybe planning a rollout continent by continent, or it's all a sham. Please please please please bring it back!

 

[Roger Cole]

That really doesn't mean much. If a Fuji rep told Henning in Germany it was coming back, this probably just means they've told people at the trade show before they told their own North American distributor, which is stupid but not surprising for Fuji. They do many things right. Communication is not one of them.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

That really doesn't mean much. If a Fuji rep told Henning in Germany it was coming back, this probably just means they've told people at the trade show before they told their own North American distributor, which is stupid but not surprising for Fuji. They do many things right. Communication is not one of them.

I agree. Henning's post goes into some pretty serious detail of his discussion, face to face and as to what was displayed at Photokina by Fuji. That vs. what a rep in the US said, in writing, in an email? Guess which I lend more credence to? (and wish for!)

 

[Klainmeister]

Well, the reason I sent in the inquiry is because it's still listed on their product website and I looked at a google cache snapshot from september and it was still there. You'd think they would know what's on their site..

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Well, the reason I sent in the inquiry is because it's still listed on their product website and I looked at a google cache snapshot from september and it was still there. You'd think they would know what's on their site..

Knowing the history of Fuji and Kodak as to what their websites say and what the reality is, this is no surprise....but yes, the inquiry was a valid one for sure! Thanks for trying.

 

[pentaxuser]

Call me pessimistic about getting to an unequivocal statement that covers both 135 and more importantly in the U.K. the situation on 120 but I have a terrible feeling that the first I will know of the real story is when a U.K. based APUGer reports in a post that he has found some fresh 120 Neopan 400 at a film retailer or the story dies a death after several weeks and we can take it that its the last we will hear of any re-start of 120.

If the film industry was as healthy and as vigorous as the film rumour industry then we'd be back to boom time


pentaxuser

 

[Klainmeister]

BH and Adorama both list it as disconitued, so I guess time will tell if that title ever gets lifted from the page. Interesting how long these people leave these things up for though.

 

[CatLABS]

I did not read the entire thread, but when i went to the Fuji film booth (practically an entire hall), and asked around, there was no one to talk to me about film other then a lady behind a counter which handed me a chromo single page brochure of what she called "all remaining films...".
I walked around some more, and asked a few more people, but found only instax stuff going on.

Inside the the Fuji Cine lens display case, were also displayed, anonymously, the entire line of Fuji LF lenses. When i asked about those, Fuji's Cine lens product manager for Germany said that he never saw anything like that before, and that a rep form Japan had hand carried them and decided last minute to display them, and that they are not marketed anywhere outside of japan, but he promised, that if i email him he will get me the pertinent info, if i wanted.

All that not so great stuff aside, after seeing so many silver based\film\analog stuff traded\displayed\promoted i only have a positive perspective coming out of the show.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

This does not surprise me.
That Fuji Rep had a few very interesting points about what the state of B&W is from Fuji's perspective.
Yay! Maybe now I can use up my frozen 120 rolls and Buy Some More.

 

[36cm2]

I hope this all comes about. A few years back I bought a couple of 120 rolls to try. Shot a roll in my Perkeo II and was favorably impressed, shortly after, the discontinuation was announced. Almost made me afraid to try another new-to-me film!

This is exactly my experience as well. I moved on to TMY2, but it's never treated me as well. Let's hope this is for real.

 

[zenrhino]

Agreed, on 120 Neopan 400. That film, in DDX, was the first film/soup combo I liked enough to put in the effort to really learn well both for printing and scanning. Beautiful greys.