Press release from Ilford Photo

[Les McLean]

I had the following press release sent to me by Ilford Photo's PR Company.

"Kodak black-and-white
paper - the alternative
The statement from Eastman Kodak that it plans to discontinue manufacturing black-and-white paper has generated a tremendous reaction from users of monochrome paper around the world, with many also concerned about the future of Kodak black-and-white film and photochemistry, although the company has stated that it will continue to supply these.

ILFORD Photo, which recently announced that its black-and-white paper, film and photochemistry stocks are at full levels and guaranteed to continue for the future, has been inundated by calls from black-and-white enthusiasts, especially from the USA.

Many of those now telephoning and emailing ILFORD Photo are lifetime users of Kodak products, and are concerned and frustrated at Kodak's decision. “The switch of allegiance to ILFORD Photo products has been widespread,” says Steven Brierley, ILFORD Photo sales director.

Brierley understands the frustrations of these black-and-white aficionados: “We can totally empathize with these people,” he says. “Everybody at ILFORD Photo is fully committed to black-and-white photography, so we share the same passion and appreciation of the one true medium.”

ILFORD Photo has produced a chart showing the ILFORD equivalents for Kodak papers, thus enabling users to switch with no problems and no need to experiment to find an acceptable paper type. This can be downloaded from the ILFORD Photo website at www.ilfordphoto.com by clicking on the 'Monochrome Products Availability List' link.

“We are here for the long term,” says Brierley. “Our business, our lives, are committed to black-and-white, and we warmly welcome to the ILFORD Photo family those who share our fervour.”

For further information contact ILFORD Photo by telephone: 01565 650 000, or email: sales@ilfordphoto.com


END
June 2005 "

Steven Brieley is the director that I have worked with for the many years that I have been associated with the old Ilford company. I know that Steven and his fellow Ilford Photo directors, all former employees of Ilford, are totally committed to continue production of high quality traditional black and white materials.

 

[arigram]

Thank you for posting this Les.
People where right when they said that Kodak's move will turn people to Ilford.
Ilford may indeed be the last man standing.
Just wonder what reprocution will it have for film photography in the US as it seems companies are abandoning the New World. Will Europe (or just UK) be the center of film photography in the near future?

 

[photomc]

So glad to see a post like this Les...and happy to support a company that is committed
to B&W photography..besides, most of the paper, and some chemistry in the darkroom have been Ilfrod since I got back into the darkroom. Guess I will just have to start using more, so I can show my support

 

[Lee L]

I couldn't find the link mentioned on the home page or other product pages, so did a search within the Ilford site and came up with a direct URL:

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/kpie.pdf

Lee

 

[BWGirl]

Ah...but of course! Was there any doubt???

Ilford makes great products & I have used them and continue to use them. They have my unflagging support.

Ari... no one is abandoning the US... well, not photographically... We get Ilford all the time here! Thanks for your concern, though... it was thoughtful of you to think of us.

 

[jp80874]

I had the following press release sent to me by Ilford Photo's PR Company.

ILFORD Photo has produced a chart showing the ILFORD equivalents for Kodak papers, thus enabling users to switch with no problems and no need to experiment to find an acceptable paper type. This can be downloaded from the ILFORD Photo website at www.ilfordphoto.com by clicking on the 'Monochrome Products Availability List' link.

Les,

As is often the case in big companies, it would be nice if the public relations people spoke to the web designers. At this moment I see no 'Monochrome Products Availability List' at www.ilfordphoto.com. I used their search engine, searching for 'Monochrome Products Availability List' and came up with what looks like an inventory list rather than a cross reference. http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/monopal0505.pdf

In your own experience, can you tell me what the Ilford version of
Kodak Polymax Fine Art FD glossy double weight variable contrast fiber?

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Les,

As is often the case in big companies, it would be nice if the public relations people spoke to the web designers. At this moment I see no 'Monochrome Products Availability List' at www.ilfordphoto.com. I used their search engine, searching for 'Monochrome Products Availability List' and came up with what looks like an inventory list rather than a cross reference. http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/monopal0505.pdf

In your own experience, can you tell me what the Ilford version of
Kodak Polymax Fine Art FD glossy double weight variable contrast fiber?

Thanks,

John Powers

I`ve sent this to some of the previous threads on the forum. Ilford equivalents for Kodak paper users.
http:www.ilford.com/html/us_english/kpie.pdf
It makes you wonder if the B&W chemicals are next, doesn`t it?

 

[Dave Wooten]

Thanks Les for the info

and a pleasure to meet you recently in Montana.

Dave in Vegas

 

[Les McLean]

John I appreciate your comments re the website and will mention this to Ilford Photo when I next meet with them. I know that they are anxious to provide a complete service to the traditional black and white market and this includes clear access to product information but I'm sure you will appreciate that there is much work to be done in the aftermath of the situation of the past 12 months. I have no doubt that the website will be sorted in the future.

With regard to your question about alternatives to the Kodak paper: I cannot honestly answer because I have never used the Kodak product, mainly because of the difficulty in getting Kodak products in the UK over the past 10 years, however, Keith posted some helpful information in this same thread.

Les,

As is often the case in big companies, it would be nice if the public relations people spoke to the web designers. At this moment I see no 'Monochrome Products Availability List' at www.ilfordphoto.com. I used their search engine, searching for 'Monochrome Products Availability List' and came up with what looks like an inventory list rather than a cross reference. http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/monopal0505.pdf

In your own experience, can you tell me what the Ilford version of
Kodak Polymax Fine Art FD glossy double weight variable contrast fiber?

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[Ed Sukach]

Interesting example of J. Paul Getty's, "Look around and see what everyone else is doing. Don't do that!" philosophy. Kodak's decision to leave the Black and White film market could easily send Ilford "over the top".

One comment about their Press Release: The "Table Equating Ilford Papers to Kodak's" will NOT "eliminate all evaluation and experimentation". I wish they would be more truthful and say, "Will minimize the need for ..." instead.

 

[Andy K]

Ilford's dedication to what they called "the one true medium" is very reassuring.

"The one true medium". I like that.

 

[jjstafford]

Ilford's dedication to what they called "the one true medium" is very reassuring.

"The one true medium". I like that.

Next, the Inquisition! Crusades! But please, not another Dark Age. What would we call it, possibly the Zone 1 Age?

 

[david b]

I've never really used Kodak papers and barely use their chemicals, but I am thrilled to see Ilford trying to make things easier for all concerned.

For you sci-fi nuts, I've you've seen the movie "Minority Report", you'll notice a box of Ilford paper in the scene where Cruise's wife is working in the darkroom. Very cool.

 

[hortense]

I couldn't find the link mentioned on the home page or other product pages, so did a search within the Ilford site and came up with a direct URL:

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/kpie.pdf

Lee

Yeah, this is the right one. Thanks.

 

[Daniel Lawton]

I'll be throwing my limited weight behind Ilford. I've already lined up replacements for anything Kodak I've used and once my Kodak stuff is gone (may take awhile) it will be all Ilford and Agfa. It just feels better to support a company that is making a serious effort to support me.

 

[jamnut]

I'll bet that Kodak will keep the film and paper chemicals around for a couple of years, to help people use up all the Kodak paper they might have stored / are storing. Then they'll drop paper chemicals; then film. The last to go might be film chemistry, to help use up all the film!
It sure would be a shame for us to lose large format, especially since there is nothing, at this time that comes even close.
I think the departure of Kodak is a great loss, because here WAS a great company that did a lot of innovating in photography, and made consistent quality product widely available , at reasonable prices. I used all Kodak products when I started my home darkroom in the mid seventies; Ilford stuff was still a little exotic for many of us at that time, but we gradually started to use it. Glad they are still here to take up the slack. I don't think the rank and file of Kodak are particularly pleased with this decision, but then many of them are stockholders...
But what do you expect from a former HP CEO? Computers will solve all our problems, right? Oh well, you know what they say, "If the only tool you have is a hammer..."
I don't feel film/paper wil ever go away completely - after all, the horse ceased to be a major form of transportation/power many years ago, yet there are still providers of saddles, bridles, grooming tools, feeds, medicines, etc.
People will say "Sounds nice in many ways, too bad I don;t use Ilford papers." Then they will call Kodak the Yellow Menace or Peril and then complain about the film sizes that will be available, because they use odd sizes like 7 X17, or 8 X 20. Deals might be made, with Photowarehouse or others. We will adapt!
Peace out.

 

[WarEaglemtn]

Sounds nice in many ways. Too bad I don't use Ilford papers.

Sorry the Yellow Peril doesn't care enough about their soon to be former customers to give them warning of the demise of the products they buy.

As for Ilford. I hope they cut a deal with PhotoWarehouse or someone similar who can supply us with their films in larger sheet film sizes. 7x17, 8x20 and others cut as we need it is worth the dealing they may have to do. The other option for those of us who like using the same film in various formats will be to quit using Ilford. Even if they say "the one true film" or whatever. If we can't get their film in the sizes we need it is on to someone else and they lose out on the smaller formats they still make.

 

[aldevo]

Sounds nice in many ways. Too bad I don't use Ilford papers.

Sorry the Yellow Peril doesn't care enough about their soon to be former customers to give them warning of the demise of the products they buy.

What? Kodak has given no less than 7 months notice before they ceased production of their papers. That translates to probably 12-18 months of retail availability. They won't even stop producing the stuff until December.

Agfa would only confirm they had stopped producing APX25 about 18 months AFTER they stopped producing it...

How much notice did Ilford give about their "impending" bankruptcy?! What about privately-held Forte, AgfaPhoto, etc?

Ilford's statement is lovely window-dressing and very little else. If they think I'm going to fall in line now after they've hiked their paper product's prices by 10-15% they can go to hell.

I haven't seen AgfaPhoto or Forte raising their prices.
Sheesh.

 

[Gim]

Just noticed in B&W (US), latest issue #38, a full page Kodak add for Kodak Professional Polycontrast IV RC paper with a $10 manufacturer's coupon.

Also says "because the world abounds in shades of white and black" ...bla bla bla

Maybe I'm reading the wrong magazines but do not remember a Kodak add in...how long? Seems kind of funny to see one now.

Jim

 

[winger]

It is nice to see Ilford let us know the "equivalents" for Kodak's products. But I've been using Ilford for several years now because Kodak just wasn't "equivalent" when it came to fiber paper. I know there are other fiber papers out there, but Kodak hasn't been one I've wanted to use for awhile now.

 

[Dave Miller]

Next, the Inquisition! Crusades! But please, not another Dark Age. What would we call it, possibly the Zone 1 Age?

You could, but don't mention the flag.

 

[Woolliscroft]

God bless Ilford. If only I could get them to bring back Delta 400 or HP5+ in 220.

David.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

God bless Ilford. If only I could get them to bring back Delta 400 or HP5+ in 220.

David.

I`ll second that, it`s not much fun having to load another film after only 10 exposures with my Mamiya RZ 67 when I`m doing a portrait shoot. It`s a lot more films to load on film spirals and process too.
HEY ILFORD, BRING BACK #220 SIZE ROLLS!

 

[gbroadbridge]

I had the following press release sent to me by Ilford Photo's PR Company.

That's good news.

I'd much rather have one committed company, rather than a half dozen, half hearted efforts.

I'm partial to a bit of FP4/HP5/LC29 and Ilford MG IV paper, but I will miss Agfa MCC Premium and rodinal when stocks run out next century.

Graham.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Hi les. hope you enjoyed your time in Montana. Don't forget to pass along to Ilford management our concerns and hopes about Ilford continuing to provide films in ULF sizes as we discussed it at Lee's workshop.

And thanks again for the RH Designs timer. Might be the best purchase I ever made in photography after my first 4x5. It has really provided me with a whole new level of control in the printing process.