State of Fuji film?

[1kgcoffee]

Alright, so I've been browsing around on the bay, trying to get an idea of current prices for Fuji film.

There seems to be ample supply of c200, slide, pro c41 and acros, but supplies of industrial 400 and 100 look to be drying up. Or the prices are no longer competitive. Not to sound alarmist, but can we infer that they have stopped production of commercial print film (except for c200)?

-1kgcoffee

 

[RattyMouse]

Alright, so I've been browsing around on the bay, trying to get an idea of current prices for Fuji film.

There seems to be ample supply of c200, slide, pro c41 and acros, but supplies of industrial 400 and 100 look to be drying up. Or the prices are no longer competitive. Not to sound alarmist, but can we infer that they have stopped production of commercial print film (except for c200)?

-1kgcoffee

The state of Fujifilm is dismal. They have been discontinuing films every single year. Important films. Ever year. Superia was the film that most recently got the ax alone with Natura. Dismal.

Fujifilm is exiting the film market right before our eyes. Only INSTAX film will remain from them.

 

[vdonovan]

Fujifilm as a company is doing great, probably because photo-imaging products (Instax, color paper and chemicals, photo finishing and printing) are only 10% of their total business.

Interestingly, nowhere in that entire annual report do they mention photographic film, except for the historical section at the front, which is probably a sign that the shedding of Fujifilm film will continue.

 

[vdonovan]

The annual report has this sobering graph, which really shows what a challenge it is for any photographic film manufacturer to stay in the business.

 

[RattyMouse]

Fujifilm as a company is doing great, probably because photo-imaging products (Instax, color paper and chemicals, photo finishing and printing) are only 10% of their total business.

Interestingly, nowhere in that entire annual report do they mention photographic film, except for the historical section at the front, which is probably a sign that the shedding of Fujifilm film will continue.

I've been reading Fujifilm's financial reports for almost a decade and have never once seen a single mention of their non INSTAX films. No numbers ever are given to describe the state of their film business. They are ridiculously closed up about all this. I predict that they will be out of all film production except instant by 2020.

 

[Helinophoto]

Alright, so I've been browsing around on the bay, trying to get an idea of current prices for Fuji film.

There seems to be ample supply of c200, slide, pro c41 and acros, but supplies of industrial 400 and 100 look to be drying up. Or the prices are no longer competitive. Not to sound alarmist, but can we infer that they have stopped production of commercial print film (except for c200)?

-1kgcoffee

Well, as for industrial 100 and 400, they are Fujicolor 100 and Fujicolor 400 X-Tra and it was rumored that they would cut the Industrial-repack already last year.

I have read that it may be found in cheap-baskets here and there inside Japan, but I think they axed both industrials last year.

 

[1kgcoffee]

That's what it looks like to me. The only thing we're missing is an 'official' announcement.

Time to stock up on velvia and acros?

 

[lantau]

One major online shop here noted in their Ct Precisa offering that it is going away and customers are asked to stock up if they like it.

I hope that is only the shop discontinuing the item because the film can be bought much cheaper at a drugstore chain. There is no such notice in their Provia or Velvia offerings.

 

[foc]

Fujifilm Ireland told me that they only have Superia Xtra 400 in 36 exp and C200 in 36 exp, all single pack. The C200 in 24 exp is no longer stocked.

I remember speaking with them about film supplies two or three years ago and they predicted that there would be only one film available in the near future, a 400 speed in 36 exp.

Take what you will from that.

 

[AgX]

In the industry ISO 200 films were regarded as standard colour negative film, thus one should expect such to stand longest.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Industrial 100 is rebraded Superia 100 and Industrial 400 is rebranded Superia 400. I can't remember when but Fuji announced discontinuation of all Superia films except the 400.

 

[RattyMouse]

Industrial 100 is rebraded Superia 100 and Industrial 400 is rebranded Superia 400. I can't remember when but Fuji announced discontinuation of all Superia films except the 400.

Just a few months ago. That was the biggest blow to Fuji's film offering in recent memory. Now more than ever I believe that they want out of film production.

 

[Helinophoto]

Industrial 100 is rebraded Superia 100 and Industrial 400 is rebranded Superia 400. I can't remember when but Fuji announced discontinuation of all Superia films except the 400.

No, that is not correct, Industrial 100 = Fujicolor 100 and Industrial 400 = 400 X-TRA.
Look here: https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154715

They stopped repacking the 100 all together and stopped repacking the 400 X-TRA.

 

[perkeleellinen]

That's where I got my information from too. Thanks for poiting out my mistake on the 100, you've got a sharper eye than me. I wonder if that means the 100 is no discontinued. I've been tempted to try it as a Reala replacement.

 

[Helinophoto]

I edited my original answer, afaik, Fujicolor 100 can still be had (I think), but it is different from Reala, I did a small review here (also linked from the rangefinder-thread).
http://helino-photo.blogspot.no/2016/02/fujicolor-industrial-100-trials.html

I find it more coarse than reala, but pretty natural colors, it's an ok film, but no star, Portra and Ektar smacks it with ease.

 

[Brady Eklund]

Just yesterday we ordered some "Fuji Superia 1600" through ProMaster for our store. I was very surprised to see it still available given the announcements this fall.

 

[Ste_S]

Fujifilm Ireland told me that they only have Superia Xtra 400 in 36 exp and C200 in 36 exp, all single pack. The C200 in 24 exp is no longer stocked.

I remember speaking with them about film supplies two or three years ago and they predicted that there would be only one film available in the near future, a 400 speed in 36 exp.

Take what you will from that.

Pro 400h is I think the only film Fuji haven't cut anything for If I remember rightly ? I'd imagine it's going to be this one.
Seems a weird choice though. Portra 400 is much more popular than Pro 400h, whilst I imagine Superia 400 sells more than Pro also ?

 

[RattyMouse]

Pro 400h is I think the only film Fuji haven't cut anything for If I remember rightly ? I'd imagine it's going to be this one.
Seems a weird choice though. Portra 400 is much more popular than Pro 400h, whilst I imagine Superia 400 sells more than Pro also ?

I like 400H much better than Portra 400, but it is priced pretty high so I don't use as much as I'd like. It is a strange film for Fujifilm to settle onto as their last final film. I expect 400H will be discontinued just like every other non INSTAX Fuji film.

 

[skysh4rk]

I personally think that there are some unrealistic expectations placed on Fuji. The reality is that there are many fewer film shooters than two decades ago and their selection of films must be streamlined. While admittedly this will result in some films we love disappearing, unless there's a huge surge in film usage, this seems the only way forward. If you want Fujifilm to continue making film, we'll need to support what they continue to offer though.

I would also be careful of trying to read between the lines regarding Fuji's plans. In an apug thread four years ago, members of the forum were already proclaiming the demise of 160NS in 120 because it didn't receive a new box design like 400H. While I can understand the thinking, four years later, 160NS production continues (hopefully I haven't jinxed this...).

Portra 400 is much more popular than Pro 400h, whilst I imagine Superia 400 sells more than Pro also ?

It is? This is news to me. Are there figures to support this? Both Portra 400 and 400H look similarly popular to me and, in some markets, I get the impression that 400H is more popular. Certainly I use more 400H than Portra 400.

Keep in mind that Superia also doesn't exist in 120, so I'm not sure if Superia necessarily outsells 400H either (it might, I truly don't know). My impression is that Superia is also catering to a slightly different market than 400H.

I like 400H much better than Portra 400, but it is priced pretty high so I don't use as much as I'd like. It is a strange film for Fujifilm to settle onto as their last final film. I expect 400H will be discontinued just like every other non INSTAX Fuji film.

What you are saying might be true in the USA, but it's not necessarily reflective of the scene elsewhere. For instance, 400H appears to be cheaper here in the UK and even cheaper still in Japan compared to Portra 400.

I'm not expecting them to eliminate 400H in the near future.

 

[wyofilm]

Fuji 400h is wonderful, but I could live without it given he Kodak offerings. I also really like Natura1600 (haven't tried Superia 1600), but I've had some luck with portra 800. Acros is special, but there are so many excellent b&w offerings, that I don't even use Acros. Slide film ... err ... this is the problem. Once Fuji stops producing it, we are through. Ektachrome return? I'm not holding me breath.

 

[RattyMouse]

I personally think that there are some unrealistic expectations placed on Fuji. The reality is that there are many fewer film shooters than two decades ago and their selection of films must be streamlined. While admittedly this will result in some films we love disappearing, unless there's a huge surge in film usage, this seems the only way forward. If you want Fujifilm to continue making film, we'll need to support what they continue to offer though.

I would also be careful of trying to read between the lines regarding Fuji's plans. In an apug thread four years ago, members of the forum were already proclaiming the demise of 160NS in 120 because it didn't receive a new box design like 400H. While I can understand the thinking, four years later, 160NS production continues (hopefully I haven't jinxed this...).

160NS did get the new box design. It went from this:

to this:

Regardless, they might has well discontinued 160NS as it's not available in either China or the US; two of the largest markets in the world. I was forced to buy 160NS from Japan while I lived in China. Either that or shoot 400H all the time if I wanted my images in color. I do not see how dramatically limiting your customer base is a successful way to keep a particular film alive. It seems like a perfect way to kill them off instead. I'll be in Japan in a few weeks and see how available 160NS is.

 

[skysh4rk]

160NS did get the new box design. It went from this:

to this:

Regardless, they might has well discontinued 160NS as it's not available in either China or the US; two of the largest markets in the world. I was forced to buy 160NS from Japan while I lived in China. Either that or shoot 400H all the time if I wanted my images in color. I do not see how dramatically limiting your customer base is a successful way to keep a particular film alive. It seems like a perfect way to kill them off instead. I'll be in Japan in a few weeks and see how available 160NS is.

The design didn't change.

Your top picture shows the box design that is used in Europe. The bottom one is the box design that is used in Japan (and possibly other parts of Asia). Both box designs are current and have been in use for years now. I have boxes of both designs with the same 2019 expiry dates that were bought within the last three months.

For some reason, 400H and the rest of the Fuji lineup (at least in 120 format) got similarly styled redesigned boxes a few years back, but 160NS kept the two separate designs you've posted above.

I can't comment on the USA and mainland China, but I have had no trouble buying 160NS in Europe, Hong Kong, or Japan. For what it's worth, the EU is a bigger market than the USA (500 million > 300 million), so it's not as if the film isn't available to a large amount of people.

 

[RattyMouse]

The design didn't change.

Your top picture shows the box design that is used in Europe. The bottom one is the box design that is used in Japan (and possibly other parts of Asia). Both box designs are current and have been in use for years now. I have boxes of both designs with the same 2019 expiry dates that were bought within the last three months.

For some reason, 400H and the rest of the Fuji lineup (at least in 120 format) got similarly styled redesigned boxes a few years back, but 160NS kept the two separate designs you've posted above.

I can't comment on the USA and mainland China, but I have had no trouble buying 160NS in Europe, Hong Kong, or Japan. For what it's worth, the EU is a bigger market than the USA (500 million > 300 million), so it's not as if the film isn't available to a large amount of people.

Well, I'm glad you can buy 160NS without a problem. I shot a fair amount of it when Fujifilm discontinued Reala suddenly. It was an OK substitute. But then it too was gone.

 

[Wallendo]

One major online shop here noted in their Ct Precisa offering that it is going away and customers are asked to stock up if they like it.

I hope that is only the shop discontinuing the item because the film can be bought much cheaper at a drugstore chain. There is no such notice in their Provia or Velvia offerings.

I wonder if Fuji is no longer making rebadged film. There was a thread a while back about another house brand discontinuing their film because their manufacturer was no longer providing it to them. Unfortunately, we will likely never receive a definitive answer from Fuji.

 

[Ste_S]

For instance, 400H appears to be cheaper here in the UK and even cheaper still in Japan compared to Portra 400.

Is it ? For 35mm I can see Portra 400 discounted in quite a few places, not so much Pro 400h which seems to stick to it's £11ish price.
120 looks to be roughly similar between Pro and Portra

Was interesting listening to the Sunny 16 podcast with Ag Photographic talking about when they started up. Ilford and then Kodak were quite happy to supply them with film with good margins (especially Ilford). Fuji in the UK didn't want to know, and it took more or less an intro from one of the Directors of Ilford for Fuji to relent and offer an account. It then took 3-4 years for Fuji to bring it's unit prices down for them.
Noticed this with other smaller labs in the UK - stock Ilford and Kodak, but no Fuji either because they can't get an account or margins are too low to bother.