Velvia 50 shortage

[mshchem]

Regional bottle neck. Chill out, it's not an accident. "If you build it, they will come" Field of Dreams
C. 1989

 

[Henning Serger]

per web info, Fuji South Carolina plant makes no photographic film. Velvia is made in Japan.

Yes. Fujifilm US (the "Photo Imaging" division) is producing real photo paper (silver-halide, process RA-4) and photo chemicals in the US (by Fuji Hunt). And so far also SUCs (with films from the Japanese Fujifilm film factory).
Fujifilm US is Fujifilm's biggest subsidiary outside Japan.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

I'd assume the evergiven incident messed up Ferrania more than it would Fuji.

Certainly.
So far Eastman Kodak, Harman technology / Ilford Photo, ADOX and Film Ferrania have publicly explained that the global pandemic has affected their operations significantly and on several different levels. I know from some more companies in this industry that they are affected, too.
No public statement from Fujifilm so far concerning this topic, but it is very unlikely that they are not affected, too. As the whole global shipping and logistic system is severely affected by the pandemic, Fujifilm has definitely to face these problems on the international shipping side like all other global players.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[cmacd123]

No public statement from Fujifilm so far concerning this topic, but it is very unlikely that they are not affected, too. As the whole global shipping and logistic system is severely affected by the pandemic, Fujifilm has definitely to face these problems on the international shipping side like all other global players.

I do wonder if Fuji might be the more vertically integrated player these days. (more components produced withing the company rather then far flung contractors) If course you only need to be missing one tiny part and everything grinds to a halt.

 

[MattKing]

And of course, even if you are vertically integrated, it doesn't mean that there aren't transportation issues. As in one component being in one Fuji location, and another component being in another Fuji location.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

I wouldn't count on any stock out of Japan except Soybean skins.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

Just as a quick update: I just received an order of 120-format Velvia 50 from B&H in New York City. The boxes are expiration-dated May 2021 (ie next month). Various other major US retailers remain out of stock (Adorama, Samys, etc).

Interestingly, I also received 120-format Velvia 100 in the same shipment from B&H with expiration date of May 2022 (ie 13 months from now, which is more in-line with what I've seen over the past decade for these films). Whatever lies behind the shortage it seems to be affecting Velvia 50 more than 100. My understanding is that, despite both films being marketed within the "Velvia" line, their formulations are very different from one another (which explains why their color characteristics are so different from each other, but that's another story) - but once cut and boxed, the distribution network for each is pretty much the same. So I suspect a supply-chain problem procuring the raw materials for Velvia 50...

I have not yet heard back from Fujifilm USA regarding my inquiry.

 

[citychicago]

I noticed this same issue of 35mm Velvia 50 in January. I had an order in with B&H for several weeks before I found fresh stock at a more local camera store. I cancelled the B&H order and purchased 20 rolls to last me through the year. Delivered in February, they all expire April 2022.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

Meanwhile the shortage of Velvia 50 (120 format) in the USA continues. Since April it has been out-of-stock everywhere I have looked domestically (B&H, Adorama, Unique, Samys, Freestyle, Midwest, you-name-it). Last week I knuckled under and bought a single 5-pack (the maximum quantity allowed) off of Amazon.co.jp for about $47 USD + about $15 USD shipping. Received it yesterday. Expiration date: August 2022 - clearly fresh stock, which is telling (on the optimistic side). Still no announcement publicly from Fujifilm, and no response to my email inquiry to Fujifilm USA either (no surprise from this company which has some of the worst customer relations I have experienced). Looks to me like a distribution network problem... or a manufacturing or supply problem and they have decided to keep all recent stock mostly in Japan while they hopefully work it out. Samys told me they ran out of stock last November and have had it backordered since February!

 

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

Fuji's product as a whole has been on the flux these past few months.
I want to try velvia 100 in 120, but that's also very much unavailable.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

I want to try velvia 100 in 120, but that's also very much unavailable.

Samy's shows it in-stock, and at a reasonable price: https://www.samys.com/p/Film/16326107/Fujifilm-RVP-Velvia-100P,-120-Single-Roll/47085.html

BTW, in case you've used Velvia 50 before, don't expect Velvia 100 to be a one-stop-faster version of the same thing. Its a pretty different film stock: contrastier, redder and more intense reds, truer yellows (Velvia 50 goes a little warm in the yellows), and an overall magenta cast especially apparent in the blues and greens. (These differences can range from subtle, to immediately obvious, when comparing side-by-side, depending on the subject and lighting.) While Velvia 50 tends a little toward overexposure (some people rate it at ISO 40), Velvia 100 tends a little in the opposite direction (some people rate it at ISO 125). Velvia 100 grain seems a little bit tighter, and it has much better reciprocity characteristics - basically no reciprocity compensation is needed even at exposures of 1-2 minutes, while Velvia 50 starts needing some compensation (to my eye) starting at around 8 seconds and going to a full stop of compensation somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds. In summary, Velvia 100 is easier to shoot with, but with its particular color palette and high contrast, less versatile than Velvia 50. Good luck!

 

[Huss]

Meanwhile the shortage of Velvia 50 (120 format) in the USA continues. Since April it has been out-of-stock everywhere I have looked domestically (B&H, Adorama, Unique, Samys, Freestyle, Midwest, you-name-it). Last week I knuckled under and bought a single 5-pack (the maximum quantity allowed) off of Amazon.co.jp for about $47 USD + about $15 USD shipping. Received it yesterday. Expiration date: August 2022 - clearly fresh stock, which is telling (on the optimistic side). Still no announcement publicly from Fujifilm, and no response to my email inquiry to Fujifilm USA either (no surprise from this company which has some of the worst customer relations I have experienced). Looks to me like a distribution network problem... or a manufacturing or supply problem and they have decided to keep all recent stock mostly in Japan while they hopefully work it out. Samys told me they ran out of stock last November and have had it backordered since February!

Mikescamera.com (online and store fronts) has it in stock.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Maybe it fell off that ship in the Suez canal and is swimming with the fishes.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I haven't experienced any shortage in Europe fortunatelly. Also no maximum number of rolls you can order at Fotoimpex or Macodirect for example.

 

[AgX]

One should take these reports with a grain of salt... Here the major internet retailers have Velvia 50 and 100 on their shelves. The reported shortage likely is a regional/continental issue.

 

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

Samy's shows it in-stock, and at a reasonable price: https://www.samys.com/p/Film/16326107/Fujifilm-RVP-Velvia-100P,-120-Single-Roll/47085.html

BTW, in case you've used Velvia 50 before, don't expect Velvia 100 to be a one-stop-faster version of the same thing. Its a pretty different film stock: contrastier, redder and more intense reds, truer yellows (Velvia 50 goes a little warm in the yellows), and an overall magenta cast especially apparent in the blues and greens. (These differences can range from subtle, to immediately obvious, when comparing side-by-side, depending on the subject and lighting.) While Velvia 50 tends a little toward overexposure (some people rate it at ISO 40), Velvia 100 tends a little in the opposite direction (some people rate it at ISO 125). Velvia 100 grain seems a little bit tighter, and it has much better reciprocity characteristics - basically no reciprocity compensation is needed even at exposures of 1-2 minutes, while Velvia 50 starts needing some compensation (to my eye) starting at around 8 seconds and going to a full stop of compensation somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds. In summary, Velvia 100 is easier to shoot with, but with its particular color palette and high contrast, less versatile than Velvia 50. Good luck!

used it in 35 a couple times. I definitely like it over 50.
and thank you for the link.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

Mikescamera.com (online and store fronts) has it in stock.

Thanks for the tip! Online, mikescamera.com doesn't indicate current stock status, so just from their web site alone, you can't tell. I called the Mike's we have around here (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and they have none and have had none for a while. So then I called Mike's online sales department and inquired. Was told they have exactly two rolls in stock across the entire company - one roll apiece at two separate stores. So, basically, another strike-out for North American Velvia 50 (120) supply...

 

[dscottjorgenson]

A quick update: still no supply in the USA to speak of. B&H has updated their status of Velvia 50 120 from Backordered to Currently Unavailable. Velvia 100 120 is also rare here now, looking to be out-of-stock in most places.

Japan is swimming in the stuff though. Yodobashi and Bic Camera have plenty of supply, but they don't ship internationally. I eventually broke down and used a Japan shopping service (ZenMarket) to acquire 10 5-pack boxes of Velvia 50 120 pretty easily and quickly at a total cost to me of $59.29 per box - about $5 or so more than I would usually pay domestically but beggars can't be choosers. It arrived about ten days after my order (not bad!) and is all fresh stock: Aug 2022 expiration.

I agree that it seems to be a USA (or North America) thing. That doesn't necessarily mean it will ever come back, though. Velvia 50 4x5 is readily available in Japan, but Fujifilm USA hasn't imported it in years. Will the same happen with Velvia 50 120 perhaps?

 

[Helge]

I noticed this same issue of 35mm Velvia 50 in January. I had an order in with B&H for several weeks before I found fresh stock at a more local camera store. I cancelled the B&H order and purchased 20 rolls to last me through the year. Delivered in February, they all expire April 2022.
View attachment 274131

Velvia doesn’t really expire though. As long as it’s kept frozen and dry it will last for decades.

 

[Bikerider]

Following the world wide shortage of colour neg film at least the cheaper versions in 35mm. There has been some on E Bay at £150 for a brick of 10. That is sheer greed or opportunism or both. I have given up colour printing until the supplies become regular again.

No shortage - apparently, for Velvia in UK in 35mm and 120 A box of 5 will cost you around £47.90 which is about normal over here. (Not including postage. The current exchange rate £ for $ is shown as 65.76 us dollars . The UK tax should be removed before dispatch which will make it 20% less, then add on whatever import duties you are charged to import.

Search for AG Photographic.co.uk and look at their prices. If they cannot help look at firstcall photographic.co.uk.

Firstcall tend to be marginally more expensive.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

Thanks for the tip, bikerider! I went to Ag Photographic just now and for customers in the USA with the VAT dropped it appears the price is £39.92 for a 5-pack box of 120 Velvia 50. In stock, too. That's a very competitive ~$55 USD but not sure what the shipping would add - I suspect not much on a quantity order (FedEx from Japan to California for the 10-box order I mentioned above was only about $30). I will definitely keep Ag Photographic in mind next time, if there needs to be a "next time" - hopefully supplies in the USA will recover, though its been half-a-year already.

 

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

Well, Freestyle has most of the fujifilm availability at July 16, so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[dscottjorgenson]

Freestyle now showing August 20 availability for Velvia 50 (120 format) 5-pack boxes.

I noticed earlier this week that B&H momentarily had some in stock, but they're out of stock again - expected availability "7-14 business days".

 

[kabbott]

It's coming in at a trickle...I had an order open with Unique Photo for Velvia 50 in 120 and over a month later, the order had not been fulfilled. I managed to find it on B&H (when it's available, it's available for 24-48 hours tops -- check daily) and placed an order there. As soon as I placed the order the status of Velvia 50 in 120 switched to "More on the way". I waited until that order had been picked up by FedEx before I canceled the Unique Photo order, hardly believing that I had snagged some of it. It's now been delivered and it's stock that expires on 12-2022. The 35mm seems to be even less available unless you are willing to pay Adorama $26.95/roll.

Overall, right now, FujiFilm's products do not appear to be well stocked in the US. They are attainable, but you have to be prepared to hunt and wait.

 

[Auer]

I stopped looking for Fuji products. Not worth my time personally.

My local Mom & Pop occasionally get some stuff in, and if I'm there when they have some I pick some up.