Very positive news from Kodak: Strong increasing demand - new investment

[scheimfluger_77]

I too have followed Sal's recommendation.

Me 3!

 

[Agulliver]

Me 3!

Yep...for the first time in 30 years using the internet, 25 using the WWW...I've used the "ignore" button. Quite an achievement.

 

[ericdan]

In all of that you haven't answered my simple question: why Kodak is pricing a bulk film roll @ 189€?
As regarding Foma: it's your personal opinion, not a fact.
Raw material increase costs are valid also for Foma...

Check B&H prices for Kodak bulk rolls.
They are only 5 dollars more than Ilford HP5 Plus and cheaper than Ilford Delta etc.
Fotoimpex may still have old stock of bulk rolls from when they were overpriced.
I think Kodak dropped the price two years ago. I do agree that the old bulk roll priced did not make any sense.
That's why I didn't shoot bulk then, but do now again.

 

[ph]

This theread (apart from the bickering) reminds me of the need forkeeoing and maintaining user-side equipment. . When i shut down my home darkoom I abandoned the safelight as well as my excellent kindemann tanks and a very accurate 1/10 degree C thermometer. A few years ago I realized that my old negatives might become unprintable and garbage candidates ,rather like old computer floppy-discs, so like my old shugart discdrive, I have hoarded the required hardware. Reassuring that film, paper and suitable chemicals will still be available.

p.

 

[Henning Serger]

This theread (apart from the bickering) reminds me of the need forkeeoing and maintaining user-side equipment. . When i shut down my home darkoom I abandoned the safelight as well as my excellent kindemann tanks and a very accurate 1/10 degree C thermometer.

Fortunately all the needed darkroom hardware is produced new, and in excellent quality. Manufacturers like JOBO, Heiland electronic, Kaiser, Kienzle, Dunco, Paterson, Nova etc. are producing what we and the next generation(s) need.
We even see new and innovative products in the darkroom. It is an excellent time to process your films (colour and BW) and make your prints in the darkroom having lots of fun.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Dear forum members and film enthusiasts,

I have very positive and encouraging news from Kodak (Eastman Kodak and Kodak Alaris) for you.
Very important:
This is official information from Kodak Alaris! It is one of the results of an important conference call of EK / KA in Rochester, KA in UK and KA in Germany.
I've got it directly from them. And I have asked for permission to publish it and they have given me the permission to publish it.

The news:
1. The global film orders (demand) for Kodak films are surpassing the current production capacity (converting / finishing) by far.
2. This is caused mainly by the general demand and market increase (film revival), but Kodak is also benefitting from film discontinuations / package option reductions and price increases by competitors.
3. There is a special problem with Kodak ColorPlus film: The demand is huge, and there are very big backorders. Currently it is impossible to get enough of the needed raw materials on the market to produce enough to get all backorders fulfilled. This situation cannot be changed in the short term. This supply bottleneck will probably last at least until summer 2020.

What is Kodak's reaction to this strong increasing demand:
1. Kodak is investing extensively / extraordinarily in new production infrastructure, which will increase production capacity significantly.
2. This huge investment is absolutely needed to get the results all customers want, but it will take time. It cannot be done "over night".
3. In the meantime Kodak is working very hard and doing all what needed to produce as much film as possible.

Some additional info from me:
- already some months ago Kodak told me that they have to run 35mm film converting in 3-shifts per day to keep up with demand
- to get the film as fast as possible into the market often air transport is used instead of shipping by ship (despite the much higher costs)
- Kodak alone has global film backorders in the two-digit million unit range
- Fujifilm has also significant global backoders, but not as high as Kodak
- both Kodak and Fujifilm already have had significant backorders last year at Photokina, and since then demand and backorders have further increased
- there are some hints from very reliable sources that Fujifilm is reintroducing a color film globally next year (but this is not officially confirmed yet).

The film revival is getting stronger.

Best regards,
Henning

Update:
I've got the information from Kodak Alaris that the special situation concerning ColorPlus 200 film (see above) will probably continue until this autumn. Demand is so high, that (quote) "as soon as one shipment is out to the distributors, we get immediately double volume of that shipment as new orders."

Best regards,
Henning

 

[John Salim]

It's great news to hear Kodak sold more 65mm motion picture film last year than ever before !

Bloomberg link here.... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ving-a-comeback-moment-as-oscars-embrace-film

John S

 

[radiant]

Eastman Kodak Co., the once-bankrupt maker of photographic film, has seen sales to Hollywood rise for five straight years as directors with clout fight to keep the medium in use.

Four of the nine films nominated for best picture at Sunday’s Academy Awards were shot on Kodak film: “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” “Little Women,” “The Irishman” and “Marriage Story.” A fifth picture, “The Lighthouse,” is nominated for best cinematography.

 

[Agulliver]

Update:
I've got the information from Kodak Alaris that the special situation concerning ColorPlus 200 film (see above) will probably continue until this autumn. Demand is so high, that (quote) "as soon as one shipment is out to the distributors, we get immediately double volume of that shipment as new orders."

Best regards,
Henning

Thanks for the update.....I am sure my friendly local camera shop won't be very happy but it's a good problem to have....too much demand! It's one of my favourite colour films too so I'm not thrilled by the shortage but it it indicates an ongoing revival that's great. As for the 65mm news, that's quite fantastic.

 

[Agulliver]

Another little anecdote...I spent a couple of hours in London this past Saturday doing a little street photography to check that my Olympus Mju 1 is still working...I spent a while in a coffee shop in the City of London area (not busy on weekends) and saw two people with film cameras outside....one Canon EOS SLR and one 90s point and shoot.

Just an anecdote but further suggestion that people are out and about, shooting film.

 

[pentaxuser]

This coming Saturday with govt restrictions you might be lucky to see anyone in London, never mind two with film cameras Mind you the famous b&w pic of Buck House with no-one in sight might just about be possible before we are through and out the other side of this virus

pentaxuser

 

[Ernst-Jan]

- there are some hints from very reliable sources that Fujifilm is reintroducing a color film globally next year (but this is not officially confirmed yet).

Is there already some news regarding this? Which film could this be? "Reintroducing globally" could/would mean that it is a film currently only available to the Japanese market but that has been available world wide before.
Or would it just be reintroducing any film and selling it world wide.

Anyhow I wouldn't mind Pro160NS to be for sale in Europe again.

 

[Henning Serger]

Is there already some news regarding this? Which film could this be? "Reintroducing globally" could/would mean that it is a film currently only available to the Japanese market but that has been available world wide before.
Or would it just be reintroducing any film and selling it world wide.

Anyhow I wouldn't mind Pro160NS to be for sale in Europe again.

Ernst-Jan,
yes, there is a (new) Fujicolor S100 film-packaging on the Japanese market. With the original "full-green" film boxes, not the white (with green letters) Industrial/Business 100 boxes.
It currently looks like (but I haven't tested it yet) that Fujicolor S100 is probably based on the Industrial 100 / Fujicolor 100 emulsion, which is probably based on the former Superia 100 emulsion (which was excellent). From a technical point of view that would be very good news, because this is really an excellent emulsion.
Maybe that Fujicolor S100 is then later distributed globally as well. But so far I have not any reliable information about that. We have to wait and see (and tell our local Fujifilm representatives that we want such a film in our local markets, too).

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Ernst-Jan]

Ernst-Jan,
yes, there is a (new) Fujicolor S100 film-packaging on the Japanese market. With the original "full-green" film boxes, not the white (with green letters) Industrial/Business 100 boxes.
It currently looks like (but I haven't tested it yet) that Fujicolor S100 is probably based on the Industrial 100 / Fujicolor 100 emulsion, which is probably based on the former Superia 100 emulsion (which was excellent). From a technical point of view that would be very good news, because this is really an excellent emulsion.

I have shot a roll of the Industrial stuff and it indeed is a really nice product. From marketing point of view I can understand they change the name, although I like the simplicity und "mysteriousness" (at least, if you don't know Japanese) of the packaging. It would be nice to have it in Europe as well. But I can imagine given the current situation that things are slowed down a bit.

Maybe that Fujicolor S100 is then later distributed globally as well. But so far I have not any reliable information about that. We have to wait and see (and tell our local Fujifilm representatives that we want such a film in our local markets, too).

Best regards,
Henning

That name rings a bell, don't you write for PhotoKlassik too?
To be honest, I am primarily a medium format shooter, so another 135 film would be nice, but care more about 120. So maybe it is more effective to ask the local Fujifilm representative about 160NS.
What is the best way to get in contact with them? E-mail? On the contact page of Fujifilm Nederland they don't mention any email, while the motion film is still mentioned. At least theire website is very up-to-date

 

[abruzzi]

To be honest, I am primarily a medium format shooter, so another 135 film would be nice, but care more about 120. So maybe it is more effective to ask the local Fujifilm representative about 160NS.

though it would be nice to have some budget, non-professional C41 film on 120. I have a collection of old expired film someone gave me, and it includes some kind of Fuji Super-G color film that was supposedly a predecessor to Superia. I’d love Superia in 120, at maybe $5-6 per roll.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I pay a little bit more than €6 for 400H so it wouldn't have much sense to me, to be honest. On the other hand, more different real film if always good. Not another rebranding of Agfa or Kentmere film.

 

[Henning Serger]

Hello Ernst-Jan,

That name rings a bell, don't you write for PhotoKlassik too?

yes, I do. It is one of my passions, too, doing intensiv scientific tests in my photography test lab and publishing the results, either online like here on phototrio or / and in the film photography print magazine PhotoKlassik. My articles have been published in the PhotoKlassik for about six years now. You'll find my latest tests in the edition I.2020 and the current (published this month) edition II.2020.
I am currently working on the next test reports for the coming edition III.2020, which is scheduled for June.

To be honest, I am primarily a medium format shooter, so another 135 film would be nice, but care more about 120. So maybe it is more effective to ask the local Fujifilm representative about 160NS.
What is the best way to get in contact with them? E-mail?

Yes, Email is one possible way. But I would also use in addition / on parallel social media channels for it (instagram, facebook, twitter). Most of the local/regional Fujifilm operations run their own social media channels. Very important: You have to use the ones of the sub-group "Photo Imaging": That is the responsible business-unit for photo film, instax, photo chemistry, RA-4 paper, mini-labs etc.
Don't use the channels of their Digital Imaging - X-system cameras and lenses. They belong to a completely different business-unit called "Optical Device and Electronic Imaging Products".

As their North-American operations are their biggest and most important operations outside Japan it would also make sense to contact them:
https://linktr.ee/fujifilm_profilm
https://www.ishootfujifilm.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fujifilm_profilm/

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Odot]

Two years later:

- film is partially still hard to get
- if you can get it, prices have nearly doubled (see Portra)

The biggest trick the devil was able to pull was not to convince us that he didn’t exist, but to convince people that analog was dying and that we need to „support“ it when in reality, business (and greed) is booming.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

First we worried that film was going dead and the manufacturers were cancelling our favorites. Now we complain when the price goes up as they support the market.

Just be happy you have so many available today.

 

[twelvetone12]

In this place people would be upset even if Kodak brought back Kodachrome, free and with free processing, with all formats up to 16x20...

 

[Odot]

First we worried that film was going dead and the manufacturers were cancelling our favorites. Now we complain when the price goes up as they support the market.

Just be happy you have so many available today.

So we should be grateful for the unprofessional way they conduct business? Instead of trying to build up some continuity so they don’t go bankrupt, film manufacturers are misusing the demand WE have built for them and risk blowing it all due to their greed.

 

[warden]

In this place people would be upset even if Kodak brought back Kodachrome, free and with free processing, with all formats up to 16x20...

Yep, the posts almost write themselves!

 

[removedacct1]

So we should be grateful for the unprofessional way they conduct business? Instead of trying to build up some continuity so they don’t go bankrupt, film manufacturers are misusing the demand WE have built for them and risk blowing it all due to their greed.

Kodak is being "unprofessional" when raising prices in order to make the manufacture of Portra sustainable?? I think you'll find the cost of Kodak film in Europe to be high these days for reasons other than Kodak's pricing of it. Its all about the cost of shipping film across oceans. The same issues come into play when European manufacturers send products to the USA: they are often hard to keep in stock and the prices have gone up.

It is what it is.

 

[Odot]

Kodak is being "unprofessional" when raising prices in order to make the manufacture of Portra sustainable?? I think you'll find the cost of Kodak film in Europe to be high these days for reasons other than Kodak's pricing of it. Its all about the cost of shipping film across oceans. The same issues come into play when European manufacturers send products to the USA: they are often hard to keep in stock and the prices have gone up.

It is what it is.

Haha. I’m sorry but your argumentation is super flawed.

What about the thousands of other companies who are able to offer same if not similar prices on a daily basis for overseas customers?

Looks like you are doing anything you can to justify this monkey business.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

So we should be grateful for the unprofessional way they conduct business? Instead of trying to build up some continuity so they don’t go bankrupt, film manufacturers are misusing the demand WE have built for them and risk blowing it all due to their greed.

What do you mean unprofessional? There are dozens of film manufactures competing with one another. That keeps prices competitive. If you don't like what one manufacturer is doing, go to another. Keep in mind, inflation is causing prices to go up with all kinds of products. I'd be more concerned with food prices as inflation pushes those up. You can't feed your family with film.

Here's a list of manufacturers. There are many in Germany and nearby where you live. Maybe they offer less pricey film. Call them and find out where they sell their products.
'List of photographic films - Wikipedia