What is going on with Fujifilm Velvia and Provia availability?

[dscottjorgenson]

So for a few years now, since coming out of the pandemic, availability of these films (Velvia 50 and Provia), in any format, outside of Japan, has been intermittent, infrequent, and unpredictable. Here in the USA it seems to come in-stock with various online retailers only 2 or 3 times a year - with some, who continually list it as backordered, even less frequently than that. And the stock that retailers do receive, must be quite low, like just a few dozen rolls or so, because it tends to sell out within a few days, if not hours, and some retailers have quantity limits accordingly. Clearly there is pent-up demand for these films - see not just how quickly they sell-out at these retailers, but also how inflated the prices are that "flippers" are charging on eBay.

Fujifilm has never been shy about officially discontinuing films, and announcing it, not keeping it a secret. They haven't done so with these emulsions, despite all the opportunity to have done so over the past 20 years. So I don't think we are seeing Fujifilm "quiet-quitting" their slide films here, because that's just not their style, and the timing just isn't right, this far along, and with the film "rebound" of recent years.

A couple of years ago, with all of the global supply chain issues, Fujifilm announced they were having trouble procuring the source materials for the manufacture of these films, and that we should expect limited availability. But can those same problems really be persisting 2 years later? Or is something else going on? Eg is demand for Instax overwhelming their now-seriously-downsized production capacity, and driving less-popular products like their still slide films into the odd tight corners of their production schedule?

What is going on? Any insights?

 

[koraks]

'Anyone Able To Get Their Hands On Velvia Lately?

Like it reads....

www.photrio.com

Fuji freezer film rumour

Hello everyone, There is welcome news of new fuji (made in Japan) film in Japanese shelves, as shown in the following video : However, this news is followed by many commentators saying that Fuji did not restart mass production of film, but instead are only selling film cut from old master...

www.photrio.com

I don't think there's all that much to add at present that's not been said in either of the threads above.

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

'Anyone Able To Get Their Hands On Velvia Lately?

Like it reads....

www.photrio.com

Fuji freezer film rumour

Hello everyone, There is welcome news of new fuji (made in Japan) film in Japanese shelves, as shown in the following video : However, this news is followed by many commentators saying that Fuji did not restart mass production of film, but instead are only selling film cut from old master...

www.photrio.com

I don't think there's all that much to add at present that's not been said in either of the threads above.

I agree.

 

[Ben Hutcherson]

You'll find speculation all across the internet, and the "freezer rumor" seems to dominate Reddit(which...well there are mixed opinions on that site as a reference).

When it does come in stock, people lucky enough to get some consistently report getting expiration dates 1.5-2 years out, which support film.

By all means read the linked threads and draw your own conclusions, but I tend to think that for whatever reason(raw materials, capacity, some combination) that production runs are small and infrequent. Granted the short shelf life when it does become available may well also reflect pent-up demand. For me, I have stock alerts set up with a bunch of retailers, and the freshest Fuji slide films I have are now 5 years expired. Chances are good that when I get an in-stock notice, I'll buy as much as I reasonably can-not because I'm trying to hoard it, but just because 5 rolls doesn't sound like very much when it may be 6 months or a year before you can buy it again...

 

[dave olson]

I went to the source, Fuji USA distributors. Velvia 100 is gone from the US due to environmental concerns. Velvia 50 is backordered. Provia likewise backordered. Makes me wonder if Fuji wants to make E-6 films.

 

[polaromar]

I went to the source, Fuji USA distributors. Velvia 100 is gone from the US due to environmental concerns. Velvia 50 is backordered. Provia likewise backordered. Makes me wonder if Fuji wants to make E-6 films.

I wouldn't be surprised if Instax is more profitable to make.

My guess is that they prioritize Instax and if there's any capacity left over, they use it for stills. From there they prioritize JDM for film delivery followed by the rest of the world. It sounds like it's hard to get Fuji reversals even in Japan though, I heard someone recently say that camera shops limit it to 3 rolls per person.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I wouldn't be surprised if Instax is more profitable to make.

My guess is that they prioritize Instax and if there's any capacity left over, they use it for stills. From there they prioritize JDM for film delivery followed by the rest of the world. It sounds like it's hard to get Fuji reversals even in Japan though, I heard someone recently say that camera shops limit it to 3 rolls per person.

I don't find Fuji Films like Velvia and Provia difficult to source, they're just ridiculously priced - however some are prepared to pay which keeps the price high.

Pretty much the same deal as Fujifilm cameras.

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

Provia 100F and Velvia 50, 100 are available in Australia from local eBay dealers, cheaper still to pick up on arrangement rather than post out (postage is the No. 2 deal killer for many buyers!), however the prices of these and other films are exorbitant — bordering on extortion, gleefully leveraging limited supply. I'm agast that a roll of 35mm E100 costs $53, and Velvia 50 not that much less, if not more! It doesn't pass the pub test.

 

[loccdor]

I'll order single-digits number of rolls per year and shoot them in a half frame mostly. I hope things change for the better for Fuji.

Australian and Canadian prices for many films are pretty ridiculous right now.

 

[Trail Images]

I chased V-50 in all formats for years. In 4x5 it started with Quick Loads. One user I knew bought a freezer and ordered $4k of the QL's at the time. Then hit and miss on all sizes. To a point of petitions and letters being sent in mass to Fuji CEO back in the day. I was shipping 4x5 by Fed -Ex to a friend in Australia a few times as USA had it at given times but not in other parts of the world.
Surrendered to the inconsistency 3 years ago or more now and moved to Ektachrome E-100. Now you can't get it in 4x5 either...GROAN !....

 

[gbroadbridge]

Australian and Canadian prices for many films are pretty ridiculous right now.

It's only Fuji that's expensive, but there is plenty of it available.

HP5+ / FP4+ /Delta 100/400/3200 120 is under $10 a roll. Tri X about $14
Not much more than a coffee in Sydney

 

[zfshi]

I buy them whenever I can find and store them in the freezer. The price will only go up.