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 K 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 K 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.

 

[armadsen]

I bought a few rolls of Velvia on Thursday when B&H briefly had it in stock. Continuing to try to keep a good stock of it and Provia in my freezer that I replenish as I shoot it so that at least when it’s actually discontinued I can keep shooting for a couple years.

 

[mshchem]

I need to shoot what I have first.

I'm pretty much sick of Fuji. Modern Fuji.

 

[destroya]

im heading out for a 2 week trip and have a whole backpack full of film, a lot of it is fuji slide film. in the back of my mind, i keep thinking, im pretty close to being done shooting slide film on my trips and having to go to digital for color. yes, I know there is still kodak, but I dont have a lot of confidence in them. i have taken up shooting a lot of B&W slides, but its not quite the same as color slides. I have my fingers crossed though, that fuji will get this thing figured out and production will begin again (im in the camp of they are selling frozen master rolls. dont hate me for that).

john

 

[braxus]

I've been trying to find the right moment when I actually have spare funds and the film is in stock somewhere. It never seems to happen. Been watching B&H consistently and it's never in stock when I look. All I want is two 5 paks of fresh 120 for the $75 its going for at B&H

 

[Taylor K Nankervis]

5 paks of fresh 120 for the $75 its going for at B&H

Come again!? Sounds like a price list from 10 years ago...

I very much doubt Provia 100F is on sale at that price, which works out at $15 a roll in a ProPack — vanishingly impossible, even for B&H (and many of us here buy items from B&H).

This screenshot gives you an idea of the patently ludicrous pricing of Fuji film in Australia — gouging, if you will... But there is a nationwide shortage of Provia 100F at the present time — I have 22 rolls in deep, cold storage (used for pinholing or if I am short of RVP). I won't be buying it again at any price ... 12 months out of retirement I won't need film...

You could try and nab Kodak's E100 (cheaper than Fuji, but not by much!) and modulate its saturation to be more or less like RDP with a polariser or re-rating it.

 

[armadsen]

The last time I bought 120 Velvia from B&H was in December of 2024. I paid $69.95 each for 2 pro packs. Provia in 35mm on the same order was $28.95 / roll.

 

[ChrisGalway]

Provia 100f 120 size is around €55 - €70 per 5-pack, and in 35mm around €20-€25.

The problem is finding the stuff! I got 2 packs of 120 size in September 2025 (for €55 each) and before that in June and February 2025. It just a random process.

 

[braxus]

Check yourself. Its $75 US dollars for a 5 pak of 120 Velvia 50 at B&H. But as others pointed out, its never in stock.

 

[ChrisGalway]

I find that the only way to get hold of any

Check yourself. Its $75 US dollars for a 5 pak of 120 Velvia 50 at B&H. But as others pointed out, its never in stock.

I have found that the only way to get Fujifilm transparency film is to add your name to the list "to be notified when it comes in stock". I do this for around 6-8 online outlets in Europe, and over the past few years manage to secure 4-6 boxes of five per year.

Of course, you have to act quickly (within minutes) when you get the email alert! It's very unsatisfactory.

 

[braxus]

To me it seems flippers are partially to blame for the shortages, because they resell the rolls for 3 times the amount afterwards.

 

[ChrisGalway]

To me it seems flippers are partially to blame for the shortages, because they resell the rolls for 3 times the amount afterwards.

Yes, I noticed, makes one sick to see that.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Check yourself. Its $75 US dollars for a 5 pak of 120 Velvia 50 at B&H. But as others pointed out, its never in stock.

Reminds me of an old joke slightly modified for this forum:

So the photo bug goes to the film store to buy a roll of Ektachrome 100 and asks "How much is it?"

The dealer responds, “Well, it’s $15 a roll but we’re all out right now. It’s back ordered.”

So the photo bug leaves the store and goes to another store down the block.

“How much is a roll of Ektachrome and do you have any?”

The second dealer responds, “Oh, it’s $25 a roll and we have loads.”

“$25?” complains the photo bug raising his voice. “The other dealer only charges $15 a roll.”

“Well,” says the second dealer. “When we’re out of Ektachrome, we only charge $10 a roll.