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Fujifilm to drop most 35mm film stock


Keith (M)

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Fujifilm to drop most 35mm film stock

 

 

While there has been no formal announcement, the latest price list from Fujifilm Australia indicates that most of its 35mm film stock, including Velvia, Provia and Superia,  will be discontinued in 2017, with manufacture possibly ending as soon as March this year. Film shooters may need to stock up!

 

While medium format film is retained, 35mm roll film products to be discontinued are:

– Superia 200;

– Superia 400;

– Superior Xtra 400;

– Provia;

– Velvia 50;

– Velvia 100.

ProCounter has asked Fujifilm Australia for a clarification, but it has declined the invitation. (See its response below.)

However, an email from a Fujifilm help desk rep reprinted on a film users’ Facebook site confirms cessation of manufacture of the emulsions.  A Fujifilm customer asks for clarification regarding whether the discontinuation is just in Australia or global. The response is: The film products you have listed are being discontinued by Fujifilm Tokyo (our emphasis); production of the listed film is ceasing by March 2017 and I can confirm that the list in your email is correct. Fujifilm Australia already have our final stock order in with Japan.

At this time we have plenty of stock of some of these film products, and for others we have orders with Japan for rather large quantities, more than we currently have backorders for from retailers. With that said, it’s only early-mid January and we do expect to receive more orders, so this situation could change depending on any demand increases.

He goes on to say that Fujifil Velvia 50 may encounter early supply problems and adds: The 35mm film rolls that we distribute in Australia that aren’t part of the discontinuation are:

– 70320 PRO 400 H;

– 190526 SUPERIA 1600;

– 190221 Neopan ACROS 100.

 

My bold/underline. A global situation, not just Oz.  :blink:
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I suspect Kodak may have seen Fuji moving in this direction, which could make Kodak's re-entry into slide film more attractive, with less competition for the remaining market. Also, Fuji is quite diversified, making low-volume film production unattractive. Kodak Alaris seems interested in making lower volume production more profitable.

I hope Kodak succeeds with Ektachrome (and even Kodachrome). While I've used some Fuji, my heart is still with the yellow box.

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I suspect Kodak may have seen Fuji moving in this direction, which could make Kodak's re-entry into slide film more attractive, with less competition for the remaining market. 

 

If it does turn out to be true, it is interesting the lack of overlap (and competition). Kodak's announcement about reintroducing Ektachrome was for 135 format only, the part of the market that Fujifilm are apparently now deserting. I'm not a big Fuji user but will still be uncomfortable if the immediate future of colour film (at least in 135 size) remains mostly in the hands of one major manufacturer (Kodak).

Edited by wattsy
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I've been considering quitting using colour print film for a while, this has strengthened my resolve. I have 4 rolls of 35mm and 2 rolls of 120 colour print film, plus enough chemistry to process them. I think once I have shot them I'll stick exclusively to black and white.

 

I will probably use some slide film though, I have 2 rolls of Velvia and will grab some Ektachrome as soon as it is released. I guess I should probably grab some rolls of Velvia to keep me going until Ektachrome does hit stores.

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Fuji is a highly diversified enterprise with products in many markets other than photography. I consider Fuji as I would a mutual fund. They are smart and public enthusiasm for its film is secondary to its market smarts. In simple terms they do not care. Got it?

 

Kodak's announcement of getting back into reversal (slide film)  is repeating its poor business decisions that might make news and waves within  the board of directors, but will fail miserably as it has under the same board-paradigm of bad advise that moves money within the board to their profit then drops the enterprise off the end of the earth.

 

.

Edited by pico
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If this is true why aren't Fuji making an official announcement and why did they decline to comment on their own comment?

 

Something odd about that.

 

Nothing odd considering their stock market smarts.

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