Kodak ceasing production of all film - FALSE ALARM

[BlackXList]

I know this has been talked about before, and a lot of misinformation, and half reporting has gone on.

In the wake of the Kodak BW400CN thread I contacted Kodak for clarification as to the status of that particular film.

I ended up having to contact them four times, because the first three got no response, today I received this:

This email is in response to your recent inquiry regarding the Kodak 35 mm Film.

We will bem ore than glad to assist you with this information, due to a steady decrease in sales and customer usage, Kodak is ceasing production of KODAK Film. We estimate that, based on current sales pace, supplies of this film are expected to be available in the market for the next six to nine months; however, inventories may run out before then, depending on demand.

If you have any further questions, please reply to this email or call us at [0800-0281422], 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Thank you for shopping at the KODAK Shop.

Regards,

Luis A.

[---001:000919:26869---]

Rather than a specific emulsion, the reply simply states "Kodak is ceasing production of KODAK film"

this is a huge blow to me, I've always come closer to getting the results I want with Kodak than with any other brand, and BW400CN was a big part of my 35mm shooting.
It's especially disappointing given that just recently they were posting up fun "keep calm and shoot Tri-X" images on their site.

 

[boomguy57]

Wow...if that's true you may have just lobbed a grenade into the forum.

 

[Keith]

Please say it isn't so!!!!!!!!!

 

[jsrockit]

Skeptical... I would imagine info of this level would have been released way before a random e-mail was sent.

 

[bobbyrab]

Before we all get carried away here, my bet is its a casually written email and it's omitted the B&Wcn part, it does go on to talk of film in the singular.

 

[BlackXList]

I'd love for it not to be true, I'm a huge fan of Kodak emulsions, I'd only emailed about one particular stock, but the reply sadly seems to apply to the whole film operation.

somewhat ironically they also emailed me a link to a customer satisfaction survey, which I made sure to make my feelings known on (in a polite way, it's not the fault of the poor person who has to read the surveys).

 

[jippiejee]

I really think that meant "this particular Kodak film and format". Or hope so :/

 

[newsgrunt]

I'm holding off the panic for now.

 

[colyn]

Why would Kodak give you a fake phone number?????????????

 

[BlackXList]

I'm not trying to cause a panic at all, I received the email shortly before I posted, and came here in shock.

Would it be possible for a mod to add a question mark to the thread title while we get some kind of clarification?

 

[boomguy57]

Well, this is the end we've seen coming, or? I won't make this a "film is dead" thing, but Kodak is in trouble and although reports are that their film business was making money, if they want to move forward into profitability (or sell of assets and move on) the film production doesn't make a lot of sense to hold on to. I'm no economist, but that's just me. Although film is profitable (reports have claimed) for Kodak, it's not a viable, long-term strategy for the company moving ahead.

With that said, BW film seems like the one to hang on a bit; the film and chemicals are cheaper to produce, and doesn't require a lab. E-6 will be gone soon, I'd guess, and C-41 will follow--which means your favored BW400CN, I'm afraid.

 

[dave lackey]

I'm not trying to cause a panic at all, I received the email shortly before I posted, and came here in shock.

Would it be possible for a mod to add a question mark to the thread title while we get some kind of clarification?

The responsible answer is to send another email and ask for a clarification.😛

 

[BlackXList]

Why would Kodak give you a fake phone number?????????????

It's not a fake phone number, that's the automatically generated incident/query number

here's a screenshot of the email, in case the layout of the first post isnt as legible as it should be

 

[Keith]

'The Day The Earth Stood Still!' 😱

Here's hoping it does turn out to be science fiction.

 

[jsrockit]

Blacklist... it's the 0800-0281422 number format that looks strange to us.

 

[raid]

The email reply most likely is referring to your specific question regarding one type of Kodak film, but it is possible that we may see additional types of film vanish gradually. Kodak goofed before, and it may goof again. What a pity to see a masterwork of film disappear from existence.

 

[BlackXList]

Why would Kodak give you a fake phone number?????????????

The responsible answer is to send another email and ask for a clarification.😛

I have of course already done this, as it says on the kodak site, it can take up to 48 hours for a response, and as soon as I receive one I will of course post it in here.

I'm not wanting to gain some kind of points for being the one to announce it, or score points against the non-digital users. I use both, and I can't remember the last time (when shooting for my own enjoyment) that I didn't pick film over digital.

I was just wanting to pass on some extremely distressing news, rather than sitting on it. I sincerely hope it is a typo, but I suspect it may not be.

 

[BlackXList]

Blacklist... it's the 0800-0281422 number format that looks strange to us.

That's a UK toll free number, similar to 1-800 in the states

 

[sevo]

That rather looks like a sloppy response talking about BW400CN - between "ceasing production of KODAK Film" and "supplies of this film are expected to be available in the market for the next six to nine months" he is switching from plural to singular.

 

[colyn]

Blacklist... it's the 0800-0281422 number format that looks strange to us.

The release of company information (especially via email) before an official press release is a violation of Kodak's rules and the individual is subject to termination.