E100GX: anotherone gone?

[joachim]

Hi,

I saw yesterday that 7dayshop.com (well know mail order buisness for film in the UK) is claiming that Kodak discontinued E100GX and a closing out residual stock in 120. Kodak also discontinued their Elite Chrome 400 not to long ago.
Together with their announcement of Ektar 100, as being the solution to the nowadays harder to find E6 processors, I am wondering about Kodak's commitment to E6. Anyone got an idea what is going on here? Are they leaving this market to Fuji? Or is E6 just where film got hammered hardest?
I mostly scan my film. Driving my scanners from Vuescan, which I profiled with a set of Wolf Faust targets, I finally made real progress on the colour front: little to no tweaks required if the slide is without cast. I am not keen on going back the C41 negs.

Thanks for reading, comments and insights.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Or is E6 just where film got hammered hardest?

Dear Joachim,

It's hard not to suspect that this is the reason. A small market, getting smaller. The amateur neg film market is shrinking too, but it is still vastly bigger than the slide market.

Certainly, I shoot a lot less slide since getting an M8, and I'm sure I'm not unusual in this. Until I got the M8, I still shot slide, even though I had (and still have) a DSLR -- but after the M8...

Cheers,

Roger

 

[philipb]

I shot a roll of E100GX recently, my first one. I was extremely pleased with the results using a Coolscan V and Vuescan. Then I tried to buy some more. Oh dear... gone.

I generally prefer E6 to C41, and have also used E100G and E100VS with good results. I hope they aren't on the way out.

 

[joachim]

Dear Joachim,

It's hard not to suspect that this is the reason. A small market, getting smaller. The amateur neg film market is shrinking too, but it is still vastly bigger than the slide market.

Certainly, I shoot a lot less slide since getting an M8, and I'm sure I'm not unusual in this. Until I got the M8, I still shot slide, even though I had (and still have) a DSLR -- but after the M8...

Cheers,

Roger

Hi Roger,

thanks for your time to answer. I read the other day in AP, that Kodak says their B&W sales are stabilising. So I had hoped their E6 would do so too (or at least not drop as fast any more). The other thing is, I am not aware that Fuji, who has more slide films on offer than Kodak, has dropped a single one. You happen to know whether Fuji holds more of the E6 market than Kodak?

I would assume E6 is mostly an enthusiast business these days. I just got a Rolleicord V of ebay, which I intent to feed on Kodak E100.

 

[joachim]

I shot a roll of E100GX recently, my first one. I was extremely pleased with the results using a Coolscan V and Vuescan. Then I tried to buy some more. Oh dear... gone.

I generally prefer E6 to C41, and have also used E100G and E100VS with good results. I hope they aren't on the way out.

Philip,

I am using a Coolscan IV for my 35 work. In 35 I mostly use Elite 100 (amateur version of E100G). Recently I found it a bit on the blue side of things, hence was wondering whether to go for E100GX, as you say on the way out.

By the way, I profiled my scanner using a Wolf Faust Ektachrome target (vuescan). Makes a huge difference on my kit. I now scan everything in neutral and colour is very good (little to no further tweak).

Joachim

 

[philipb]

Joachim, I had the same blue problem with E100G, hence my delight that GX fixed it, followed by disappointment that I could no longer buy it.

I haven't profiled my scanner but it's something I must try.

By coincidence I'm picking up a Rolleiflex next week, just to see what 120 is all about.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You happen to know whether Fuji holds more of the E6 market than Kodak?

I would assume E6 is mostly an enthusiast business these days.

No, I don't know the market shares: I suspect that both Kodak and Fuji might be reticent about saying. But I'm sure you're right about the enthusiast aspect. There are still many professionals who prefer film, and use it when the clients let them -- there was a talk about it at photokina -- but mostly the clients demand digital.

Frances tells me that Kodak said nothing about slide film sales at photokina -- she covers film, not I -- but they did say that Ektar 100 might appeal to those who found E6 processing difficult or inconvenient. Interpreting what they may have meant by this in the long term is a bit like Kremlin-watching.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[philipb]

Assuming that E100G may be around for a while, would the use of a filter achieve the same result as GX? This isn't something I have any experience in so advice would be welcomed.

 

[sooner]

I've been worried about the future of E6 for a while now, and I'm not one to proclaim film is dead. Ran into the guy who processes E6 at the local lab here in Oklahoma City at the airport (he was loading film into a fuji slr), and he said they were talking about discontinuing E6 processing within a year. I love slides, and still cherish ones of me as a kid with the glint in the eye still bright.

 

[Pherdinand]

e100gx discontinued??? my favourite slide film?🙁🙁🙁🙁
somehow i found it miles and miles better than any fuji slide i tried, and better than kodachrome which seems always to be too contrasty...

(e100sw and) e100gx forever!

 

[sepiareverb]

Listed as in stock at B&H.

 

[stefan_dinu]

I have two favorites slides. 100GX which I use on 120 format, and Fuji Astia for 35mm format. I have to switch completely to Astia. But this is also hard to find in Europe. 🙁

 

[italy74]

In Italy, you can find in several internet sites, here are just a couple where I usually order:

http://www.ilfotoamatore.it
http://www.digitalfoto.it

 

[Erik L]

what does the kodak slide lineup in 120 look like now

 

[joachim]

what does the kodak slide lineup in 120 look like now

To me it seems like E100G, E100VS and E200. Unless Kodak is still doing some pre-E emulsions, which I am not aware of.

 

[joachim]

Assuming that E100G may be around for a while, would the use of a filter achieve the same result as GX? This isn't something I have any experience in so advice would be welcomed.

Sticking to Kodak names, try 1A, 81A or 81B, not sure which one. Depending on maker, a 1A can be quite subtile, 81B way to strong on my books. If I have to stick to E100G/Elite 100, I might try the 81A next.

 

[joachim]

I have two favorites slides. 100GX which I use on 120 format, and Fuji Astia for 35mm format. I have to switch completely to Astia. But this is also hard to find in Europe. 🙁

Not in the UK. Fuji film (even the more exotic ones) is easier to source here than Kodak.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I think Ektachreome 100 Plus (EPP) is still made...it is a very old emulsion that some commercial photographers prefer because its color is less saturated more accurate for product work).

 

[sepiareverb]

Assuming that E100G may be around for a while, would the use of a filter achieve the same result as GX? This isn't something I have any experience in so advice would be welcomed.

I used to shoot a lot stock photos on the E100SW, and then the GX- I'd think an 81B would be your best choice for getting the VS or E100 warmed similarly.

 

[charjohncarter]

EEK, I was just starting to get back into slide film. I hope they aren't going to have Ektar100 replace everything. I just finished a roll of Ektar100, and I was happy to see a new film on the market, but if it means others will be gone; then I'm not so happy.