End of LegacyPro 400?

[Vincent.G]

This has happened several years ago when both B&H and Adorama were out of Neopan 400 for several months. Fuji Pro services explained to me the reason those two retailers were out had to do with the special pricing they got based on their volume. They also told me that everyone but B&H and Adorama had Neopan 400 in stock. He was correct. It may be the same situation all over again.

Bob, I find hard to understand the fact that many opt for cheaper rebranded film instead of buying the original branded ones. Yes, I know huge volume shooters put financial consideration first when buying film. But are not film manufacturers like Fujifilm and Kodak earning more if we buy their original branded film? I mean if we want to have film continue to be made, we should support them wholeheartedly. Not cheap out on rebranded film and then turn our backs to complain about the film manufacturer whose decision to discontinue certain products was due to low sales revenue. I am just voicing out my thoughts. Or am I misunderstanding the situation here?

 

[semilog]

This has happened several years ago when both B&H and Adorama were out of Neopan 400 for several months. Fuji Pro services explained to me the reason those two retailers were out had to do with the special pricing they got based on their volume. They also told me that everyone but B&H and Adorama had Neopan 400 in stock. He was correct. It may be the same situation all over again.

I did talk to a person at Freestyle a couple of weeks ago, and was told with in no uncertain terms that there would not be any more Legacy Pro, 100 or 400, after the current lots are gone. I ordered another few dozen rolls of LP100 for the freezer, and when my stocks of that film are gone, I'll shoot Fuji ACROS or (more likely) Delta 100.

This of course says absolutely nothing about the longer-term availability of Fuji-branded Neopan 100 or ACROS.

 

[semilog]

I heard that Legacy Pro 100 will be discontinued too.
I just ordered 20 rolls, it was an amazing cheap film.

Yeah. LP100/ACROS is the good stuff, especially in XTOL. I've never liked another ISO100 film as much.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Bob, I find hard to understand the fact that many opt for cheaper rebranded film instead of buying the original branded ones. Yes, I know huge volume shooters put financial consideration first when buying film. But are not film manufacturers like Fujifilm and Kodak earning more if we buy their original branded film? I mean if we want to have film continue to be made, we should support them wholeheartedly. Not cheap out on rebranded film and then turn our backs to complain about the film manufacturer whose decision to discontinue certain products was due to low sales revenue. I am just voicing out my thoughts. Or am I misunderstanding the situation here?

The situation I was referring to was before Legacy Pro existed and was about Fuji labeled Neopan 400. My post was about the two largest retailers being out of stock for months and everyone else having plenty.

I agree basically with your comment. But film has to be made in large batches to make it economical. Private label is just a method of discounting to move some inventory without impacting the traditional pricing for the majority of the market.

What I find unnerving is that 2 of the 3 western world film manufacturers had to turn to private labeling to sell off excess production capacity. I see that as an indication that the b&w film market may no longer be big enough to support 3 western manufacturers.