Fake Films, New Phenomenon?

[jarski]

New thing to be aware of? https://petapixel.com/2019/06/25/fujifilm-warns-of-fake-fujifilm-film-that-can-mess-up-photo-labs/

 

[Archlich]

These were spooled and distributed by a Chinese* lab specialized in processing movie film stocks like the Fujifilm F-64T, Eterna 250D, Eterna 250T and Eterna 500T for hobbyists to shoot with their 35mm cameras.

I don't think these are "counterfeiting" since they clearly don't resemble any of the genuine Fujifilm rolls. But they can be confusing to amateurs with the printed Fujifilm logo, which is a no go for sure.


*Looks like these are from Taiwan. Oops...

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

There are numerous re-spooled movie films out there, such as those of the admirable Nik and Trick, but they don't use company logos as they'd have their arses sued to pieces*. China seems excessively relaxed about intellectual property violations however.

* I just checked and they do with Fujifim and Kodak. So either they have permission, or they are being very naughty. They do show the required process though.

 

[maigo]

Looking at the pictures it is labeled as Fujifilm 8546 but not labeled with process type.

More info here:
https://www.fujifilm.com/products/motion_picture/lineup/chart/

Processing labs should be careful inspecting each non-standard roll to determine process type but...mistakes happen.



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[maigo]

This example of the same 8546 ECN-2 film type, but from a different source, has a very clear label:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/233171969407


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[Huss]

Glass half empty - counterfeit films

Glass half full - pay attention Fuji there is obviously demand for film if there is counterfeit product!

 

[Solinar]

My guess: The rem-jet anti halation layer is the unidentified contaminate.

 

[retinax]

Not fake, just inappropriate use of the Fujifilm logo, and stupid lack of a large warning to not throw it in a normal C-41 process. Actually it's cool to see this made available to still photographers. For a developed, industrialised country there is oddly little awareness of intellectual property in Taiwan. Maybe in part cultural, as Confucianism values adherence to the old masters to the point of copying more than originality, and maybe partly because of the odd political status which means Taiwan is not party to some international law, although I don't know if that's actually the case with intellectual property law. But I have it on good account that individuals there don't ever get in trouble over pirated music or movies from the large American or European firms.

 

[Timmyjoe]

My guess: The rem-jet anti halation layer is the unidentified contaminate.

Yeah, rem-jet will totally screw up a normal color film processing machine. It's like this really fine charcoal powder that coats one side of the film. When it gets wet it starts sloshing off, and will stick to pretty much anything.

Best,
-Tim

 

[MrFujicaman]

The re-spooled movie films have been the bane of color labs since the 1970's !

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Well, it is pirate use of fujifilm brand.
But those are honest pirates. 250D or 500T means nothing by ECN-2 film.
Yes, it is negative film and, yes, it could be processed in C-41. With equipment and chemicals pooped by RemJet a.k.a carbon powder.

You can't keep on rising prices, have canisters manufacturing outsourced and not having this happened. Same region is mixing some unknown powder to baby formula and exporting fish contaminated with chemicals. Without disclosure.
So, we must be thankful they are letting us know what the film is. At least for now.
But if you see the dark RemJet and film is thick, it is the warning anyway.

 

[Solinar]

In the nineteen nineties, Seattle Film Works flooded the US with ECN-2 film, plenty of which is still available as N.O.S. on eBay.

 

[farlymac]

In the nineteen nineties, Seattle Film Works flooded the US with ECN-2 film, plenty of which is still available as N.O.S. on eBay.

Yeah, I've got a small collection of that stuff that came from estate sales and box lots. Didn't want to deal with them when they were in business, so never used any of it myself.



One other thing that article points out is that the sprocket holes on movie film are different than on stills. They are oval shaped, instead of squared off rectangles, so besides the remjet, that is a nice visual clue one can use.


PF

 

[retinax]

Well, it is pirate use of fujifilm brand.
But those are honest pirates. 250D or 500T means nothing by ECN-2 film.
Yes, it is negative film and, yes, it could be processed in C-41. With equipment and chemicals pooped by RemJet a.k.a carbon powder.

You can't keep on rising prices, have canisters manufacturing outsourced and not having this happened. Same region is mixing some unknown powder to baby formula and exporting fish contaminated with chemicals. Without disclosure.
So, we must be thankful they are letting us know what the film is. At least for now.
But if you see the dark RemJet and film is thick, it is the warning anyway.

But then Japan, where the film itself was made, is in the general region too... Taiwan hasn't generally been a source of fake products, contaminated milk powder and fish for decades. Agree on the other points.

 

[DanskDynamit]

as fake as CineStill offerings? 😀