Fuji Considering Bringing back B/W FILM

[Bob Michaels]

I’d love to try Neopan 400 or 1600, as I’ve no idea what they offer over HP5 orTri-X.

I've shot Neopan 400, HP5+, and Tri-X for about 16 years. I'd shoot one for a few years then switch when one of the others became cheaper or available as Freestyle private label. Always developed them the same.

Neither myself or anyone else has ever been able to distinguish one print from another by film type.

Will agree that Neopan 1600 can look a bit different.

 

[farlymac]

I'd think Kodak bringing back Plus-X would be more probable than Fuji caving in, and producing Acros again. Besides, doesn't Fuji trash the manufacturing plant once they make up their minds about discontinuing a film? Remember what they did with the pack film.


PF


ps: Ya hear that, Kodak? Plus-X, please!

 

[Skiff]

Besides, doesn't Fuji trash the manufacturing plant once they make up their minds about discontinuing a film?

No, the film factory is well and running. Currently producing more than 60 million films / film packs p.a. in total. In their last financial report Fujifilm has also explained the strategy target to increase their market share of X-Ray films (there is increasing demand for X-Ray films from Asian emerging economies, especially China).

 

[RObert Budding]

Neopan 1600 was a brilliant film at EI 800. And Acros 400 was my go-to general purpose film. I had hoped that Ilford would cut a deal with Fujifilm, but perhaps they are happy with their current offerings.

 

[Ted Striker]

I'd think Kodak bringing back Plus-X would be more probable than Fuji caving in, and producing Acros again. Besides, doesn't Fuji trash the manufacturing plant once they make up their minds about discontinuing a film? Remember what they did with the pack film.


PF


ps: Ya hear that, Kodak? Plus-X, please!

Fuji has brought back discontinued films several times. Neopan 400 had a second life as did Velvia. I doubt Acros is coming back but if anyone can do it, Fuji can.

 

[Ted Striker]

That image typifies what I remember and liked about it ... those whites and deep blacks.

I grabbed all I could when Neopan 400 was discontinued the second time. I lost count how many bricks I bought but I have not had to purchase any 400 speed black and white film in 35mm size in many, many years. I still have a lot left.

 

[hexiplex]

If they bring back Neopan 400 or more spectacularly, 1600, I'm going to have to buy into film again. My body is ready.

 

[mod2001]

...or more spectacularly 1600

That would be awesome (but I have my doubts), my all time favorite b/w film.

Yogi

 

[Ted Striker]

That would be awesome (but I have my doubts), my all time favorite b/w film.

Yogi

I never had the chance to shoot that film. I sure would like it to reappear so that can be changed.

 

[willie_901]

INSTAX Media Is Film.

INSTAX Media Is Film.

So it's not about analog vs digital anymore? Now we have to consider how the negative is developed too?

An INSTAX image is completely analog. The film is is an integral film. There is a negative. The only difference is the negative is developed in camera. In fact, it's even possible to separate the negative from the positive and reuse it (link).

By any measure, INSTAX media is film.

 

[regular]

By any measure, INSTAX media is film.

The problem is not about film vs. film, or film vs. digital.
It is about taking back control from the company to the consumer.


Why do you think Fuji likes Instax very much, but discontinues film rolls?
IMHO, it is because Instax is a very proprietary format, without much competition (apart incompatible brands like Impossible Project and Lomo).
When Fuji asks about 16 euro for an Instax recharge, Instax users have to accept.
When Fuji asks 16 euros for 1 roll of Velvia, consumers can reply "f*** off".


With one film camera in the pocket, the consumer is very independent of any camera or film makers.

 

[kiemchacsu]

I agree. I probably only used a couple of dozen rolls of acros in my life. Neopan 1600...probably 1500-2000 rolls. I only have 14 rolls left.

Wow, Would love to know the time span for you to consume that huge amount of films. I never tried neopan 1600
But I really like neopan 400. But as people said, we still have hp5 or trix só no big deal finally.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kiemchacsu]

I'd think Kodak bringing back Plus-X would be more probable than Fuji caving in, and producing Acros again. Besides, doesn't Fuji trash the manufacturing plant once they make up their minds about discontinuing a film? Remember what they did with the pack film.


PF


ps: Ya hear that, Kodak? Plus-X, please!

In the mean time, would fp4plus makes you happy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Archlich]

Good if they do. Won't hurt if they don't.

My Neopan stock dried up last year and was replenished with many bricks of HP5+ - which makes me feel comfortable enough not looking back. I think we had a period during which a "new" (mostly rebadged Kentmere or Fomapan) 135 B&W film comes out every month or so not long ago. Too many of them already.

Hope I could take it as a remote sign. If only Fuji would bring the color ones back...the 120 negs and slides...

 

[jawarden]

I've shot Neopan 400, HP5+, and Tri-X for about 16 years. I'd shoot one for a few years then switch when one of the others became cheaper or available as Freestyle private label. Always developed them the same.

Neither myself or anyone else has ever been able to distinguish one print from another by film type.

Will agree that Neopan 1600 can look a bit different.

Just looking at my prints I can tell my TMax400 prints when they're next to one of my Tri-X prints, assuming the prints are the same size which in my case they almost always are.

But if I compare two traditional grain films like Tri-X and HP5 I certainly can't tell one from the other, so I don't care all that much which one I use.

 

[jawarden]

In the mean time, would fp4plus makes you happy?

I've been using a lot of FP4 recently and it's certainly a fine film, but there does seem to be something special about Plus-X. I haven't looked at the curves or anything but I definitely prefer Plus-X and hope it comes back one day. I still have a few remaining rolls of Plus-X so this would be a fine time for Kodak to reintroduce it. 🙂

 

[dourbalistar]

So it's not about analog vs digital anymore? Now we have to consider how the negative is developed too?

An INSTAX image is completely analog. The film is is an integral film. There is a negative. The only difference is the negative is developed in camera. In fact, it's even possible to separate the negative from the positive and reuse it (link).

By any measure, INSTAX media is film.

Unless I missed it, I didn't see any mention of Instax film in the linked article, only Polaroid integral films. Would the same technique work on Instax films? If it's possible to separate negative from the positive for Instax, I'd love to know how.

I've recovered the negative from the FP-100c peel apart pack films, but of course Fuji has also discontinued that product.

 

[sepiareverb]

yawn
567890

 

[Penzes]

I loved the Neopan 400 and 1600 film. Neopan MF roles where my favourite. I'm shooting lot les nowadays, so....
The only thing it would excite me, would be the peel of range! I would love to shoot proper pictures with my Polaroid 600SE! But the chance, it wil happen is very low, I assume!

 

[Mackinaw]

Unless I missed it, I didn't see any mention of Instax film in the linked article, only Polaroid integral films. Would the same technique work on Instax films? If it's possible to separate negative from the positive for Instax, I'd love to know how.

I've recovered the negative from the FP-100c peel apart pack films, but of course Fuji has also discontinued that product.

I had the same question. I recently bought an Instax SQ6 and will try the Polaroid negative-separation technique on some square format Instax film. Curious as to what will happen.

Jim B.