............... In fact they don’t even mention film in their financial documents. I doubt they’ve made any for ages, and are just increasing the price as it runs out. Based on all that, they’re not a viable solution for traditional film.
https://www.fujifilmholdings.com/en/investors/guidance/index.html
https://www.fujifilmholdings.com/en/pdf/investors/finance/materials/ff_2018q4_001.pdf
It would seem to me that it’s a personal decision whether or not Fuji is a viable solution for film, a decision which should be based upon whether we prefer a Fuji film stock to any of the alternatives or not. And not a decision based on raw emotion (
vide “**** Fuji!” If I prefer a Fuji emulsion to any available alternative, it’s the
only viable solution for me.
I loved ACROS, and bought all I could afford and froze it. But, there are a couple of other available, quite different, emulsions I enjoy using as well, so I won’t quit shooting B&W when all my ACROS is gone. On the other hand, there is no digital sensor equivalent, nor is there a film emulation equivalent for either Velvia or Provia (imo, not going to argue about it here). Nor have I been that thrilled with my results from the new Ektachrome so far. So, if I want the “look” of Velvia or Provia, it’s Ektachrome and digital color which are not “viable”. (I am not saying I don’t think digital color renditions can be excellent, only saying that, if you like Fuji reversal films, they are the only game in town, as even the Fuji digital emulations of same don’t come very close at all. At this point, anyway.)
As much as I love Fuji transparency films as a tool, I’ve got a price point at which I will probably give up transparency film and default mostly to digital color, with a smattering of Ektar and 400H here and there, about both of which I’m ambivalent as digital emulations of these two are pretty close.
A 30% price hike is a toll I am unlikely to pay, love or no love. There’s a limit, and that’s likely it, for me.
So, I just bought as much Velvia and Provia as I could afford, which in 4x5 wasn’t that much, and will fill the freezer. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
sic transit gloria mundi. Far from any desire on my part to “**** Fuji!”, I thank them for giving me the opportunity to use this film, while it lasted
🙂
