Fuji film stock coming to an end?

[james.liam]

I was told by a reliable sort I know for >10 years working at one of the two notable New York City-based camera equipment suppliers, that the film we see coming from Fuji are stores from deep freeze (after an enormous production run years ago) and that they have rid themselves of the machinery to make new stock. He further told me the decision was made long ago and based on expectations of film's imminent demise.

I pressed him on whether he was joking and he said he was dead-serious.

Anyone else here this?

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

Yes, this is a rumor that has been going around for some time, and until it is actual proof that isnt' "some guy at some store" it is speculation at best.



The more threads like this just further the rumor instead of providing any proof.

 

[CMur12]

James, there have been several recent threads here about the future of film.


The most recent thread is titled, "Year End Results for Kodak," which includes a lot of bickering, but probably encapsulates fairly well what we know as members of this forum. One member claims to have spoken to film companies at Photokina, who are reported (Fuji included) to deny what your friend told you:


https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=168035


- Murray

 

[Keith]

And lets not forget that there are facts ... and then there are the 'alternative facts!' 😛

 

[Prest_400]

The speculation lies in about two tracks: One is that they are still doing their batches of C41 and E6 and the price increase of 30% was to reach sustainable levels of income. The other one is that the increase is to milk the last remaining off still film following the discontinued argumentation.


Fuji shouldn't have a problem of production very much under capacity as they have Instax that surely is making their coating operations work. Getting rid of the finishing machinery? That could be like Peel apart, and then use the space for more Instax?



Or they are just doing business as usual.





In any case, speculation is all we can do from here.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I was told by a reliable sort I know for >10 years working at one of the two notable New York City-based camera equipment suppliers, that the film we see coming from Fuji are stores from deep freeze (after an enormous production run years ago) and that they have rid themselves of the machinery to make new stock. He further told me the decision was made long ago and based on expectations of film's imminent demise.

I pressed him on whether he was joking and he said he was dead-serious.

Anyone else here this?

You could write to Fuji and ask them, anything else is neither constructive or helpful—as is starting this thread...

 

[DanskDynamit]

I hope it's true and they finally leave the film industry for good.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I hope it's true and they finally leave the film industry for good.

That's a particularly dense observation.

 

[Archlich]

They've got 2000+ people at the Ashigara site producing film materials for various industrial & civilian use, "light sensitive ones" included, since 1934. Recent reports hasn't stated otherwise...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Will this dead horse never get a moment’s rest?

 

[james.liam]

Thanks guys, some of you have shown so much grace in your answers above!
I'll enquire elsewhere next time when I have a question.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The only reputable source would be direct source with evidence (a.k.a. Pictures).

Some guy, somewhere in NY isn't source at all. Especially in the camera store. They need to sell and to do this they will tell anything.

 

[ptpdprinter]

The only reputable source would be direct source with evidence (a.k.a. Pictures).

So now we have to have pictures to believe anything. What exactly do you want pictures of?

 

[jsrockit]

So now we have to have pictures to believe anything. What exactly do you want pictures of?

Of a Fuji employee holding the last roll of film labelled "last roll of film" of course! 😀

 

[ptpdprinter]

Of a Fuji employee holding the last roll of film labelled "last roll of film" of course! 😀

I didn't see a photo of a Fuji employee holding up the last roll of Acros so they must not have discontinued it, but damned if I can find any.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Of a Fuji employee holding the last roll of film labelled "last roll of film" of course! 😀

So now we have to have pictures to believe anything. What exactly do you want pictures of?

Read OP first before starting trolling.

So many lame comments like yours on forums simply because folks like you are lazy to read OP.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Read OP first before starting trolling.

So many lame comments like yours on forums simply because folks like you are lazy to read OP.

I read the OP. What does that rumor have to do with your requirement for pictures as proof of the discontinuation of film production?

 

[jsrockit]

Read OP first before starting trolling.

So many lame comments like yours on forums simply because folks like you are lazy to read OP.

Relax. Please think of the type of evidence you would like in photographic form to prove this... what would it be?

 

[B-9]

This fatalistic attitude towards films survival must be coming from new film users?

I happen to be in the opposite camp. I see film sales slowly rising. Heck, my sale of films has been both active and profitable.

I strongly doubt the rumor, that we are seeing frozen stock, Fuji just recently discontinued Xtra 200/400 in 24exp rolls. They released a new Tri-pack of 36exp rolls (more bang for your buck over the 4x24). That indicates the direct opposite.

@OP James, I’ll be the one to apologize, RFF is a great resource, but topics like this have been a real sore spot for other members! Just fair warning.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I read the OP. What does that rumor have to do with your requirement for pictures as proof of the discontinuation of film production?

Relax. Please think of the type of evidence you would like in photographic form to prove this... what would it be?

Well, maybe you are just not able to read OP and understand what is written in it. "Nobody's perfect".

If here is huge amount of film in the freezer, it should be pictures of it.
Tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands rolls in the freezer.

If here is act of getting rid of film production lines here should be very obvious pictures of it.