Fujifilm to Discontinue Quickload Films

bmattock

bmattock

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http://www.photographyblog.com/news/fujifilm_to_discontinue_quickload_films/

Fujifilm Professional has announced that Fujifilm Japan is to cease its manufacture of Quickload films in April 2010. In the background of the decision is a dramatic drop in demand, Fujifilm says. “Unfortunately the volume of Quickload sales has dropped off to such an extent that they are simply not viable products,” explains Russ Gunn, Fujifilm’s Senior Product Manager for Professional Film. Fujifilm has stocks of Quickload Pro 160S, Provia 100F, Velvia 100 and Velvia 50 in storage and, depending on demand, there should be sufficient quantities to last for another 12 months. Sheet film production will, however, continue. From early Summer 2010 Fujifilm’s ranges of 5"x4” and 10"x8” films will be packed as 20 sheet boxes instead of the current 10 sheet packs.
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Note the phrase "not viable products." Long before there is no demand for film, it will become "not a viable product."

That's really too bad, though. The quickloads were so convenient, too. Really sucks.
 
I've heard that in the New Year Fuji will be discontinuing a lot of colour films and the same source told me that Neopan 400 could also be cut. (could, as in, not certain but his gut feeling is that is will also be cut)
 
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The full press release seemed to suggest that Fujifilm could discontinue all but the most popular film, so that's not too farfetched. Color film, after all, was the first victim of digital.
 
mgd711 said:
I've heard that in the New Year Fuji will be discontinuing a lot of colour films and the same source told me that Neopan 400 could also be cut. (could, as in, not certain but his gut feeling is that is will also be cut)
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Color films not surprising. I'll eat my shoe if they discontinue Neopan 400 next year.
That is, if you're referring to 35mm. If you're talkin' 4x5 then I could believe it.
 
I've never seen Neopan 400 in 4x5, what my friend was referring to was 135 and 120.

Neopan 400 in 120 is my main film, I don't want to see it go either but...

I've asked a few people here if they have heard any rumours but nobody has anything on the Neopan, however I was speaking to a guy in Freestyle yesterday about it. He confirmed what my friend said about colour films being cut next year but refused to comment on Neopan 400, he just said, try the Legacy Pro 35mm.We all know that Legacy Pro is Neopan so maybe what my friend said about Neopan 400 being possibly cut is not so far from the truth, cut from Fuji's line up but made for somebody else.

He did say that Neopan 100 would continue, only the 400 had the executioners axe hanging over it.
 
I think 2010 is the year when the big shakeout in film is going to happen (and that doesn't take much of a crystal ball). Kodak is the most vulnerable, but all lines will be tightly consolidated, I suspect.

Since I no longer shoot color film (replaced by digital) my focus is in putting a few years of B&W film (35, 120 and 4x5) in cold storage, and buying D-76 and powdered fixer. They will last for years in powdered form.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
I think 2010 is the year when the big shakeout in film is going to happen (and that doesn't take much of a crystal ball). Kodak is the most vulnerable, but all lines will be tightly consolidated, I suspect.

Since I no longer shoot color film (replaced by digital) my focus is in putting a few years of B&W film (35, 120 and 4x5) in cold storage, and buying D-76 and powdered fixer. They will last for years in powdered form.
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Likewise, and agreed.
 
Unfortunately, I'm also with you two...

I never thought of buying powdered fixer though, I'll have to add an other fridge to my already overload film fridge :(
 
It's hard to imagine Neopan 400 getting the axe but nothing would surprise me. Surely 400 black and white film is a mainstay in any film shooter's armoury ... it's the do all film!

I don't think they offer anything else in black and white 400 ... do they?
 
Keith said:
It's hard to imagine Neopan 400 getting the axe but nothing would surprise me. Surely 400 black and white film is a mainstay in any film shooter's armoury ... it's the do all film!

I don't think they offer anything else in black and white 400 ... do they?
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Keith:

Fujifilm is divided into three operating divisions. "Imaging solutions" is by far the smallest of the divisions.

Within the Imaging Solutions division, the smallest part is "color films and other". The total camera film business is about 2% of the Fujifilm total revenues. Since black & white film never gets a mention, I assume it is part of that "other"

So within Fujifilm, the b&w film part is so insignificant that I doubt if their president knows or cares if they even make b&w film.

I know you and I are doing our part with Neopan 400. But among the almost 7 billion people in the world, we are not making much impact.
 
Bob Michaels said:
Keith:

Fujifilm is divided into three operating divisions. "Imaging solutions" is by far the smallest of the divisions.

Within the Imaging Solutions division, the smallest part is "color films and other". The total camera film business is about 2% of the Fujifilm total revenues. Since black & white film never gets a mention, I assume it is part of that "other"

So within Fujifilm, the b&w film part is so insignificant that I doubt if their president knows or cares if they even make b&w film.

I know you and I are doing our part with Neopan 400. But among the almost 7 billion people in the world, we are not making much impact.
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Bob ... that's interesting that you mentioned that they barely aknowledge their black and white film. I was checking their global site (not USA) this morning and nowhere in their products available do they mention black and white film ... well I certainly couldn't find any reference to it!

If one of the finest black and white films available in the world today is in any danger at all of being axed by a company like Fuji then it doesn't say much for the future of film generally IMO!

We dedicated film shooters are fast becoming a future generation's 'Jurassic Park' inhabitants. :p
 
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Freeze a lot of film. When the film goes significantly away, there are going to be some amazing bargains on those film cameras you've always dreamed of! (excuse the gallows humor).
 
Pickett Wilson said:
Freeze a lot of film. When the film goes significantly away, there are going to be some amazing bargains on those film cameras you've always dreamed of! (excuse the gallows humor).
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Does this mean the Nikon F6 may finally come within my price range?

Every time one of these appears in the classifieds I go through total agony and feel a huge sense of relief when it eventually goes away or some actually buys it! :D
 
Although, Keith, my recently acquired F100 is pretty amazing. I only shoot manual focus lenses on it, but I really can't image the F6 could be a much better camera in practical use. And a real bargain these days.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
Although, Keith, my recently acquired F100 is pretty amazing. I only shoot manual focus lenses on it, but I really can't image the F6 could be a much better camera in practical use. And a real bargain these days.
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Sound like an F6 or F100 could be in my future ... along with a few thousand feet of Legacy Pro 100 and 400 in the freezer.

Chemicals won't be a future problem IMO unless some terrorist group bulids an explosive using large quantities of the components that go in to making developer and fix etc! :p
 
Keith said:
Does this mean the Nikon F6 may finally come within my price range?

Every time one of these appears in the classifieds I go through total agony and feel a huge sense of relief when it eventually goes away or some actually buys it! :D
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Why not? If F5's are going for $300, and F100's are now in the sub-$200 range, it's only a matter of time.
 
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