GSNfan
Well-known
None of these companies such as Kodak, Ilford or Fuji, felt it worthwhile to move their film production to China. How could an industry survive when the people who run it already have given up?
Ilford prices skyrocketing
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None of these companies such as Kodak, Ilford or Fuji, felt it worthwhile to move their film production to China. How could an industry survive when the people who run it already have given up?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Eh? Do you know how complex a coating line is?
Also, moving ALL manufacturing to China is making yoursef hostage to whatever a bunch of geriatric communists running a control economy feel like doing. Not a clever idea.
Cheers,
R.
DerekF
Established
I don't generally use Ilford film (although I did recently buy a couple of rolls of HP5+ at my local dealer just 'cuz), but I do use their papers. Frankly, film prices (which concern me more than paper prices since I shoot far more than I print) will just keep increasing as the market shrinks, and I'm fine with that. It seems that everytime I drop in to my local dealer, the prices of film from any brand seem to increase by about $0.50 to $1 every few months. A few years ago, I could get Tri-X 135-36 at $3.49 a roll. That same roll is now almost $7, and I don't expect it to get cheaper. I'll (silently) grumble about any price hikes, but the alternative could be far worse so I'll deal with it.
GSNfan
Well-known
I'm sure its not as complex as making a microchip or many other complex products... But that was not my point, and I don't care about politics of it. I was mainly trying to point out that film producers have already given up on film, and they're just going through the motions. First announcement of a price increase to reduce inventory, then the actual price increase and cut in production, finally discontinuation.
I'm under no illusion that film is pretty much in its last throes despite this recent retro fad and so called renaissance. But even the retro fad is now being taken over by digital cameras, X100... Imo everyone should do a project called Goodbye Film for posterity's sake.
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
Kodak helped Lucky and ERA in China in the 90s, then they said thanks for the help and goodbye. It's remarkable that there is no clever chinese guy who starts selling more than a few bad Lucky films via ebay. Higher prices are an invitation for these guys.
GSNfan
Well-known
I have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Simply untrue, but never mind: I think you'll go on believing what you want to believe, regardless of what anyone else says. Of course you can accuse me of doing the same, so all we have to do is wait and see.
Cheers,
R.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, no. If any, Kodak did their share to harm Chinese film production rather than vice versa... It was Kodak that pulled out of the deal. They had hoped to get leverage for their film onto the Chinese market, but the Chinese showed no inclination to take up film and directly went digital - the lower than expected sales gave Kodak a legitimation to call it quits and return their share in Lucky.
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John Lawrence
Well-known
I think this is a good point.
I was recently looking through some old photo magazines from the 1990s and the price of film then was pretty much the same as the price of film today.
John
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Get used to film becoming more expensive. Companies need profit to stay in business in the face of a shrinking market and inceasing raw materials costs so they have to raise the price. I don't find it surprising nor unusual that this is happening.
Bob
Bob
tlitody
Well-known
ilford are in a difficult position. They fought for a 20 year lease (I think) when the management buyout took place. What happens after that is open to debate. That's why I beleive that the buyout of kentmere was a bad thing. If ilford goes we have lost both. Kentmere being smaller would have had a better chance of survival in a shrinking market.
So Ilford are diversifying for survival and when, as in the earlier quote in this thread, Ilfords main income is not from Silver gelatin products, you can kiss goodbye to them.
But fortunately there seems to be very proactive attempts to produce film and papers in the rest of europe. So who is producing silver gelatin films and papers in the US ?
So Ilford are diversifying for survival and when, as in the earlier quote in this thread, Ilfords main income is not from Silver gelatin products, you can kiss goodbye to them.
But fortunately there seems to be very proactive attempts to produce film and papers in the rest of europe. So who is producing silver gelatin films and papers in the US ?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Maybe this should be like the war effort?
Gather up all your unused silver items around the house and ship them off to Ilford. Old bracelets, rings, broaches etc ... do it ... they need your help!
:angel:
Gather up all your unused silver items around the house and ship them off to Ilford. Old bracelets, rings, broaches etc ... do it ... they need your help!
:angel:
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
+1 for that. Lots of manufacturers can learn from that, noticably Fujifilm!
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
What about used fixer? :angel:
migtex
Don't eXchange Freedom!
Buy Rollei or Fuji Neopan!
charjohncarter
Veteran
I hope it doesn't turn too many away. I use some Ilford products they are consistent and good. I'll continue to buy them; I just worry that many will not.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
I'll keep buying Plus-X & Tri-X in roll film & FP4+ in sheet as long as I can. It's still far cheaper than going digital would be for me.
Film is still a bargain.
William
Film is still a bargain.
William
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Bingo. Polar opposite of Fuji.
Fuji has made a number of films that I've liked, and a few that I have loved. They do not, however, appear to understand that without happy customers, there is no business. Ilford does, and once I've depleted my freezer stocks a bit, I will shoot 2TMY and Ilford films, exclusively.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
What does Simon's announcement tell you about Ilford?
Well, it says they are honest and straightforward - giving verifiable and detailed information on what they are doing and why.
That is a company I'd support.
Why digital shooters would feel the need to chime in is beyond me, other than maybe liking the sound of their own voice. Film is what it is, and Ilford's stated they wish to remain in business...I sure hope they're right since both their products and their attitude are first-rate.
Well, it says they are honest and straightforward - giving verifiable and detailed information on what they are doing and why.
That is a company I'd support.
Why digital shooters would feel the need to chime in is beyond me, other than maybe liking the sound of their own voice. Film is what it is, and Ilford's stated they wish to remain in business...I sure hope they're right since both their products and their attitude are first-rate.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
...because Fujifilm has shown such touching concern 😡 for film photographers recently. Riiiiight.
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