Neopan 1600: Status?

[jonmanjiro]

Sug posted the following in the Neopan 400 thread. It's taken from the Fujifilm page linked in the reply I got from Fujifilm:

"銀塩フィルムの市場は縮小が続いており、ラインアップ・包装単位の見直しを行うことで、今後とも継続してご利用いただける体制づくりを進めてまいります。" (fron the linked page)

This is the important part IMO.

In short, they'll continue to provide film products by readjusting/reconsidering the lineup and package unit (e.g. 5 pack -> 3 pack) although the film market is shrinking.

 

[Tim Gray]

Nate, I think part of customers' rage against Kodak (and probably Fuji) in the past is that these companies only consider a film 'discontinued' when they no longer have the part number in their catalog, and NOT when they have decided not to make it any more. Only once their stock is out to the dealers completely and off their hands do they discontinue it. We customers consider something discontinued when the manufacturer has decided to no longer make it, even if they still have stock and sell it. It's semantics, I know, but it seems to be the way they work.

Unfortunately it makes it hard to stock up on a discontinued film, because by the time the announcement comes, the only stock left in the pipeline sells out very quickly.

At least this is my interpretation after watching Kodak discontinue some films over the last couple years.

 

[kxl]

Just wanted to report back. I received my Neopan 1600 order (110 rolls) today from Uniquephoto.com. Every roll is dated July 2012.

 

[Mister E]

Cool, they still haven't shipped my order for some reason.

 

[kxl]

Cool, they still haven't shipped my order for some reason.

It takes them 2-3 days to ship for whatever reason. I called them after seeing my order in pending status for 2 days and they said it was being shipped that day -- and it was. I spoke to someone named Joshua.

 

[plummerl]

I just bought another 15 rolls of 1600 at Glazer's (in Seattle).

That gives me 20 rolls total, so I get to spend one last dark Seattle winter with the stuff. They had at least another 60 rolls in the 'fridge when I left. Expire date on the stuff I took home was 06/2011. Get it while you can.

I also just picked up 15 rolls at Glazer's, they still have a pile of it left. It is all 06/2011 expiration.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I just got a reply back from Fujifilm Japan. In short, Neopan 1600 is discontinued. When current supplies of 135-36 film in the shops are sold, that's it!

Reply copied below:

ミッチェル ジョン　様

富士フイルム(株）コンシューマー営業本部　営業支援グループです。平素は富士フイルム製品をご愛用いただ き心より御礼申し上げます。さてお問合せの件につきましてご連絡申し上げます。

弊社黒白フィルムをご愛用頂きまして、誠にありがとうございます。

ネオパン１６００の１３５－２４ＥＸＰ．につきましては既に販売中止のご案内を出しておりますが、１３５－ ３６ＥＸＰ．につきましては販売しております。

但し、１３５－３６も販売中止の予定であり、現在の各お店様の在庫分だけとなる予定です。量販店様（ビック 、ヨドバシ等）やカメラのキタムラ様等で在庫されている分だけの販売となりますので、ご理解・ご了承を頂け ればと思います。

お店様によっては在庫が無く、お取り寄せもできない場合があるかと思いますが、その際はご了承頂きますよう お願い致します。

よろしくお願い申し上げます。

A couple of people have asked for a full translation, so here's a quick and dirty one I just whipped up.

Dear Jon Mitchell,

This is the Sales Support Group, Consumer Sales Division, Fujifilm Corporation. Thank you for using Fujifilm products. Regarding your inquiry, please see the following.

Thank you for using our black and white film products.

We have already announced that Neopan 1600 in 135-24 format is discontinued, but 135-36 format is still being sold.

However, we are also planning to discontinue 135-36, and the only stock available is the stock already held by our customers. Please understand that sales will continue only while mass retailers (BIC, Yodobashi etc.) and stores such as Kitamura Camera still have stock.

Also, please understand that there may also be situations where a store has already sold its stock and cannot order more.

Thank you.

 

[maddoc]

Jon, thanks for the follow-up.

At Yodobashi (Shinjuku) the sales staff was not aware of the situation until I told them last week ...

 

[mgd711]

If they planned to just quietly discontinue Neopan 135-36 it makes me wonder how much longer Fuji will be selling film... Neopan 400 next? (I know you've already posted that Fuji said they are not planning anymore discontinuations but they also said at the start off the year that Neopan 135-36 would not be discontinued).

 

[maddoc]

The last time, when the Neopan 400PR in 120 was discontinued, at least in Sapporo`s Yodobashi an official announcement was made AFTER the film had sold out already ...🙄

 

[jonmanjiro]

Jon, thanks for the follow-up.

At Yodobashi (Shinjuku) the sales staff was not aware of the situation until I told them last week ...

The sales staff at Yodobashi in Yokohama didn't know either until I told them, Gabor.

 

[jonmanjiro]

If they planned to just quietly discontinue Neopan 135-36 it makes me wonder how much longer Fuji will be selling film... Neopan 400 next? (I know you've already posted that Fuji said they are not planning anymore discontinuations but they also said at the start off the year that Neopan 135-36 would not be discontinued).

It's all in the semantics, Mike 😉
In their February 5th announcement, Fujifilm announce they would continue sales of Neopan 1600 in 135-36 format (nothing about not discontinuing it 😉) but also state in the same announcement:

"銀塩フィルムの市場は縮小が続いており、ラインアップ・包装単位の見直しを行うことで、今後とも継続して ご利用いただける体制づくりを進めてまいります。"

Which in short says "they'll continue to provide film products by readjusting/reconsidering the lineup and package unit (e.g. 5 pack -> 3 pack) although the film market is shrinking" (translation courtesy of Sug). Eight months later, they're readjusting/reconsidering the lineup and its bye bye Neopan 1600 😱

 

[mgd711]

It's all in the semantics, Mike 😉
In their February 5th announcement, Fujifilm announce they would continue sales of Neopan 1600 in 135-36 format (nothing about not discontinuing it 😉) but also state in the same announcement:

"銀塩フィルムの市場は縮小が続いており、ラインアップ・包装単位の見直しを行うことで、今後とも継続して ご利用いただける体制づくりを進めてまいります。"

Which in short says "they'll continue to provide film products by readjusting/reconsidering the lineup and package unit (e.g. 5 pack -> 3 pack) although the film market is shrinking" (translation courtesy of Sug). Eight months later, they're readjusting/reconsidering the lineup and its bye bye Neopan 1600 😱

Unfortunately Fuji is making a bollox out of it all and in the process pissing a lot off people off.

At least Kodak(so far) has given advance warnings of discontinuing products. Ahh well... I ordered another 100 rolls from Unique Photo, just to be on the safe side 🙂

 

[flip]

The sales staff at Yodobashi in Yokohama didn't know either until I told them, Gabor.

ditto Osaka.

 

[randomm]

Having recently invested quite a bit on film gear, these sort of announcements make one wonder about the longevity of film photography as an affordable hobby. I certainly do not foresee Fuji, Kodak, Maco, Efke etc all stopping making film tomorrow, just wondering if we should expect a steep rise in film costs in the foreseeable future...

 

[dyao]

I bought and shot some over the weekend - not too big a difference from Neopan 400@1600. I'm sad to see it go but over here it costs twice as much as Neopan 400...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Does this mean I can put the 7 rolls I have left on Ebay for $500 a roll now?
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

[clayne]

Does this mean I can put the 7 rolls I have left on Ebay for $500 a roll now?
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Afraid I've got that market cornered, Chris. 😉

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Afraid I've got that market cornered, Chris. 😉

Now that word's out that you have such a stash for sale, the value of a roll just dropped to $300 a roll. Damn it!

 

[Mister E]

Afraid I've got that market cornered, Chris. 😉

Mother of god! Where is that sourced from? That singlehandedly should be enough to keep the film in production.