Skyrocketing Fuji E6 prices

[Noll]

First off - I apologize about posting an alarmist "film is dying" type of thread. Clearly not all the news is bad lately, but I just don't know what else to make of this. I was shopping for film on B&H and was astounded by what 1 roll of 35mm Provia 100F cost: $9.89!

And then I saw what their other emulsions cost...

Velvia 50: $11.69
Velvia 100: $10.69
Provia 400: $16.09!

120 is bit more reasonable for now, but holy smokes. Last time I stocked up on slide film was less than a year ago, and prices were at least 30% less than this. 1.5 years ago it seems they were 40-50% less.

At this rate, I see myself buying maybe one more 5 pack of 35mm Velvia 100f (their cheapest at the moment) to add to my modest inventory, then throwing up my hands and say "I quit, E6!".

If there was still any doubt, it seems Fuji has no interest in maintaining a healthy E6 market and intends to suck every last dollar they can out of the remaining diehards.

Is this just market forces driving up prices - or deliberate E6 murder? It looks like the latter to me.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Provia 400 has been discontinued, so a lot of places that still have it are jacking up prices on it. The prices of the others you list are not that high. E-6 film in 35mm has always been 8-10 a roll for the professional films.

 

[tunalegs]

Velvia 50 is about $15 a roll in the local shops. Surprised to see it for so much online though. Agfa Precisa is cheap enough, but I'm willing to bet Fuji passes on their price hike to Agfa, so maybe not much longer.

 

[Noll]

Chris - I know for a fact I was not paying $8-10 / roll for Velvia two years ago. Maybe it was that much at struggling local camera stores, but at NYC mail order it was more like $5.50.

I understand Provia 400 is discontinued, but supposedly Velvia 100F is also - yet that is the cheapest of the whole bunch.

 

[btgc]

This prices is what we see locally for years. Slides are like authentic shoyu and tamari, you either pay what they ask or there are alternatives around.

 

[Fotohuis]

I doubt that Fuji will keep E6 alive. The prices will rise further and the demand will be less and less until the point of no return has been reached. I guess within 5 years or so.

So shoot it till you still can if you like slides. Alternatieve: with some luck Agfa Gevaert Belgium (Rollei CR200 E6, RSXIi 200) or maybe Ferrania in Italy.

 

[noisycheese]

Maybe I am wrong, but I see the godawful prices of Fuji E-6 as a function of supply and demand. They are making and selling less Velvia as time goes by, which causes the price to increase. Think of business cards: You get a better price per card when you buy 5000 vs. 500.

This is yet another "benefit" ( 🙄 ) provided to us by digital imaging. As more and more people settle for color digital, less E-6 film will be made and used. This causes costs to go up.

$11.69/roll is pretty damn salty, but there is no substitute for Velvia 50 when it comes to landscape photography. This is why I am taking 40 rolls of RVP to Mongolia in a few days.

As for me, I will continue to shoot Velvia 50 as long as it is available. RVP is still more affordable than buying a M 240 at $6950 USD for color work in order to be able to continue using my M lenses.

YMMV.

 

[Chris101]

... Is this just market forces driving up prices ...

Isn't that what happens when competition goes away?

 

[Keith]

Wow .... enough to make a bloke switch to Kodachrome.

Oh ... oh hang on!!!

 

[Aristophanes]

Isn't that what happens when competition goes away?

And customers 🙁