The >>NEW<< Walgreens 200 ...

[dmr]

Today on the way to work I stopped in to Walgreens, not specifically for film, but I've been watching for the new Japanese Walgreens film lately every time I go there.

On the shelf they had several 4-packs of 400, all clearly Agfa, and one 4-pack of 200, made in Japan. Of course I snatched it up, hoping it was indeed Fuji.

Well, curiosity got me, so I just went out to the car and took a peek. Although I won't be able to see the markings on the film until it's developed, the film canisters just scream Fuji. They are the exact same translucent white canisters that I'm used to seeing with Fuji products. Unless they went to a lot of effort to clone these 🙂 the film inside is indeed Fuji.

I'll shoot a roll this weekend and report on the results. 🙂

I think this could be quite a touche' for Fuji, after Walgreens dropped the green box Fuji line in favor of Kodak a while ago. (I do like Kodak's Gold 200, however, -- very "smooth".)

 

[KoNickon]

Not to be incredibly picayune, but are the film canisters exactly like Fuji's? Because in my experience the Ferrania canisters look identical at first glance, but there's actually a slight space between the cap and the canister with the Ferrania. On another thread someone asked whether it says "product of Japan" or "made in Japan" -- "product of" might mean "packaged in Japan."

I remember when I first encountered the Agfa Walgreens film I thought that even though it said it was Agfa right on the box, the canisters were a giveaway since they were just like those used by Agfa.

If it's really Fuji film, I would think Walgreens would tout that.

On the other hand, last night I picked up two rolls of film shot over the weekend -- Agfa/Walgreens 200 and Ferrania/American Family 100 (a year out of date). The Ferrania, though a little grainy, was decently sharp. Both rolls run through a Leicaflex SL and assorted Leica glass, so that would help!

 

[ywenz]

Why is this news significant? So what if it's Fuji? Not being rude, just being ignorant of the significance of these walgreen films.

 

[KoNickon]

Only that Fuji is generally considered better than Agfa or Ferrania (or Konica Minolta, to the extent it's still around). I have found the Walgreens brand to be excellent value when it was being made by Agfa, so depending on which company is making it going forward I may or may not keep buying it. That's all.

(I realize that for those who don't get their film at Walgreens this is much ado about nothing.)

 

[ywenz]

oh i get my film off of ebay, but i did buy some agfa made ones last month. I haven't see the results yet though.

 

[bmattock]

http://www.imaginginfo.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=4&id=1665

May 9 - Bing Liem, formerly the president of AgfaPhoto USA , has joined Fujifilm as vice president of sales, as part of a complete re-organization of the Imaging Group which also involves the re-assignment of many top executives to new positions.
...
In addition, it is understood that a number of employees from the field and headquarters locations will be terminated in a downsizing of the firm.

A Fujifilm spokesperson would not comment on the reorganization at this time but said that an official statement would be made “shortly.”

The realignment of the Imaging Group into what will now be called the Imaging Division was announced in an internal memo on May 3 by Hank Hayashi who is continuing his title of senior vice president & general manager.

The memo read: “The current Photo Capture and Photofinishing & Web Services divisions will no longer exist and will be replaced with separate consolidated sales, marketing, market support, product & systems development and technical services departments. This will enable us to respond to customer needs and improve internal efficiencies most effectively.”
...
Though the last of the major minilab manufacturers to offer a digital system, Liem's Agfa group launched the 'd' lab which became a highly popular series among Agfa's strongest customer base, the independent photo specialist. Among its success with that system, Agfa dethroned Fuji as the exclusive supplier to the huge Walgreens chain. His new association with Fuji could help cement stronger ties with the Walgreens account.

In his new position of vice president of sales, according to the Fujifilm memo, Liem “will oversee the consolidated Imaging Division Sales Organization.” In addition, “Bing will directly oversee the National Account Teams for Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Ritz, and Costco, as well as Special Market Sales, Pro Market Sales, and, Chemistry and Special Lab Sales.”

I suspect that Mister Liem has been a busy boy.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[dmr]

Why is this news significant? So what if it's Fuji? Not being rude, just being ignorant of the significance of these walgreen films.

It's that (well, if it really turns out to be Fuji) my favorite film is now available conveniently in hundreds of locations at a great price. 🙂

I've kind of been following Walgreens house brand film for over a year since I picked up some Walgreens 800 and had bad luck with it. Lately I've shot a lot of the 200 and have been reasonably happy with it (but it's not as clean and smooth as either Fuji or Kodak 200) and I've tried the 400 but didn't really care for it.

I'm now anxious to shoot a roll of the new stuff to see how it really behaves. I'm sure it will be obvious what it is as soon as it's processed.

 

[dmr]

Not to be incredibly picayune, but are the film canisters exactly like Fuji's?

Right now I'm looking at a roll of the new Walgreens 200 and a roll of Fuji 800. The canisters look 100% totally identical to me except for some numbers.

Because in my experience the Ferrania canisters look identical at first glance, but there's actually a slight space between the cap and the canister with the Ferrania.

No gap at all. They match perfectly. Both have the 4 in the triangle on the top and the 2 in the triangle on the bottom.

The Walgreens has "27 V" on the top, the Fuji has "03 A2" in the same place, same font, same size. I may have these backwards, I'm not sure which lid is which. A couple extra Fuji canisters have "BC2 06" and "31 U" on them, so there is quite a bit of variation.

Yeah, I know, still doesn't prove it's Fuji, but the canisters definitely come from the same place. 🙂

Looking at the film cartridges themselves and comparing them both to a new roll of Kodachrome, which is the only other unexposed film I have handy, the Walgreens and Fuji both have numbers inside on the bottom of the spool, 19 over R for Walgreens and 31 over A2 for Fuji. The Kodachrome has numbers on the top inside of the spool and the bottom inside. Plus, the spool of the Kodachrome on the bottom side, the two little things that the rewinder comes in contact with on the bottom come much closer together than the spool on the Walgreens or Fuji.

Still not conclusive, I know. I'm loading the Walgreens one in the GIII now and I'm gonna carry it around over the next few days and shoot a roll and see how it goes.

Film at 11. 🙂

 

[jan normandale]

dmr... whats it costing for the four pack of 200 ISO?

 

[dmr]

dmr... whats it costing for the four pack of 200 ISO?

US$4.99 on sale currently.

 

[KoNickon]

Hmm -- I better get some at that price!

 

[Trius]

jan et al in the GTA: I can buy at Walgreens for anyone wanting some, and bring it to the June RFF Focusing Fluid Fest.