"There is a very real resurgence for film"

[RayPA]

According to Kodak.

British Journal of Photography talks with Kodak Marketing Manager about the new Portra 400 film.



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[SolaresLarrave]

Well... we've been working on it! 🙂

Thanks for posting, Ray!

 

[photogdave]

I like his explanation of the decision to combine the two types of Portras to be more effective with a scanning workflow. Actually makes sense!
I'm starting to work my way back over to Kodak from Fuji. I just got some E100VS slides back from the lab and really like the colors. The new TMax films are very nice too. With Fuji dropping Neopan 400 120 I've switched to TMax.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

The full quote (emphasis mine):

" almost feel that there is a very real resurgence for film."

Very vague. He's simply giving us marketing. Is there really a resurgence?

 

[Fawley]

I always knew it would happen (so why is my freezer full of film?). As for Portra, I like it so much that I have stopped using any other color film, slide or neg.

 

[jsrockit]

Hahaha, beat me to it JJ.

 

[RayPA]

I like his explanation of the decision to combine the two types of Portras to be more effective with a scanning workflow. Actually makes sense!

It does, and if this is Kodak's rationale for narrowing their range of offerings (pulling two film and replacing it with one) then I guess it's palatable. One would hope that this is/has been the impetus for all new offerings--except I have a hell of a time scanning Ektar 100! 😛



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[Juan Valdenebro]

Why if not would Kodak release new films in 2008-2010...? Film options in present days are better than any time in the past. Kodak's B&W and color films are amazing. When people learn how to use them well, they discover the benefits, and keep buying as much film as time and money allow them...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[btgc]

Isn't Kodak a company known for killing film after several years it's released? Anyway, this are better news (new Portra, not killing) that someone has crammed more megapixels on sensor.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

What else would you expect Kodak to say? Here is the reality, from their 2Q 2010 report. They continue to have declines quarter after quarter.

"Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group second-quarter sales were $466 million, a
21% decline from the year-ago quarter, driven by continuing industry-related declines.
Second-quarter earnings from operations for the segment were $29 million, compared with earnings of $51 million in the year-ago period. This decrease in earnings was primarily driven by industry-related declines in volumes and increased raw material costs, partially offset by cost reductions across the segment."

 

[Pickett Wilson]

At this rate, what do they have in that division? Five years?

 

[hteasley]

At Costco this weekend, you'd never know film is in decline. They were mobbed with folks processing rolls. Turnaround was 2 hours instead of 1, with a couple of folks working the machines. I was a bit surprised.

 

[PatrickONeill]

At Costco this weekend, you'd never know film is in decline. They were mobbed with folks processing rolls. Turnaround was 2 hours instead of 1, with a couple of folks working the machines. I was a bit surprised.

Were they a bunch of photo students too lazy to develop their own negatives? Could be a deadline coming up. That was me when I was in Color Photo II. 😀

... BTW, I'm still mad at Kodak for killing Supra Film. =p

 

[Honus]

Marketing-speak or not, I say good for Kodak. Portra NC is my favorite color film and I will definitely try the new Portra. If it is as good as advertised it will likely become my primary color film the way that Tri-X has become my primary B&W film.

 

[photogdave]

What else would you expect Kodak to say? Here is the reality, from their 2Q 2010 report. They continue to have declines quarter after quarter.

"Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group second-quarter sales were $466 million, a
21% decline from the year-ago quarter, driven by continuing industry-related declines.
Second-quarter earnings from operations for the segment were $29 million, compared with earnings of $51 million in the year-ago period. This decrease in earnings was primarily driven by industry-related declines in volumes and increased raw material costs, partially offset by cost reductions across the segment."

That's for the whole division, not the film product line on its own. This makes the figures meaningless for this discussion.
It could be the photofinishing products that are causing the loss, or the Entertainment Group products. Who know what's in that category?

 

[sanmich]

Why if not would Kodak release new films in 2008-2010...? Film options in present days are better than any time in the past. Kodak's B&W and color films are amazing. When people learn how to use them well, they discover the benefits, and keep buying as much film as time and money allow them...

Cheers,

Juan

🙂 Don't get me started, Juan
I'm still morning Kodachrome :bang::bang:

 

[photogdave]

🙂 Don't get me started, Juan
I'm still morning Kodachrome :bang::bang:

I'm afternoon Velvia!

 

[sirius]

Well, how do you combine two very different stocks into one? They used to offer Portra Neutral Colour and Portra Vivid Colour and now they only offer one Portra...It's hard not to see that as a reduction in options.

I don't mean to be sour grapes. I think Ektar can be an amazing film, the grain and prussian blue is really unique. It sort of fits the vivid colour category too. The price point is awesome too. Thanks Kodak!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi Michael,

I miss it too... Did you see this shot before?:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40894234@N07/4909846455/

I'm glad I could use a bit of PKR on my twins... The originals on a light table or projected are a miracle...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[photogdave]

Well, how do you combine two very different stocks into one? They used to offer Portra Neutral Colour and Portra Vivid Colour and now they only offer one Portra...It's hard not to see that as a reduction in options.

I think their approach is that since most users are scanning the film and tweaking it to their preference, then there is no real market for the two distinct emulsions anymore. I agree with this.
I would not agree to this approach if it were slide film because I still prefer projection as the final viewing method.