Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If this is true it's a damned shame ... 400 Neopan is a lovely film with entirely its own look.
Two Fuji Films Have Been Discontinued
- Thread starter littlefields
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btgc
Veteran
They will release updated X-something with new film emulation modes. Maybe with developer option, too.
awaw
Member
Film is not dead. It just smells so funny.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The manufacturer - Fuji - has the ugly habit of only telling its Japanese customers the status of its product line, and that at roughly annual intervals.
The regional Fuji offices apparently do not get notified in advance of the general (Japanese) public, and are as clueless as the average Internet user who knows the Fuji page (and Japanese, or Google Translate). In past years, the majority of the annunciations by local Fuji offices outside Japan reflected just about anything other than the actual status of production - "discontinuation notices", in particular by word of mouth of a call centre salesperson, usually were due to things along the line of a temporary local stock shortage, local reduction in their distributed product line or plain ignorance at finding their own non-digital product pages on their terminal. And photo stores one line further down from the local Fuji office are usually twice as clueless, in that they get the above misinformation from their Fuji rep, and add their own errors and misunderstandings...
Photo_Smith
Well-known
Sorry that's wrong. You have a uncorroborated statement from Fuji USA who are a regional distribution channel (wholesaler) NOT the manufacturer.
I have seen wholesalers and regional offices (especially Fuji) announce that product is no longer available which means they are no longer willing to stock or unsure of availability.
For instance Astia was unavailable in the Uk but still available in Germany long before deletion notices were issued.
Manufacturers issue deletion notices, not regional offices, retailers or camera shop assistants.
Until Fuji give an official notice it's still available.
Rodchenko
Olympian
I like Neopan 400, but it isn't my favourite b/w emulsion. But as for Provia 400X, that would be annoying, as I've just discovered it.
jsrockit
Moderator
Ok, what motivation does the OP have to lie about this?
Godfrey
somewhat colored
While I personally don't care much (I use Fuji ACROS 100 and Ilford XP2 Super as my standard B&W emulsions), Fuji has a habit of discontinuing films and renaming films all the time. Their film product line is one of the more confusing I've dealt with.
I generally prefer XP2 Super, Delta 400, or TriX when it comes to 400 speed films anyway. Fuji's ACROS 100, tho, is quite special and IMO outperforms every other 100 speed film I've used on tonal scale and detail resolution.
I don't doubt that someone told the OP that these films are gone from production, and that it was reported in good faith. However, my response is "Eh? If you want some, various vendors still have it in stock, so stock up while you can." Whether it is for sure out of production, well, I'd check with Fujifilm for a press release as they always eventually issue a press release for introductions, name changes, and product deletions.
I still have a few packs of my old favorite slow film, Agfa APX25, in the freezer in both 35mm and Minox spoolings. Films come and go.
G
I generally prefer XP2 Super, Delta 400, or TriX when it comes to 400 speed films anyway. Fuji's ACROS 100, tho, is quite special and IMO outperforms every other 100 speed film I've used on tonal scale and detail resolution.
I don't doubt that someone told the OP that these films are gone from production, and that it was reported in good faith. However, my response is "Eh? If you want some, various vendors still have it in stock, so stock up while you can." Whether it is for sure out of production, well, I'd check with Fujifilm for a press release as they always eventually issue a press release for introductions, name changes, and product deletions.
I still have a few packs of my old favorite slow film, Agfa APX25, in the freezer in both 35mm and Minox spoolings. Films come and go.
G
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Photo_Smith
Well-known
I don't think anyone has accused him of lying. The shop he works for has had a supplier tell him of an impending deletion, which Fuji head office (japan) has yet to confirm.
I have communicated with my contact at Fuji (Bedford UK) and he hasn't heard that any deletion has taken place.
That is until we have confirmation in the form of an official press release, we have no real idea of what is or is not being deleted.
Here is a list of deleted B&W products:
http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/monochrome/oldproducts/index.html
(the top one is the one you need) it lists two films Neopan 1600 and Minicopy HRII
I don't know about you but I will wait and see, rather than emphatically stating that two films have been removed from production.
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tunalegs
Pretended Artist
Fuji also has a history of "discontinuing" a product for a particular region, only to have it reappear there later on. As happened with Neopan 400 previously in Europe, or happened with 110 here in the U.S. I seem to recall that Neopan SS was here and gone several times before it finally got the axe in Japan for good last year.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Well, as the market for film continues to shrink that's been the trend. Film is expensive to produce in small quantities so as demand declines there is always going to be reduction in the offerings. I think in another how many years it will still be available but there will be relatively limited number of choices.
This isn't necessarily a terrible thing. I look at my own habits using film and I think it is possible that over the past 30 years I've used an Ilford XP series B&W film for about 80-90% of all my black and white film exposures. Constraints often lead to increased creativity. Photography should be more about vision and seeing than about how many different films, cameras, lenses, etc you can buy.
G
If you're going to put it out there, apply some due diligence and supply a credible reference. Something from Fuji's order desk would be appropriate given your original comment. It was in writing, right? Or is that too much to ask for? My beef isn't with the message, merely the half-arsed and half-cocked manner in which it's been conveyed, duh.
Kirbot
Established
Now THAT would suck. I just bought a few boxes to try out, and I'm expecting to settle on it as my standard B&W film.
thegman
Veteran
I don't doubt you're right, although as I understand it, Ilford produces film in volumes which is a fraction of either Fujifilm or Kodak. Perhaps the problem is downsizing from the goliaths they were, if they were always small like some film makers, then they would not need to worry so much about pension plans, redundancy payments etc.
Anyway, I agree it's not terrible, if I can get a nice slow colour film like Ektar or Velvia, a fast colour film like Portra 400 and the same for B&W, I'm probably going to be OK.
agi
Well-known
We've seen this all to often. I'm starting to think it's a ploy by the head honcho's over at corporate to boost sales for immediate cash revenue. 🙂
Sparrow
Veteran
... I expect they discontinue cameras now and then too
alistair.o
Well-known
Sparrow
Veteran
... shameful!
thirtyfivefifty
Well-known
No one is blaming the messenger. We're just more interested in an official notice (no not really, not until it really happens).
