Walgreens film mystery

[MelanieC]

I've gone through a couple of rolls of Walgreens rebranded Agfa 400 and liked it, so I bought more film at Walgreens on sale this week (with free magnetic photo frame! whee!). Unlike previous packages, this one does not say "Agfa" on it. It says "Product of Japan." Also, the plastic canisters for the film are no longer black, they are whitish/translucent like "generic" film canisters. The expiration date is in 2008.

Any news as to the identity of this film? It was practically free so I can't complain but now my curiosity is piqued.

 

[dmr]

One of the other photo boards (APUG, maybe?) discussed this maybe a week or so ago. Speculation was that it may be Fuji. I've been looking, but all I've seen is the Agfa stuff, which I really don't care for in 400.

 

[bmattock]

The only two Japanese makers of film that I'm aware of are Fujifilm and Konica-Minolta, and K-M are out of the game. I am informed by a number of sources that Mitsubishi film is also made by K-M. This could be the tail end of K-M film being sold off by K-M as 'generic' or house-brand film, or it could be Fujifilm stepping into a gap left when Agfa exited the market. Thank goodness it isn't Ferrania Solaris.

EDIT: Also, "Made in Japan" and "Product of Japan" are two different things. Japan has been known to label pearls from China as "Product of Japan" if they are packaged in Japan, same with Canadian pork. The film itself could be manufactured in China, but if it goes to Japan before being sold into the distribution channel, it is a "Product of Japan."

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[MelanieC]

One of the other photo boards (APUG, maybe?) discussed this maybe a week or so ago. Speculation was that it may be Fuji. I've been looking, but all I've seen is the Agfa stuff, which I really don't care for in 400.

I'll send you a roll if you want to try it and can't find it locally.

 

[Socke]

Here the supermarkets who had Agfa XRG now carry Fuji C200, seems as if they fill the gap.

 

[dmr]

I'll send you a roll if you want to try it and can't find it locally.

Thanks, but I'm sure it will show up here in days or weeks. I'm sure that looking at the edges of the negatives will tell exactly what it is.

I'm very curious, because only a year or so ago, Walgreens divorced Fuji and went to Kodak and the Agfa rebranded film. If it's Fuji that the new Walgreens brand is, it will be quite ironic. 🙂

 

[RJBender]

You can buy AGFA on their website.

24 Exposures - 96 Total Exposures.
Professional quality.
Eye Vision technology by AGFA.
ISO 400.
Process AP70/C-41.
Film price does not include processing.
Made in Germany.

source: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100384&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod1319401​

R.J.