When color film stock can be back to normal?

Fuji is an interesting case, given their almost complete lack of communication to the film buying public. But I do not believe they have ceased, or intend to cease, film manufacturing.

From what I've been able to piece together from various web-sources and my own purchases of Fuji film over the past year or so:
--Fuji film has not been in shortage in Japan as near as I can tell
--They shut down the factory completely in early 2020 due to COVID and remained closed for at least a year.
--In the interim, it was decided to take advantage of the situation and re-locate the factory to another (building? city?)...but presumably the decision was for better efficiency/lower operating costs.
--Relocation & re-start has taken longer than expected--combine this with all the other outside forces at work, and it may appear they are no longer making film.

I know some armchair experts love to speculate that they are just selling off master rolls that were made 5 or even 10 years ago and I consider that complete bunk. Based on film I've purchased recently, I believe it is possible some of the stock currently being sold was made in late 2019 or early 2020. But any older than that, no way:

--First of all, they would not suddenly drop decades of standards and risk their reputation in order to deceptively label and sell off stock of questionable age. Even if they were getting out of film, doing something like that would/could have repercussions to all the many other branches of this large company still in business. Also, storage costs money and temperature controlled, much less frozen, costs even more. I highly doubt this is an expense they would shoulder over the long term just in order to capitalize on an uncertain future market.
--Second, they would have had to have known Covid was coming for months, or years, before hand (perhaps they did 'stock up' for a couple months or so, but that is it).
--Third, corporations simply don't over-manufacture or stock up on perishable product for a 'rainy day'. It's called 'just-in-time' production and if you look at the principles of it, it makes Fuji's particular situation more understandable.
--If they were exiting film manufacturing entirely, why contract with Kodak to make C200, but just for the US only?

I do believe they are up and running currently, but at a limited capacity and I think the situation will be 'back to normal' within a year.
I wish I could say the same about prices:bang:
 
bluesun267 said:
--First of all, they would not suddenly drop decades of standards and risk their reputation in order to deceptively label and sell off stock of questionable age. Even if they were getting out of film, doing something like that would/could have repercussions to all the many other branches of this large company still in business.
Click to expand...

Fuji probably tested the leader on the master roll and the film was okay. If the film had turned out to be bad, they would have sold it to Lomography, who would have marketed it as part of their artistic lineup of films.
 
astrosecret said:
they absolutely are selling fujifilm 200 in the states as kodak gold. ive shot it and others have compared the science online.
Click to expand...

You've got it backwards. Kodak manufactures Fuji C200 in the US, and presumably it is the same emulsion as Kodak Gold 200. Because the 'scientists' cut-n-pasted the curves from the Kodak data sheet onto the Fuji one.

They're not exactly trying to keep it a secret, the Fuji box clearly says Made in USA.

My thinking is, if Fuji were really going to leave the whole film business behind, why bother to contract with your competitor to make film under your name? It sure looks to me like they want to be sure to maintain a brand presence in their biggest market while they re-configure their own factory.
 
Well from Friday we've got a new player, Orwo has released Wolfen CN500, iso 500 c-41 (yes, not ECN-2) , colour film, to be shipped from July, in a limited edition run of rolls. They claim it's based based on the wonderful and legendary Agfa stock last used in the Oscar winning film ‘Out of Africa’.
https://www.orwo.wtf/blog/introducin...c41-photo-film.
Can be preordered from June.
If it had been 200-250 iso I would have gone to buy it straight away. Iso 500 is too much for me (and still have 20+ rolls of Agfa-Fuji 200 and 40+ rolls of Agfa-Ferrania 200) in the freezer, and the Missus is not so happy about that.
Best regards
 
Interesting that five pages into this thread, no one has mentioned color reversal film. Some of us continue to shoot it, but we're down to two films: Ektachrome and Provia (and Velvia for those who want to smuggle it in to the US). Personally, I don't care about the cost, but please, let's hope either or both continue to be available! And Ferrania? Sigh.... That ship has clearly sailed.
 
robertofollia said:
Well from Friday we've got a new player, Orwo has released Wolfen CN500, iso 500 c-41 (yes, not ECN-2) , colour film, to be shipped from July, in a limited edition run of rolls. They claim it's based based on the wonderful and legendary Agfa stock last used in the Oscar winning film ‘Out of Africa’.
https://www.orwo.***/blog/introducin...c41-photo-film.
Can be preordered from June.
If it had been 200-250 iso I would have gone to buy it straight away. Iso 500 is too much for me (and still have 20+ rolls of Agfa-Fuji 200 and 40+ rolls of Agfa-Ferrania 200) in the freezer, and the Missus is not so happy about that.
Best regards
Click to expand...
Pretty darn clever, ‘preorders will begin June 1st. for delivery in July’. No need to guess how much sales volume you will have. Get the orders first and you won’t be making too much or too little film, and will get a good notion of long term demand.
 
zuiko85 said:
Pretty darn clever, ‘preorders will begin June 1st. for delivery in July’. No need to guess how much sales volume you will have. Get the orders first and you won’t be making too much or too little film, and will get a good notion of long term demand.
Click to expand...

So $16.00 for a roll plus $32.10 for shipping to the US. Even the most ardent film enthusiast might hesitate a little before clicking the order button.
 
Just a heads up. Apparently Dwayne’s Photo has Fuji 200 36x in stock for 6.99 a roll. Maybe worth a phone call. I couldn’t download their order PDF, just a blank page shows up.
 
Has anyone used SILBERSALZ35 (KODAK VISION3 Motion Picture Film) and the service they provide? They are in Germany. Seems for 20.90 Euro - cost of film, processing, and hi-res scans seems like a good deal. Lots of info on their FAQ. 4.90 euro for neg return. More savings when purchased/processed as a 4-pack.

I found one RFF member here jmanivelle with a rather nice image: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/nod...36#post4766836

Film Review: SILBERSALZ35 (A Game Changer for Film Photographers)

Silbersalz Group at Flickr
 
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