Velvia discontinuation

[michaelfinch]

Just signed. Not because I'm a big user of Velvia but because I use 5x4 for a variety of reasons from straight forward pics to copy work etc. It's a valuable tool and losing any emulsion is potentially another of those deaths by a thousand cuts....................

[Trail Images]

I checked B&H this morning to see if the new 20% price increase had taken place here in the USA as we were warned about a week or so back. Regretfully B&H shows V-50 discontinued in 4x5. I just bought 10 boxes there last week under the old price. However, I did notice for the first time ever in buying from B&H the V-50 was a bit shorted dated too.........

[michaelfinch]

On Radio 4 yesterday it was reported that Kodak was selling off its patents; nothing new in that. But it was also stated that Kodak no longer manufactured film. Have I missed something? I know they're pulling out of reversal materials but if the Beeb is correct, that is just as serious as the Velvia situation.

[Trail Images]

In checking the Kodak site there is no notice with respect to the Porta or Ektar negative films being discontinued. As these were fairly later products they released I suspect they will remain viable as long as Kodak does. I would think as time goes by and if Fuji continues down it's path with respect to the dropping of reversal films it will only enhance Kodak's position and sales on their negative films. This of course is all related to the LF products as I really do not follow the other formats that closely. I'm already aware of at least 5 photogs here in the USA that have switched to Porta and Ektar only in the last month after MANY years of using Fuji reversal films exclusively. These decisions were all predicated on Fuji's once again choice in dropping V-50 in LF.

[michaelfinch]

I suspect the reporter should have referred to reversal film rather than just film. But we are where we are. I don't have much experience of Portra but Ektar scans beautifully. Anyone got experience of these two emulsions?

[Baxter]

I have a small freezer which I bought for the previous time Velvia was being discontinued. It's sitting idle in the garage. Free to anyone who wants to come to Lymington and collect it.

Sorry to hear that Fuji have made this decision and I too have signed the petition.

Bax

[craigmagee]

Guys at Japan Exposures say they haven't heard anything over there about Fuji discontinuing at least V50 (thats the only one I asked about) in sheet sizes.

[joolsb]

I suspect the reporter should have referred to reversal film rather than just film. But we are where we are. I don't have much experience of Portra but Ektar scans beautifully. Anyone got experience of these two emulsions?

I've been using Portra (both flavours) and Ektar a fair bit over the last couple of years and I have to admit that I absolutely love Portra - especially the 400 variant. Ektar is a bit of a curious beast and, whilst I've had enough positive experiences to persevere with it, I've also had a fair few negative ones as well. All the Kodak C41 films scan beautifully - which is more than I can say for Velvia (unless you have a drum scanner and can dig that extra 10% out of the shadows, of course).

[Thingy]

The way things are going we could end up going full circle and having to make our own glass plates, in situ!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ePMk5l ... re=related

And this is for those who can afford the Velvia but not the camera....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IEcHx_W2AQ

[Trail Images]

Wow, that wet plate process looked a bit over the top for me...... I flunked basic chem class too. Although I do have a full-on painter's breathing apparatus for the dark room......

The second U-tube was a bit easier to take in, I already have a saw-horse or I guess you could call it a "quad-pod" sitting in the garage........ ..............thanks for sharing these.

[George S]

They keep chipping away at LF film.

What's next I wonder?

I've signed up btw.

[Charles Twist]

It's not just colour film. It seems that Efke are in trouble too.
I have just seen 4 skeletons on horseback galloping past the house. Should I worry?
Charles

[Trail Images]

I'd not heard about any other issues beyond the Fuji scuffle as of late. Sadly, it looks like the economic health of remaining film producers no matter what size or flavor are in a justification struggle throughout. It's hard to figure at times when all of a sudden there is a new product released that makes very little sense. This would include film and film cameras that fit right into the wheelhouse of digital platforms. Go figure?.....

[Valerio Trigari]

I just signed the petition and I really hope it will reach the target of 2,500 signatures. It's going to be very sad if they will really stop producing this wonderful film!...

Val

[Marizu]

I wonder what the implications of this will be:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=27689

Ouch