Film future for MF cameras

[Nikkornos]

Recently with a series of sad news of Kodak's death, Efke termination and Fuji terminating a few film, are depressing.
The good thing is this somewhat stopped me from buying film cam.

Fuji released on the 13th Sep that they are shifting to digital workflow of motion picture production.


"Fujifilm has mainly provided negative films for shooting and positive films for projection in its motion picture film business operations. However, in order to adapt to the recent rapid transition of digitalization in the shooting, producing, projecting and archiving processes of motion pictures Fujifilm has decided to shift its business operations to provide products and services designed for digital workflow of motion picture production and projection.

Digital cinema camera shooting has been gaining momentum, and digital editing that heavily uses CG composition and VFX processing has now become common in motion picture production. There is also an increase in the number of movie theaters that converted to digital projection, following the increase of 3D motion pictures, implying the dramatically advancing digitalization in the motion picture industry. In such trend, Fujifilm has strived to reduce the costs of the production process for its existing negative films and positive films and continued to supply such films. However, the dramatic decrease of demand in the last few years has become far too great a burden to be covered by corporate efforts. Therefore, it has been decided to discontinue the sales of negative films, positive films, and some other products of motion picture in a prospect of March 2013.

Fujifilm will continue to provide films suitable for long-term archiving, high-performance lens for motion pictures, and other products and services designed for digital workflow of motion picture production and exhibition. Fujifilm will strive harder than ever to provide such products and services in its continuous contribution to the motion picture industry.

However, professional and amateur photographic still film will continue to be manufactured.

Products ending its sales

Color Positive Film
Color Negative Film
B&W Positive/Negative Film
Intermediate Film
Sound Recording Film
High Contrast Panchromatic Films
Chemicals (Japan only) "



Anyone has data of the consumption of 120 film?

 

[virtualme78]

This is sad news... is film really dying?

 

[third3rdwheel]

I am very optimistic, and doubt film will ever die completely

 

[losheng]

At Photokina, besides Ilford, Foma and Adox are still actively pushing their films. Both have even rolled out reversal b/w films - something has disappeared from the market for a while. So at the very least, b/w films will be around for a long time. Both have plans to roll out more varieties of b/w films in fact.

Fujifilm Europe has assured me that there's still sustainable demand for slides and negs in Europe, so these will probably around for a bit.

Cost, however, is definitely going up. Besides the cost of silver, the lack of economical of scale will mean higher production cost. The Adox guys told me that the entire pricing is hanging precariously on a balance between what the market is willing to pay, and what it takes to make films.

Guys, the only way to keep film alive is simply to shoot more. It's a lot nicer. I walked through the halls of Photokina to look at all the digital prints, and really, I actually don't think they look good at all. The operation manager from one of the major photobook companies told me that they have see a slow return of customers asking for silver halide based prints, which are more expensive than the ones by digital press. The skin tones from silver halides prints are still far more superior than what you can get from digitals at this point.

I think film will eventually be a high end product for the discerning photographers and artists.

ls

 

[third3rdwheel]

Agree with Losheng

 

[lualua]

Actually if film were to die, we(consumers) will be the only group responsible for killing it( the demand). So let's continue to use film! I reckon film(black and white at least) will be around for a Long long time.

 

[sfoto100]

At Photokina, besides Ilford, Foma and Adox are still actively pushing their films. Both have even rolled out reversal b/w films - something has disappeared from the market for a while. So at the very least, b/w films will be around for a long time. Both have plans to roll out more varieties of b/w films in fact.

Fujifilm Europe has assured me that there's still sustainable demand for slides and negs in Europe, so these will probably around for a bit.

Cost, however, is definitely going up. Besides the cost of silver, the lack of economical of scale will mean higher production cost. The Adox guys told me that the entire pricing is hanging precariously on a balance between what the market is willing to pay, and what it takes to make films.

Guys, the only way to keep film alive is simply to shoot more. It's a lot nicer. I walked through the halls of Photokina to look at all the digital prints, and really, I actually don't think they look good at all. The operation manager from one of the major photobook companies told me that they have see a slow return of customers asking for silver halide based prints, which are more expensive than the ones by digital press. The skin tones from silver halides prints are still far more superior than what you can get from digitals at this point.

I think film will eventually be a high end product for the discerning photographers and artists.

ls

hi bro

u go to attend photokina ? wow!!!

 

[tengcc792]

There's a few more consumer grade films like Solaris and efiniti is quite popular from what I heard.
The most worrying part is the number of photo processing labs in Singapore.

 

[giantcanopy]

JOBO International GmbH: JOBO CPP3

It is gratifying to see Jobo re-entering the market, and they probably did their bit of research homework on the market.
I hope it is a start of a trend for film revival in a bigger way for photographic community

 

[Nikkornos]

China market is still very strong. The Shanghai GP3 is still rolling out a lot. Lucky still makes 4X5 B&W so its good news.

I just realized my colleague in Germany is a professional photographer! He has pointed me the directions to get film in Amsterdam (cheaper).

So the death of Kodak is making some new development. Fuji market share is going up, and so are the small timer film makers.

 

[third3rdwheel]

There's a few more consumer grade films like Solaris and efiniti is quite popular from what I heard.
The most worrying part is the number of photo processing labs in Singapore.

Never mind, just set up your own home B & W lab

 

[CLN2011]

Never mind, just set up your own home B & W lab

A quick question for CSers - would anyone be able to advise if 127 film is available for sale in Singapore? Just acquired an old camera that uses this format. User comments with this format and films like EFKE would be highly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[pixelbrain]

A quick question for CSers - would anyone be able to advise if 127 film is available for sale in Singapore? Just acquired an old camera that uses this format. User comments with this format and films like EFKE would be highly appreciated! Thanks.

yes I believe you can get it from stores like thirty-six at sunshine plaza.

 

[third3rdwheel]

Just go to Ruby photo, they have 120 films.

 

[CLN2011]

Just go to Ruby photo, they have 120 films.

Thanks for responding but I'm looking for 127 film.