For the devoted film
photographers, their craft is going to become more expensive in the future, and
less diversified, I might add. Fuji has
announced price increases on many of their films, combined with the discontinuation
of many of them.
This further underlines the
ever declining market for analog photography.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to assure
themselves of a high enough sales volume of analog film material to assure the
economic viability to remain in the business of manufacturing a variety of
films, not just for 35mm but photography in general.
The photographic industry was
totally overrun by the success of digital photography. Nobody expected it to develop (no pun
intended) as quickly as it did.
Unfortunately that lead to the demise of even industry giants like
Kodak. Thus it is much to the credit of
companies like Fuji and Ilford that they have continued to supply films.
Those were the days
But they too are
struggling. Ilford has had to
reorganize, but was able to solve their film and paper manufacturing divisions
and Fuji remains as one of the very few companies that has made film materials
available without any apparent problems.
But even their markets are
declining and price increases as well as the discontinuation of certain
products are what is necessary to give photographers that do prefer to work
analog the opportunity to do so.
The Fuji price increase will
be around 20% effective October of 2015 for many of the films that remain in
production, color as well as black and white.
This includes 35mm films like:
Fujicolor 100,
Fujicolor SUPERIA PREMIUM 400
Fujicolor SUPERIA X-TRA 400
Fujicolor SUPERIA VENUS 800
Fujicolor NATURA 1600
Fujicolor PRO 160 NS
Fujicolor PRO 400 H, FUJICHROME
Velvia50
FUJICHROME Velvia100
FUJICHROME PROVIA100F
Neopan 100 ACROS
Most of the films that will
be discontinued are in 120, 220 and large format sizes. The only 35mm films are:
Fujichrome PROVIA 400X
NEOPAN 4
It remains to be seen if smaller, niche market manufacturers like ADOX and the returning Ferrania will be able to survive this ever decreasing market.
In view of these developments it is much to the credit of Leica that they continue to manufacture analog film cameras, and not just one, but three models.
In view of these developments it is much to the credit of Leica that they continue to manufacture analog film cameras, and not just one, but three models.
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Bob Butterfield wrote: It seems almost inevitable that color film will fade out. I think BW is sustainable for many years. Much less expensive chemistry, etc. I'll keep shooting portra 400, cine still as long as it's available.
ReplyDeleteI think Bob is correct. I get comments regarding film on a regular basis and while there are a few individuals that still use color film, the overwhelming number of film users do shoot black and white.
DeleteJonathan Higbee answered: As someone who regularly shoots color film, this is disappointing but expected news.
DeleteFrank Miranda wrote: Making B&W film is cheap....Film will always be around.......
ReplyDeleteJim Shulman wrote: What the author fails to mention is that film sales have increased for the past two years, as it becomes an art form rather than a commodity. Fuji has been making a graceful exit from the film business for years, one emulsion at a time (a bit like Kodak killing Kodachrome one emulsion at a time.). We're seeing the industry settle at a new normal, with higher prices for a niche, luxury good. As with the Leica example, what's $15 for a roll of E-6 film after purchasing a $4000+ camera?
ReplyDeleteI am fully aware that there have been some increases in film sales. However, that is a different issue and was not the topic of this article.
DeleteSteven Ptashkin wrote: The author does not seem to realize that Kodák is still in business. Then again, I know a few photographers who also think that Kodák is out of business.
ReplyDeleteI am aware that Kodak is still in business and I should have mentioned that.
DeleteKodak is not even a shadow of its former self. Just like so many other companies which got run over by the digital revolution, they tried to hang on to doing business as they did in the past. The result was that they almost totally disappeared from the photographic market. While they still make and sell film, they appear to rely on their name by providing a niche market for individuals which have not made the switch to digital. As far as the photographic market as a whole is concerned, film photography has been reduced to nothing more than a mere blip on the photographic map.
DeleteAbellera Fotografia wrote: I remember a time when I was able to burn as much film (C41) as I wanted by the bricks (20rolls) and process it all at work...FREE.
ReplyDeleteJames Rock wrote:
ReplyDeleteinteresting developments given that there were reports that film sales have increased by 40% in the last year..
I have heard of increases in film sales as well, but 40%? I would like to see that substantiated by verifiable facts.
Delete