Film News: FujiFilm Discontinuations
Sad news over the weekend from FujiFilm as they have made another announcement on their Japanese website. As we all know, these announcements are almost never good news. Unfortunately this one is no different, as FujiFilm have this time cut several multipacks and some sheet film from their already stripped range.
On the 29th of July FujiFilm quietly slipped out the information that they will be discontinuing a series of the multipacks from their film range. Now this may not sound terribly significant to may, as the films themselves have not be discontinued and you will be able to buy them in individual rolls. But it is actually more important than we think, as this means you will no longer be able to save money by buying multipacks of film. So without mentioning it, we have just been hit with a hidden price hike.
This will inevitably price the films out of the range of some and make them less popular, meaning sales drop, meaning price hikes again and finally leading to discontinuation. Like a self fulfilling prophecy.
The following Film multipacks will be discontinued:
FujiFilm Superia 400 27 exp 2 pack.
FujiFilm Superia 400 27 exp 5 pack.
FujiFilm Superia 400 36 exp 2 pack.
FujiFilm Superia 400 36 exp 5 pack.
Fuji Film Superia X-TRA 400 24 exp 2 pack.
Fuji Film Superia X-TRA 400 24 exp 5 pack.
Fuji Film Superia X-TRA 400 36 exp 5 pack.
FujiFilm Superia Venus 800 27 exp 3 pack.
FujiFilm Superia Venus 800 36 exp 3 pack.
FujiFilm Natura 1600 36 exp 3 pack.
All of these films will still be available in single rolls, but they do work out to be slightly more expensive than the multipack rolls. According the the information on the FujiFilm website http://ffis.fujifilm.co.jp/information/articlein_0054.html (only in Japanese so you will have to use google translate).
But, the news for large format photographers is a lot worse. As Fujicolour Pro 160 sheets for 4×5 and 8×10 will be completely discontinued, without any replacement options.
According to the schedule the multipacks will be stopped by December of 2016, but you can bet there is going to be a run on these packs now and they will almost certainly be unavailable before then. The sheet films will be stopped in August and September.
Sad news for all of us, as our options for colour film photography are becoming slimmer and slimmer. I understand that FujiFilm is a business and they are in the business of making money, but surely they could commit to some kind of preservation of some film stocks. A heritage line perhaps? They had massive success recently with their retro disposable cameras, so the market is definitely there. I think they are underestimating the passion and spending power of film photographers.
JCH
I stopped buying any Fuji film when they discontinued Neopan 1600. And for sure i will never ever buy a digital camera from them, besides the fact that i don’t like the X-Trans. As you said, they are underestimating the passion of film photographers. If they were at least more flexible and produce batches on request like Kodak does with some of their large format films. Or selling the recipes to another company which is still interested in producing film.
Velvia user !
Sad news…
Although I’m only a user of Superia, and despite the fact that these are not getting fully discontinued, but it just represents an increase of the price, this is getting a bit to much, tbh.
Probably they should just give up everything film related and sell it to other companies. Just assume, publicly, that they’re not interested in film anymore, apart from their instax line.
With b&w we have a considerable amount of options apart from fuji and kodak but not so much for color. Can someone please share what other companies are producing color film (35 and 120) apart from these two? What are you guys using? I’d love to support others but can only think of Lomography and Agfa, at the moment.
Thank you all (and Bellamy, for the incredible content)!
Certainly bad news, but I do notice that the 4-pack is not on the list for discontinuance. These are some of the most cost-effective of the multipacks.
That would be because the 4 packs are not available in Japan. I couldn’t say about other countries.
Thanks.
well, time to stop buying digital cameras from fuji, anything.
buy Ilford, Kodak, Rollei, and the many others…
I don’t see how not buying Fuji products will help anything. I buy Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 in four packs in USA.
Sad – I love Fuji film stock. I think it’s exceptional. And I love their digital cameras, they’re a brilliant company. I guess they looked at Kodak’s fall and decided to do whatever it takes to avoid becoming dinosaur, even if it means killing their babies. I’ve been stockpiling Venus and Natura for the past two years, but the high speed films apparently don’t keep that well, even in the deep freeze.
As a long time photographer who migrated to digital almost 20 years ago from film, I now shoot film again. I am surprised at the films left on the market, and saddened to see films leave. I think Fujifilm is making a huge mistake in their film marketing plan. It is clear that Fujifilm will kill these films off within the next year or so. With each departure of one of their films, I buy more and more Kodak film stock. I love the Fujifilm saturation in their color films, and I just loved their Acros BW films until that disappeared from the Fujifilm world. Now, I’m back to using Kodak and Ilford again. I was looking at Fujifilm digital mirrorless camera systems as a replacement to my Canon gear, but now think I’ll move to Olympus.
After reading your previous articles about Fuji (and sharing them on the internet) I feel Really pissed and betrayed by fujiCOSMETICS! Even more now when Kodak announced bigger profits from film sales then in previous year!!!
I will be very sad when Fuji will make velvia50 so expensive that I cannot afford!!!
After this, and even if I like their cameras, I will never buy one from them!!! :/
Well I think we all have to face the failings of Fuji not recognizing the huge film market.
It is very short sighted, film is not going to go away,
But they have made some fantastic cameras in the past, and really still do.
Their film lines have been equally great, wonderful colours.
It is a real shame technology has taken them down this route, supply and demand I suppose.
Who ever is the head man at Fuji should wake up and taste the coffee again, before it is to late!!
lewy
Not buying anymore from Fuji means:
– You have more money to spend on others who really care about film.
– Your heart won’t be broken again by the next announcement
– You can work on a smooth transition from their products
– No more support towards a company who does not believe in your passion and will let you down anyway.
– Their films are not easily replaceable but their digital line is!
Clearly, Fuji’s commitment to film is largely confined to Instax (a good prduct that I continue to use), but is lacking elsewhere.
Maybe it’s film division needs to be set-up differently (since small-scale production seems to be the way with film, maybe a whole new company needs to be set up).
Hiii, Hello. Thanks for comments and thanks Bellamy. I m a Leica, Zeiss, Rollei, Nikon, Fuji user. I use Fuji films, especially VELVIA 50 and ACROS, I have Fuji X too. We can exchange a lot about X system, there is + and -, by the way for me, FUJIFILM IS NOT THE SAME COMPANY, like Apple, LEICA, BMW, BENZ, … this is a company based on marketing, … young marketees who believe on their own city stupid trendy behaviors, which makes them blind, they dont go out their fancy bars, stores, fashion restaurants, and they dont see, they want to understand people who make films, … arrogant people, who destroy the glory, the history, the prestige of FUJIFILM there is FILM in the name … I hope, you, Bellamy you will be able to run new films as positive films as Velvia, negative as Cinestyle 250 or Ektar which becames difficult to find in China. I dont like Sony, but because Fuji does not respect us, I m looking on Sony more and more, they have Ful Frame them, … Fuji is late, late for that, so picky …Bellamy if you want to run new films, tell us how to help you, on my side I will do my best ti participate and make promotion on social networks. But, first be sure people support you strongly. FUJI they are poor blind marketees just good to have a drink at Starbucks and send messages on chats …
Sad news and not unexpected, frankly. I find this to be almost intolerable nonetheless. Do the Japanese ever protest in the streets in large numbers? Perhaps you might organize an action against FUJI amongst the legions of Japanese photogs (I’m kidding!) Seriously, though – yes I understand the ‘business’ aspect on the part of FUJI and other old film manufacturers, such as KODAK. What I don’t understand is why – being aware of the niche film photography movement (which IS growing, BTW) – they don’t release to the public their film-making formulas, copyrights, and the manufacturing equipment if they’ve decided they can’t make money from continued production (Kodachrome 64 anyone)?? Surely as with the Impossible and Lomography ventures, someone would come to the rescue. And yes – that would probably entail a substantial charge, but…so what? At least it would all be still available to those who decide they want the film regardless – just as with the vintage cameras themselves!
Hey guys,
I see “Fuji Superia 400” and “Fuji Superia X-TRA 400” on the list. Can anyone tell me what the difference is? I’ve always used the X-TRA variant, but am curious as to what the other one looks like. Google isn’t helping much.
Oh, come on, this isn’t THAT bad. And it certainly is not the end of film.
The multi-packs Superia? Meh. Buy Pro 400h instead, it’s a better product; If you want to save money, shoot with your camera-phone. If you want to enjoy yourself, try 160NS on a roll film camera, it’s really nice.
So they ceased production of C41 sheet film and now you’re stuck with Kodak Ektar, Portra 160 or 400. Or you have to learn E6 and shoot Velvia. Of course the 4×5 and 8×10 C41 sheets aren’t viable for a company that operates on a large scale. Take a look here to see the scale of operations for Fujifilm: http://petapixel.com/2015/01/05/fujifilm-selling-off-one-major-film-factories-europe-heres-look-inside/
Just to be contrary… If you want to show your support for Fujifilm and its various film stocks, buy it up, shoot it, rant and rave all over the internets about what great film it is, talk it up, send friendly, complimentary letters to the company, and try to drum up support for whatever stocks they continue producing.
Complaining and swearing never to do further business with them gives the the excuse to continue cutting stocks and lines.
For my money, their digital cameras are the best, most user friendly cameras around and produce some of the best files, but then I could care less about razor sharpness or clinical precision (I shoot film, after all).
And while I like Kodak color more, the 400 speed Fuji stocks are excellent, particularly shot at 320.
I, for one, intend to put my money where my mouth is and start buying and shooting Fuji stocks whenever possible. Granted, I also need to support active and committed film producers, so let me order up some of Mr. Hunt’s Street Pan. I don’t shoot much black & white, and I don’t have much disposable income, but I need to show my support for fresh film stocks as much as possible.
I work at a camera store in San Francisco, and we get the news of this type of either Fuji or Kodak saying of discontinuing of films. Kodak the giant of films did in2004 & 2005 of killing ALl of E6, and most of the large format, and Kodachrome. But I heard from my co-worker that Kodak announce of the re-brith of Super 8 cameras, and we have not seen of these cameras both Super 8 and a possible of a 16mm camera. And he said that if Kodak does not succeed in this project of bringing back traditional movie making since most shooters wants DSLR with 4K that Kodak will discontinue ALL films-from TX to Gold to Portra. This year at Photokina that both Impossible Project, and Lomogrphy will be there to promote their film base products, and remember Holga cameras are no more RIP. So do anyone want to comment -Remember Fuji Did not want to save Peel apart films-materials cost to must give me a break? How much is it to make Instax? And why did Lomography & Impossible Project did not acquired the FP100C, did you know how many peel apart cameras, and backs are there in the world, hey I am one of them that has a Polaroid camera, and Polaroid back for my XL, so please comment on this…
On a somewhat brighter note, it appears that Fuji is introducing new types of Instax films – an Instax mini black & white & a square (6 x6) format film (for which it appears they will be making a new line of Instax cameras). While not making up for it’s discontinuations (not by a longshot!), it is still encouraging to see they are able to develop (pun not intended, happy accident) a new film lines.
Fuji has recently released (& I recently purchased) Instax Monochrome mini film. At Photokina, they also announced a square format Instax (& a new camera to go along with it). While, not making up for film discontinuations, it at least shows they have some creativity in the film department (I’m not sure why there have been no stories on this site on the subject)