Fujifilm’s 20% Price Increase on Films

[JV]

Shooting film is getting more expensive.

Fujifilm’s 20% price increase on films now official in the USA:
http://photorumors.com/2012/05/01/fujifilms-20-price-increase-on-films-now-official-in-the-usa/

[BJL]

20% for Fujifilm, 15% for Kodak last month, very similar explanations:

The price increases are a result of the continuing decline in demand for film products, the high costs of production, and the increased expenses associated with raw materials, including silver and petro-chemicals, and energy. Under such circumstances, and despite efforts to maintain production costs, Fujifilm is unable to absorb these costs entirely and must implement price increases at this time.

PhotoRumors.com: http://photorumors.com/2012/05/01/fujifilms-20-price-increase-on-films-now-official-in-the-usa/#ixzz1tfYYBePK

AP reported that Kodak will be increasing the price of all its films by 15%:

"We have to contend with further increases in energy and raw material costs, and higher costs associated with lower volumes. Therefore, to remain a sustainable, viable business, the company is implementing a price increase for consumer and professional films"

PhotoRumors.com: http://photorumors.com/2012/03/09/kodak-to-increase-the-price-of-all-its-films-by-15/#ixzz1tfZ1F2Nr

[ondebanks]

Well, it's better than discontinuing production altogether. 

Although from my personal point of view, all the best films have already been discontinued - Kodak E200 & TechPan, Konica Centuria 400 & 800, Fuji Superia 100 CN;
....or "improved" (but actually disimproved!) - Provia 400X (400F was better!);
....or both disimproved and discontinued! - Agfa Optima II 400 (Optima I was better!).

But I guess shooters of Portra, Ektar, Velvia, Provia etc. are still reasonably happy with what's available, even if they have to pay more for the privilege.

Ray

[rolleiflexpages]

Well, it's better than discontinuing production altogether. 

Very true indeed. We can already be happy that we do have a decent choice of films available at all.
It is a pity that Fuji decided to drop its Reala in 35mm format, that was a great color print film.

[Rob C]

That suggests to me that the future for film cameras, even antiques, is going to go down the tubes as well. I just don't think that 'enthusiasts' will pony up for much higher costs; after all, with colour, it's more than likely they will be processing outwith their own place and the external labs are going to face cost/turnover problems too, as many did in the past and pulled the plug. As with expensive restaurants, how dear can a piece of meat get and still attract customers beyond a very small percentage of the population? Good scanners are already as rare as a hen's teeth...

Rob C

[DeckardTrinity]

It's unfortunately a death spiral... costs increasing, demand decreasing, therefore prices go up, driving demand down even more, repeat, until no more demand exists.

I do believe that this cycle can be broken, but it will require Kodak and/or Fuji to spin off their film divisions into separate companies that downscale their production to the niche market that exists today. Ilford/Harmon have been quite successful at keeping their b&w film lines going, without any product removals, for a good while, and the annual ULF special order window seems to be a great way to keep the larger film sizes continuing in production as well.

[HarperPhotos]

Film? Is that crap still around. LOL

[BJL]

I wonder if black and white film will last longer, due to the simpler chemistry (easier to scale down to low volume production?) and the far greater viability of home developing (so no dependence on a local lab, so long as Ilford or Kodak supplies can come in the mail)? I get a vague sense that when I look at the shrinking displays of rolls of film in shops, the proportion of B&W is increasing.

[EricWHiss]

Film? Is that crap still around. LOL

Don't be silly film is cool!  I still shoot film on my Rollei Hy6 even though I have both 80 and 33 mp backs for it.  Black and white film does some things better than digital. Great to have the options.

[mediumcool]

I wonder if black and white film will last longer, due to the simpler chemistry (easier to scale down to low volume production?) and the far greater viability of home developing (so no dependence on a local lab, so long as Ilford or Kodak supplies can come in the mail)? I get a vague sense that when I look at the shrinking displays of rolls of film in shops, the proportion of B&W is increasing.

Some years ago, I predicted that film photography (particularly in medium- and large-format), would undergo a resurgence, and it seems to be happening, especially black & white. Not only is black & white film cheaper to buy, but can be self-developed as noted, saving molto dinero.

So will hand-colouring make a comeback?