So long Ilford?

[Ellis Vener]

According to this story in the Manchester Guardian,

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/general/s/128/128120_fears_for_700_jobs_as_ilford_faces_closure.html

if you like Ilford films and papers you had better start stocking up now.

[Tom Westbrook]

Wow. That's really bad news. Hopefully it turns out to be a reorganization and not a closure. I'm not a regular Ilford user, but I do admire their products and would be very sorry to see them go, esp. HP5+ and wanted to retry Gallerie again soon.

Another article: http://business.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3394295

[Ted Harris]

Remember this was already the second chance (or maybe third) for Ilford. Somke 5-8 years ago the company was sold privately to a small group of investors. My memory isn't real clear but the group that bought the then failing company may have in turn resold it.

[Robert Skeoch]

This would be such a drag, I love their warm tone FB paper. Just bought 300 sheets of it today. That ought to keep the company going till lunch Tuesday.

[Francesco]

This is hardly a surprise. The surprise is that it took some years for this eventual bankruptcy to happen. The company could not change with the times in a timely fashion and the market is a ruthless punisher. There are other, better films out there. I do not bemoan the loss of Ilford films. I am saddened by the loss of jobs.

Francesco (www.cicoli.com)

[Sal Santamaura]

"There are other, better films out there."

To which do you refer, and better in what way(s)?

[Bill_1856]

Oh, Shit!

[Francesco]

"To which do you refer, and better in what way(s)?"

Efke PL100 versus FP4 and Classic 400 versus HP5. I have used FP4 and HP5 and they cannot contract as much as Efke and Classic respectively. FP4 and HP5 in my experience loses steam around SBR=11 (N-4 or thereabouts). Whereas Efke PL100 and Classic 400 can go on to SBR=14 (N-7). In addition, they build density better (useful for me because I contact print only on AZO paper) without loss of overall and local contrast.

Francesco (www.cicoli.com)

[David R Munson]

I find this to be decidedly depressing.

[tim o'brien]

Time to stock up on HP5 in 2x3 size.

tim in san jose