Traditional photography at Photo Plus Expo

[steve simmons]

For those of us interested in traditional photography I think Photo Plus was a plus. Ilford was there announcing that they weill continue all of the Kentmere products as well as their own after the acquisition, Freestyle announced they will continue to carry Kentmere products, Kodak has announced a new and improved T-Max 400, Fuji was promoting their newly released Velvia, there was a panel on the importance and future of black and white with concern expressed but positive feelings as well, etc., etc. Kodal, Fuji, and Ilford have all been surprised at the resiliency of the sheet film market, etc., etc.

Sorry, no doom and gloom here.

steve simmons

[David Karp]

Don't be sorry.

What concerns were voiced?

[JPlomley]

This is excellent news for one who dropped all his Canon DSLR gear to fund an Arca Swiss, Rodenstock glass, and lots of film. The first six months into LF has been mostly a positive experience (thanks to the excellent contributers on this forum) and the prints I am able to produce at 16x20 and larger far exceed anything I could do with the Canon system. I'm hoping to get at least 5 years out of 4x5 film before it is gone forever (I am talking strictly chrome film).

[Ash]

I'm hoping to get at least 5 years out of 4x5 film before it is gone forever (I am talking strictly chrome film).

A five year death sentence? I'll have to refuse to believe that or else I might be dead by 25!


Let's hope Ilford survive at an affordable price

[davidb]

I think it is terrific news.

I am not one bit surprised.

Thanks for letting us know.

[JPlomley]

Yep, five years. If there is nowhere to get E6 processed, then Fuji and Kodak can manufacture as much film as they want, but it is not going to sell. Labs are shutting down at a phenomeneal rate while Fuji continues to bring out new E6 emulsions. This sends mixed signals at best. If Fuji and Kodak want film manufacturing to continue as a viable business, then they will need to open up E6 processing labs to support it. One lab for every major city would probably do the trick.

[naturephoto1]

E6 film will be around for much more than 5 years. There are still a reasonable number of larger and even smaller cities with labs processing (though with less frequency) transparencies. My local Pro Lab (VIP) is in Bethlehem, PA with a population of about 71,300. The town that I live in has a population of only 2400 and the lab is close enough to drop off film for processing and they do an excellent job.

Rich

[evan clarke]

E6 film will be around for much more than 5 years. There are still a reasonable number of larger and even smaller cities with labs processing (though with less frequency) transparencies. My local Pro Lab (VIP) is in Bethlehem, PA with a population of about 71,300. The town that I live in has a population of only 2400 and the lab is close enough to drop off film for processing and they do an excellent job.

Rich

I'm in Milwaukee (metro area 1 1/2 million), one lab does E6 sheet film and not every day now. Color film coating is more complex than B&W and all film coating requires big volume on big capacity machinery, maybe only 2 or 3 coating lines in the world for color transparency film. E6 will be gone long before B&W. Try to buy a full case of 4x5 transparency film from the same lot in the US..EC

[Greg Lockrey]

Yep, five years. If there is nowhere to get E6 processed, then Fuji and Kodak can manufacture as much film as they want, but it is not going to sell. Labs are shutting down at a phenomeneal rate while Fuji continues to bring out new E6 emulsions. This sends mixed signals at best. If Fuji and Kodak want film manufacturing to continue as a viable business, then they will need to open up E6 processing labs to support it. One lab for every major city would probably do the trick.

But it is so easy to do yourself.

[Capocheny]

If Fuji and Kodak want film manufacturing to continue as a viable business, then they will need to open up E6 processing labs to support it.

I agree... and they have to process more than just 35 mm. One of the larger drugstore chains here in Vancouver have labs in most of their stores.

But, try and get them to process 4x5 or larger... they look at you like you've just arrived from some other galaxy.

And, of course, we (as consumers and end-users) need to support these same labs.

Cheers