Tech Pan going going... gone

[tim atherton]

If the info is indeed correct ounds like Kodak is dumping Tech Pan - I heard mention of Ctein being told this was so by Kodak, then had the following forwarded to me today (at the same time there were rumours about the final demise of Kodachrome - which turned out not to be true - the message refers to both):

"just received a message from Charles S. Smith, senior public relations spokesman for Eastman Kodak. I have copied his message below in its entirety. Basically it says that the rumors of the "death" of Kodachrome are NOT true! They continue to make and market the product. Sorry, but he can't say the same for Technical Pan. All of you that use that film better buy some and make space in the freezer just as soon as possible. The part about Technical Pan is true!

Subject: Re: [Fwd: Kodachrome again] Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 16:16:32 -0400 From: charles.s.smith@kodak.com

I have learned that we did send a letter (Aug. 1) to dealers that we will discontinue Technical Pan film. However, there was no mention of Kodachrome in the letter.

We will discontinue 120 format in December of this year; 135 and long rolls April of 2005; and sheets films in June. The letter suggests photographers use T-Max 100 as an alternative and suggests processing support.

As for a reason, the volumes of Technical Pan films are declining and changes in our manufacturing processes would make it impractical to support at the low levels of today.

Again, there was no mention of Kodachrome and we continue to make and market Kodachrome... hope this helps.... csmith.."

BTW - who knew TMax 100 was such an amazing film... You can use it for everything! when Kodak dumped it's various specialist duping/copying films they also recommended TMax 100 instead - beats me why they ever needed to develop any other film than TMax 100 :-)

[David Luttmann]

I'll be stocking up the freezer for 120 format shooting. This is certainly a shame!!!

[Bob._3483]

I find all these "it's not economical to make it anymore" reasons we hear from manufacturers a bit odd when it comes to B&W film. In 2002, both Kodak and Ilford reported a small *increase* in monochrome film sales in the UK - no reason to suppose this is widely atypical compared to sales in other developed markets. I haven't seen anything reported on 2003 volumes.

As b&w sales volumes are presumably less effected by the digital takeup by professionals than colour, one would expect them to be less likely to be discontinued, especially given the large profit margins involved, with no further r&d expenditure intended. Yet Kodachrome remains but Tech Pan is discontinued. All very odd.

No doubt when they finally dump Kodachrome they will recommend TMX 100 and a packet of felt-tip colouring pens....

Cheers,

[Dan Fromm]

I asked Kodak about this. They told me that yes, Tech Pan is going and Kodachrome is staying. I have the timetable in my office PC, will put it up tomorrow morning. Arrrgh!

Dan

[tim atherton]

"I find all these "it's not economical to make it anymore" reasons we hear from manufacturers a bit odd when it comes to B&W film. In 2002, both Kodak and Ilford reported a small *increase* in monochrome film sales in the UK - no reason to suppose this is widely atypical compared to sales in other developed markets. I haven't seen anything reported on 2003 volumes. As b&w sales volumes are presumably less effected by the digital takeup by professionals than colour"

Probably not so in this case - I doubt their sales of tech pan have been increasing. Biggest market was probably scientific, scenes of crimes photography and other such uses, which are all going hugely digital in one form or other. Use by photographers - amateur or pro photographing landscapes, peppers or whatever was probably always an insiginifiacnt part of the market by comparison.

[Brian Ellis]

Here's the announcement:

"Kodak has preannounced the discontinuance of Kodak Professional Technical Pan Film. 120 size will be discontinued in December, 2004, 135 and long roll will be discontinued in April, 2005, and sheet sizes will be discontinued in June, 2005. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and expect that Kodak Professional T-Max 100 Film may be used as an alternative for some applications."

I like the part about "we are sorry for any inconvenience. . . " They should have added "but our sorrow isn't so great as to prevent us from discontinuing this and eventually all of our black and white films (except maybe T Max, we'll get back to you on that)."

[Jay DeFehr]

I guess it's a good thing I like Tmax.

[Diane Maher]

You're lucky then, Jay. I can't stand the pinhole riddled stuff.

[Jay DeFehr]

Diane, I've never had pinholes in my Tmax film. Have you tried using water as a stop bath?

[Annie M.]

Perfect!! I finally tamed it for enlarged negs for alt (beautiful tonality)... also you can't beat it for foggy day shooting.... Thanks for the warning Tim.