This press release from Fuji says that they’re raising prices globally by about 5% on all of their colour negative films, and that "the rate of increase may differ by regional market".
Tag: fujifilm
Velvia 50 to be reintroduced in US
On the heels Fujifilm UK’s announcement last week that Velvia 50 slide film would be reintroduced to the UK [see previous post], Fujifilm USA today announced that the same would happen in the US:
Fujifilm press release:
FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to announce plans to re-introduce an ISO 50 Fujichrome Velvia professional film, tentatively named Velvia II. Fujichrome Velvia (RVP 50) was the first high color saturation, high contrast transparency E-6 compatible film when it was introduced in 1990 and was a favorite among photographers. Its discontinuation was announced last year due to difficulties in procuring some of the raw materials used to produce the emulsion.
"Since we announced the discontinuation of Velvia 50, we have been inundated with requests from photographers worldwide to continue production,” said Christian Fridholm, Director of Marketing, Picture Taking, Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. “They had used Velvia for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we took those requests very seriously."
As a result, Fujifilm research and development teams have developed substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable the company to restart production. The new film is expected to be available in late spring 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product.
"We are pleased to, once again, demonstrate our commitment to photographic film and to our photographer customers," concluded Fridholm. Specific details, including naming, pricing and shipment dates will be announced when they become available.
[corporate spew removed]
For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.
Velvia 50 to be reintroduced!
Aw yeah! Velvia 50, a very saturated, fine-grained slide film loved by landscape photographers, will return! It’s also really nice to cross process in C-41 chemistry, just shoot at EI 25 for a nice density range.
Fujifilm press release:
Fujifilm Professional is delighted to announce that the company is planning to re-launch Fujichrome Velvia 50 into the UK market.
Production of Velvia 50 was halted at the beginning of 2005 when vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion became unavailable. The re-launch of Velvia 50 is a further illustration of Fujifilm’s continued commitment to the production and promotion of professional film.
Russ Gunn, Fujifilm Professional Product Manager, made this comment: "We have received many requests from photographers to restart manufacturing, as they had used Velvia 50 for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we have been reviewing the possibility of restarting production."
Gunn continued: "In response to these requests our research and development teams have been working hard to develop substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable us to restart production of this famous emulsion. We are planning to re-introduce the new Velvia 50 in the spring of 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product. Many photographers were understandably upset when we were forced to withdraw Velvia 50, and we are delighted to be able to announce its re-introduction."
An announcement of specific details, including price, formats and availability schedule will be made as soon as they are available. The existing range of Fujifilm Professional films will remain unaltered.
For further information, please visit www.fujifilm.co.uk/professional
Fuji to discontinue bulk 35mm film
Remember the saying "film is cheap"? Those days are gone—or at least going. Fuji has announced the end of production for Neopan black and white films in 100-foot (30.5 meter) bulk roll format, scheduled for March 2007. The films will continue to be available in pre-loaded cassettes, and of course other formats like 120 and sheet.
…
Will future photography students bother to explore film when the cost of a roll of 35mm black and white film may approach $10?
Continue reading at The Online Photographer
Fujifilm increase film prices
Fujifilm Press Release
May 17, 2006 – Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shigetaka Komori, hereinafter Fujifilm) announced today that from June 2006 onward, it will implement worldwide price increases for its photosensitive material products. The rapid digitalization of photography has created harsh market conditions for the photo imaging business. To sustain its photo imaging business, Fujifilm is undertaking intensive structural reforms, but despite efforts to reduce fixed costs and improve productivity, it no longer can absorb the soaring costs of silver, oil and other raw materials.
Thus, it has been forced to revise its pricing as follows:
- Affected products: Photosensitive materials
- Effective date: From June 1, 2006 onward
- Price revision: The prices of main products are expected to increase by 3% to 20%.
Specific details regarding affected products, effective dates, and exact price increases will be decided based on local market conditions.
Via Photography BLOG
Last chance to order Fujichrome Velvia 50
Fujifilm press release:
Fujifilm Professional has announced that the final shipment of Fujichrome Velvia 50 has now been received.
This means that once the stock held in the company’s warehouse has been sold there will be no more of the film available.
Fujifilm has been forced into ceasing production of Velvia 50 due to vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion becoming unavailable.
Despite the withdrawal of Velvia 50, Fujifilm Professional remains committed to the continued production and promotion of professional film. This commitment is illustrated by the launch of three new professional films last year (Fujicolor Pro 160S, Pro 160C and Fujichrome Velvia 100) and there are already plans to launch a further two new professional films in 2006.
While Velvia 50 has traditionally been the favoured film for many photographers there has always been the demand for a film that offers high colour saturation but with higher speed and finer grain – Velvia 100 provides this.
Fuji introduce Provia 400X slide film
According to Fuji’s press release, the new Provia 400X Professional ISO 400 slide film features:
Brilliant color reproduction: Fujichrome Provia 400X Professional provides new levels of color saturation in ISO 400 class films.
Ultra-fine grain: Fujichrome Provia 400X Professional provides exceptionally fine grain for a 400 speed color reversal film (RMS: 11).
Rich tone reproduction: Fujichrome Provia 400X Professional produces smooth and continuous gradation from highlights to shadows, providing pleasing skin tone reproduction.
Improved color image stability: Fujichrome Provia 400X incorporates new-generation color couplers for significantly improved long-term color image stability (anti-fading characteristics) compared to current 400 speed color reversal films.
(end quote)
Also mentioned in the Provia 400X brochure (PDF) is "minimal change in color intensity and tonality throughout the -1/2 stop to +2 stop range (EI 280-1600), and extending even to +3 stops (EI 3200) in certain conditions." Nice!
I can’t wait to see what this stuff does when cross processed and pushed. I like to use crossed and pushed Provia 400F for pinhole work on overcast days, but it does get insanely grainy. Hopefully this will be a little less severe. (I actually like its grain-the-size-of-boulders characteristics, but it’s nice to have a choice.)
With all this strife for film companies and product lines of late, it’s nice to see new stuff coming out!
Provia 400X will be available in 135-36 and 120 formats. The film code appears to be RXP.
Fuji introduce T64 tungsten color print film
According to Fuji’s press release, T64 Professional tungsten-balanced ISO 64 color print film features:
Smooth, natural gradation: T64 Professional has been optimized to yield natural tones and continuous gray balance for smooth, accurate reproduction of subtle gradation from highlights through shadows under delicate tungsten light.
Excellent color fidelity: In addition to optimizing spectral sensitivity, Multi-Color-Correcting-Layer technology achieves characteristics that closely mimic the spectral sensitivity of the human eye. Combined with new-generation color couplers, this gives T64 Professional one of the highest levels of hue fidelity, including delicate colors beyond the reach of existing films, making this film most suitable for the stringent color reproduction demands of commercial photography and the photographing of paintings and other artwork.
Color image performance: Incorporation of new-generation color couplers gives T64 Professional significantly improved color image stability and resistance to fading compared to prior generation color reversal films.
Ultra-fine grain: With the incorporation of Multi-Structured Sigma Crystal Technology, new T64 Professional achieves one of the highest levels of ultra-fine grain with an RMS granularity of 7, giving it an impressive ability to express the delicate textures, dimensions and subtle gradations that are required to achieve professional results under tungsten lighting.
Superb push/pull processing suitability: New T64 Professional exhibits minimum variation in color and gradation during push/pull processing over a range of -1/2 to +1 stop, providing an expanded range of photo taking opportunities, as well as facilitating fine adjustments in exposure and density during processing.
(end quote)
T64 is available in the following formats: 36 exposure 35mm, 100′ 35mm bulk roll, 120, 4×5, 4×5 QuickLoad, and 8×10.
Read the T64 brochure (PDF) at Fuji.