When did Kodak start to discontinue it's films?

[cmacd123]

The problem in the UK was once RC papers then Multigrade were released Kodak ran 2nd best,

ILFOSPEED AND MULTIGRADE were unbeliveable breakthrough products. I recall going to a demonstartion where Ilford had a "darkroom" made of Yellow Plexiglass and demonstrated making a print in 5 Minutes flat. (using the special Ilford Dryer.)- they passed sample prints through a light lock and handed them out.

[Chazzy]

For anyone interested, here is a nearly complete listing of common Kodak films that have existed (but with no years on the list unfortunately):

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootkodakfilm/

There are also definitely some films that aren't on the list but were once made or are made today.

Thanks; I didn't know about this Flickr group.

[guyjr]

I'm kind of curious, and this thread seems like a good place to ask - as far as slide films go, were the higher speed films ever very popular? I'm thinking the 1600 (and possibly higher?)... was there a concern about too much grain? Seems like for available light photography, you'd want fairly fast film, and these days having just the Fuji 400 available (here in the U.S.) seems a bit limiting. I have successfully pushed it at home to 1600, but as expected, with lots of contrast increase.

[Photo Engineer]

Both Fuji and Kodak made 1600 speed color negative films which were preferred by many sports photographers. Konica made a 3200 speed negative film in short runs that had to be preordered.

All of these are now gone.

There was never a popular slide film with a speed greater than 400 AFAIK.

PE

[Ian Grant]

Kodak & Fuji also made superb 800/1600 ISO (nominal) E6 films, these were actually slower emulsions but designed for push processing, like the films Ron mentions this was the pinnacle of film sales & technology in many ways, we as customers were spoilt for choice. Those High speed E6 films along with XP-2 were my main films when I shot rock concerts on a regular basis sometimes 2-3 a week, occasionally 2 venues the same night.

Those High Speed films were the first to go un-noticed by most photographers, but to me that was the start of films decline, I had no choice but switch to digital when I began working for a record company about 5-6 years ago.

Ian

[Photo Engineer]

The 1600 speed films had a note that they were designed for push processing. Both Fuji and Kodak advertized this for these films. I have one box of the Fuji product here, but the Kodak product is long gone.

PE

[perkeleellinen]

When I started shooting in the early '90s I used Fuji Super G+ 400 and Neopan 400 only. Whenever we have threads like this I kick myself for not expanding my horizons a little.

[B&Wpositive]

Both Fuji and Kodak made 1600 speed color negative films which were preferred by many sports photographers. Konica made a 3200 speed negative film in short runs that had to be preordered.

All of these are now gone.

There was never a popular slide film with a speed greater than 400 AFAIK.

PE

Fuji Superia 1600 is still produced:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=superia+1600&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

[Photo Engineer]

Fuji Superia 1600 is still produced:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=superia+1600&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I had heard that it was discontinued. Sorry.

PE

[RGS122]

On a box of Ektachrome 64T that expired in 2000, I saw that it had some stuff that was not on the newer "Professional" boxes. It had a "Fresh for USA" on it, it had a something that said "Kodak PRO Products Network", and on the part with the manufacturer's information it says "Kodak Professional Division". How come all of these things are gone from the newer boxes?

[naugastyle]

Here is a page I found from adoramas film catalogue in 1998:
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3874/flower046.jpg

Amazing how some films (FP100C...ect) were more expensive back then! And then it's amazing to see how cheap some films were (neopan...ect)!

I also can't believe that adding 2nd-day air only cost an additional $1.99!

Man, this brings me back...I always found these catalogs and price lists fascinating even if full of so many unfamiliar items I was overwhelmed. I find it really charming too, the little cartoon at the top left corner. I think it was one of these lists that helped me decide a old frozen lot of Konica 750 was a reasonable deal...compared to $5.39 per roll @ Adorama it was worth buying a $20 brick from eBay. At the time it normally never occurred to me to buy film that wasn't available locally, so it was a big step.

No Delta 3200 in 1998? When did that appear?

Also, I have no recollection of chromogenic b/w being so old...thought it came out around 2000. Or was it just not as easily found in drugstores yet? Did a Google search and found a photo.net article about film types with a comment from 1997 about these films being "new" but I really don't remember it.

Now can you scan a page with paper prices? :)


When I started shooting in the early '90s I used Fuji Super G+ 400 and Neopan 400 only. Whenever we have threads like this I kick myself for not expanding my horizons a little.

Me too, seriously.

APX was certainly cheap, wow. I never shot anything in 100 except TMX. I don't think I was even aware of the others (only vaguely aware of Ilford). Which is why I was overwhelmed when I saw these pricelists...didn't know these other companies nor ever had anyone to give advice on the other films.

I never knew about the 1000 and 1600 ISO Kodak color neg films either, only ever used Superia 1600. Now I wish I had known about them, just to have the frame of reference. Were they any good? (or is that why they were discontinued?)

[AlexG]

Now can you scan a page with paper prices? :)



http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5593/flower047.jpg

Done.

Here's the chemistry and paper section of the 1998 B&H catalogue.

For good measure, I've also added an advertisement for Fuji Reala from an issue of outdoor photographer from Feb 1990 (I have almost every issue from 1989 onward!).
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1980/flower049.jpg
Film advertisements back in the day were truly epic...I wonder if I can still get that poster for 4.00$ :p

[naugastyle]

Hmm...Polywarmtone wasn't quite as ridiculously cheap as one of my acquaintances told me...he said he used it as a student because it was a student-friendly price. But it's on par with Ilford. Or maybe it's just by today's standards that a $7 (for RC) or $10 (FB) difference vs. Ilford for 100-sheet packs doesn't seem that big a deal.

That said, can't imagine an 8x10 FB VC paper of this quality for 57 cents per sheet these days.