Goodbye to Kodak papers

[Woolliscroft]

There is an article in this week's Amateur Photographer that says that Kodak have ended production of all B&W papers. It might be good news for our local economy, as Ilford's factory is just round the corner, but bad news elsewhere.

David.

[Ian Grant]

AP's a bit backward with its news.

There's threads about it on the forum, under Product availablity which are over two weeks old.

[thedarkroomstudios]

In the spirit of keeping up with breaking news ( ) Kodak has also announced the end of production of DSLR's... new CEO, new focus. We shall see.

[arigram]

So, what are they are going to focus in now?
Genetically engineered milk?

[Robert Hall]

So, what does that leave for them?

[thedarkroomstudios]

I'm paraphrasing from Diane Berkenfeld in PTN:
Kodak is currently #1 in consumer (meaning non-pro, p/s type) digital camera sales in US; #3 worldwide. Kodak will concentrate on the consumer since it was never well accepted by pros. Their Image Sensor Solutions Division will continue to develop sensors for cameras and other imaging sciences markets.

[dancqu]

So, what does that leave for them?

Within the last year Kodak introduced an eight hundred
speed X Ray film; double the previous four. About two years
ago they did the same for one of their cine films. Perhaps
those two segments of the industry are not infected
with the "Wal-Mart" virous; always the low price ...

Agfa holds the patents for the new much higher speed
emulsion technology. Those high speed emulsions are
slow making it to market. Dan

[Earl Dunbar]

I'm paraphrasing from Diane Berkenfeld in PTN:
Kodak is currently #1 in consumer (meaning non-pro, p/s type) digital camera sales in US; #3 worldwide. Kodak will concentrate on the consumer since it was never well accepted by pros. Their Image Sensor Solutions Division will continue to develop sensors for cameras and other imaging sciences markets.

Which includes medical applications, both actual imaging and software systems. They recently sold off the remote imaging division (satellite imaging) to ITT. Housed in the Hawkeye building on St. Paul Blvd., I have two friends who work there.

Earl

[andrewfrith]

Kodak won a $1 billion dollar lawsuit against sun microsystems a few months ago for something to do with Java...maybe they're refocusing their business on issuing lawsuits instead of making paper or cameras :-)

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...410020333/1001

[rusty71]

I can see a future where Kodak spins off the Eastman Motion Picture film division, and also the medical imaging division. Those are profitable for now.
"Kodak" is going to concentrate on really crappy consumer digital cameras. They assume their current lead in that market will continue. Of course it will not. They'll continue to kill film under the current CEO. I believe his intention is to boost short term profits so he can sell Kodak to a bigger mulitnational concern, and get a nice fat golden parachute for himself. In less than 10 years, you'll see the "Kodak" brand name disappear, as well as all those good jobs in Rochester N.Y.
Such is the business climate in the new millenium. I'll keep buying Ilford, Efke, Foma, and others who care about the little guy.