Kodak Infrared Film to be discontinued - May 07

[nighthawkjw]

I've been an HIE-135 user for two years and have established it as my chosen medium. This news is not sitting well with me, although I new it would one day happen.

I know that Ilford responded favorably to a group effort from APUG to keep their IR film in production, which is what prompted me to join. I am now asking those involved in that previous effort with Ilford to please contact me about what must happen to petition Kodak to continue their production of infrared films.

Anyone who can share their info with me about any contacts at Kodak, please email me. If there is truth in it, perhaps the decision can be changed. If this news is incorrect and Kodak is NOT discontinuing the manufacture of infrared films, that information needs to be shared.

Many thanks.

James C. Williams
nighthawkjw@yahoo.com

[Tim Gray]

This saddens me as well. I hope its not true. I've just gotten into B&W film in the last year. I did my first roll of HIE about 3 weeks ago and was planning on ordering a bunch real soon.

[rmazzullo]

Hello all,

The loss of B&W and the color infrared is real. The source at Kodak quoted me a minimum of 20 rolls to order either one before the cut. I asked who the best dealer would be to get B&W or color infrared, and he mentioned Adorama (for me, anyway, because I am in NYC). The Kodak guy mentioned that they really do not produce that much of either one, compared to regular color and B&W films, and that it was classed as a "consumer item" as opposed to being a scientific film. I asked about bulk rolls of either one, and I was told they do not offer that packaging for either one.

In the aerial film department, Kodak already discontinued SO-734. There is a pdf on the aerial films section of the Kodak website that lists how many of the aerial films that are already gone. I can buy some aerochrome III 1443 color infrared, but in a roll 9.5 inches wide by 200 feet long, for about 1800.00. Thats about 960 sheets of 4x5 film. More than I can use before it goes bad.

Thanks,

Bob Mazzullo

[aldevo]

I can also confirm what Bob has already posted. I spoke to a Boston-area photographic supply retailer a couple hours ago and they confirmed that it is "al fin" for HIE in Spring 2007.

This retailer is declining to order more inventory from Kodak, since they are already close to short-dating what they have on hand and they no longer are willing to place orders on behalf of individiual customers to Kodak after a very bad experience with customer film orders to AgfaPhoto in 2005.

[Martin Reed]

Just heard from a serious HIE user (has based his entire technique around it for 30 years) who managed to contact a planner in the US via Kodak UK, who confirmed both films are to go.

It seems doubtful if Kodak will deliver a definitive statement about this - when Ektar 25 and Technical Pan went it was a similar scenario, gradual awareness & by the time the writing was on the wall it was too late, there was very little material left in the system, especially roll format.

In all probability the last of the films were coated some time ago, and the end of May date is just an estimate of when the existing stock is expected to be worked out.

[Petzi]

In the case of Technical Pan, the manufacturing plant that was used to make it was demolished before the discontinuation of the film was announced. In the case of the IR films, I wouldn't be surprised if the situation was similar, given that they have been on the market for such a long time now. These films have made it into various photo books that I read when I was a boy...

[Helen B]

Just heard from a serious HIE user (has based his entire technique around it for 30 years) who managed to contact a planner in the US via Kodak UK, who confirmed both films are to go.

It seems doubtful if Kodak will deliver a definitive statement about this - when Ektar 25 and Technical Pan went it was a similar scenario, gradual awareness & by the time the writing was on the wall it was too late, there was very little material left in the system, especially roll format.
...

I got the same message after my game of telephone tag yesterday. Thanks to Martin for giving us all some warning.

Best,
Helen

[Martin Reed]

My UK wholesaler has now told me that only the colour infrared is being discontinued! I was about to order a stack of the black & white for resale stock but will have to hold off until the issue is resolved. So for the time being, anyone who has an interest in HIE please keep questioning the Kodak supply chain until there's a consistent response.

[aldevo]

I emailed Freestyle Photo in CA last evening and hope to get a response later today.

Even so, I expect that the earlier response I received from my metro-Boston retailer will prove correct.

Ultimately, I think the retailers are going to prove a more reliable source of information. I tend to doubt Kodak Representatives can tell us a film is discontinued unless they are given instructions by Kodak to do so. I could be wrong about that, but that conjecture is consistent with the definition of "represenatative".

[ben-s]

Two words: Damn and Blast!
I've just started using HIE, and they go and knock it on the head. Just typical.
I really like EIR too.
It's just a pity the stuff is so expensive, or I'd buy a crate of each.
It's really sad to see these films disappearing.