Kodak Infrared Film to be discontinued - May 07

[ben-s]

Kodak have just phoned me back;

The films are still in production with no particular schedule for discontinuation, but they will not be ongoing products.
You should still be able to get hold of both films easily.

Still a confused message. But the writing is obviously on the wall for both films, either now or in the near future.

Hope this helps.

[aldevo]

I don't use HIE any more at all and, naturally, I cannot speak with any authority whatsoever regarding EK's future plans for it. But if I were to ask Magic 8-Ball if HIE were on its way out, I suspect it would answer "Signs Point to Yes".

I did get an email from a friend who uses HIE and frequently buys it small batches all over the place. She has not received HIE with a date beyond early/mid 2008. It could well be that EK last did a coating run of HIE some time ago and has since decided it will not be doing another.

I suspect those with a continued interest in the film might do well to purchase existing inventory. There is no perfrect alternative for HIE and the potential for downstream gouging is substantial should EK ever make a formal announcement.

Just my $0.02. I sincerely hope that whatever course of action you choose works out for the best.

[Matt5791]

Originally Posted by 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.

These type of confused messages from Kodak are a total joke.

Yes - I am bashing Kodak because they throughly deserve it.

They need to stop fiddling around and make some definitive decisions / anouncements.

Matt

[PatTrent]

Originally Posted by reellis67

I don't hate Kodak either - I've been a loyal user of their color film for over 25 years, but their website does not reflect current product availability very well and my statement simply was intended to reflect that.

This is true. Their web site showed Plus-X as being available in 220 when I checked it two weeks ago. So their product listings are not current.

[PHOTOTONE]

In some cases of film discontinuance, the reason is the unavailability of certain key components used to make it. In the case of Infrared film, I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable. I know that there are Efke, Agfa/Geavert and Ilford that continue to make "some" films with infrared sensitivity, so that makes the information somewhat odd,...but perhaps it is the particular sensitizing dye used by Kodak that is drying up, and the cost to re-engineer the film is greater than the return from potential sales. Fuji of course had a guaranteed winner with Velvia 50. hence decided to spend the funds to re-engineer the emulsion around a component that was not available anymore.

[aldevo]

Originally Posted by PHOTOTONE

In some cases of film discontinuance, the reason is the unavailability of certain key components used to make it. In the case of Infrared film, I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable. I know that there are Efke, Agfa/Geavert and Ilford that continue to make "some" films with infrared sensitivity, so that makes the information somewhat odd,...but perhaps it is the particular sensitizing dye used by Kodak that is drying up, and the cost to re-engineer the film is greater than the return from potential sales. Fuji of course had a guaranteed winner with Velvia 50. hence decided to spend the funds to re-engineer the emulsion around a component that was not available anymore.

Sounds plausible.

I hoped to get more info. about HIEs future availability by following up with the Boston-area retailer I spoke with early last week at the "Photographica" show in Wakefield, MA.

Unfortunately, at the 11th hour the retailer elected not to show.

[PHOTOTONE]

I doubt the retailers actually know any substantial information.

[aldevo]

Originally Posted by PHOTOTONE

I doubt the retailers actually know any substantial information.

On the whole I would agree - unless the retailer has attempted to re-order recently and encountered difficulties.

The retail rep. I hoped to speak with today at the show shoots HIE in 35mm and old 4x5 stock religously. That wasn't the person I spoke with earlier in the week who declared the films discontinued. This 2nd individual has a fanatical devotion to the stuff and would make it his mission in life to obtain accurate info. regarding availability.

That all being said, he'd likely want to fill a refrigerated boxcar with the stuff and probably wouldn't want others getting in the way of that. In fact, he's hands-down the most unpleasant rep I've ever had to deal with...

[Renato Tonelli]

I wish Kodak would make a statement one way or another. As customers, users of their products, we need to know. I would even go so far as to say that we have a right to know. We spend a lot of time testing these materials and it is inexcusable of them not to be forthcoming with relevant information. HIE is a unique emulsion and is not matched by other infrared films on the market.
What a nuisance! What's next - Tri-X?!?

[AgX]

Originally Posted by PHOTOTONE

...I have heard that the infrared sensitizing dyes are getting very scarce, to unavailable.

Does this mean that we had now even have to hoard chemicals...?