Too late. HP5+ is one of my favorites and has been for 3 or 4 years now, so I think it's safe. It's TMAX 400 you're going to have to keep an eye on.
I just started shooting HP5+ recently, and I love it! I've tried Ilford Delta 400 and 100, and I was unimpressed. I'm assuming I wont like the Tmax films any better (though I havent shot them) :/
If anything, the point of my posting on Q results was not on a decline within Kodak - but to show that the FPEG group is the one that has remained consistently profitable vs the other digital ventures.
In all honesty, I'd say that the trend of drop across the board probably has *more* to do with the general economy than film vs digital.
Stop worrying about grain, resolution, sharpness, and everything else that doesn't have a damn thing to do with substance.
I just started shooting HP5+ recently, and I love it! I've tried Ilford Delta 400 and 100, and I was unimpressed. I'm assuming I wont like the Tmax films any better (though I havent shot them) :/
I love that HP5+, though
I've used the 400ASA Ilford films right through from the old HP3 to HP5+.
Beautiful. reliable and easy-to-use films for general B&W work, particularly M/F.
Last edited by railwayman3; 07-02-2009 at 02:53 AM.
When I first seriously began shooting color, I was given dozens of old Kodak prepaid processing mailers, and I bought up expired Kodak E6 and K14 slide films (usually for a dollar a roll). The results with Kodachrome and Ektachrome were both beautiful, but I found that the Kodachromes had some subtle qualities that I didn't usually see in the Ektachromes; in particular I loved the "etched" quality of areas with detail. Back when Kodachrome 64 was discontinued in 120 size, I tried very hard to get some rolls, but I only found one and it was not good. How I wish I could have run some PKR-64 through my RB67! A sad day but we knew it was coming.
If anything, the point of my posting on Q results was not on a decline within Kodak - but to show that the FPEG group is the one that has remained consistently profitable vs the other digital ventures. ...
It's important to keep in mind that the Film Group includes Motion Picture Films which amount for almost all of those profits. If you want to keep low-selling Films like Ektachrome 100GX available, then the only way is a pre-paid ordering system as I had suggested to Mary Jane Hellyar two years ago. My Letters are below. Now that she's gone, maybe some fresh thinking can take hold. I would suggest that you get together to push this pre-paid system with Hellyar's successor. Under a pre-paid system Kodak can also offer E100GX and the other Ektachromes to 16mm users to increase sales. A wider 16mm selection will keep more TV cinematographers from using Digital. 16mm users need a greater selection of Positive Films than what they have at present. In many applications they need Positives more than Negatives to keep their costs down. You thus need to lobby Kodak if you want to keep your niche Films! Lamenting and complaining won't save them!
I won't elaborate right now, but I'm up to something to keep Kodachrome 64 alive. I don't intend to delve into Ektachromes. You'll need to lobby Kodak as I've suggested if you want to keep those Films. My proposal is profitable from Kodak's perspective. Here is my original proposal:
I just started shooting HP5+ recently, and I love it! I've tried Ilford Delta 400 and 100, and I was unimpressed. I'm assuming I wont like the Tmax films any better (though I havent shot them) :/
I love that HP5+, though
Its a marmite thing, you either love it or hate it.
FP/HP and the Delta range, are all good quality films but you either like the trad, softer look of FP4 and HP5, or you like the harder more defined look of Delta. IMHO its the same with Tri-X vs Tmax
Me I prefer the harder , more defined look of Delta. I don't find the trads suit my style
I'm sure, however, Ilford are more than happy to sell me either
"Flatter Me, and I May Not Believe You. Criticize Me, and I May Not like You. Ignore Me, and I May Not Forgive You. Encourage Me, and I Will Not Forget You."
It's important to keep in mind that the Film Group includes Motion Picture Films which amount for almost all of those profits. If you want to keep low-selling Films like Ektachrome 100GX available, then the only way is a pre-paid ordering system as I had suggested to Mary Jane Hellyar two years ago. My Letters are below. Now that she's gone, maybe some fresh thinking can take hold. I would suggest that you get together to push this pre-paid system with Hellyar's successor. Under a pre-paid system Kodak can also offer E100GX and the other Ektachromes to 16mm users to increase sales. A wider 16mm selection will keep more TV cinematographers from using Digital. 16mm users need a greater selection of Positive Films than what they have at present. In many applications they need Positives more than Negatives to keep their costs down. You thus need to lobby Kodak if you want to keep your niche Films! Lamenting and complaining won't save them!
I won't elaborate right now, but I'm up to something to keep Kodachrome 64 alive. I don't intend to delve into Ektachromes. You'll need to lobby Kodak as I've suggested if you want to keep those Films. My proposal is profitable from Kodak's perspective. Here is my original proposal:
There is a problem with pre-ordered products, actually a few problems. First is that the customer who wants 10 rolls today, may not want that 10 rolls in 3 years when you have enough orders to actually make the film. This means you need to have a deposit system, and you need to be able to keep track of the orders and deposits, that you have. Government regulations are particular in many countries about how these funds are to be managed, so they often need to be managed within the country they are taken.
Another problem, customers who order film in 2009, when silver is $13.70 /oz may be quoted a price of say $8/roll, but in 2012 when the film is actually made silver might be $40/oz requiring a price of $14/roll, this is not going to amuse many customers, and laws in some countries may require that you are held to the quoted price, other countries may require that you refund deposits if the price changes and the customer no longer wants the product. Either way you lose.
We need to remember, Kodak is not in business to make photography supplies, they are in business to provide a reasonable return on the investment of their shareholders. They use the manufacturing of photography supplies as a means to do so. This applies to every business, save non-profits and some government owned businesses (for example crown corporations in Canada).
Originally Posted by E76
Too late. HP5+ is one of my favorites and has been for 3 or 4 years now, so I think it's safe. It's TMAX 400 you're going to have to keep an eye on.
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