Kodak preparing to file for bankruptcy

[sfoto100]

If you need your slides developed, I do have the equipment to do the processing. PM me.

Or, as mamypoko said - have a go yourself! I still have excess chemicals!

While film won't die completely - b/w is likely to survive for a long time, because its cheap to produce, and above all, easy to process at home - there's a real danger that E6 will go away first. So, shoot all the chromes you can while we still have access to the films, and Fujihunt still maintains the chemical plant in Singapore! These chromes may eventually go down in history the way kodakchrome has.

likely to try 4x5 slides in near future.. heard you are doing the MO for E6.. may i know the costs of the chemicals?

edit: i think the cost is here: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/traditional-darkroom/961511-anyone-wants-share-some-e6-chemicals.html

no need to trouble u .. pai seh

 

[sfoto100]

It is called : POLAROID

ya i know polaroid does not need darkroom ..

what i mean is if RnD continues improvements will come.. imagine a negative that does not need darkroom.. or chemicals that does not smell..

i know i am new to film and may sound stupid, it is ok..

but all innovations comes from dreams..

 

[foxtwo]

"Film division is still profitable," says Kodak [update] - British Journal of Photography

"Film (still and cinema) remains a profitable business for Kodak, and we have the broadest and most respected portfolio of films in both segments," Audrey Jonckheer, Kodak's worldwide director of marketing and public relations, tells BJP."We have taken steps to sustain the business as it has declined, and we know that there are hundreds of passionate fans of film for the artistic and quality reasons they cite."​

yay good news!​

 

[oceanpriest]

Kodak phases out digital businesses, keeps film alive - British Journal of Photography
"Kodak has announced that, as part of its "ongoing strategic review," it will stop producing digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames, but will continue to invest in its film division"

more good news!

 

[Nikkornos]

Kodak like many American companies, are plagued with very serious internal politics.
My relative was in Kodak and she was really miserable. Good thing she came out early.

Kodak invented something that nearly killed its core businesses. Compared to Fuji, Kodak is really dumb ass.

Film will live Kodak E100VS and Tmax will still be around.

 

[ricohflex]

Who was the idiot managing Kodak? Don't keep flogging the dead Kodak-digital-horse and pour good money after bad into a bottomless pit.
He did not know that film is Kodak's core business and one in which it had (and still has) unassailable strength over the competition?
Kodak cannot catch up with competitors in digital because it is far behind in that technology.

 

[NazgulKing]

Who was the idiot managing Kodak? Don't keep flogging the dead Kodak-digital-horse and pour good money after bad into a bottomless pit.
He did not know that film is Kodak's core business and one in which it had (and still has) unassailable strength over the competition?
Kodak cannot catch up with competitors in digital because it is far behind in that technology.

I think it's not just one idiot but an endless litany of them. Kodak has had the misfortune of decades of poor leadership.

 

[kgston]

Kodak cannot catch up with competitors in digital because it is far behind in that technology.

It's very ironic because Kodak was the first to adapt the CCD sensor for photography use and built the first DSLR.. but of course with hindsight, we know that CMOS sensors are superior..

 

[anerjee]

Film was (and remains) a very profitable business to be in. At its peak, Kodak was making 50%+ margins on every roll of 35mm color print film it sold.

Compare that to digital -- digital is far less profitable business and much more competitive.

Kodak execs knew that they would be struggling with the digital revolution. Not because they did not have the tech, but because digital would never be big or profitable enough to replace film photography.

 

[NazgulKing]

Film was (and remains) a very profitable business to be in. At its peak, Kodak was making 50%+ margins on every roll of 35mm color print film it sold.

Compare that to digital -- digital is far less profitable business and much more competitive.

Kodak execs knew that they would be struggling with the digital revolution. Not because they did not have the tech, but because digital would never be big or profitable enough to replace film photography.

The problem was the company failed to amass the resources to do the research in sensors in the time when they could. Throw in the fact that they as a camera company never ever exhibited the commitment required, they never were able to compete with the Japanese. Fuji on the other hand weren't limited to film but had a history of producing some very fine lenses etc. Kodak failed to diversify and kept attacking mature and crowded markets.

The switch to digital was a pivotal point for many companies. Leica nearly died, and the Japanese companies were not spared either. Yashica no longer makes cameras, and Olympus and Pentax in some ways still struggle to compete. Fuji gave up except on compacts and and only found a way to compete only recently. Game changing and disruptive technologies often leave many companies/countries floundering.

 

[Nikkornos]

NazgulKing good analysis there

As a consumer or end user, the time is good for us now.

The digital camera has been thru many years of developing and rip offs, finally the products are more stable and prices coming down.

Film wise, the products are also matured and hope to see the good Kodak films continue. Compared to many years back, there were so many different types of print or slide film it could be confusing.

In summary, whoever lives or die I don't care. As long as film users have good film to use, D cam guys have a decent product to use (not change every year).

 

[wootsk]

If they are coming back on film, I personally hope that E100VS will be back in the sheet film game.

 

[Nikkornos]

Any chance to buy an stock now?

 

[oceanpriest]

just received email from freestylephoto

Kodak's sales in their film division increased 20% last year, and this division continues to be a profitable segment. They have billions of dollars in assets. Citicorp Group just gave them $950 million to help fund their restructuring efforts which will continue for 18 months.

Sounds like Kodak will be around for a while longer and that Citicorp is pretty sure they are going to get their money back with interest. The film division seems to be doing quite well and may even prosper under new management as a separate entity.

 

[Nikkornos]

I have a good feeling KODAK will come back BIG and Kill Digital for revenge.

 

[losheng]

Didn't Kodak closed its last film R&D lab back in 2007? It will take years before they can do anything revolutionary new with film. I have my bets on Fuji - these wackos just keep (and have been in the past) churning out weird, interesting and niche products!

I have a good feeling KODAK will come back BIG and Kill Digital for revenge.

 

[Nikkornos]

Kodak still has Rochester USA. Only recently, Kodak Portra 160 was redesigned and is now moving. According to Kodak, Portra comes in ISO 160, (400 and 800 next year). Two versions in the old days: VC and NC. VC stands for vivid color, NC stands for neutral color. The designations were originally designed for optical printing.

I said before Fuji film appear to be better for scans. But Kodak has moved now and make their films more friendly to scanners. I tried the latest Porta 160 and it seems so ( less grainy and better image). Kodak E100VS slide is my favorite slide now, convincing me to move from Fuji Velvia 50 (many many years).

Fuji Film, no matter what, kept their Film department. It might appear as loosing money, but in fact they make a lot of money. In Japan the film stock always get depleted very quickly, and my contacts there always have problem releasing some to me. Took me a while to get a box of Acros from them.

No matter what, Kodak is still the major game player. (The Leica M9 sensor is made by Kodak right). As of now, if I can still get Tri X for B&W, E100VS for slides, and Porta or Kodak Ektar 100, things are fine for me and I shall continue to use these film. Fuji line of Velvia 100 or Velvia 50 I use for 4X5, and use much less neopan for B&W. Print film is the Reala 100.

 

[kgston]

My personal experience is that Kodak negatives, especially the new Portra range scans a lot better (especially when it comes to colour inversion and removal of orange mask) than the Fuji negatives (the pro range like 160S, 400H etc etc), at least with Nikon scanners.. Although I try very hard to love Fujifilm's films.. at the end of the day, Kodak film technology somehow always shine through imho.. even for their slide films.. just my 2 cents

 

[NazgulKing]

Kodak still has Rochester USA. Only recently, Kodak Portra 160 was redesigned and is now moving. According to Kodak, Portra comes in ISO 160, (400 and 800 next year). Two versions in the old days: VC and NC. VC stands for vivid color, NC stands for neutral color. The designations were originally designed for optical printing.

I said before Fuji film appear to be better for scans. But Kodak has moved now and make their films more friendly to scanners. I tried the latest Porta 160 and it seems so ( less grainy and better image). Kodak E100VS slide is my favorite slide now, convincing me to move from Fuji Velvia 50 (many many years).

Fuji Film, no matter what, kept their Film department. It might appear as loosing money, but in fact they make a lot of money. In Japan the film stock always get depleted very quickly, and my contacts there always have problem releasing some to me. Took me a while to get a box of Acros from them.

No matter what, Kodak is still the major game player. (The Leica M9 sensor is made by Kodak right). As of now, if I can still get Tri X for B&W, E100VS for slides, and Porta or Kodak Ektar 100, things are fine for me and I shall continue to use these film. Fuji line of Velvia 100 or Velvia 50 I use for 4X5, and use much less neopan for B&W. Print film is the Reala 100.

They sold off their sensor division.

 

[foxtwo]

Kodak ending E100 series.

Kodak discontinues three colour reversal films [update] - British Journal of Photography