Velvia 50 is being discontinued

I know this has been mentioned, but it seems there are both sides on

what is happenning to this film. I talked to a Fuji rep in Canada

higher up in the chain, and he did say the original Velvia 50 is

being discontinued. It will be around till stock remaining is

depleted. Velvia 100F is the replacement and no mention of Velvia 100

(not 100F) coming to North America- if there is such a version.

The official word from Fujifilm USA (I spoke with a representative this morning) is that

Fuji Photo Film has <B><U>NO PLANS TO DISCONTINUE FUJI VELVIA (THE ORIGINAL

ISO 50 VERSION)</B></U><P>Now whether Fuji Photo film Canada continues to

import it into the Great White North is another matter altogether.

And yesthere is a Japanese release called Velvia 100 , which is distinct from RVP100F.

As iunderstand it either lacks two of the color dye filter layers that are in RVP100F or

they are greatly modified.

Well one of our two reps isn't correct. I can't see how one Fuji rep would be adament saying it is being killed, and another saying its not. I wish they'd get their story straight. The only way to know is just wait for a year and see what happens. I'm getting a few pro paks just in case.

<i>Dear Mr. Matt Gilliam:<p>

 

Thank you for contacting Fujifilm, USA. Please allow us to assist you.<p>

 

Please be advised that we would like to send film samples for Velvia 100F to you. At this time, we request that you reply with your mailing address and telephone number so we may send this film as soon as possible. In addition, we will forward your request and contact information to our Commercial Imaging Division's Sales Department so that a representative may contact you shortly regarding your inquiry. <b>Also, we have no intention of discontinuing Velvia 50</b>.<p>

 

Thank you for your interest in Fujifilm products.<p>

 

Respectfully,<p>

Product Support Representative 3112<p>

Consumer Information Service Center<p>

Corporate Communications Division<p></i><p>

 

There. Now it's two to one.<p>

 

Matt

I wonder if this is a US thing. Anyway I don't mind you proving the guy I talked to wrong. I'd personally like Velvia 50 to stick around. Its my main slide film. I'd sure like to know where my rep got his info from though. Hate to see this film added to the list of other great films killed off- wow isn't that a Kodak thing? :P

It's all just useless information anyway. Nobody will know for sure until something happens (or doesn't). When I talked to Canon last fall about the 1N RS, they told me they were keeping it in the lineup. Three months later, B&H and everybody else were out of them.

 

I got my sample roll today. I'll probably use it tomorrow, and maybe back to back with some Velvia 50 that I have lying around. I can post something here if you want.

 

FWIW, I'm just doing this for kicks, since I will not stop using Kodachrome 200@+1.3 as my only (except for these little experiments) film until I can't get it processed anymore.

 

Matt

Fuji Canada may decide to stop importing Velvia 50 (assuming your source is correct), just like they did with Astia a few years ago. We were told in Canada that it was discontinued, but it has been available in the U.S. and other markets all along.

Wonderful. Looks like Im gonna have to get my buddy in Seattle to bring in Velvia for me from now on if Canada is left out of the importation of this film. Seems dumb to not have Canada get it if the US still has it. This is also a reversal of Fuji Reala in 120 rolls. We have it up here in Canada current stock, but the US doesn't get it. I don't know what Fuji is up to here. We'll just have to wait and see if this film continues on here in Canada.

"When Velvia 50 is outlawed, only outlaws will have Velvia 50".

 

Jeez, I saw the header and freaked out trying to think how I'd make room in the freezer for a few bricks. Talk about a drive-by shooting type of topic.

Not that it means anything, but if you look at the<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh2.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___278362___FUV100F36___USA___CatID=337___SID=F64614549D0">

Velvia 100F</a> page at B&H, you'll notice that Fuji is calling it RVP, same as the old Velvia. Perhaps you could infer that V100F is a replacement for old Velvia. Why would Fuji have two different films with the same film code name? Then again, they have the same film with two different code names, so there you go. Just thought I'd stir that up a little more.<p>

 

Matt

<p>According to the <a href="http://www.fujifilm.co.jp/ppg/rfilm-01.html">Japanese data sheets</a> for the Velvia line, the films have the following codes:</p>

 

<table border="0" cellpadding="5">

<tr><td>Velvia 50</td><td><tt>RVP</tt></td>

<tr><td>Velvia 100</td><td><tt>RVP 100</tt></td>

<tr><td>Velvia 100F</td><td><tt>RVP F</tt></td>

</table>

 

<p>The B&H page is slightly inaccurate.</p>

I got this email back from Fuji Canada:

 

Dear Scott,

 

Thank you for visiting our web site.

The Velvia 50 technology is now more than 10 years old with the

introduction of the new Velvia 100F it will continue to have similar

properties that Fuji Velvia 50 is world renown for and we have incorporated

the technology of the Provia 100F film. We currently have not released the

Velvia 100F in the Canadian market but will be available by Mid to Late

July 2003.

 

Once Velvia 50 stock is depleted the film will no longer be available.

 

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate in contacting us

either at this e-mail address or by phone at 1-800-263-5018 (M-F 8:30am -

5:00pm EST).

 

Yours truly,

 

Digital Camera and Sensitized Product Technical Support

Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc

Anybody have a sickbag.........

Canadian prices for RVP 50 are about twice as much as they are in the USA anyway. As long as it's still available from B&H, who cares if Fuji Canada stops carrying it?

The response that I got today via e-mail from Fuji: "Please be advised that Fujifilm USA at this time has NO plans to stop manufacturing Fujichrome Velvia 50. Thank you for your interest."

This must be a Canada thing then. Oh well at least I have some buddies across the border that can get it for me then.