FYI: Balanced statement about Kodak and film

 

<h4>Dear Valued F...style Customer,</h4>

<p>The recent announcement by Eastman Kodak Company that they have voluntarily applied for Chapter 11 restructuring comes at no surprise. This is a situation that has been brewing for quite some time and we have received many calls and emails from customers voicing their concern over the future of silver-halide, traditional photographic materials. We have never relied too heavily on any single supplier for our future. As opposed to what you are reading in the media, interest in Film, Wet Darkroom and Historical Photographic Processes is not declining. If it were, F...style would very quickly be forced to change course, focusing its efforts on other products. The media tends to dwell on the negative, ignoring the details of a situation to deliver quick sound bites that will capture your attention.</p>

Here are some facts to consider:

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<p>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.<br>

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. Regardless of what happens, F...style is prepared to make a sizable investment in product to keep important products available for years to come.</p>

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<p>Kodak film is not the only brand of product F...style sells. While Kodak is an important and high volume supplier of ours, in actuality, we do more business individually with Harman Technologies in Ilford Brand B&W Film and Paper, Foma, Fotokemika and Adox brands. These brands are totally committed to continuing manufacturing for the foreseeable future and have absolutely no plans to stop production as sales continue to be quite robust. They have already taken necessary steps to restructure their facilities for long term survival.</p>

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<p>As individual items have been discontinued over the years, folks have adapted to the ever changing product selection and have continued creating their art and means of photographic self expression. While we are to some extent limited by the availability of products it by no means hinders creativity.</p>

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<p>Hopefully some of these thoughts will reassure those who are nervous. Know that F...style continues to be THE driving force in traditional photographic products and that our commitment is stronger than it has ever been.<br>

Sincerely,<br /> Eric Joseph</p>

<p>Its more a marketing statement than anything else. Nothing wrong with that of course. I just wouldn't label it a "balanced statement" as though it were some sort of editorial analysis. It's just saying everything's OK, we are still selling film products.</p>

It's a positive and assertive statement. Very good idea to do it for their customers in this context.

<p>I'm encouraged and hoping that E.stm.n K.d.k will be able to hold up their end of the supply chain. But no matter the fate of K.d.k it is nice to know that F...style remains committed to film.</p>

<p>I got the same email. I work by the freestyles warehouse in Santa Fe Springs. Just one huge building with unlimited photo supplies and boxes and boxes of film. Always a pleasure walking in there and purchasing film.</p>

<p> As a lifetime film user it sounds positive to me. I shoot 99% Kodak film. </p>

<p>Silverprint in the UK came out with a very similar comment, good to hear.</p>

<p>The greatest benefit of future competition will be the still reasonable prices for analog material.</p>

 

<p>Good news that a few film suppliers are putting a effort out to reassure us we will be able to enjoy what some of us are comfortable doing for many more years.I wish others would do more to promote film use because we could use a better balance of the unique attributes that only film provides.I would hate to see Kodak film go away like so many other technologies because they produce a outstanding product that still has a place in this suffocating world of constant obsoleacence.</p>

<p>So its a marketing statement. It's a clear and concise statement thats good to hear. Sounds like everyone is on the same page when it comes to film. The future is alive with a healthy state of competition within film manufacturers. Who couldn't be moved by the release of a new film. Look where we're at with the latest films. They're better than ever.</p>

<p>Good news. I'm going to keep going steady using Kodak film and using labs that use Kodak chemistry and paper for my color processing. I use all Kodak chems in the darkroom and would use black and white paper if they still made it...Long live Kodak!</p>

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<p>Its more a marketing statement than anything else. Nothing wrong with that of course. I just wouldn't label it a "balanced statement" as though it were some sort of editorial analysis. It's just saying everything's OK, we are still selling film products.</p>

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<p>I agree. It means nothing to someone interested in knowing the future direction of film. It is one reseller trying to calm their customers so they can continue selling products that, for the time being, are still available.</p>

I've come to being able to accept a world with less film, but I'll never be able to

comprehend a world without it. No matter how much I archive and backup

images digitally, I yearn for a more tangible assurance other than disc alone

such as a negative or slide duplicate. It scares me to think of the limitations I

would meet with restoring historical and old images if I was left to scanning

inkjets and gilclee that had suffered through decades of passage.