PX Film is Going to Indeed Be Discontinued. . .

[karl_fermedfor]

<p>Kodak discontinued the motion-picture version (which, off the record, is cut from the same master roll, just rated at a different speed) just recently.</p>

<p>I have it on good authority that Kodak is using up P3200 too, and will eventually axe that.<br>

So it is only a matter of time before we only have Tri-X 400 (5063), T-Max-2 400 (5095) and T-Max-1 100 (5094).</p>

<p>Some of this is probably due to Fuji's discontinuances. Kodak is now free to follow suit siting the "market" (Fuji).<br>

<br />Kodak will probably have another line of discontinuances in the near future, allowing Fuji to downsize too and follow suit, under the oligopoly (shared monopoly) market structure the film industry is now in.</p>

<p>Unfortunate. Unfortunate for B&W photo students and aspiring amateurs, fine-art photographers and the people that have been steadfastly loyal to film despite its ever-decreasing market share.</p>

[dave_s]

<p>Karl, can you cite your source for this information? I don't see it on Kodak's website, but maybe I'm missing something.</p>

[James G. Dainis]

Note from Moderator:

 

The forums are not the place for rumors. Unless some competent authority can be cited, this thread will be deleted..

[larrydressler]

<p>Here is the latest Kodak Cut list.<br>

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/uploadedFiles/PCN040710_Q.pdf</p>

[SCL]

<p>Get a couple of rolls & do your own bulk loading. I've probably got a lifetime of Plus-x & Tri-x sitting in my freezer, because I didn't want to get caught short.</p>

[steve m smith]

<blockquote>

<p>Kodak will probably have another line of discontinuances in the near future, allowing Fuji to downsize too and follow suit, under the oligopoly (shared monopoly) market structure the film industry is now in.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Complete nonesense!<br>

One manufacturer stopping production of a product is not a reason for another to stop its similar product. More a chance for the other manufacturer to pick up extra business with their similar product.</p>

[andylynn]

<p>Agreed. It's not like Kodak and Fuji <em>want</em> to discontinue products. They make an assessment of profitability and add products they think will be profitable (e.g. Ektar, new T-Max emulsion) and cut ones they don't (e.g. the films Fuji recently discontinued).</p>

[randrew1]

<p>Trying to read the tea leaves in this discontinuation announcement, I would be concerned about he continued availability of Plus-X. For the 500T film, it is only some of the 16mm and 65mm sizes that are being discontinued. The 35mm version is likely to continue for a long time. For Plus-X, it looks like all of the popular motion picture formats are being discontinued. I wouldn't be too concerned until I saw a similar notice for the 135 format. I have no inside information anymore, but if I were a fan of Plus-X, I would be prepared to buy some long rolls and put them in the freezer. </p>

[User_502260]

<p>It has been speculated for some time that Plus-X would be discontinued. In bright light it's a very nice film. In flat light I prefer FP4+. I have never really liked TMX so if Plus-X is discontinued I will get FP4+. This would also be a good time to stock up on Freestyle's Made In USA 100 speed b&w film. </p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>In old process camera materials there was about 5 makers at one time; say 1960/70's; then it was only two 20 years ago; Kodak and Fuji. Then prices rose alot as volumes contacted; then both finally exited. This exit happened about 12 to 15 years ago.</p>

<p>It is quite in interesting to see this same thing happen with pictorial films; and how newcomers/folks react.</p>

<p>The reason process cameras died was due to digital.</p>

<p>In a declining market both players can exit the game; or one hang around for a few scraps.</p>

<p>With process camera stuff here we were using what we could find with the last two players; and when only one was left prices rose alot.</p>

<p>When the plug were pulled we were buying other folks surplus when they scrapped out their cameras; or buying it on early Ebay too and surplus houses like Freestyle on Sunset Blvd.</p>

<p>I bought a nice Bessler 23c at the thrift store 7 years ago with Componon and negative holders for 35 dollars</p>

<p>At a 2 day ham radio swap meet a whole box full of stainless reels for 120 and 35mm with about 5 tanks and caps sat un bought with the might price of 12 dollars.</p>

<p>The D word is the reason process cameras and materials died; it is the reason enlargers are so cheap and tank/reels too; it is the reason films are being dropped; folks are abandoning film.</p>

<p>It is not Fuji's or Kodak's fault film products are crashing in sales; it is photographers are abandoning film. Film will be around along time; it is just the products sold will be cut; just like it has happened for many decades.</p>

[craig_sander]

<blockquote>

<p>It is not Fuji's or Kodak's fault film products are crashing in sales; it is photographers are abandoning film.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Because Lord knows, Fuji and Kodak are doing everything they can to market film to younger generations.</p>

[Mike Gammill]

<p>I'm just curious as to why Plus-X is selling for more than Tri-X, TMY, and TMX. A bulk load of PX goes for 69.95 USD at B&H where as TX is only 49.95. Also individual rolls of PX cost more than the others. However, PX, under its private label Arista Premium is still less expensive than the Arista equivalent of TX.</p>

[Dave Luttmann]

<blockquote>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=654955">Mike Gammill</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Apr 06, 2010; 09:23 p.m.</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I'm just curious as to why Plus-X is selling for more than Tri-X, TMY, and TMX. A bulk load of PX goes for 69.95 USD at B&H where as TX is only 49.95. Also individual rolls of PX cost more than the others. However, PX, under its private label Arista Premium is still less expensive than the Arista equivalent of TX.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Can't figure out why PX is so much more. I stopped using it years ago when Ilford FP4 proves to be much cheaper. </p>

 

[karl_fermedfor]

<p>I have it on good authority that both films are cut from the same master rolls, so this isn't a "rumor."<br /><br /><br />Plus-X cine film is just rated lo9wer (or used to be) than the still product.</p>

<p>I know sales are low, but what the hell is everyone supposed to shoot, Tri-X everywhere?<br /><br /><br />I thinkk i8t is better to teach stduents on Plux- and Tri-X than the T-Max films because the old-emulsion films are less susceptible to highlight blockup. </p>

[James G. Dainis]

An update on this:

 

http://www.photo.net/film-and-processing-forum/00WEsn