What is the current state and future of film availability especially 35mm?

[GaryFlorida]

I have been away from photography for 5 years, now I have the opportunity to get back into it. Is 35mm film supply keeping up with demand? What about 120? how does the future look? What about chemistry? Still available and going to be available for reasonable money?

 

[MattKing]

Thread moved.
And in response to the question raised, a question in response.
Availability where? And from what sorts of sources?
Because it varies tremendously with circumstances.

 

[mshchem]

In USA there's more choices than ever. As long as Hollywood uses film we will have 35mm and most current formats. For real highest quality true to life color film we need Kodak and Fujifilm.
Kodak seems to be offering more choices, Fujifilm less.

 

[Agulliver]

I think it depends to some extent on your geographic location and what kind of film you're looking for.

There's far less choice than 20 years ago. But more choice than 5 years ago.

Kodak are the main company actually manufacturing colour negative film and they seem to have sorted our their supply/demand problems. There now seems adequate supply of their consumer and pro C41 films. They also coat the Fuji branded 200 and 400 consumer films currently on the market and the Lomography 100, 400 and 800 C41 films. And they brought back Ektachrome 100. They also still offer Tri-X, TMAX 100, TMAX 400 and TMAX 3200 B&W films. Though these are more expensive than other brands in most locations.

FujiFilm are still making a lot of Instax and slide film. They don't appear to be manufacturing C41 film at the moment and it is unclear as to whether they'll resume. Some self appointed experts (and some dealers) like to trash Fuji but the basic fact is that Japanese corporate culture means they're not as open as Kodak. For B&W there's ACROS II which has some involvement from Harman (manufacturers of Ilford films).

Ilford still make everything they made 5 years ago and have added Ortho 80 in 35mm. So that's PanF, FP4+, HP5+, Ortho 80, Delta 100, Delta 400, Delta 3200, XP2 Super. These are usually significantly cheaper than Kodak's B&W films in most locations. The same company that makes Ilford films (Harman Technology) also makes the more budget conscious Kentmere 100 and 400 films. And the big news is that Harman recently added Phoenix 200 C41 colour film - though it is an experimental work in progress and doesn't always act like "normal" C41 film.

Foma are still offering Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 along with Ortho 400. These are cheaper than the bigger players' films and in general not quite as good but are used by many people (including myself) with success. Fomapan 200 is a bit more of a modern type of formulation while the others are traditional B&W films.

Film Ferrania has begun to rise from the ashes of the old Ferrania company and are currently offering P30 and P33 B&W films (80 and 160 ISO)

Other smaller companies such as Adox offer various films, Adox mostly coat their films themselves and are another small company absolutely committed to analogue photography.

And you'll find a number of companies offering Kodak motion picture film in 35mm cassettes, such as CIne Still and Candido. These can be of use, especially as Kodak Vision 3 500T makes a good tungsten balanced 800 speed colour negative film. THere are also various small companies repurposing Agfa aerial film as B&W camera film. There's nothing wrong with this film at all but be aware that some companies make out that it's a special product unique to them and charge a premium for exactly the same film as someone else.

Most of these films are also available in 120 too. Ilford/Kentmere/Harman - all products are in 135 and 120. Kodak offer their B&W, professional colour and Gold 200 in 120. The Lomography C41 120 films are almost certainly closely related to 90s Kodacolor. Fuji still offers their E6 film in 120 and ACROS II. Foma offers everything in 120. Ferrania have started P30 and possibly P33 in 120. Adox had some issues but I think they're able to offer 120 again.

Have I missed anyone?

I took a hiatus from film photography from 2007-2014 and was shocked at what happened to the film market in that time. But things are getting better. Hopefully prices have stabilised particularly as Kodak have increased production. The pandemic obviously caused a lot of problems for many industries not limited to the chemical and shipping industries which really affected film production and distribution.

 

[Chan Tran]

I think there are enough film today. I don't think I would want to have more variety. However, prices are way too high and rising.

 

[GaryFlorida]

I think it depends to some extent on your geographic location and what kind of film you're looking for.

There's far less choice than 20 years ago. But more choice than 5 years ago.

Kodak are the main company actually manufacturing colour negative film and they seem to have sorted our their supply/demand problems. There now seems adequate supply of their consumer and pro C41 films. They also coat the Fuji branded 200 and 400 consumer films currently on the market and the Lomography 100, 400 and 800 C41 films. And they brought back Ektachrome 100. They also still offer Tri-X, TMAX 100, TMAX 400 and TMAX 3200 B&W films. Though these are more expensive than other brands in most locations.

FujiFilm are still making a lot of Instax and slide film. They don't appear to be manufacturing C41 film at the moment and it is unclear as to whether they'll resume. Some self appointed experts (and some dealers) like to trash Fuji but the basic fact is that Japanese corporate culture means they're not as open as Kodak. For B&W there's ACROS II which has some involvement from Harman (manufacturers of Ilford films).

Ilford still make everything they made 5 years ago and have added Ortho 80 in 35mm. So that's PanF, FP4+, HP5+, Ortho 80, Delta 100, Delta 400, Delta 3200, XP2 Super. These are usually significantly cheaper than Kodak's B&W films in most locations. The same company that makes Ilford films (Harman Technology) also makes the more budget conscious Kentmere 100 and 400 films. And the big news is that Harman recently added Phoenix 200 C41 colour film - though it is an experimental work in progress and doesn't always act like "normal" C41 film.

Foma are still offering Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 along with Ortho 400. These are cheaper than the bigger players' films and in general not quite as good but are used by many people (including myself) with success. Fomapan 200 is a bit more of a modern type of formulation while the others are traditional B&W films.

Film Ferrania has begun to rise from the ashes of the old Ferrania company and are currently offering P30 and P33 B&W films (80 and 160 ISO)

Other smaller companies such as Adox offer various films, Adox mostly coat their films themselves and are another small company absolutely committed to analogue photography.

And you'll find a number of companies offering Kodak motion picture film in 35mm cassettes, such as CIne Still and Candido. These can be of use, especially as Kodak Vision 3 500T makes a good tungsten balanced 800 speed colour negative film. THere are also various small companies repurposing Agfa aerial film as B&W camera film. There's nothing wrong with this film at all but be aware that some companies make out that it's a special product unique to them and charge a premium for exactly the same film as someone else.

Most of these films are also available in 120 too. Ilford/Kentmere/Harman - all products are in 135 and 120. Kodak offer their B&W, professional colour and Gold 200 in 120. The Lomography C41 120 films are almost certainly closely related to 90s Kodacolor. Fuji still offers their E6 film in 120 and ACROS II. Foma offers everything in 120. Ferrania have started P30 and possibly P33 in 120. Adox had some issues but I think they're able to offer 120 again.

Have I missed anyone?

I took a hiatus from film photography from 2007-2014 and was shocked at what happened to the film market in that time. But things are getting better. Hopefully prices have stabilised particularly as Kodak have increased production. The pandemic obviously caused a lot of problems for many industries not limited to the chemical and shipping industries which really affected film production and distribution.

Outstanding analysis and report. Thank you very much! What about C41 chemicals? Do they still sell the "press kits" ?

 

[loccdor]

Availability of most film in the USA is good, with the exception of slide film. There are no color slide films higher than 100 speed currently available, and Kodak Ektachrome E100 is the only one being produced in high capacity.

C-41, E-6, ECN-2 kits are all readily available.

Ilford/Harman has just released a prototype C-41 film. Fuji has not stopped making film altogether as was feared, and may get back into the market in a bigger way - that's still unclear.

As far as B&W goes, Adox is doing most of the pioneering, interesting stuff on that front recently. B&W tends to be much cheaper than color these days.

Expired film is mostly going for exuberant prices, like $15/roll for stuff that used to sell for $1.

 

[GaryFlorida]

Availability of most film in the USA is good, with the exception of slide film. There are no color slide films higher than 100 speed currently available, and Kodak Ektachrome E100 is the only one being produced in high capacity.

C-41, E-6, ECN-2 kits are all readily available.

Ilford/Harman has just released a prototype C-41 film. Fuji has not stopped making film altogether as was feared, and may get back into the market in a bigger way - that's still unclear.

As far as B&W goes, Adox is doing most of the pioneering, interesting stuff on that front recently. B&W tends to be much cheaper than color these days.

Expired film is mostly going for exuberant prices, like $15/roll for stuff that used to sell for $1.

why do people prefer to buy expired film when they can buy readily avalable new film?

 

[4season]

35 mm color negative film seems by far the most popular; b&w and 120 film, somewhat less so. Popular items are frequently out of stock.

 

[Angarian]

I think there are enough film today. I don't think I would want to have more variety. However, prices are way too high and rising.

High prices for colour negative film are a result of the current monopol situation on the market. More competition = more variety could improve that situation, at least in the mid- and long term.

 

[Paul Howell]

why do people prefer to buy expired film when they can buy readily available new film?

Some folks like the shifted colors and grain.

There are many brands of films that repackaged Eastman Kodak movie film, color and black and white. Harman's brand Kentmere is also sold under a few house labels, as it Foma. There are still a few offerings from China, Luck and Shanghai which are difficult to find in the U.S. Agfa offers a varity of rebranded or repurosed emulsions, not sure if any are designed in house. Bergger offered a unique film but has been out of the U.S market for a few years. The fate of Fuji Arcos is uncertain, the last batch was made by Harman, and Fuji Color was repackaged Kodacolor Gold.

I shoot Foma and Kentmere as my walk around film, when traveling I shoot Tmax 400 and 100. So I only need one or two black and white emulsions. I no longer shoot color film, it so just too expensive.

The bottom line is what you have easy access to, either online or in retail locally.

 

[Angarian]

Agfa offers a varity of rebranded or repurosed emulsions, not sure if any are designed in house.

Agfa (= Agfa-Gevaert, Belgium) does not offer rebranded emulsions at all under their Agfa brand name. Repackaging companies buy film from Agfa, repackage it under their own name, and then sell it.

And then there is the German distribution company Lupus Imaging: They have the right (license) use the brand name AgfaPhoto (not Agfa!!). And under this name they sell film which is produced by other real film manufacturers. Their AgfaPhoto APX 100 and 400 are repackaged Kentmere 100 and 400. And their new ISO 400 color film is repacked Wolfen NC 500 (made by InovisCoat).

Bergger offered a unique film but has been out of the U.S market for a few years.

Their film is also produced by InovisCoat. Therefore they have been affected by the insolvency of InovisCoat.

The fate of Fuji Arcos is uncertain, the last batch was made by Harman,

There is no uncertainty. Acros II has been available without interruption. And the production is done in a cooperation of Fuji and Harman.

 

[GaryFlorida]

I used to buy fuji color film at walmart in a pack of 5 rolls I think. I still have some in my freezer. Superia i think it was called. I have a box of undeveloped color rolls with images on them, probably 15 rolls. Maybe 5 rolls of 120 undeveloped. I have plenty of chemicals. I bought powder (unopened) from ilford probably 10 years old by now. Should be ok. I need to stock up I guess. How long is film good for in the freezer? with no noticeable loss of quality?

 

[Paul Howell]

There is no uncertainty. Acros II has been available without interruption. And the production is done in a cooperation of Fuji and Harman.

In my mind the uncertainty comes with no guarantee that Harman will continue to produce Acros for Fuji.

 

[JParker]

I used to buy fuji color film at walmart in a pack of 5 rolls I think. I still have some in my freezer. Superia i think it was called.

Superia 200 / 400 / 800 are excellent films. Enjoy using it.

I have a box of undeveloped color rolls with images on them, probably 15 rolls. Maybe 5 rolls of 120 undeveloped.

You should develop them now.

I have plenty of chemicals. I bought powder (unopened) from ilford probably 10 years old by now. Should be ok.

Probably yes, if it was stored dry, and the foliage is intact.

I need to stock up I guess. How long is film good for in the freezer? with no noticeable loss of quality?

Depends on the film speed: Low and medium speed can be good up to 20 years. Higher speed films generally less, as they are more prone to the effects of natural background radiation.

 

[Paul Howell]

I used to buy fuji color film at walmart in a pack of 5 rolls I think. I still have some in my freezer. Superia i think it was called. I have a box of undeveloped color rolls with images on them, probably 15 rolls. Maybe 5 rolls of 120 undeveloped. I have plenty of chemicals. I bought powder (unopened) from ilford probably 10 years old by now. Should be ok. I need to stock up I guess. How long is film good for in the freezer? with no noticeable loss of quality?

I thought I shot my last roll of color, a roll of Porta 400, then found a 5 pack of Kodacolor Gold 100 in the back of my freezer. It was wrapped in plastic wrap, the sale slip, Walmart 2007, $5.99, expired in 2007 as well. I gave it a friend who is still shooting color.

 

[JParker]

In my mind the uncertainty comes with no guarantee that Harman will continue to produce Acros for Fuji.

They will certainly have a long term contract. Otherwise Fujifilm would not have started that joint venture, in which Harman is doing parts of the production, but not the complete production.

 

[abruzzi]

Bergger offered a unique film but has been out of the U.S market for a few years.

You can easily get Bergger Pancro 400 in the US by buying from Blue Moon Camera. The seem to always have stock of it in 35mm and 120. Not sheet film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have been away from photography for 5 years, now I have the opportunity to get back into it. Is 35mm film supply keeping up with demand? What about 120? how does the future look? What about chemistry? Still available and going to be available for reasonable money?

For those in large photographic markets, Los Angeles [Hollywood], New York, ... , there are many stores and custom labs and the rest of the world one can always get film on the internet. In the early 2000s the market experience shrinking, but not is is growing again.

 

[Agulliver]

Harman would appear to have no reason to cease cooperating with FujiFilm to produce ACROS II together. And it would surely be a long term deal that the two have reached.

The uncertainty with Fuji is whether they will ever resume manufacture of C41 film. Currently all their pro C41 film is discontinued and the "Fuji Color" 200 and 400 are manufactured by Kodak. Whether it is exactly the same as Gold and Ultramax is open to debate.

 

[MattKing]

Harman would appear to have no reason to cease cooperating with FujiFilm to produce ACROS II together. And it would surely be a long term deal that the two have reached.

This assumes that Fuji remains interested in distributing the product - distribution costs money!

 

[JParker]

This assumes that Fuji remains interested in distributing the product - distribution costs money!

Fujifilm is regularly advertising Acros II on their instagram account. They certainly wouldn't do that if they have intentions to stop it.
And as they are distributng all their instax films, their positive films, new Fujifilm 200 and 400 by the same own distribution channel, there are no significant additional costs by Acros II.

 

[koraks]

How long is film good for in the freezer?

Depends a lot on the specific product. Generally anything up to 200 speed ages fairly well, and the slower, the better it keeps. Anything faster fogs due to background radiation (the slower stuff, too, but it just doesn't suffer as badly because...it's slow after all). B&W keeps better than color, and color negative has more leeway than slide film due to the inherent need for color balancing of the former.

Superia 200 specifically ages reasonably well as long as it's kept refrigerated. Over 10-15 years it builds a pretty hefty dose of fog, but still remains fairly printable (albeit a little grainy). Nothing beats fresh film of course. I've had mildy expired Portra 120 (400 in particular) perform pretty badly with very apparent anomalies on the first few frames. 120 is always a little tricky because of the backing paper that's in contact with the emulsion.

There's presently no shortage of film or chemicals and the outlook as far as I can tell is pretty optimistic, too. The remaining film manufacturing companies appear to be doing reasonably or even very well. As long as there's film, there'll also be chemistry. Chemistry is relatively simple, esp. B&W, since most/all ingredients also have other uses in industry (depends a bit on developer type). At this point in time there's an increase in supply rather than a decrease, so the outlook is a lot more optimistic than it was 10-15 or even 5 years ago.

I have been away from photography for 5 years

Welcome back. Shoot the film you've got, and buy some new stuff. It's fun!

 

[GaryFlorida]

Depends a lot on the specific product. Generally anything up to 200 speed ages fairly well, and the slower, the better it keeps. Anything faster fogs due to background radiation (the slower stuff, too, but it just doesn't suffer as badly because...it's slow after all). B&W keeps better than color, and color negative has more leeway than slide film due to the inherent need for color balancing of the former.

Superia 200 specifically ages reasonably well as long as it's kept refrigerated. Over 10-15 years it builds a pretty hefty dose of fog, but still remains fairly printable (albeit a little grainy). Nothing beats fresh film of course. I've had mildy expired Portra 120 (400 in particular) perform pretty badly with very apparent anomalies on the first few frames. 120 is always a little tricky because of the backing paper that's in contact with the emulsion.

There's presently no shortage of film or chemicals and the outlook as far as I can tell is pretty optimistic, too. The remaining film manufacturing companies appear to be doing reasonably or even very well. As long as there's film, there'll also be chemistry. Chemistry is relatively simple, esp. B&W, since most/all ingredients also have other uses in industry (depends a bit on developer type). At this point in time there's an increase in supply rather than a decrease, so the outlook is a lot more optimistic than it was 10-15 or even 5 years ago.



Welcome back. Shoot the film you've got, and buy some new stuff. It's fun!

Thanks Koraks!

Regarding radiation. Would a lead lined box be ideal to store film? and what of temperature? Freezer better than fridge?

 

[koraks]

Would a lead lined box be ideal to store film?

No, background radiation is everywhere.

and what of temperature? Freezer better than fridge?

In general, freezing would be better in terms of chemical deterioration since the rate of chemical processes correlates with temperature. There are some caveats here such as the chemical pods in instant film, but that's a bit of an outlier.