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.
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.
An incredibly useful and complete post. Thank you!
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.
What is background radiation? Could it penetrate a lead lined box?
Is there any reason why Harman should not produce Acros II for Fuji if it contracts Harman to do so and at a price that meets Harman's requirement. It's no different to the uncertainty that surrounds any contract between 2 companies, is it? The same uncertainty might be said for Kentmere being made for Freestyle under the Arista brand
pentaxuser
What about chemistry? Still available and going to be available for reasonable money?
Chemistry is relatively simple, esp. B&W, since most/all ingredients also have other uses in industry
As long as there is film there will chemistry. As noted above mixing is not too difficulty and there are providers who make make a diverse line of products, black chemistry just being one. The long term issue for 35mm and MF film is that without new cameras being made it will be harder and more expensive to start. In my area the local high school stopped teaching analog photography due to lack of reliable cameras.
The supply of used gear is diminishing. With a few expectations like the Nikon F6 and Canon EOS IV which were produced until recently, or made from parts on hand, most 35mm cameras are now 20 years and older. My Minolta 9 was made in 1998, 800sim 1997 9X11992 Konicas date to 70s, my Nikon F, 1962, other 1973, and so and so on. Cameras are being tossed out, become broken, the supply is not unlimited. How many schools will take the time and make the effort to set up a donation program? Mint and Pentax are our best hope for new film cameras.
I have not checked Blue Moon, will check it out for 120, but I was more interested in 4X5
GaryFL to address your question i think we're in pretty good shape. Especially for B&W choose an emulsion , buy a bunch and stick to it. Decades of photojournalists lived off Tri-X. Kodak and Ilford are in pretty good shape. There are both retail and wholesale suppliers for chemistry. Find something that suits your shooting style and stock up. Welcome back!
Not that most entry level photographers can afford.
Harman decides that make more Iflord or Kentmere films, which may have a larger profit margin. Fuji decides that it does not want to spend the time and effort to ship the emulsion to the U.K.
Harman decides that make more Iflord or Kentmere films, which may have a larger profit margin.
Fuji decides that it does not want to spend the time and effort to ship the emulsion to the U.K.
In my area the local high school stopped teaching analog photography due to lack of reliable cameras.
why do people prefer to buy expired film when they can buy readily avalable new film?
If history has anything to say on this, Fuji is the most unreliable on any future predictions. They put out Acros at an outrageous price and cashing in on it. Not much change in management is needed to pull that plug though. In fact they've pulled films from market on very short notice, they've re-introduced some on similar short notice. I would not count on any film product Fuji makes long term, sadly.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.
If history has anything to say on this, Fuji is the most unreliable on any future predictions.
End of last year Fujifilm officially announced a huge 30 million $ investment in their instax film production. That is much more than any other film manufacturer is investing. Fujifilm explained that this investment is so fundamental that the implementation needs time and is going on including 2024 and 2025. It is possible that by this investment the general film production capacity at Fujifilm is so increased that a resurgence of their non-instant film production is possible as well. We have to wait and see. In 2026 / 27 we will probably know.
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