Further Kodak discontinuations rumored

[bolextech]

I've been following an interesting discussion on the Frameworks mailing list:

https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/pi ... 14485.html

Jean-Louis

[kontrabass888]

I am not surprised.
Kodak is not the only company could produce film, and their copyrights will be expired in some years too.

[JeremyC]

Does anyone know how well 50D has sold in either 35 or 16, let alone Super 8?

Jean Louis in your contact with Kodak over DS8 did you get any idea of the corporate attitude to 'products'? What I'm asking is, and to every one not just this thread's originator, what would affect an executive's decision on a marginal or slightly loss making product so that they kept it? What would it take externally for Kodak to keep something?

[Pj]

It seems that there’s been quite a few Kodak discontinuations recently, a short while ago Kodak had stopped producing film for the A Minima and now it seems that Kodak will be announcing the discontinuation of a number of other motion picture film products too. There are plenty of rumours that Kodak is keen to dump film manufacturing. But what is Kodak if it stops making film? Perhaps some questions need to be put directly to Kodak like; What is their long term strategy regarding film manufacture? Realistically will they be able to make batches of stuff to order?

Pav

[bolextech]

Jeremy, Kodak simply cannot think and act like a small, nimble company that can adapt quickly.
High volumes is the only way they know how to function. They are not interested in specialty markets.
It looks very much like they want to offer only color negative until the day they decide to pull the plug on everything.

I would not hesitate to try stocks from other manufacturers, especially if you're shooting black & white.

Jean-Louis

[Will2]

I would feel safe stocking up on 50D and keeping in the freezer for up to 10 years or so. The slower the speed the longer it should last right?

Guess I'll be saving up for a big film purchase towards the end of the year.

[Tscan]

It looks to me like they are wanting to get rid of the 50D 100ft daylight spools in 16mm (funny because they were just boasting a Bolex 16mm wedding photographer on FB). But here's a new article about Film Ferranias scaled down production process and it sort of sums up how Kodak is kind of screwed when it comes to downsizing. Ferrania may have to take over the whole film burden soon and it sounds like they are excited to do so. Get behind them, give them input ect

http://www.filmferrania.it/news/the-lrf/2014