regular 8 TRI-X

[beamascope]

I'm also confused by all of this. It says this on Wiki.

Kodak ceased sales of standard 8 mm film in the early 1990s, but continued to manufacture the film, which was sold via independent film stores. Black-and-white 8 mm film is still manufactured in the Czech Republic, and several companies buy bulk quantities of 16 mm film to make regular 8 mm by re-perforating the stock, cutting it into 25 foot (7.6 m) lengths, and collecting it into special standard 8 mm spools which they then sell. Re-perforation requires special equipment. Some specialists also produce Super 8 mm film from existing 16 mm, or even 35 mm film stock.

So unless Kodak is dropping 16mm then 8mm will still be available as long as somebody is willing to "reperf" it? It wouldn't surprise me though if Kodak bails. They're trying to support too many people on too little product. Meanwhile Lomgraphy.com has introduced a new 110 film AND camera.

[kII]

what we'll loose once kodaks pulls the plug on 8mm film is the quality of the perforations. I have used both 8mm and ds8 film perfed by a third party, the quality control i have found was not to the standard of genuine kodak perfed film stock, thus image steadiness suffered. I now only buy kodak perfed film stock and will never waiste my money again on reperfed stock.

[jpolzfuss]

What troubles me most is: The last years Kodak claimed various times (e.g. here or here) that they want to become more flexible and want to do more "on demand orders" - even for very small batches. However since then they've been permanently rising the "minimum amount of dollars" for their "on demand"-orders. Not to mention that they've also stopped supporting various formats (16mm-double-perf, DS8, Reg8, ...) at the same time...
...so either Kodak's marketing-guys/-gals are permanently telling lies or Kodak's management forgot to read and follow its own press-releases.

[richard p. t.]

What troubles me most is: The last years Kodak claimed various times that they want to become more flexible and want to do more "on demand orders" - even for very small batches. However since then they've been permanently rising the "minimum amount of dollars" for their "on demand"-orders. Not to mention that they've also stopped supporting various formats (16mm-double-perf, DS8, Reg8, ...) at the same time...
...so either Kodak's marketing-guys/-gals are permanently telling lies or Kodak's management forgot to read and follow its own press-releases.

Indeed. I do feel this puts paid to the fantasy of small batches of film being available. According to John (see above) the MOQ Kodak wanted here was something like 100,000 feet. That is a lot of standard 8. Even in 16mm, 100,000 feet is 45 odd hours - enough for 3 to 6 independent features. And in this instance we are simply talking about perforating an emulsion that they still produce. That is a long way from making a chosed emulsion from scratch.
On the other hand, the suggestion that emerged from Kodak about custom batches of film was talking about the r and d emulsion coating facility being able to do this, rather than the main coating plant... Still, it is very doubtful.

[Ektagraphic]

They should have just moved the minimum order up to 20 rolls like it is with the Ektachrome.

[hirudin]

I spoke to Kodak on this matter and the rep I spoke to was knowledgeable, polite and open about the state of affairs. According to the rep, 100000ft is the amount for them to reinstate a catalog item and break even; being in Chapter 11 doesn't help matters. The catalogue item was costing them to maintain, and so the decision was made to kill it. The decision was also made that a min. order of 100000ft might also deter a new order, which would be convenient for them but that if the order was agreed to then it was not costing them anything to fulfill it.

[Ektagraphic]

Any update on this? Will Kodak budge?

[zantizoom8]

so if i call kodak and order 10,000,000 ft of kodachrome40 super8 stock what they will do now ?

[Will2]

so if i call kodak and order 10,000,000 ft of kodachrome40 super8 stock what they will do now ?

Sounds like a Kickstarter project to me.

[BAC]

so if i call kodak and order 10,000,000 ft of kodachrome40 super8 stock what they will do now ?

Sounds like a Kickstarter project to me.

If either of you have $5,000,000 laying around I say go for it. I'll buy a few rolls.

[Ektagraphic]

Perhaps a chemistry wizz appear for the same amount of money that will process it for you

[aj]

so if i call kodak and order 10,000,000 ft of kodachrome40 super8 stock what they will do now ?

Invite you for a meeting to discuss the terms, schedule, procedure and bank-garantee
The you will leave with a Kodak tie and a diary.

[MIKI-814]

Sorry I haven't been able to log in for a while.

I shoot R8 regularly, not a lot of spools per year (maybe 10-15) but I will certainly miss Tri-X in this format.

[Mmechanic]

xxxx is in ten thousands of inch, i.e. 0.2997 or 0.1497.

Double-Eight movie film is always perforated with 0.1500" pitch since no copying on sprocket wheel printers is intended. Only for completeness

[mr8mm]

Further investigation concerning the TRI-X issue has revealed that other options exist. It may be less costly to have a special run of ORWO UN54 made with R8 perforations. UN54 appears to have a EI of 125 when processed in Kodak reversal chemistry. Also Agfa Scala 200 clear base is available in wide rolls and could be slit and perforated to R8/N8. I believe Kahl may alreadty be selling as UT24 B/W reversal. Both of these options would be more managable than investing $21500 in Tri-X. Perhaps not as desirable as fresh Kodak tri-x from Kodak but not as hard on the bank account.

Comments?

John S.