Author Topic: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..  (Read 4161 times)

seekingfocus

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Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« on: March 06, 2008, 05:40:59 PM »
This just in:

Quote from: FujiFilm USA
Dear Mr. Langley,

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email concerning the recent
Polaroid Industry news.  Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM, USA's
Helpdesk Center and giving us this opportunity to assist you further.

Please be advised that FUJIFILM is aware that Polaroid will be
discontinuing their instant film products at some point this year.  We
have no plans to take over or continue the production of Polaroid
instant film products, however, we will continue the production of our
Fujifilm brand instant film products.  For more information on our
instant film products, please go to www.fujifilmusa.com, and visit the
Professional Film page.

We sincerely hope this information has been helpful. If you should have
any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us
in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.


Thank you for your interest in Fujifilm products and services.


Respectfully,

Terrance, Imaging Support Team
Contact Center
FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.

Damn  it, Damn it, Damn it and Damn it again... so, I guess it's now up to Ilford? Who, even if they pick up production (also looking doubtful) will likely only continue production of the B/W films...

Gosh, I thought we could have at least hoped to save a few films.  :'(

It's sure not looking good now.

-Jason

moominsean

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2008, 06:20:39 PM »
well, at least they have the peelaparts taken care of. we have color, bw 100 and bw 3000. i think there are a couple other variations. i had little doubt that nobody would pick up the larger formats or anything with a negative. integral? i doubt it will happen at this point, except maybe in limited runs from places like unsaleable.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2008, 07:37:39 PM by moominsean »
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seekingfocus

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2008, 06:24:16 PM »
Yeah... the but biggest thing about the Polaroid peel aparts for me was the ability to do transfers...

And at least one integral 600 type film would be nice.

Not to mention the wonderful negative films 665 and 55. I was really hoping for those.

-Jason

gothamtomato

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2008, 07:26:40 PM »
I don't think Fuji was ever going to pick up 55 & 665.  Ilford is the one that would be most likely to do that, because 55 & 665 would fit with their already existing product line (and help sell more traditional paper).

I had never heard anything positive from Fuji, but Ilford has been positive right from the start.

I think people need to still write to Ilford, if they haven't already, asking them to pick up those 2 films. And also, write to Polaroid to request that they do the right thing and make it affordable for Ilford to do it.

seekingfocus

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2008, 08:18:23 PM »
I don't think Fuji was ever going to pick up 55 & 665.  Ilford is the one that would be most likely to do that, because 55 & 665 would fit with their already existing product line (and help sell more traditional paper).

Absolutely, but I thought we might have gotten at least an integral from Fuji, and the black and whites from Ilford. Now, it's looking doubtful that we will get either.

I've sent another email to Ilford today, hoping for the best. At least maybe get an update and see where they are heading.

-Jason

rolo

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2008, 03:00:14 AM »
We have no plans to take over or continue the production of Polaroid
instant film products, however, we will continue the production of our
Fujifilm brand instant film products"

This sentence intrigues me.  Fuji already produces their own pack film and with Instax and Instax Mini have an integral product (which they once made FOR Polaroid -- for the Mio).  Is it possible that what they are saying is, "we won't continue production of Polaroid instant film products, but we very well may expand our own."?

Just a thought.


seekingfocus

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2008, 03:13:58 AM »
Well, I don't think that anyone would have expected that if Fuji had picked up the production of Polaroid films, that they would bear the Polaroid name. The idea is that Fuji would produce films using the same formulas and having the same properties of particular Polaroid films...

The problem here, is that Fuji does already manufacture certain films that are close the Polaroid's films, but lack properties (subtle color differences, ability to do transfers, etc.). So, I don't see them introducing a nearly identical product just to supplement such a relatively small niche market.

But, in the case of something like 669/779, it does seem like there is room in the Fuji line for an additional product that would be compatible with existing Polaroid integral film cameras. So one again, one can only hope...

-Jason

Yaniv Waissa

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2008, 02:33:12 PM »
I hope that someone will give us the pleasure to enjoy the instant films for the new years... but I don't think that Fuji or Ilford will do it... I wish that the good people of Unsaleable will find solution for us... I think that they're the only company that can do it
The Storm Still Rages Inside

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2008, 04:49:11 AM »
I wish that the good people of Unsaleable will find solution for us... I think that they're the only company that can do it

But what kind of resources does Unsaleable have?  One way or the other taking over a Polaroid factory will be a costly proposition.


moominsean

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2008, 12:49:58 PM »
yeah unsaleable seem to be more of a reseller. even the blend is probably repackaged 600. i've seen the choclate film on other websites, so they didn't produce it themselves.
"A world without Polaroid is a terrible place."
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Francois

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2008, 04:09:33 PM »
Unsalable is just a store, not a production factory.
They outsource some of their stuff to other companies. Like the Chocolate Polaroid which is probably a cross processing product that used the leftover developer from another production made by Polaroid...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

gothamtomato

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2008, 03:27:34 AM »
Chocolate Polaroid??!!?? What's that? I've never heard of it. Is it still available anywhere?

moominsean

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2008, 04:11:25 AM »
yeah just do a search on google or go to unsaleable. it's muy expensive though.
"A world without Polaroid is a terrible place."
                                                                  - John Waters

Francois

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Re: Fuji WILL NOT pick up production of Polaroid films..
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2008, 02:50:30 PM »
Chocolate Polaroid??!!?? What's that? I've never heard of it. Is it still available anywhere?

They even pushed the marketing hype by packing it in a chocolate wrapper look alike!

They used the pod from a B&W film and a color emulsion (though it might be the other way around, I don't remember) which gives the image a salmon brown color...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.