Topic: Big Yellow's profits

[Francois]

Yep, I'm talking about Kodak.

In the NY times

Noteworthy reading material...

[seekingfocus]

Digital sales in the quarter rose $288 million, to $2.26 billion, while revenue from film, paper and other older chemical-based products slumped 15 percent, to $951 million, from $1.12 billion.

OUCH! 

That doesn't sound like very good news for film lovers...

-Jason

[outofcontxt]

There may be some pause for concern from those who love Plus-X and Tri-X, but even if Kodak were to get out of the film business completely there are other sources. Ilford is alive, well and stronger than ever thanks to Harman Technology's takeover, and there are other smaller brands out there such as Efke. And doesn't Bergger make specialty films as well? While I do believe that film will be more of a niche market in the coming years, I don't think we'll see its complete demise for some time to come. There's still a substantial filmwasters community out there.

[seekingfocus]

You're right- there's really none of Kodak's offerings that I rely on or would really even miss... maybe Tmax 3200...

I feel Fuji has much stronger offerings pretty much across the board at this point and their films have come a long way over the past few years- still putting money and time into R&D, and have committed themselves to doing so in the future. Illford is still there and doing well...

But both Kodak and Polaroid will be sad to see die out...

-Jason

[seekingfocus]

Oh damn, and I was only thinking about B/W films... I do LOVE Portra for color negs...

-Jason

[Francois]

It would be sad for them to go out indeed. They are the only two remaining American film makers... but I have more faith in Kodak than Polaroid.

[outofcontxt]

It would really be sad to see Kodak get out of the film business. I cut my teeth on Kodak film, chemicals and paper. And I really do love Portra as well. And then there's Polaroid. It's like a fire sale with all the films that they're dropping. Sad. Very sad.

[gothamtomato]

If Kodak goes out of the film business, it will be because of their own blunders, not because there's no money in film. They have made one bad decision after another fot the last 25 years.

[Tammy]

I use a lot of Kodak film.  Portra and TriX As well as HC110 and Dektol.  Those are my staples.  I keep buying, so hopefully my meager offerings make a difference somehow.

But, if Kodak films and chemicals were no longer, I would use something else.  There are still so many choices and for that I'm thankful.