Has Kodak Lost its Mind || Opinion

[@nickfanzo]

Buy ilford. They’re cool.

[@prntm926]

I hope content creator use portra, but using ilford box, and tell the viewers they always use ilford. Just to pissed kodak off 🤣

[@B3D5X]

That article explains why my family would have several different occasions on one roll of film. Film wasn't even cheap back then. Every birthday or school recital they'd bring the camera, snap a few pics, and put it back in the drawer. When the roll finally ran out they'd get prints made and buy a new roll. I remember photography class in high school around 2000. A roll of Tmax 400 cost $4.50 USD ($7.31 today). B&H and Adorama both have it for sale right now at $7.29/roll.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Same here, we only shot pictures on special times, maybe 2 or 3 rolls a year.

[@calebcampbell5951]

I've never seen it that cheap, and it isn't now anymore. More like $9-13/ roll usually. Right now it's about $9-$11. (This is assuming 36 exposure)

[@pahwraith]

Yeah i learned on film and even as a student I was very selective. Digital has allowed me to become a much more experienced photographer. I can shoot everyday.

[@slr7075]

That's one thing about digital I don't enjoy. Taking an endless amount of photos but only having a handful of keepers. But sometimes it's also pretty hard to finish a roll of film, as you'll be more discerning about each frame. At least you'll know what you shot and know it counts.

[@arunashamal]

@@slr7075 Not true...family photography is still the same, even on iphone, you take couple photos, you don't keep shooting everything,. As for pros and enthusiasts, they shot billions of rolls to get one good photo, It has always been like that

[@sophietucker1255]

It really isn't the price, it is that lack of choices that is slowing me down. I'm to the point that Ilford is becoming my go to for everything as they are at least stable with the B/W stocks they offer. Color is becoming harder to do because of the lack of choices. I'm 70 yrs old and have been actively shooting since 1970. I just started back in film but think that anymore my film shooting will be B/W.

[@jonnoMoto]

BnW is in a strong place even without Kodak. However, Kodak is now really the only choice when it comes to colour, which is a problem.

[@TheFilmFellow]

Well said. My stomach turns when I see another KZbin video with “hey we shot Kodak Portra”….

[@vhfgamer]

@@jonnoMoto Hello Fujifilm, is it me you're looking for?

[@chumleyk]

Ilford always has. Very few people really need to shoot the premium stock, especially when they grade the hell out of it in post.

[@stevestruthers6180]

Ilford film has been around for a long, long time and is reliable when it comes to the quality of the emulsion. I put it on par roughly with Kodak Tri-X, which if processed properly, offered nicer, deeper tones.

[@dalkapur]

Its the lack of options for colour film which is the key problem for me. Other suppliers like Ilford and Foma don't provide colour film, and with Fuji dropping some key colour products, it means that we have limited options of where else to go other than Kodak, particularly for premium quality products. I will be stocking up on Portra and Ektar, and will stick with HP5 and APX for my B&W.

[@Shelbington]

I completely agree with this. If Fuji completely drops out of making color film, why would Kodak even bother lowering prices even after they've got the funding to build new machines, infrastructure, etc? I think every film photographer should try multiple color film stocks, especially those from other companies than Kodak, at least once. The more options there are for color film photography, the better chance that film prices will stay at prices we can all afford (we just might have to be even more careful with what we shoot).

[@VariTimo]

Until Fuji stops making color film, Superia 400 is an excellent bang for the buck. It still is the best performer in tungsten light after CineStill 800T and the grain is quite manageable when shot at 250 ASA.

[@danem2215]

I remember 10 years ago when I got into film, expired film on eBay was maybe $2 a roll. The Hasselblad I wanted was maybe $1k. Now that I picked it up again, completely unaware of the raising interest and thus skyrocketing prices, am finding $4,000 Hasselblads, $20 a roll for expired Agfacolor, etc. What a bad time to pick up interest again.

[@burntoutelectronics]

I just missed out on that period of time when one hour photo processing was common place and film was dirt cheap. Even in recent years the difference to just five years ago is noticeably different.

[@TwaynePereira]

This! I’m so thankful I was able to get into film at this time. In Toronto, there are a few smaller labs that do 1hr processing, but the big one usually adds a premium for same day, next day. I think we all long for those days and perhaps we’ll see some semblance of the film glory days in our “roaring 20s” haha.

[@danem2215]

@@burntoutelectronics Yeah, I recall as a kid 1 hour photo at CVS or wherever was maybe $6, prints and all. I just paid $15 for development only and it took 3 weeks by mail. I do my own B&W but I might have to start developing my own color as well. I guess it's good like Nico said that more people are keeping film alive but a lot of us who had the glory days of cheap and pre-digital prices certainly feel pushed out.

[@burntoutelectronics]

@@danem2215 And you are spot on about high end film cameras. I was lucky that my grandad was a photographer for years so I was able to get his mamiya RZ67. There is no way I'd pay modern prices for such a camera. It's beautiful sure, but it's just a film camera.

[@burntoutelectronics]

@@35mm21 a perfect example of high prices which I've never understood is for those late 90's/early 2000's point and Shoot Cameras with basic zoom or nothing at all selling for over $200!

[@CretinousFiend]

The problem is not that film prices are going up. The problem is that wages are not going up. =)

[@adrianaspinall1641]

An excellent video. Thanks Nico. Unfortunately, if colour films are going to be produced by Kodak only, and we seem to be moving in that direction, it's going to be very bad indeed for film photographers. The prices are already becoming exorbitant and this will be exacerbated in 2022 by a further 20% rise. Only more colour film producing companies could rescue the situation and drive prices down. There is an obvious alternative. It's called digital, and it's becoming by far the cheaper option. Many people may decide to go for Fujifilm film simulations if they want the film experience. Kodak has seriously mis-judged market trends in the past and look like doing so again.

[@ManyDoors777]

After shooting several rolls of various types of film, I have pretty much dumped my digital cameras. Film looks so much better, has an actual finite look to it.

[@Clogmonger]

Feels more “real” to me. Chemical process, not a digital sensor. I don’t have drive or passion for digital photography. But film just gets me going! I don’t know why. Color. Black and white. Whatever! Just shooting film.

[@hattree]

It's not the prices that bother me, it's the lack of options we seem to have. Fuji has killed almost all of their good stuff. Kodak has done similarly. It's hard to take the prices raising and so many being discontinued. If the market will take the prices rising, it should be able to sustain these products Fuji seems intent on killing.

[@lensman5762]

My sentiments exactly, in particular with regards to Fuji. There is also the added problem of the stock of good used film cameras either disappearing or getting vanishingly small, the crazy prices not withstanding. It really doesn't look good for film's future. Ironic isn't it, when they were all going bust due to digital, there was so much choice, and now that photographers are returning to film, for right or wrong reasons is not for me to decide, film is disappearing. Curious.

[@hiddenau]

Photographic film is about 1% of Fuji’s revenue. There is no incentive for Fuji to continue to invest in film photography. Re colour films, what is missing is competition. Need someone new (or someone to buy Fuji film division ) to come in to start making more colour film.

[@hattree]

@@hiddenau Then they should stop labeling everything Fujifilm.

[@philipu150]

I appreciate your perspective. It's particularly valuable to present the physical realities of manufacturing, a domain that has increasingly vanished public consciousness, at least in the U.S., since the resurgence of monetarist economics in August 1971. The understanding of the need to invest in R&D, the costs in capital, time, and talent to adapt to changing conditions, and other aspects beyond mere sustainance (which is already a richer topic in physical-economics than it may appear) needs to be revived for the public at large.

[@Kitsaplorax]

Kodak, Afga et al stopped research a long time ago. I see some really interesting innovations happening with the plant-based developer researchers in England and elsewhere. Maybe we need to take another look at film chemistry through the lens of what's growing in the gardens.

[@randallstewart175]

A great sentiment, but hardly applicable to the film situation. There is no R&D going on here. The last truly new films were the original Acros and its reincarnation, and Kodak's Ektachrome 100. The apparent growth in numbers of new films is largely just new distributors repackaging existing film under their new labels. (How many brands of Fomapan do you think you could find? Nothing new from Adox, Rollei and ???) Fuji isn't even trying to hang on to the status quo, but is just burning though its brand loyalty until its production resources, equipment or sales dry up. Prices could sustain with little or no increase, but these manufacturers are going to push for short term profits, and they will abandon the market when they push so hard that it stumbles and declines. That's been the constant and repeated practice for several decades, and it's not going to change. Personally, I pick Ilford as most likely to sustain in the future. Buy their products and let the rest go.

[@philipu150]

@@randallstewart175 We could have a long and interesting discussion about all that, but it involves major policy matters that stray from the immediate subject of this channel. I would respectfully only caution against projecting the future from recent trends, especially in a tumultuous world.

[@bitcoinman9202]

Exactly they have been printing money like lunatics everything is going to moon

[@geogi_bodies]

When high ISO films were discontinued, I stop shooting street and action. When colour negatives and slides are going to be discontinued, I stop shooting them. Same as many others, I don't want to rely on a stock I know it's going to disappear in foreseeable future. B/W, on the other hand, is thriving. In worst case, I don't mind mixing collodion and coating dry/wet plate myself. I consider myself lucky to have my vision aligned with trend in film production LOL

[@burntoutelectronics]

@@careypridgeon I definitely agree with you on Foma and similar businesses. Around here a roll of 120 Foma will set you back AU$7.75 whilst a roll of 120 Tri-X will cost you AU$13.50. nearly double. Sure Foma is considered inferior but it's cheap and by no means low quality

[@CalumetVideo]

If I want to just snap away, I can use digital. Film is expensive, but not bad if one is selective in making each shot count. I don’t shoot film for the sake of shooting film or burning exposures. My only concern is that some may not be able to afford film causing the demand to drop and eventually the discontinued offerings of film. I do see the cost of older small digital cameras starting to rise in price.

[@Shelbington]

If eventually someone is willing to pay $100 for my (currently)10 year old point and shoot digital camera, I gladly sell it to buy a few rolls of color film. Lol

[@inkmothstudios]

I would love to see some more planet friendly chemistry, so if raising prices allow innovation, I'm all for it. Will miss 400H tho. But it's not practical for prices to stay as they are.

[@markgarcia8253]

The rising price is because of the supply chain and consolidation. If the system is fucked, prices won’t go down. Regarding the chemistry, it might be possible but this analog process (as well as most chemicals ever used in industry) is bad for the environment just as much as most other pollutants.

[@inkmothstudios]

@@markgarcia8253 Yup, broadly agree. I'm interested in the eco-pro chem's. Not available easily in my country yet. But there is R&D going on in addition to the ever rising supply chain costs, which is good.

[@18earendil]

​@@inkmothstudios The holy grail would be a organic renewable alternative to silver among things.

[@stevestruthers6180]

I remember getting a roll of 36 exposure colour film being processed and made into prints in 1980 at Fotomat and it cost me $6.00. That's the equivalent of $18.00 in today's money. As a poor kid in high school who didn't have much money, that was a bit expensive, and meant that I couldn't afford to indulge my photography hobby more than once a month or once every other month. By comparison, I can shoot 36 digital images for virtually nothing.

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

Yeah. I shot film until 2005. When I would go on 2 to 3 week trips, I had to budget over $400 for the film and processing. I still have my film cameras and have been thinking about dabbling again, but with the way I shoot, I just don't know if it is feasible. I love the look of film for some photography relative to digital.

[@chumleyk]

Yeah, basic color stock and basic processing. I bet it wasn't Kodachrome, or reversal in general. 6 bucks in 1980 is $22 now too.

[@stevestruthers6180]

@@chumleyk I think the film I used was Kodak Vericolor, which used a C-41 process. I remember that it had rich, warm colours and tones.

[@ceritat625]

Thanks Nico! You are always sensible about this topic. I must be like one of those "kids", the price of film has never bothered me. Hobbies are expensive. If I worried about prices, I would not be doing any of my hobbies. I don't shoot colour all that much, and like you say, in BW there are loads of options.

[@krissjacobsen9434]

I think film is already very expensive, but somehow I still support Kodak in doing this, if their stated intentions are legit. The fact that they are actually investing more in what was concidered a dead medium just a few years ago is great, and if higher prices will result in more film options, more investment in the analog film industry, and better film, then I think it's the right decision. This will also mean lower prices later on.

[@dinglezhang391]

prices will not lower unless there are competitors.

[@slr7075]

They own this monopoly so they can label any price they want unfortunately.

[@Albanez39]

So we have to pay for their investments? When the rich want money, they hoard money. When the rich need money, they extort money!

[@waveril5167]

Naive, the prices will only go up!

[@andrewbartram2478]

Another excellent and balanced video. It’s excellent news that investment is being made in production ….. and prices need to be increased to help pay for it. So, we become more selective with our images and slow down a bit….. that’s one of the benefits of using film over machine gunning digital.

[@CalumetVideo]

Haha, agreed, I actually posted the same opinion before I read yours. It’s about slowing down and making each shot count.😀

[@kathreenmirate389]

Lomo 800 and 400 is really good. I’d say it’s the spunkier friend of portra

[@Seeattle]

Lomo for the win. And cinestill

[@Larslarson00]

The best “film” photography channel.

[@joshuabsoul9]

What a wonderful way to put this unfortunate reality. With Cinestill at $15 and Fujicolor 100 and Fuji superia 400 at $15 why shouldn’t Kodak be $10+ they have the consistency and performance. I feel like people should understand why and this really does a great job doing so! Great job!

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

@@ThornHawthorne Kodak pro image 100, 5 rolls for 37 bucks, or after 20% price increase....or $43...Really not a bad buy tbh. Ilford HP5 is still dirt cheap.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

I'm "near" to this new generation because I born in 1997, and I can tell you that the actual prices are crazy. I started shooting film in 2017 when a fujicolor c200 cost less than 3€, nowadays it cost near 10... It's the same film, with the same results... The price increases are logical, but there aren't improvements according this rises... The problem is the people who buy mjus for 300€ for example, it's kinda fashion complement not photography equipment... My own first film camera was a olympus pen ee2, and my second one a broken pentax wich I fix it... I always shoot in a budget and this month I started looking for a hasselblad. But all these price increases take away my desire to do it. It is useless to improve my equipment, so that then I have to ask for a loan to buy portra in 120 ... I'm really sad with the actual film industry situation...

[@Cameraville]

Watch the Adox video (first link in the description). There can’t really be any improvements to film. It had reached its peak of possible innovation years and years ago.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

@@Cameraville I don't agree with that, the improvements nowadays aren't definition, dynamic range or grain sice. Today the improvements are redo the old formulas in order to replace the banned chemicals for example...

[@Dennis94913]

Going digital is the budget solution i guess. You can achieve film like results with some adjustments.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

@@Dennis94913 Sadly it is the future. But if you enjoy the process of developing or enlarging... You are alone in the dark world of silver grain...

[@michaelli323]

It's a sad situation, but there's not much that could remedy it. Film (especially high quality colour stocks), is always going to be expensive. While it is true that there are many people jumping onto the film bandwagon just for the sake of it, it's ultimately not a bad thing as 'serious' film photographers simply cannot keep the industry alive. Hasselblads are great cameras, but there are definitely systems with better value out there at current prices.

[@brycepinson8641]

People generally don't understand that film photography requires a huge infrastructure. Even more so for color film. And that infrastructure is old, and there is no production of new equipment (film production equipment, cameras for 35 and 120, pro level film developing equipment, prolevel scanning equiemt, people who can formulate film).... The cost to keep up and update this infrastructure is now spread over fewer people.... At the end of the day, if you need cheap, shoot digital. The days where you could shoot thousands of rolls for the cost or a digital camera are gone and won't return. I'll keep shooting film where I can afford to.

[@JasonRenoux]

How hard would it be for Ilford to produce and launch a colour emulsion?

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

You should watch this, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWTFeap8odJ1e7s

[@JasonRenoux]

@@NicosPhotographyShow thanks Nico, I had watched it but didn't remember that part. If the analog community keeps growing, then maybe, manufacturers will see into it 🤞🏻 but of course, it all comes at a cost.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Hopefully we will get another color player in the next 5 years. Im quite hopeful.

[@c.augustin]

It is large format where the current price increases hurt the most. And I'm only shooting 4x5 C-41 at the moment - E6 and 8x10 are just prohibitively expensive even without further price increases …

[@camerachica73]

Yes I shoot 8x10 and I have a box of portra 160 that has expired as I've always wanted to save it for 'something really special' and have ended up shooting none of it. I'd love to do a project in colour, but it's so damn expensive.

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

Frankly, film is STILL cheaper today than it was in the 70's-90's....All they are doing is increasing cost to MATCH inflation. Between 2005-2016 film was at rock bottom prices so they can SELL, because film was literally in its dying breath. Now that it's popular again, they have to increase prices to meet the demand and turn a profit.

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

If only wages were increased to match inflation, eh?

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

@@RenaissanceEarCandy If only kodak had control over our wages. The film would cost even more then, regardless, the film today still cost cheaper than it did back in the 40's-90's. Our dollar STILL buys more film today than it did back then. If wages increased, the cost of these goods would also increase because kodak needs to pay more. Not saying I disagree with you at all. But the price would still increase.

[@richardt1792]

I remember when digital cameras first appeared. The fear was that companies would stop manufacturing all types of film. That fear drove many professional photographers to virtually dump their film cameras. Great cameras were showing on Ebay and Craigslist for as little as a 1/10 of their original price. Some films did vanish. Nevertheless, some, thankfully, remain. I have to say, I definitely want companies that manufacture film to be profitable. The price of film makes me more thoughtful and cautious about every shot. I want to have the choice to shoot with a variety of films and, for some photography, digital is always an option. That said, I understand your concern Nicos, you make your living with photography so price is a serious issue for you. Photography is a hobby, maybe even a luxury. Its still far cheaper than vintage cars or flying as a hobby.

[@Frantixj]

Kodak's increasing prices.

[@javiersalguero1896]

hahahahaha had the same thought. B/W strikes back

[@afrikabb]

@@javiersalguero1896 ještě, že máme tu fabriku u nás v České Republice.

[@arricammarques1955]

Kentmere Pan 400ASA : )

[@kerc]

Fomapan 100, my drug of choice. Combine that with a Paterson tank and Cinestill DF96 Monobath, and I'm a happy hobby photographer.

[@Frantixj]

@@kerc I only tried 200 and it was meh, but I heard 100 is good. Still got half a bottle of HC-110, will probably finish it in 7 years hahahaha

[@salmonefotografia77]

I care about the price of films, but I can not accept that nowadays I do not have many choices to buy.

[@MihneaIrimia]

For slides there is still a choice between Fuji and Kodak, but when it comes to high quality color negatives there is only Kodak left. It's not like we have a choice anymore on the matter. It is what it is and I will disgruntledly pay for color film as long as I want to shoot film, either/or as long as I am able to.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

Try Lomography color c41 film (made by kodak to).

[@GregoryVeizades]

Silberra color films are actually quite good.

[@Namebelegt]

"but when it comes to high quality color negatives there is only Kodak left." FUJICOLOR PRO 400H, FUJICOLOR SUPERIA X-TRA400, FUJICOLOR C200?

[@MihneaIrimia]

@@Namebelegt all discontinued except c200 which is consumer grade and also only 135 which I don't shoot.

[@oliverlison]

Thank you for sharing your great insight on this topic. I have found it as complete madness to increase prices by 20%. I know that those companies need to prepare to the future. New gear will not come. It will be too expensive to produce. Imagine to set up a complete line of mechanical components. Who wants to invest in a market that is still too fragile?

[@JasonRenoux]

Exactly, it's the law of the market and profit. Kodak is looking at this surge in film photography as a golden opportunity. Well said Nico 👍🏻

[@danielknorr357]

I think what we are witnessing is film returning to it's original price. Adjusted for inflation, a roll of portra has only really gone up $2 in the last 20 years which is really surprising considering how much the company has regressed. I hope that with these increased prices, more companies will return to making film which may result in cheaper options being available.

[@titofly00]

I still wish for 100 ft rolls for 35mm color film to come out at some point. honestly bulk loading its gonna be my way to go for a couple months. I love shooting film and i am gonna keep doing it as long as i can and as much as i can afford it. great vid

[@marksgraybeal]

a reminder of new news in west Texas,Marfa. film available for sale for hundreds of miles area of Big Bend. i started in 60's, may restart to shoot but want to print my old shots.

[@TheFilmFellow]

Kodak is simply using its monopoly position to make more profits. Yes, Kodak is historically terrible at keeping a neat, clean line of production because they simply never had to but these prices, for what it is, are excessive. It was the same last year, and it’ll be a similar story, next year. Thankfully I only shoot 135 and 120 and it helps to live in a country that is only 4% of the world’s population but uses about 24% of its recourses so film is still readily available where I live. To be honest, I will shoot it as long as I can and having started to develop at home has been a huge cost saver. But I’m afraid this is just the awful outcome of a monopoly position with little to no competition. Cool video!

[@martinohesse]

There is also a "monopoly" behavior that's very studied in economics. Kodak has practically the monopoly of producing film (the other companies have very small market share and can be considered "followers"), so they can take advantage of the "elasticity" concept: the monopoly may increase the price as high as it generates more benefits no matter if certain portion of consumers stop of buying. In the end the monopoly will find a price that will allow to get higher benefits without selling much of its product. A monopoly prefers to sell 10 units at a high price and get benefits of 100 than selling 50 units at lower price to get the same benefit (or even lower).

[@alexandermandache1628]

I honestly think that they are driving people away (me included) because people will only be able to shoot once a week or even once a month because they don't want to spend a fortune on what is a hobby (for some people).

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

You're not wrong in that aspect. They are gonna drive away a lot of people by making the film more expensive but they also have a dedicated film, fashion, and magazine industry that'll pay those prices. It sucks in terms of color film since Kodak is one of the last ones doing it but there are still plenty of B&W options to choose from

[@CalumetVideo]

Absolutely, I also foresee film camera prices falling, a Fuji GW690III now costing around 1,000 USD will probably fall to 500.00 USD, as it was a few years ago. Very few people will be able to afford or want to pay 10-15.00 a toll for color 36mm film or 75-80.00 for a 5 pack of 120 film. Almost 100.00 a pack of Ektachrome 120 film is expensive for most people.

[@rickschricter]

I have continuously been buying film since 2000. The issue started in 2020. Film was mostly $5-7 at BH in NYC up until then. Now double. There was no spike in demand in 2020. I have been going to BH in NYC forever and can assure you the lines in the film department are NOT LONG. You can walk right up to the counter. Same as 2018, 2010, etc. The issue is not spike in demand. Something else is going on.

[@mdlassel]

how do i sign up for a production job at kodak? ill work those crap shifts. I love film and ill learn what they need me to lol

[@BIbiVstf3sx]

Hope kodak prices increase is made to expand or re open production lines....

[@goldenhourkodak]

Kodak has stated that they plan to continue to invest more into film, so this is likely.

[@extremelydave]

I just hope the increases don't deter people from going into film instead of digital photography. We need the younger generations to make film rock again!!!

[@christophergrundy5307]

Whilst I appreciate a price increase is driven by various factors, looking at it in context with the rising costs of living it simply means I will shoot less Kodak stock. Kodak May price themselves out of the market if they aren’t careful as film in the digital age is more of a luxury than a necessity in photography. Given that there is no support for the market in the form of new serious cameras and that existing cameras which are getting more expensive will begin to fail and become harder or impossible to repair, it’s hard to see a long term future in film sadly. I got into film mainly for Black & White and luckily I favour Ilford - though I love the Kodak TMax stocks (especially ISO100) a great deal. Kodak for me are my go-to for colour. I love their E100 but it’s already £20 a roll before processing which has reduced my purchasing of it. If it jumps up much higher, I will simply stop purchasing it. I also love Ektar, Portra 160 and Colour Plus (I love it’s character and colours) but I can get excellent results in digital and a significant price increase will simply mean I stop or significantly limit shooting colour film.

[@c.augustin]

Kodak won't price themselves out of the market, because they already have some unique film stocks in certain formats (like large format C-41 stock available outside of Japan), and at some point they might be the only remaining producer of color film (if Fujifilm continues its current trends). B&W is a completely different story, lots of competition there (Ilford, Adox, Foma, to name a few, and maybe some production facilities producing film for other brands; there's still a chance that Film Ferrania will finally join them at some point) - at some point in the future Kodak might concentrate on color and leave B&W to the competition …

[@christophergrundy5307]

@@c.augustin I certainly hope they don’t but increasing prices by a substantial amount when living costs are increasing ahead of wages, it might not take much of an increase for Kodak’s sales to fall - particularly amongst casual/hobbyists whose incomes may be tighter. I’m not blind to the reasons or benefits from an increase - investment in production, infrastructure and hopefully new products but film is arguably a luxury. It’s not necessarily a case that people will walk away but many may not have a choice. Again, given the presence of Digital Cameras presenting a cost free alternative to those who already own one, Kodak may see their sales of colour stock fall as people simply buy less or only for specific purposes. I want Kodak to succeed, truly, but I do worry about their longevity as things are.

[@slr7075]

Doesn't help that certain cameras and lenses has also risen in expense due to popularity and demand. If these people can afford the gear then a little price bump for Kodak film won't even be an issue for them. YT film photographers comes to mind.

[@nathanhu9148]

you'd be happy to learn that tmax 100 is going up 52% in price

[@jamesgerboc]

I came from film professionally and still have the cameras inc 4x5. I would love to use them again. But I had full color darkroom at that time and that is not possible (or healthy) to build now. I’m not sure about scanning negatives, but even if you could live with sending out for film processing, I have really found post processing in Lightroom and other software to be a creative necessity. I would want an easy bridge from film to digital.

[@tplyons5459]

In 1970 I was buying a 120 roll of AGFA 400 film for US 25 centes

[@gianlusc]

I agree. Demand-supply>price. And yeah. Likely making the industry more attractive for new investors.

[@1989Goodspeed]

Briliant video. Supply and demand, it is interesting how a medium that was considerd "dead" is coming back and it is fun.

[@The-Travel-Man]

There is a massive global supply chain problem, which undoubtedly is the main driving force behind price increases on all products and services. Kodak is just another company that is a victim of inflation and its inability to source raw materials. We all need to begin preparing for eventual unavailability of most products (and services). If you have a freezer, stock up on film. Prices will never come down, and the film will inevitably go extinct.

[@quite1enough]

years ago I've heard that Leica wanna do budget film camera where is it now? I guess pandemic played the role, but anyways

[@agylub]

I worked in a C41 lab. We would see film that had two Xmas gatherings on it. That’s how expensive it used to be. Even with the price rise it’s still value. I remember 10” x 8” prints costing $7 in 1979. 6” x 4” used to be $1.10 now 40 years later they are 9c.

[@agylub]

@@35mm21 yup. All enlarger printing

[@julien.2573]

I wonder when we will see a Chinese film manufacturer appears and break the prices, maybe there is already one, idk

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

I actually bought two rolls of color film from China today… will report soon

[@slr7075]

Don't support the CCP.

[@rosszpenz]

This is simple economics: demand went way up so prices go up too. Also, everything else inflates like crazy nowdays so I don’t get the surprise some people get.

[@slimnics]

how about ilford prices?

[@youarefound4958]

Hey nico , real question. where can i join in and learn to do all these things for film? like learning how to make it for kodak and so on? Where do I go?

[@txemanovelo]

Do you think this up in prices will apply to kodak motion film?

[@drmoss_ca]

Support Ilford, Adox, Foma: buy as much as you can and keep it frozen. I'm using thirty year old film that's as good as new because it has been kept frozen. It was cheap when I bought it and now many of the emulsions are discontinued. Planning ahead saves money and gives you the chance to enjoy films no one else can get anymore.

[@chumleyk]

Spot on. Everyone is just used to the fire sale prices. Adjusted for inflation, film is getting back to what it was. I wish people would stop trying to flex by stating what film stock they use for all their pictures. Ive noticed some are claiming that they shot in Portra but it clearly wasn't (of so digitally graded as to make shooting on Portra meaningless).

[@filmerdennis]

A lot of good points at the end of this video about interest in companies making new cameras because prices are going up. I agree with a lot of your points here.

[@gerardalain4259]

1982 as well, never left film and as long as I can breathe I ll never do !

[@lensman5762]

Of all people, Kodak will push the younger and less well off photography enthusiasts towards digital. So far as B&W stock is concerned , there is still Ilford and some Euro and Chinese manufacturers, but colour stock is at a premium. So far as Fuji is concerned, I am 100% convinced that they would like nothing better than to kill film off for good. They have two hundred models of digital nonsense that they keep on introducing, to sell. What I hate most is that gradually, film photography in particular, and photography in general is becoming the sole domain of wealthy or sponsored ' photographers '. Well said Mr Nicos.

[@CalumetVideo]

I think the film renaissance came in 2017, Kodak tried to capitalize on the “hype” by introducing Ektachrone etc.i it was sort of a throwback. I don’t think that Kodak anticipated this renaissance to last as long as it has. I’m thinking they want to taper the demand off. I think this will push the younger and those with lower incomes away from film and back to digital. I don’t foresee many paying 15.00 a roll for Tri-X, 25.00 a roll for Ektachrome etc. A 5 pack of 120 color film selling for 75.00 a pack will run many out of the market. I foresee film cameras falling in prices over the next couple of years and the prices of compact and retro digital cameras soaring in prices.

[@slr7075]

Younger photographers will still resort to their smartphones as their main cam. Advancements in smartphone photography is good enough for their eyes and the general public. Shooting film is a getaway vacation but when it comes to the end, a small smartphone camera in the pocket makes the most sense. When everyone's a photographer, no one will be.

[@CalumetVideo]

@@slr7075 very true, I would imagine that most photos taken with smartphones are never printed. I have printed 4x5 from my 12mp smartphone and I was not impressed. Most are good enough to do what they want, snap photos for social media and eventually they are gone. Nothing tangible.

[@ropersix]

Gasoline is approaching $5/gal. where I live in California. Now THAT hurts. Film price increases, not so much.

[@chilecayenne]

Ouch. I was pissed the other day when I notice here in LA that gas had topped $3/gallon in some places. I don't see how ya'll afford to live out there in CA.

[@rolle820]

You guys have it good, in Sweden we are almost at $8 per gallon. Makes you seriously think about stop driving.

[@markgarcia8253]

@@rolle820 yeah but do you have a great public transit system? We dont

[@jonnoMoto]

I get why they've done it. Just means I won't be buying ektar/Ektachrome again until (if) it comes down. Kodak has always been priced at a premium for me so I've rarely used it since portra 400nc was discontinued. Used to use tri-x when neopan 400 was discontinued but it was expensive then. A few £ more than hp5. Now tri-x is more like double the price of hp5. £82 Vs £220 for 100ft....

[@mjfan653]

people will lose interest, and new people will put it off due to the first roll being so high in price. the resurgence came because of cheap cameras and film. that made the hobby available. now, I would not reccommend a film camera to a beginner. rather just buy a digital body.

[@stephendeakin2714]

Hopefully a manufacturer decides to make an affordable film camera, but I doubt the economics of doing so will be attractive to the likes of the digital camera producers. Let's just hope the film producers keep finding a way of fuelling our current cameras and perhaps a company like Intrepid will develop a TLR medium format camera.

[@jd3497]

Chemical and raw materials prices are skyrocketing. What is Kodak to do?

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

I'm not surprised about the price increase but I'm also not angry about it either. Ever since I started shooting film again I've always shot on expired film thats like 1-4 years past expiration. I've rarely ever bought fresh film other than slide film, some Ilford stuff, and Foma. Personally that works for me but I know photographers who always want their film to be fresh and that's totally alright. Film is a commodity not a necessity. Im thankful it's lived this long and for so many formats

[@bradleybull1787]

That doesn't really work in western Europe where expired film is not much cheaper

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

@@bradleybull1787 oh yeah I totally get you. It's stupid that people gouge the prices of film that are seemingly never garunteed to get perfect results. It's a lot of effort in put in just to save a little money. Getting into your own developing definitely saves a lot of money that you can put back into buying film

[@alexanderpopov4691]

I think the message is clear, and I can share this opinion, that film is not overpriced. Yes, it will turn some customers away from color film or each person will buy less film anually, but still demand will be high enough to sell stock that coyld be produced by kodak currently. So this is painful, but it is also logical. I however want to belive the income will be invested into film industry and not other branch.

[@devtank]

There was a period in the 90's where I could buy a brick (36x20) of Neopan 400 for IR£40 which was about $55 at a 'pro rate' (card carrying pro's with accreditations) which was about 60% less than street price for a roll of Kodak Gold 24exp or Superia 200 24exp, that was partially negotiated deal through the NUJ and a general industry wide deal for pro's who bought gear in Europe. At gear events manufacturers would hand out 12exp rolls. But in general, film, to my mind, was always expensive. Inflation calculator says that 1995 $55 = 2021 $99.82. I remember in 1999 a roll of Kodak Gold 24exp was IR£8.99 in camera shops, about $13 thats $21 in todays money.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

I have been shooting film since the 1970's and it has always been expensive. Remember bringing 4-5 rolls for a 2 week vacation 😊

[@aycuens]

Muy acertado el video Nico, lo firmo!

[@pushingfilm]

So very well spoken Nico, appreciate the insight!

[@guybisson7535]

You have it easy, in the UK a five pack of Porta is the equivalent of $91 or $18.20 a roll. I used Kodak film for decades; now switched to Ilford.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Yeah, Im based in Finland… (but from Spain)

[@christianmayrhofer4178]

Here in Switzerland, Kodak films are also very expensive. A Tri-x 135/36 costs the equivalent of about 12 dollars. Only real fans still pay that.

[@gregoryowain2073]

Interesting to see this video in light of CineStill releasing their new emulsion 400D and Leica bringing back their M6 at an eye-watering price. But fits what you said about a younger generation paying through the nose for everything else.

[@extremelydave]

Good lord we need more people like you Nico.... finding great advocates for film is hard so I hope you go viral!!!! I went 30 years without shooting film before realizing that digital is precise but has no soul. Discerning eyes CAN see the difference in film. Sure you can post process the crap out of digital to make it LOOK like film, but why not just shoot film in the first place? Keep those videos coming!!! I'm binging just having found you!!!!!

[@photosquare7]

In 1978, when I was 15 Years old, a slide film with development was about 15 German Mark. This is aquivalent to 19 Euro, so the price is nearly the same and I have much more money....

[@Stop4MotionMakr]

I think if more realise that the price hike is actually an investment into a more sustainable future for the film industry, a lot more people would be willing to pay the premium. If we can bring it up to a level where manufacturers can really start to bring back some of the iconic discontinued stocks (Aerochrome we're all looking at you), then we should see a bigger jump in demand and grow the market from there.

[@jasonpurisima1619]

And no one to repair these old film cameras. It’s a special person for some brands

[@certs743]

I get the cost of investing in a business. But Kodak has been saying for years now motion picture 35mm is making a huge comeback and they are making alot of money off major studios and have been investing in serious equipment upgrades for awhile. And yet Tri-x has been more than double the price of HP5 for about a decade now and we are supposed to believe that is "cost of doing business". They are not relying on just stills film photographers anymore and haven't for awhile so to me the math doesn't quite add up.

[@Eclectachrome]

Nice presentation of recent news, inflation is huge and we see this in most industries where inflation increases but income does not so there people feel the crunch of rising prices but not rising ability to afford them (a generalization). I had listened to the interview with Mirko before and that's also true what he was saying about prices not affording companies to invest in R&D. He seems to have a more lean operation though and sometimes big companies like Kodak have more waste (time, money, efficiencies, materials). They cannot make decisions as quickly or pivot as fast. But perhaps the rising prices will make people more cautious about what they shoot which could be a good thing (or a bad thing if it limits your creative flow) being very precious with what you pick to photograph.

[@b6983832]

I hope they will start to make RA-4 paper again in sheets. Fuji is not bad, but I like more the warmer colors of Ektacolor paper. Of course, it is still available in rolls.

[@ssnoc]

Kodak is trying to hang on and your support is necessary - this is a tiny market and Kodak is trying to keep it alive - it’s up to you if you want it to survive.

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

To be fair I shoot B&W 95% of the time in 35 mm and 120 I have a few rolls of 400h and Ektar and some Porta 400 in the fridge I don’t mind the price increase IF they use the additional cash towards new emulation etc but we will see hopefully Kodak won’t price themselves out of the market customers will decide if the price is fair they will buy them if not well we may lose another manufacturer great video

[@hiddenau]

Is Kodak ( the part that sells film) actually profitable?

[@mattkaufman5531]

Now tell us the 2 stocks they said they're releasing this year

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

I can see your points, but ultimately I don't like the prospect of not being able to afford shooting regularly. So if a manufacturer raises its prices, I'll move to another rather than take the hit, as long as such a thing is possible. And so will do many others who, for whatever reason, don't make any money by shooting film. Also, I have the faint suspect that these price hikes are not going to be temporary. If and once the investments are done and the costs are covered, I don't think prices will go back down where they used to be.

[@alexandermandache1628]

But hopefully they'll still go down, right?

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

@@alexandermandache1628 Will they?

[@alexandermandache1628]

Honestly I think that's just me being hopeful. 🤞

[@imvisier9925]

Of course they wont. Especially when the justifications are such vague things like machinery upgrades and upscaling, or training of people. When have you upgraded enough ? When have you hired and trained enough people ? These things are not quantifiable, or at least can be made not to be by veiling them in this "investment in the future" pitch. A 100 years can pass, and they can still be "investing in the future".

[@chrismclean4458]

Can you share some old skateboarding photos with us Nico?

[@LUCAS34246]

So happy I got into film a few years ago instead of now… thrift store gear is even expensive these days!!

[@kayneliluisang9455]

If i have to slow shooting, the labs have to slow development, spend more on chemicals... I understand the reasons, but i hope film stops getting more and more shutdown and goes the other way. Perhaps, if you say more people are starting to shoot film perhaps it can be marketed better...

[@peter2712]

As long as they put some of the increase towards innovation. Higher prices slows me down .

[@angelusrufus7479]

I believe Kodak has not properly considered the market situation. After the previous price increase, it must have discouraged a large number of customers from Europe, and in particular from Eastern Europe, from its products. After the recent price hike, an employee in a position similar to mine can buy 73 Kodak trix (for a monthly salary), compared to 166 in the US. I believe that Kodak products are too expensive for us at the moment. Future price increases may discourage a large part of those more persistent customers who still feel attached to the brand. So Kodak... kiss my lens.

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

The other issues are possible that film cameras price are going through the roof so there is a demand out there time will tell 🤔

[@laffilmfest3759]

Great info, interesting film is becoming more popular....

[@marcoantoniogarcia38]

Motion picture film is of great quality and it’s not expensive at all if you don’t buy them already in a 35mm case. Double-X is awesome for B&W, it’s actually my favorite B&W film stock and even though Ektar is my favorite color negative film Kodak Vision 3 is also great, but you have to find a lab that can remove the remjet layer.

[@savethephotons2532]

As always thank you very much for your effort, taking the time to keep us informed and analog photography alive. Chapeau!

[@matthewc1m2m3m2]

Brilliant explanation and thanks for making me see sense in to why Kodak have done this,

[@remicasallena]

Great video, thank you so much for the information.

[@Film.Stories]

Great thinking and point of view, as always.

[@bradl2636]

If Nikon simply relaunched the FM3A they would fly off the shelves. In this era of chip shortages the IC-light electronics and relatively simple components in the old film cameras surely must be an opportunity.

[@RobMoses]

Agreed! The sting is worth it in the big picture.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

Large format is cheap thanks to Foma.

[@faimeolos]

1 de Noviembre y anuncian antes la subida de precios que los stocks nuevos :(

[@johnjon1823]

BE HAPPY. Increased demand is a positive for future film production. The market is seeking the balance between supply and demand along with the needs for capital investment and profit and staff development for the long term. It is a rebuilding process and yes prices are going up, however, the money printing machine in DC is a BIG part of the reason. Quite big. Why? look at the value of a dollar in 1970, it now takes 7.26 for the same spending power, in fact from the year 2000 alone you need 1.63 today for one dollar then. Blame the printing press, that's the only actual thing that has NO excuse. Buying votes and screwing people's savings every day. It's what they do.