Kodak Alaris to raise film prices "significantly" from 1 Jan 2020

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https://kosmofoto.com/2019/11/kodak-alaris-raising-film-prices-in-january-2020/

“We have had to prioritise production of the most important film types, for example Professional film which is critical to many professional photographers. Overall we have seen the level of customer back orders increase to an unprecedented level, we understand this creates a difficult issue for our customers and end users but film production has been limited by a finite supply of one of the key components used to produce film.

“Kodak Alaris’s film supply comes from a single dedicated supplier, we are beholden to this supplier for all the film we sell across the world. Our supplier has recognised the increased demand for film and started to initiate plans to increase their volume capacity. A large ongoing financial investment has been made to increase production capacity but unfortunately the benefits of this investment will not be realised until much later in 2020, with some additional benefits being delivered in 2021.”

The release was made public by Finald’s Kamerastore but has since been confirmed by Kodak representatives to Kosmo Foto.

Kodak Alaris said it cannot absorb the extra costs involved in Kodak increasing its capacity. It said the price rises will be “significant”.
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It's great that demand for film is increasing and that this is resulting in investment in production lines, but it's going to be tough on wallets - Portra and the like already cost the best part of £10 a roll for 135. It will likely also see the end of bargain-basement Colorplus deals.
 
Frustrating times.

Fortunately, I have plenty film in the fridge at the moment in 35mm, however I am running low on medium format. I experienced the shortage this year when I needed some to take away on holiday and it was touch and go whether I would get it in time (I did). Kodak is my go-to colour negative film in most flavours. Portra 160, 400, 800 and Ektar 100 although I have been strongly considering trying more slide recently.

The good news from the article is the demand for film, but will the price increase lower that demand? I guess only 2020 will tell. Will the prices come down again once the investment is recovered? The cynical side of me thinks now as if the market will stand the increase, they will just keep it? Other positives are professionals still relying on it and I follow quite a few wedding photographers who still use film exclusively. Shooting in 67 format for me produces the lowest yield of a roll of 120 with ten images and of course those of us who happen to shoot with 6x9 or if anyone has one of those Fuji 617 things get significantly less. Will it still be financially viable? I know for me at the cost of say £6 a roll plus £11 for develop and scan I am at £1.70 a shot from the Pentax and £1.42 with a Hasselblad.

Will 'significant increase' mean 10%, 25% or perhaps more? Who knows? One things for certain though. For me personally, it's still better than shooting digital :D
 
Thanks for the heads-up, I've just ordered another 6 rolls of Kodak Gold 200 135 36 exp. from 7dayshop for £22.98 (doubt it will be that price in 2020!) to add to my stock in the fridge/freezer. Hopefully my Kodak colour film stock should last me until the end of 2020 now. I just hope Fuji and Ilford don't follow suit with a 'significant' price increase... in my opinion there's no surer way to 'significantly' reduce sales!
 
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Mr Badger said:
Thanks for the heads-up, I've just ordered another 6 rolls of Kodak Gold 200 135 36 exp. from 7dayshop for £22.98 (doubt it will be that price in 2020!) to add to my stock in the fridge/freezer. Hopefully my Kodak colour film stock should last me until the end of 2020 now. I just hope Fuji and Ilford don't follow suit with a 'significant' price increase... in my opinion there's no surer way to 'significantly' reduce sales!
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I think I might get some Gold too. I still have loads of 2008 expired (but perfectly good) Superia 100 in the freezer, and maybe five rolls of Colorplus, but a few extra colour rolls won't go amiss. I don't shoot colour that often so it should last me for a while.
 
I prefer superia for 35mm but it seems to have disappeared. Might have to raid 7dayshop as well.

It doesn't really seem value for money at all any more.
 
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I thought that increased demand meant a lowering of prices due to economies of scale coupled with competition with other brands. I imagine this price rise will be temporary to get them over this hump and in the longer term we’ll see film from all brands reducing in price. For me Portra is a rare treat as it’s already on the edge of justifiable - a ‘significant’ price rise will make it ‘unjustifiable’. Fortunately as I develop and scan my own black and white, this option remains fairly inexpensive. It’s good that film is growing in popularity but as someone who is also fairly new to film I feel like I’m part of the cohort of newcomers driving the increase in demand!
 
I realise that the Kodak announcement (well, presumably) applies to both colour and B&W; but for me the effect will probably be to restrict the amount of colour film I buy in future. I mainly use it in the autumn, and this year apart from autumn I think I've only shot two rolls of colour. So I'll keep the few rolls I've got in stock until next autumn and concentrate my attentions on B&W. Once I get used to that idea, then a by-product will be carrying less gear.

Of course Kodak B&W film might go up in price but there are more non-Kodak alternatives in B&W and I've probably got 2 years supply of Ilford Fp4+ in the freezer.

However if anyone really wants some Portra 160 in 120 then 7dayshop seem to have the best price at the moment, at £24.99 for 5 rolls, including postage …..
https://www.7dayshop.com/products/k...olour-print-film-5-pack-wh2-portra1601205pack
 
I had an email from Speed Graphic today which mentioned the forthcoming price increases and, according to what it said, it seems we can expect a price increase of 10-15% on black and white and Gold, 30% on Portra and Ektar and 43% on Color Plus 200.

Are they joking with the ColorPlus 200 increase? I can see them selling a lot less of that in the new year if the price increases that much!
 
I've just stocked up on Colour Plus and Gold. It's been out of stock in a lot of places. I'd probably get it now rather than wait.
 
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