Kodak's motion picture product line saw a number of changes in 2011, some of which have been part of the general tend at Kodak. Such as, discontinuing shorter and less popular roll lengths and winds for camera rolls (A wind, 200' and 800') and moving film products from acetate to estar base (3366 B/W IP replaces 7366 for example).
Kodak added new Vision3 stocks in 2011 (7230 and 7203), and updated their color intermediate stocks (2273, 7273). At the same time, the cost of color and black and white print stocks twice went up 10% during April and June, and optical sounds stocks increased in price as well. In addition, Kodak discontinued their printer steadiness test kit. 16mm film finishing will likely continue to get more difficult and costly. I recently got quotes for a printing job on a new project, and was quoted $1000-1500 more for an answer print than in 2010. Craft labs and DIY labs may need to save the day in this regard, and Europe and Canada seem far ahead the curve compared to the U.S.. Kodak is also an important manufacturer of plastic cores, metal cans, PTRs, molecular sieves, splice tape, film cement, leaders, and film chemistry and chemistry kits. In some cases, these products can be sources elsewhere, but Kodak's prices remain competitive and in some cases the quality Kodak's products is better. To my amazement, and despite a recent price increase, Kodak continues to import and distribute Pyral 16mm magnetic film. It is certainly my hope that Kodak motion picture products will continue in some shape or form, although I have my doubts that this can be done effectively under the current executive leadership at Kodak. But regardless of who continues to run the motion picture operations, I don't know if we can assume that the product line will remain as it is now. It seems almost certain that decisions will be made in haste and their will be certain products that are lost in the process. Alain -- 40 FRAMES Alain LeTourneau Pam Minty 40 FRAMES 5232 North Williams Avenue Portland, Oregon 97217 USA +1 503 231 6548 www.40frames.org www.16mmdirectory.org www.emptyquarterfilm.org
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