Washington, D.C., 1977, 35mm slide
© Brian Rose

The other day I went to Fotocare on 22nd Street to buy some 4×5 film–Readyload Portra VC 160 to be exact. These are pre-loaded packs that do not require individual holders, a pricey convenience, but a great saving in weight, bulk, and time. Although I had just bought some a few weeks earlier, I was informed by the staff person that Kodak had discontinued the film. Boom. Apparently, Kodak had announced this a while ago, but I was unaware of it.

So, my only option, other than carrying 20 film holders on shoots, was to revert back to Fujifilm color negative film, which was still available in Quickload format. My guess is that it came down to something trivial having to do with the company Kodak employed to package the film into the paper Readyload sleeves. It’s the same film, after all, as the individual sheet film.

It has been a rough ride staying with film as the industry massively shifts away from analog materials. For the moment, Fuji seems committed to picking up the pieces as Kodak abandons us. And their 4×5 instant film is the only way to go now that Polaroid is out of the film business.

I remember years ago talking to a Kodak executive on the phone imploring him to drop the the two sheet Readyload film packs they were making as so unwieldy and inconvenient that every photographer I knew had jumped ship to Fuji. He defended the company’s position. But within a year they joined Fuji with one sheet packs.

Washington D.C., 1977, 35mm slide
© Brian Rose

Kodak has lurched from one corporate/marketing decision to another seemingly without a long range plan–akin to other giant American corporations now feeding at the public trough. Almost no photo equipment of any quality is made by American companies, which has been the case for a long time.

Kodak’s fickleness with regard to legacy film products could be forgiven if they were taking the lead in the digital business. But they offer nothing for the professional. So, when Kodak discontinues a critical film product we are basically kicked out for good. You go either to Fuji for film, or if you go straight digital, to Canon or Nikon.

Good bye USA. Hello Japan.