Hard to say what the real story is entirely. I would just move on and plan around the fact that QL's will never be available again.
Dear Paul Breitkreuz:
Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM North America Corporation. Please allow us to assist you.
We regret to inform you that the Fujifilm Quickload film is being discontinued and will no longer be in production.
We sincerely hope that this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.
Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.
I was using QL the last couple of years because they were being given to me for free as part of a sponsoring deal. I always used regular sheet film holders until then. I liked QL quite a bit, but if I would have to choose, I would still trust the classic film holders more. (plus in windy conditions and with longer exposure times they are just plain better)
It was great to have both systems, but I think I will come over it...
I have another 4000 sheets at home, for the next 2 years and will probably mix it with the classic sheets to make them last longer. my main concern still is the dwindling and dissappearing of E6 developement. there is 1 (ONE) lab left in my hometown of Vienna (2 mio people) which does it. I expect it to last another 3-5 years (knocking on wood) and I hope until then there will be some adequate digital system available.
thanks for the update Paul.
georg
georg, thanks for the comment. Yet another key issue for all film shooters as you point out the overall need for E-6 processing. This is of course is dwindling over time and can be another all round item film shooters will either work with or give up on. I most recently had a local friend of over 20+ years sell off his local processing business, which was well established in our area here in So Cal. It was to reopen in the same general area with full E-6 and C-41 processing. Well after months of delay apparently the new ownership is installing the gear in another locale too much of a trouble for me to drive to. Since then I've been shipping to my very old processing group in LA who always did quality work too. The down side is of course the extra time and $$ outlaid for S&H in each direction. Anyway, they don't seem to won't to make it too easy for us all going forward, both in hassles and costs.
There is always B&W and processing at home with daylight processing (Jobo drum, etc). I could see shooting all B&W film and using digital for color if I had to. I am guessing I would shoot far more B&W than I do today, but even now I am trending a little toward B&W.
It is nice to have film for both, but it would not kill me if color disappeared.
All good points with each individual decision going forward. Some of the key issues with regard to E-6 became real apparent to me last year. The friend I mentioned who sold his gear recently had his E-6 unit go down. Well, according to information at that time his unit was already 20+ years old. Now, the units are very basic compared to today's high tech equipment, but support was not only a hardware issue it was also trying to find a vintage technician to repair the system. He was lucky and found a person after being off the air for almost two weeks.
So overall long term E-6, apparently is VERY subjective.
On a VERY positive note, I've been shipping to A&I again in LA with truly unexpected results. It's got to be over 15 years since I've shipped to them since using my friend here locally. After two recent orders that have been processed and turned around in 24 hours the entire ordeal is totally painless, less the cost of course.
Preston, no secret spot in the alps, its all Velvia 50 and I just keep them in a cool place. no need to freeze it...
Paul: the rising costs is ok with long distance shipping is ok with me too. but its a downward spiraling effect. less E6 developement often also means poor quality as the labs have difficulties to let the machines run or don't want to change fluids often enough etc.. it will maybe come down to a few labs that will then have a monopol on E6...
I also miss the social effect of coming to my lab and chat around with other photographers from all kinds of fields or the lab owners etc. all the chatting is via the internet now..
georg
I also miss the social effect of coming to my lab and chat around with other photographers from all kinds of fields or the lab owners etc. all the chatting is via the internet now.
I hear you georg. My local processor Tony Jardine at Intellicolor Photo Labs here in So Cal was a long time friend. It was great to spend time at his shop talking with him and other long time locals as well.
Knowing Tony as I did, he never let a quality issue be an problem for his customers. Sadly, it was his failing eye-sight that drove him out of the business and he migrated to a new venture with his wife's long time dog grooming business. As it seems they are over run there with customers, no doubt as a direct result of their commitment to quality again.
Discussion
9 repliesDear Paul Breitkreuz:
Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM North America Corporation. Please allow us to assist you.
We regret to inform you that the Fujifilm Quickload film is being discontinued and will no longer be in production.
We sincerely hope that this information has been beneficial to you. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future. It would be our pleasure to assist you again.
Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.
Respectfully,
Name, Imaging Support Team
Contact Center
FUJIFILM North American Corporation
Thanks for the update, Paul.
--P
It was great to have both systems, but I think I will come over it...
I have another 4000 sheets at home, for the next 2 years and will probably mix it with the classic sheets to make them last longer. my main concern still is the dwindling and dissappearing of E6 developement. there is 1 (ONE) lab left in my hometown of Vienna (2 mio people) which does it. I expect it to last another 3-5 years (knocking on wood) and I hope until then there will be some adequate digital system available.
thanks for the update Paul.
georg
The day film (and processing) dies, is the day I will quit. I have zero interest in digital, and I would not be able to afford it, anyway.
--P
It is nice to have film for both, but it would not kill me if color disappeared.
So overall long term E-6, apparently is VERY subjective.
On a VERY positive note, I've been shipping to A&I again in LA with truly unexpected results. It's got to be over 15 years since I've shipped to them since using my friend here locally. After two recent orders that have been processed and turned around in 24 hours the entire ordeal is totally painless, less the cost of course.
Paul: the rising costs is ok with long distance shipping is ok with me too. but its a downward spiraling effect. less E6 developement often also means poor quality as the labs have difficulties to let the machines run or don't want to change fluids often enough etc.. it will maybe come down to a few labs that will then have a monopol on E6...
I also miss the social effect of coming to my lab and chat around with other photographers from all kinds of fields or the lab owners etc. all the chatting is via the internet now..
georg
I hear you georg. My local processor Tony Jardine at Intellicolor Photo Labs here in So Cal was a long time friend. It was great to spend time at his shop talking with him and other long time locals as well.
Knowing Tony as I did, he never let a quality issue be an problem for his customers. Sadly, it was his failing eye-sight that drove him out of the business and he migrated to a new venture with his wife's long time dog grooming business. As it seems they are over run there with customers, no doubt as a direct result of their commitment to quality again.