Re: Kodak to discontinue HSI?

["Jason Revell (in5)" <jason.revell@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Dear All,
>
>Have some bad news for 4x5 HSI users.
>
>
>Received a letter from Kodak Professional this morning.  The letter
>essentially states that there is no indication on their ordering system for
>discontinuation.  However once existing stocks are depleted Kodak will no
>longer be supplying 4x5 HSI.
>
>The reasons given for the discontinuation are "due to extraordinarily low
>world-wide usage of this product and a closure of a manufacturing system".
>
>From Stan Patz's postings it seems as though Kodak are considering
>alternatives for infrared 4x5 users.  Let's hope that they decide to
>continue producing an infrared film in 4x5.
>
>All the best,
>
>             Clive   http://www.cocam.co.uk


I have just been on the phone to Kodak Professional and have been told the
same thing.  They have apparently already stopped the manufacture of the
film so only stock in storage remains  (not much I expect).  As for the
reasons behind it "extraordinarily low", I am sorry to say this, I agree
with them if I was told the truth.  Only £2,000 sold last year (in the UK?).
If true this mean I have been buying over 10% of the stock for work (am
myself).  Just remember was their not a large section on the Kodak Pro email
list about the joy's of using IR only a month or two ago!  Who would of
thought,  unless you believe conspiracy theory's  ;-)

As for the report from Stan Patz's posting about it on a thinner estar base,
they knew nothing about it and felt it would be unlikely as the main reason
for it demise was lack of demand.  But we can hope!

I can however they did confirm that they will be keeping manufacture going
of the 35mm and also the Type 2424 Aerographic film (70mm).  So if these are
both on the 4mil Estar base ( I know the type 2424 is) I suppose if they are
going to make the new 5x4 it would also be on a 4mil estar base.

I use a presicison line film on a 4mil estar base and it sure is thin !  I
think it will be very difficult to get this flat in the darkslide,
particularly with the lack of the 'anti reflection/curl' layer.  As for it
in a enlarger even more difficult without glass plates, and I do not want to
start copying the negs onto a thicker film base!

All in all it's not sounding to good.... anyone got a 70mm back for my RB
then ;-)

Jason Revell
Conservation of fine Art
University of Northumbria

P.S. Kodak have also stopped supplying  my Industrial X-Ray film in the UK
as well, not a good week for me.
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