It has been a rough year for enthusiasts of Fujifilm’s analog photography offerings. Previously this 12 months, the enterprise had to discontinue its really popular Pro 400H adverse movie since it couldn’t procure a necessary component to make the emulsion. Now, guidelines from the Environmental Security Agency will not make it possible for Fujifilm to continue selling its Velvia 100 slide film as of September 5, 2021. 

The Phoblographer initially spotted the see, which is posted to the official Fujifilm website. The impending ban relates back again to a rule passed on March 8 of this yr. Aspect of the Toxic Substances Manage Act prohibits sale and business use of a chemical known as isopropylated phosphate (3:1). 

Even even though Fujifilm claims Velvia 100 is made up of just .0003 per cent of the chemical, it’s ample to operate afoul of the rule. As a end result, Fujifilm promptly discontinued the stock even though the EPA won’t get started imposing the ban right until September. A swift survey of the frequent film gross sales sites—including One of a kind Image, B&H, and Adorama—all show the movie as unavailable. 

Fujifilm has not declared what it options to do about availability in other nations. The US is a substantial market, while, and film is now a area of interest merchandise at this stage.

Does this necessarily mean the Velvia in my fridge is tremendous precious now?

When Fujifilm discontinued Pro 400H, rates on the secondary market shot super large. So significantly, it does not seem like Velvia has carried out the identical thing. That is practically absolutely due in component to the chemical ban protecting against any professional labs from processing Velvia 100 immediately after the September 5 enforcement day rolls close to. Developing C-41 unfavorable movie at home has gotten pretty effortless many thanks to many chemical kits. Building slides is even now slightly extra complicated. 

Ahead of its discontinuation, Velvia was by now relatively pricey, also. Rolls of 35mm Velvia 100 hovered up in the vicinity of the $20 mark for 36 exposures. Labs frequently cost a high quality for creating slides, too. That indicates your overall price could climbed above $1 for every 35mm body.

What do we shoot now?

While it is generally unfortunate to see a movie go away the sector, this one doesn’t come as a substantial shock. Fujifilm can continue to produce its slower Velvia 50 film inventory, as perfectly as its a lot more common Provia 100f slide film. Of system, Kodak also sells its Ektachrome in both 35mm and 120, but the price ranges have been creeping up. A 35mm roll of Ektachrome will set you back $20, though 120 rolls are practically $14. People prices make it practically twice the price of Kodak’s tremendous-good-grained Ektar 100 detrimental movie, which is also simpler to get processed. 

If you’re in the US, you can however decide up some rolls of Velvia 100 on the secondary sector and get them processed in advance of September. If you have some chilling in your freezer and you do not hope to shoot it prior to then, now is a very good time to start out studying how to method your own—or sling it up on eBay in advance of the demand from customers dries up.