Recent postings talked about the demise of Kodak T Max 100 5x7 sheet film. I became concerned about having enough in stock and ordered 2 boxes of 100 sheets and they had it in inventory. Good news.

I do not have a problem with having enough film for a rainy day, but can anyone verify if this was a marketing gimick by Kodak to assess the market for 5x7 T Max or was I fortunate to find this film in 5x7 and consider another similar purchase in the not to distant future?

Thanks

-- Michael Kadillak (m.kadillak@home.com), August 29, 2000

Answers

I was told by someone who deals extensively with Kodak that Kodak was discontinuing all 5x7 film, not just T Max.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis@tampabay.rr.com), August 29, 2000.

Wish Kodak would communicate better with the large format users. My understanding is that these films would be subject to special order, no more 100 sheets at a time sales; possibly the same scenario in 11x14. Yes, I did call Kodak but couldn't get a definitive answer.

-- David Stein (DFStein@aol.com), August 29, 2000.

There is a post earlier on the list on this one. I put it up and also talked with the Yellow Peril Personnel about the information. Seems TMax 100 will still be available in 5x7 if you want to pay for a 'run' of film, around $10,000-$12,000 or so. It is being discontinued in September though will still be available until all has been sold/expired & dumped. After that you will have to have a deep wallet or go in with some friends & get enough together to buy a run of the film. Per the folks I spoke with TriX will still be available in 5x7. But don't take that as gospel as it seems those of us asking are getting to different level employees and getting different answers. Ilford makes some nice films in 5x7.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), August 30, 2000.

You know, this whole Kodak 5x7 thing is downright weird to me. When I first got a 5x7 back for my Deardorff, I could not find any Plus-X, which is what I use for 8x10, so I started using TMX 100. I never really liked TMax and was THRILLED (after hundreds and hundreds of sub-par negs) to find 5x7 Plus-X at Adorama and bought some. Why suddenly would Plus-X appear and TMax (or the whole 5x7 line) be taken off the market? Has Plus-X been available all along and I just didn't know it?

It would be unfortunate to lose 5x7 as a format, and let's face it, if Kodak drops "commercial" 5x7, we will be on a very slippery slope toward that end. Is Ilford next? I understand the business decision on Kodak's behalf; the volume's just not there. Too bad. It's a wonderful format.

-- Chad Jarvis (cjarvis@nas.edu), August 30, 2000.

Thanks for all of your articulate responses. I sincerely hope that the new interest I am reading about in the 5x7 format in the United States will result in another film manufacturer from abroad filling this niche such as Agfa. I have not tried their films but would be willing to give it a try. In the meantime, I am preparing to enter the methadone program for ex 5x7 T-Max consumers as I could not see me cutting my 8x10 sheets down to 5x7 if I have an alternative B&W film to go to. What Agfa film and developer combination would you recommend?

-- Michael Kadillak (m.,kadillak@home.com), August 30, 2000.

Not to spread rumors (but that's what I'm doing), but I read on another board that Agfa is stopping product of ALL sheet film! This may be in reality IMPORTATION into the U.S. - I don't know, and I haven't contacted Agfa myself yet. Anyone have experience cutting 8x10 into 5x7? Tips would be appreciated.

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), August 30, 2000.

Sorry - reread the post on the other board. Agfa is stopping production of 8x10 only (do they even make 5x7?).

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), August 30, 2000.

Just got off the phone with EK folks & they have promised to send more info on 5x7 film availability as they get it from the marketing folks. At this time it seems they will have it available as a special order only item beginning September, 2001. The rep said that means we will still be able to get their films in 5x7 but will not have the luxury of purshasing one 100 sheet box at a time. A full roll will have to be cut and purchased at a cost of 'a few thousand dollars'. It would mean someone would have to coordinate with a Kodak Pro Products dealer (someone like Fred Newman at The View Camera Store) and have them order & PRE_PAY for the order and then they could sell it all at once or a box at a time. It would most likely take one to three months from the initial order with Kodak, so we would have to get enough 5x7 shooters together to make it feasible. As I mentioned before, Ilford makes some nice films. Also, I am waiting to hear back from Freestyle on their inquiries as to making 5x7 Arista films.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), August 31, 2000.

Afga does make 5X7 sheet film in both ASA 25 and 100. It is atleast available here in Germany and I had a Agfa rep visit me in my studio a few weeks ago and there was no talk of it being discontinued. But just because it is available in Germany doesn't necessarily mean it will (is) available in the US. Kodak for instance does NOT sell ANY FB black&white enlarging paper in Germany at all. I always wanted to try the Polymax FB paper. I guess I'll just have to bring some back with me during my next trip to the States.

-- William Levitt (light-zone@operamail.com), August 31, 2000.