Fujifilm FP-3000B is a new fine grain, high speed, black and white, peel apart instant film. This 3000 ISO film has a very short development time of just 15-30 seconds, and fits into a Fujifilm PA-45 back or a Polaroid 550 pack back. FP3000B is available to buy now in packs of 10.

Half of all the American consumer photographs taken in the film era are in danger of being lost forever, according to a new study. GfK Custom Research North America discovered that 75% of Americans know their photos won’t last forever and 85% want their great-grandchildren to see those photos, yet preservation still isn’t a top priority. Americans have taken nearly 550 billion non-digital photos in their lifetimes, yet only about half (55.4%) have tried to preserve even some of them. “Clearly Americans are conflicted about their photos,” said Jim Timony, Senior Vice President, GfK Media and Communications. “While we are certainly dedicated to recording our personal histories and most of us want to share our memories with future generations, many people stop short of attempting to preserve their photos digitally.”

Trying to appeal to Polaroid users, the Fujifilm Instax 200 Instant Film Camera and Instant Color Film are now available in the USA. The Fujifilm Instax 200 captures and delivers vivid, high-quality prints in an instant, featuring an automatically-adjusting flash, high-resolution retracting lens and a big, clear viewfinder. The Instax 200 and Instax Instant Color Film will begin shipping in late December for $69.99 and $28.99 respectively.

The new Wolverine F2D scanner instantly converts 35mm film negatives and slides into digital images without the need for a computer.  “We have created a very simple-to-use device that works right out of the box and produces a five-megapixel digital image in five seconds at a push of a button,” explains Matt Mardini, Wolverine Data president. The Wolverine F2D has a built-in 1.5-inch color LCD screen for viewing and editing, and a memory card reader that saves the converted images directly onto SD memory cards. The Wolverine F2D Scanner is now available for $149.99.

Digital is dead, long live film - Kodak Professional Ektar 100 is a brand new, smooth-grain colour film. According to Kodak this new film, with ISO 100 speed, high saturation and ultra-vivid colour, offers the finest, smoothest grain of any colour negative film available today. “With our new EKTAR 100 film, we’ve created a film that helps the photographer capture unprecedented detail in remarkably vivid colour. This film continues a Kodak tradition of providing photographers with the highest quality films that expand the range over which they can create outstanding images.” said Mary Jane Hellyar, president, Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group and executive vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. Kodak Professional Ektar 100 will be available throughout Europe from the beginning of November, 2008.

You can now print images taken using your digital camera in a traditional way in your darkroom using a new service from UK mail-order photographic specialist Firstcall. They use a PCR8 CCG Film Recorder to write JPEG or TIFF files to 35mm film using a precision (3 pass) laser, which then creates negatives equal to the original resolution of the film. Send a CD to Firstcall containing up to 36 images, and an unprocessed black and white Ilford film is returned for developing and printing. The compete service, including postage, costs £15 and the CD with “burnt” film is returned by next day post.

Here’s something for all the brides-to-be - Kodak is introducing a new Single Use Camera in a distinctive design especially for the wedding market. Available in packs of 10, the Kodak Wedding Single Use Camera features elegant white roses on a silver body and uses 800–speed film. To mark the launch, Kodak is offering a saving of £40 on each 10 cameras pack (instead of £80, customers will only pay £40). The offer is available from June 12 until August 31, 2008.

Ilford Photo has extended its film process and print services to include scanning of film negatives to CD plus reprints and enlargements. Customers can now choose prints at sizes from 4” x 6” up to 10” x 15”. FP4 Plus, HP5 Plus, XP2 Super and SFX 200, as well as B&W films from other manufacturers, such as Kodak TRI-X, T-MAX, 400CN and Fuji Neopan, can be processed. Ilford have also launched a service offering traditional photographic prints produced from digital files such as jpegs and tiffs.

Fujifilm is increasing prices on its range of photographic papers and other photosensitive material by up to 20%. Fujifilm has been absorbing the increasing costs of raw materials used to manufacture films and papers over the past few years. However, the recent soaring costs of such materials as silver and crude oil mean that Fujifilm is no longer able to do this. The worldwide increase will be effective from July 2008.

Ilford Photo has announced a special initiative in support of ultra large format (ULF) film photographers as part of their “Defend the Darkroom” campaign. Taking place from mid-April to 30th June 2008, this window allows photographers to order ILFORD PHOTO ULF sheet film products from a select group of dealers without the worry of meeting minimum order quantities. Susan Harlin (work pictured) commented: “ULF may be a fairly specialist method of black and white photography but its practitioners are highly passionate and the medium is enjoying a resurgence with a new generation of photographers now being drawn to its benefits.”

The new Mamiya ProSD Adapter HX702 turns the RB67 Pro-S/Pro-SD into a 22 megapixel digital camera. The Mamiya ZD 22-megapixel Digital Back can be fitted to the Mamiya RB67 Pro-S and Pro-SD medium format film cameras using the new adapter. “With the introduction of the RB67 ProSD Adapter, we’re opening the digital world to a large number of photographers who invested in RB67 equipment.” commented Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager. The Mamiya ProSD Adapter HX702 will be available in May 2008.

Harman technology will distribute the Paterson Photographic range of products worldwide. These products, which include everything from tongs to spiral tanks and enlargers, have built up a significant following both in the UK and US. Harman will also take over the distribution of Paterson’s three speciality liquid film developers which are noted for their excellent performance, especially excellent image sharpness. “Paterson Photographic and HARMAN have built up a good relationship over the years through our work serving the same customer base. Considering this, and our mutual passion for analogue photography, it makes sense for us to join forces.” commented Richard Perry, Managing Director of Paterson Photographic.

Kodak has announced improved versions of its Professional Portra 400NC and 400VC films. “These new 400NC and 400VC films, with their even finer grain, will enable photographers to create stunning images with spectacular skin tones and, in addition, provide improved scanning performance for greater enlargement capability.” said Mary Jane Hellyar, president, Film Products Group and executive vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. The new Kodak Portra films will be available worldwide on a stock-turnover basis from 2008.

ILFOSOL 3 is a new developer for black and white film photography. The new developer is particularly suited for use with medium and slow speed films, ensuring a fine grain and optimal sharpness at full film speed. “At a time when many leading manufacturers of photo-imaging products are pulling out of the black and white market, we remain as staunchly committed to it as ever. The introduction of ILFOSOL 3 should serve as proof - and reassurance - of this.” said HARMAN technology Marketing Director, Howard Hopwood. ILFOSOL 3 costs around £7.00 (inc VAT) per 500ml bottle.

Polaroid has quit the film business, according to multiple news articles across the web. Boston.com reports that Polaroid is closing two plants in Massachusetts, USA, which make large-format films used by professional photographers and artists. Apparently Polaroid has already ceased production of its famous instant camera range. “We stopped making commercial-type cameras about 18 to 24 months ago, and we stopped making consumer cameras about a year ago,” said Polaroid chief operating officer Tom Beaudoin. Polaroid will now be focusing on TVs and digital photography gear. At the time of writing, Polaroid’s global website is unavailable.

Kodak is increasing prices on some of its consumer and professional still films and One-Time-Use Cameras. Beginning in the first quarter of 2008, the increases are blamed on increased costs of raw materials and escalating oil prices. Kodak has reiterated its commitment to its film portfolio, and to future investment in film.

In a special exhibit at PMA, Fujifilm will feature a prototype of a new portable medium-format film camera. Even as the company innovates in digital imaging technology, Fujifilm remains true to its heritage and to the acknowledged superior image quality delivered by professional photographic film products.  Fujifilm is committed to further expanding the world of imaging whether in digital or analog technologies. Details about the Fujifilm medium-format film camera are scarce at the moment, so we’ll try and get more info for you next week at PMA.

Production of Canon EOS SLR cameras has just passed the 30 million mark, with 10 million of those digital bodies. The achievement coincides with Canon’s 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the launch of its EOS line of SLR cameras. In March of 1987, Canon’s 50th anniversary, the company introduced the EOS 650 AF SLR camera (pictured), the first model of the EOS series. One for the fact-fans out there - EOS is the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn.

Fujifilm USA has underlined its commitment to film by becoming the new national distributor for Hallmark Refining silver halide recovery equipment. “FUJIFILM has a long and positive history of providing high-quality color film, silver halide paper emulsions and photo processing chemicals to our customers.  Given the current market, we believe the need exists to expand our silver imaging solution offerings to our customers to include economical silver recovery equipment and services as well.  Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for our customers who choose to continue offering silver halide imaging products to remain in the silver halide photo processing business.” said Bob Harvey, Director of Marketing, Chemicals Group, for Fujifilm’s Imaging Division.

PhotoWorks is offering offering free processing and scanning to anyone who sends in their rolls of film as part of their “Forgotten Film” promotion. You need to to download a special mail-in form, and there is a limit of one form per customer, and five rolls per form. “PhotoWorks caters to all types of photographers – whether they use digital or film – and we know that many of our customers still use film and love the way it looks,” said Andy Wood, President and CEO of PhotoWorks. The promotion runs through November 22, 2007.