NewsBy FilmFocus
Eastman Kodak's Self-Distributed Films See UK Price Drop of Up to 20%
This is an AI translation of an article originally published in Japanese. If anything reads oddly, the Japanese original is the authoritative version.
Several cases have been reported of the new range of films that Eastman Kodak has begun distributing itself going on sale in the UK at lower prices than the previous products. According to Kosmo Foto, cuts to wholesale prices have brought shelf prices down by as much as roughly 20%.
The new films are sold in packaging with a yellow-and-black color scheme, distinct from the products Kodak Alaris has distributed. Since Eastman Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012, still film has mainly been handled by Kodak Alaris, and Eastman Kodak's own distribution has now been added alongside it.
The Kodacolor 100/200 series, released in 2025, also uses this new packaging design
How big are the price cuts?
In one example cited by Kosmo Foto, London film lab Aperture Printing plans to sell Eastman Kodak-branded Kodak Gold 200 35mm 36-exposure rolls for £10. That is £2 cheaper than the previous product.
Kodak headquarters in Rochester, USA
The article notes that no similar price cuts have been seen in the US, where the film is made. In the UK, Dupli recently announced that it had acquired exclusive distribution rights for Eastman Kodak still film and would carry it alongside Kodak Alaris products, which may be a factor.
Fiercer competition in color film behind the move?
Kosmo Foto points to competition from new color films that have appeared in recent years as one reason for the price cuts. Harman Technology, the company behind Ilford and Kentmere, launched its Phoenix series at the end of 2023. China's Lucky film has also revived its color film lineup after a long hiatus and currently sells two products, Lucky Color 200 and Lucky C400.
In a film market where news of price increases has been the norm, a story about prices going down is a rare event. This is strictly a move tied to changes in distribution in the UK market and will not directly affect shelf prices in Japan. Still, as Eastman Kodak expands its own distribution, how distribution channels and prices change from region to region looks like something Japanese users should keep an eye on as well.