The British Journal of Photography among many others have confirmed that Fujifilm will be cutting or curtailing three film stocks: Neopan 400 in 120 (medium format), Superia Reala in 35mm and Pro 160S in 35mm.

I only shot Reala for the first time in my Olympic street series and am a bit sad that I don't get a chance to try some more. Reala isn't to be confused with regular Superia which is their consumer 35mm film.

Here's my best example of a Reala shot. I do like the realistic tones which, when compared with consumer Superia under most conditions, is definitely more subdued. Oh well. I do shoot a lot of consumer Superia because it is cheap.

Of interest in the article is that Fuji gives environmental reasons as one of the factors (along with economics of keeping up a low volume seller). One wonders if it is a lot of spin. Remember that in the digital process there is a lot of environmental threats as well with the most glaring example the use of and processing of gold and other precious metals in digital equipment.

In any case, Fuji, like other manufacturers, relies on materials suppliers so it could be that they were facing a levy that cut into their profit too much to justify keeping these products going. Also consider that it is not just the cost of continuing a run but the cost for re-tooling and replacing equipment for a process they have already deemed is not in their future.

Some are curious as to why one arm of Fuji tickles the fancy of the film world by releasing a new folding medium format camera and another arm then cuts back on the very life blood of such a wonder.