How will the upcoming tariffs impact film photography? It feels like we’re only about 5-6 years removed from every film manufacturer being on the brink of oblivion. I don’t have insight into the supply chains for any of these companies, so I’m mostly considering this on the consumer front.

Kodak being based in America likely means their prices shouldn’t shift too much? I don’t know how much of their revenue comes from outside the US, but I imagine it’s considerable. And almost certainly their raw materials are not entirely domestic. But their production and main film manufacturing is US-based. So I don’t think there will be a reflexive impulse to jack up prices more than they regularly go up to compensate.

Japan and the EU will see 24% and 20% tariffs, respectively. This means a significant jump in the cost of instant film from Polaroid (made in the Netherlands) and Fujifilm Instax. Any time there is a shakeup in this market, I get nervous for Polaroid, particularly. While they have the revenue to invest in some significant R&D, any price hike will likely make their film even more of a luxury. We’ll be looking at having to do bulk discounts just to stay around $2 a shot. Instax is a major money maker for Fujifilm and a bit more forgivingly priced. I imagine a 24% tariff reduces some volume but it can remain a bit more viable.

Fuji has already been signaling it’s not too committed to its traditional film lineup. Tariffs reducing that volume significantly in the US could put it to the point of being no longer feasible. Especially if Fuji 200 and 400 are suddenly at a price disadvantage to Gold and UltraMax.

Ilford might still be able to weather the storm in the US, facing “only” a 10% tariff from the UK. There is enough long-term loyalty to HP5 that even if priced the same at Tri-X, I don’t see the market going away. But Harman’s budget Kentmere and the Czech-based Foma brands could see any budget advantage largely dry up.