$10.99 a roll???

ChristopherCoy · Jul 13, 2012

I guess I didn't realize how limited the 35mm color film selection is. The Houston Camera Exchange had Porta 400 at $10 a roll for 36 exp. I thought that was WAY too expensive, but now I see that Freestyle isn't much cheaper.

Is it really that high everywhere?

Ian C · Jul 13, 2012

This works out to $7.19/roll for 135-36

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/742308-USA/Kodak_6031678_35mm_Professional_Portra_400.html

CGW · Jul 13, 2012

Welcome to the new reality.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 13, 2012

Just swallow hard when you pay for it. But hasn't professional quality color film always been about 50% more expensive than black and white?

mr rusty · Jul 13, 2012

In the UK 1 x film is approximately 1 1/2 pints of beer. Not much really when you think about it!

Jeff Kubach · Jul 13, 2012

Even though not professional you might check out Wal-Mart.

Jeff

Ektagraphic · Jul 13, 2012

Use it or loose it I guess.

6x7 · Jul 13, 2012

Interesting as it is more expensive than both Portra 160 and Ektar 100. My guess is it is classic supply and demand. There's been a resurgence in film photography especially in the wedding biz and plenty has been written about Portra 400's flexibility. Jonathan Canlas published samples of shooting it at -2/+2 with outstanding results. Think of it as several films in one?

Leigh B · Jul 13, 2012

Fuji Velvia 8x10 is over $10 a sheet, which equates to one 135-36 roll.

- Leigh

SafetyBob · Jul 13, 2012

Wow, that is a bit pricey, but it reminds me I need to call Epperson Photo here in OKC to see IF they even have any Kodak film. Pretty much everytime I have been in there after the first of the year, they haven't had hardly any film at all. Fridge is just about empty and I am just about ready to order it online....

Bob E.

nicholai · Jul 13, 2012

SafetyBob said:
Wow, that is a bit pricey, but it reminds me I need to call Epperson Photo here in OKC to see IF they even have any Kodak film. Pretty much everytime I have been in there after the first of the year, they haven't had hardly any film at all. Fridge is just about empty and I am just about ready to order it online....

Bob E.

Don't hesitate with that at all. I've scored some real good deals already. Tri-X is usually 20$ for a 5 pack online in the US. I pay 10$ a pack here, so that's quite some savings.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jul 13, 2012

Portra 400 fresh is 4.5 dollars in Istanbul , 200 ASA Kodak Color Negative film costs 3 dollars , Fuji 2.5 dollars.

Umut

Pioneer · Jul 13, 2012

Savings are where you find em!!

nicholai said:
Don't hesitate with that at all. I've scored some real good deals already. Tri-X is usually 20$ for a 5 pack online in the US. I pay 10$ a pack here, so that's quite some savings.

Ha ha ha That is really funny. I just ordered 20 rolls of Efke on-line from an outfit in Germany and saved $1.50 per roll even with shipping to the US. You gotta love the internet age.

Brian C. Miller · Jul 13, 2012

Glazer's Camera has Portra 160 for $6.39/roll (Dead Link Removed).

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 13, 2012

Yeap, use it or loose it!
And the best way to not loose it is to:
Buy fresh
Buy often
Shoot the lot
Develop ASAP

Kevin Kehler · Jul 13, 2012

Remember all of those times we swore as long as they made it, we would shoot it, regardless of cost - well, it's now getting closer to "regardless of cost" time.

markbarendt · Jul 13, 2012

Bulk loading anyone? http://www.ultrafineonline.com/kopo35x10pro.html

Ive used a couple hundred feet of this.

Pioneer · Jul 13, 2012

Wow. Here I am happily winding up black and white and now I learn they sell one of my favorite color films in bulk rolls too! I just gotta get out more, that is all there is to it

ChristopherCoy · Jul 13, 2012

If I knew how to bulk load, I'd buy one of those in a skinny minute.

markbarendt · Jul 13, 2012

It isn't tough.

You need a dark bag or dark room.
The bulk film.
Reloadable Cassettes with spools. Normally sold together.
Masking tape.
Scissors.
Marker.

The dark bag is for taking the bulk film out of the shipping/storage box and putting it in the loader and getting the tail threaded. Once in the loader, you are done with the dark room/bag.

Keep an example roll handy.

The tail is threaded through a light trap into a small chamber where, in the light, you use the masking tape to attach the spool and then put the cassette in place around the spool. (Some loaders require the light trap to be manually opened or shut.)

Next the cassette is stuffed into the chamber much like sticking it into a camera, a door is closed, and a manual winder is inserted.

Set the counter, I start at -3.

Crank the winder to 12, 20, 24, or 36.

Pull the winder, open the door, push out a bit more film tail, enough to attach another spool and enough for the leader on the roll. Cut.

Shape the leader per your sample. Next.

wogster · Jul 13, 2012

Pioneer said:
Ha ha ha That is really funny. I just ordered 20 rolls of Efke on-line from an outfit in Germany and saved $1.50 per roll even with shipping to the US. You gotta love the internet age.

Just hope they ship it via the mail, something US buyers may not realise, it's not the cost of the product, it's not exchange or even customs duties, it's customs brokerage fees that kill you. The post office is quite reasonable in brokerage fees, some of the couriers not so much. I once bought a product from the US, it was $10 for the product, no tax or duties but, DHL nicked me $50 (their minimum) in brokerage fees.

Pioneer · Jul 13, 2012

Customs Duty

I believe it does come via the USPS. I hope it works out OK. Of course, one never knows. The amount I order each time is low, and I am not a company, so everything should work out OK, but it can always change. This is the first time for film but I have ordered other items overseas and not been killed by customs duties. If it does happen I will know better next time.

polyglot · Jul 13, 2012

You wanna come to Australia and pay $27/roll for Velvia?

(we do the B&H/Freestyle thing of course)

bvy · Jul 13, 2012

Jeff Kubach said:
Even though not professional you might check out Wal-Mart.

Jeff

Wal-Mart sells Portra?

hoffy · Jul 13, 2012

$10.99 for a roll of film?

Such is life

$10.99 a roll???

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