$10.99 a roll???

BrendanCarlson · Jul 13, 2012

It really depends on the film, I tend to order online a lot more often than not, my local Samys is more expensive than online.
I order in bulk so shipping is somewhat economical. B&H Has pretty good prices, and I've always gotten fresh film.

brofkand · Jul 13, 2012

I buy my Portra 160 from B&H...5 roll pack of 35mm-35exp is $30.

This film is worth the cost to me. I like Portra 400 too, but it's cost is a little too high for me; I have learned to love MAX 400 and Superia 400.

removed account4 · Jul 13, 2012

sounds about right.
make sure it is cold LOL

i know someone who
used to deliver thousands of dollars of "cold pro flm" from a store to another
pretty much all the time ... (the stores were a few hours away from eachohter)

the film basically baked in a 110ºF van for the drive 3+ hours ...
( the drive included a rest area when the driver napped ... )

don't bother with the pro film, get consumer film
unless you wet process it yourself, or send it to a lab that will wet process it for you or need to have "bragging rights"
these days the prints are all done with the dreaded numericalizer and tweeked ... \\

so in the end does it really matter ??

(KOKO jacked up all their prices ( as they always do ) a while back
in just a few years b/w sheet film had nearly doubled in price ... i can't afford it anymore)

cepwin · Jul 13, 2012

I have to second Mark's post. I just got a bulk loader on ebay and my next film order will be 100ft roll and some cassettes. Both Freestyle and B+H carry bulk film. There are also videos on youtube that demonstrate how to use a bulk loader properly.

drkhalsa · Jul 13, 2012

jnanian said:
sounds about right.
make sure it is cold LOL

Houston Camera Exchange keeps their black and white film in the refrigerator, too.

Ask them the price on Provia 400x.

ChristopherCoy · Jul 13, 2012

How many rolls of 36 exposures can you get from a 100ft roll?

I may have to check this bulk loading thing out...

ColdEye · Jul 13, 2012

I think about 18 rolls. I am going the bulk loading route too.

brofkand · Jul 13, 2012

Normally 18-20 rolls, depending on the length of the leader. Not all the rolls end up 36 exposures; the last roll usually ends up being about 12-20 exposures, again depending on leader.

Depending on the loader you use and how close to the end of the roll your camera shoots, your last frame may be fogged as well.

Even conservatively figuring on 18 rolls, you'll pay about $3 a roll for Delta 400.

Pioneer · Jul 13, 2012

I have been getting eighteen 36 exposure rolls from a 100 foot roll of film, though once in a while they actually stop at frame 34 or 35 in the camera.

SkipA · Jul 13, 2012

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

That's a great way of comparing it. I drink at least a couple of rolls every day.

ChristopherCoy · Jul 13, 2012

Hmmmmm.... This bulk load thing has me completely intrigued....

markbarendt · Jul 13, 2012

I actually find 20 shot rolls more efficient because its closer to what I normally shoot for one subject.

BrendanCarlson · Jul 13, 2012

Where can I get color slide film in bulk? Is it possible? Specifically Kodak slide films.

newtorf · Jul 13, 2012

For normal 36 exp roll films, I can reliably get 39 exp out of them with my Leica.

As a comparison, I use Arden 74 bulk loader and can get at least 19.5 rolls of films out of 100ft. Each roll has 42 clicks when I load the film and I can reliably get 38 exp from each roll.

ChristopherCoy said:
How many rolls of 36 exposures can you get from a 100ft roll?

I may have to check this bulk loading thing out...

SkipA · Jul 13, 2012

BrendanCarlson said:
Where can I get color slide film in bulk? Is it possible? Specifically Kodak slide films.

None of the film manufacturers are packaging any kind of color films in 100 foot rolls anymore, so far as I know. You won't find any fresh date color slide or negative film available in bulk rolls.

Check Ultrafine for past-date bulk color film. I think all they have right now is Porta 160 that expired in 2009. DYODD when it comes to Ultrafine. Some people are satisfied with their products and services, others are critical.

Pioneer · Jul 14, 2012

newtorf said:
For normal 36 exp roll films, I can reliably get 39 exp out of them with my Leica.

As a comparison, I use Arden 74 bulk loader and can get at least 19.5 rolls of films out of 100ft. Each roll has 42 clicks when I load the film and I can reliably get 38 exp from each roll.

I used to load the maximum I could get on my rolls as well but I had a few problems so I stopped. Occasionally the film ended up getting wound too tight so there was problems advancing the film. I actually had one of my cameras think that it had hit the end of the roll on the 2nd frame and ending up rewinding it. Additionally, some of my daylight tank reels from my less expensive developing kits, which work fine for 36 exposures, wouldn't handle the additional film and I ended up cutting it off and losing it.

Now I typically load around 24 or 25 exposures and I have not had any more trouble. As someone else already said, 20 to 25 frames work about about right for me. A walk around the neighborhood is usually worth 10 to 12 shots so one of my handrolls is good for a couple of nice, relaxing walks.

Marc B. · Jul 14, 2012

35mm/36exp, Velvia 50 @ $6.80 roll - 20 pack, from East Coast Photo.
35mm/36exp, Velvia 100 @ $7.00 roll - 5 pack, from B&H.
35mm/36exp, Portra 400 @ $6.60 roll - 5 pack, from East Coast Photo.

Like anything else, you need to shop around.

Roger Cole · Jul 14, 2012

SkipA said:
None of the film manufacturers are packaging any kind of color films in 100 foot rolls anymore, so far as I know. You won't find any fresh date color slide or negative film available in bulk rolls.

Check Ultrafine for past-date bulk color film. I think all they have right now is Porta 160 that expired in 2009. DYODD when it comes to Ultrafine. Some people are satisfied with their products and services, others are critical.

I got 10 rolls of expired but supposedly cold stored and perfectly good shape Elitechrome 400 from them off eBay. It's crap. I shot one roll - pale pastel colors, looks like, well, expired badly stored film. Shot another roll just to be sure - same thing.

So far I've kept the other eight rolls figuring I'll try cross processing it once I get back into color printing. I have it frozen now. But as far as Ultrafine - never again from me. Fool me once... I'm sure much of what they sell is fine but anyone with an ounce of photographic sense who tested this batch of film could tell it was bad. Bottom line is that I don't trust what they say about their stuff.

As far as "shoot it no matter what the cost" I don't think I ever said THAT, exactly, but we're far from where I'd quit. The closest I come to that is considering moving to all Ilford (and some occasional Foma which has its own old fashioned look) for my 4x5 sheet film, not because I can't afford the amount I shoot in 4x5 but because I like Ilford film fine too and I'm just not sure TMY-2 is worth the price. I confess I've never shot TXP though, having gotten into LF after T-Max films came out, and I really want to while I still can. But it's a pricey indulgence if I'm not staying with it.

Comparing it to a pint of beer (about two pints at Atlanta area pub prices, or a good burger and a pint) is fair. Everything costs, and more than it used to. As a private pilot I just completed my flight review that's required every two years and checked out in a new-to-me style airplane to rent. Think photography is expensive? I could buy a lot of film AND processing for the cost of those three flights with an instructor and the required hour of ground instruction that has to be part of the flight review. Get into flying - ALL your other hobbies will be put into cost perspective! (This is a comment for North America - at European aircraft rental and fuel rates and much of the rest of the world I could not afford it. I could in Canada where it's comparable, however.) I am far from rich. I'm a middle class engineer. But we often find the money to do what we really want to do.

Besides, 35mm shooters (which I am, but less and less as I use MF more and more where I used to use 35mm) could do with slowing down and using less film and more time looking through the viewfinder, composing, and even deciding not to take the shot. That's a big reason that getting into large format improves your images in all formats. Try it if cost is impacting your photography - keep shooting film, but fewer frames. Go out and promise to expose no more than, say, 12 frames in an outing. That's what we get in 6x6 on 120 and I find it's about the perfect roll length for me. Your photographs will benefit greatly.

pbromaghin · Jul 14, 2012

Tmax 100 and 400 100 ft rolls are $78.95 in Denver. Tri-x a few bucks cheaper. Denver ProPhoto.

I just bought a Weston-type bulk loader. This will be my first serious purchase.

nicholai · Jul 14, 2012

germoney!

I buy mine from Germany too. Portra and Tri-X is 30$ per 120 5-pack, and i only paid 20$ for a fiver of rpx-400 at macodirect.de - they even sell 127 and 220 films =) Sheet film has reasonable prices too as many other things does as well.

wblynch · Jul 14, 2012

In a few years, when only low-grade color film from backwater producers will be available, we will dream of getting simple Kodak Gold or Fujicolor films. These are great films, still available at low cost. Don't disregard them. They will be ths last holdouts from the majors.

hugopoon · Jul 14, 2012

wblynch said:
In a few years, when only low-grade color film from backwater producers will be available, we will dream of getting simple Kodak Gold or Fujicolor films. These are great films, still available at low cost. Don't disregard them. They will be ths last holdouts from the majors.

Gold has been around for a very long time and yes, it is a great film. It may well be the last one to die if Kodak starts killing off everything else.

jesterthejedi · Jul 14, 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.

Link please! Lol

TareqPhoto · Jul 14, 2012

I hope i can justify 120 format, not thinking to add 35mm, and i can get better quality with MF, i don't care to have more frames in one roll, with 6x6 i can do 12 frames, if i buy a 6x4.5 then i can have a bit more frames per roll.

In fact, this is gonna be a monopoly, the film prices are increasing year after year, who will spend on film later if it is getting expensive and digital become more affordable nowadays?

CGW · Jul 14, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
I hope i can justify 120 format, not thinking to add 35mm, and i can get better quality with MF, i don't care to have more frames in one roll, with 6x6 i can do 12 frames, if i buy a 6x4.5 then i can have a bit more frames per roll.

In fact, this is gonna be a monopoly, the film prices are increasing year after year, who will spend on film later if it is getting expensive and digital become more affordable nowadays?

True. Another potential deal breaker for many will be the further thinning of labs and their processing/printing services. Film won't be getting cheaper. I suspect serious kvetching about prices might just mean no recent film purchases, since price hikes have been steady for at least the last 2-3 years.

$10.99 a roll???

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