120 film in a brick-n-mortar store?

Bormental · May 7, 2020

I just bought a used medium-format camera and need some film to test it. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, B&H shipping is dog-slow, they've been sitting on my order for a week. I went to Amazon and they do not offer expedited shipping on anything, so it looks like I'll be sitting filmless with a new camera all weekend. This is killing me

Are you aware of any brick-n-mortar stores that may be open & sell B/W film in 120 format? I checked CVS, Wallgreens and Wallmart. What else can be open? I am in Bay Area if it helps.

Thank you.

Luckless · May 7, 2020

Are local stores there not doing curbside pickup/delivery services?

Up here in BC Canada my go-to local photo store has switched to a mail-order only setup, with local flat rate shipping. Which actually kind of works well for me, as normally I can't get down there on weekdays, and they're closed on Sundays.

Donald Qualls · May 7, 2020

Google says Precision Camera and Video, Holland Photo Imaging, and Austin Camera and Imaging all mention 120 film, two specifically say they sell it. I'd call ahead, none the less...

ChristopherCoy · May 7, 2020

Bormental said:
I just bought a used medium-format camera and need some film to test it. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, B&H shipping is dog-slow, they've been sitting on my order for a week. I went to Amazon and they do not offer expedited shipping on anything, so it looks like I'll be sitting filmless with a new camera all weekend. This is killing me

Are you aware of any brick-n-mortar stores that may be open & sell B/W film in 120 format? I checked CVS, Wallgreens and Wallmart. What else can be open? I am in Bay Area if it helps.

Thank you.

You could drive to Houston and visit Houston Camera Exchange.

ChristopherCoy · May 7, 2020

If you're in San Franciso, I found this in google.... http://www.glasskeyphoto.com/

Donald Qualls · May 7, 2020

'Doh! He says he's in Bay Area at the moment.

I'd check Swan Photo, aka The Darkroom in the Bay Area. They're the Ilford USA processing center, as well as (AFAIK) a brick and mortar retailer. Otherwise, try Googling "Where can I buy 120 film near <zip code>?"

BradS · May 7, 2020

The SF Bay area seems to be locked down pretty hard.
As far as I can tell, many/most? non-essential stores are not even doing curbside pick-up.

...the Bay area is a pretty large place too...where in the bay area are you?

In SF proper, try Glass Key...this place is Fantastic! but I'm not sure it is open.
In the east bay, there's a place up in Bezerkly and Mike's camera in Dublin
In the south bay/ silicon valley try San Jose camera or Kamera Korner (not sure about either of these two as I've not been to either in at least ten years).
Freestyle down in LA can probably ship something to you very quickly without it even being a special request. I get stuff the next day. Freestyle is probably your best bet.

logan2z · May 7, 2020

Glass Key in SF is taking online orders.

Sirius Glass · May 7, 2020

Samys in Pasadena California has drive up pick up for ordered items.

BrianShaw · May 7, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
'Doh! He says he's in Bay Area at the moment.

I'd check Swan Photo, aka The Darkroom in the Bay Area. They're the Ilford USA processing center, as well as (AFAIK) a brick and mortar retailer. Otherwise, try Googling "Where can I buy 120 film near <zip code>?"

Doh, again.

“Bay Area” is San Francisco and environs”.

Swann, et al. is in Southern California. Orange County, which is further south of the part of Los Angeles known as “The South Bay”.

BrianShaw · May 7, 2020

Freestyle has curbside at both locations, different days and hours, but they are a long drive from the Bay Area.

their shipping has been rather quick.

ColdEye · May 7, 2020

Glass Key. Or order from Freestyle. I am in San Diego and my order comes in the next day if I order early enough.

logan2z · May 7, 2020

BrianShaw said:
Swann, et al. is in Southern California. Orange County, which is further south of the part of Los Angeles known as “The South Bay”.

Wait, I live an hour south of San Francisco, in "The South Bay". California really needs to get better nomenclature

BrianShaw · May 7, 2020

Yes they do!

Bormental · May 7, 2020

Oops, didn't realize my profile still says Austin. Good suggestions here, I'll call a few places to see if they allow pick-up. THANK YOU ALL!

DREW WILEY · May 7, 2020

Swan moved to San Clemente quite awhile ago. There are still a number of places to buy both roll and sheet film in the Bay Area. But when they'll be allowed to open, even curbside, is another story. Some are currently shipping, some not.

Louis Nargi · May 7, 2020

Since your in SF how about Freestyle

Sirius Glass · May 7, 2020

Where is FotoMat when we need it.

gdavis · May 7, 2020

I've ordered from freestyle recently and it was fast as ever.

Roger Thoms · May 7, 2020

ChristopherCoy said:
If you're in San Franciso, I found this in google.... http://www.glasskeyphoto.com/

I just ordered from Glass Key Photo, they should be able to get you film promptly. Since I'm in San Francisco and was ordering liquid chemistry I chose the courier service. With film and regular shipping I'd imagine you'd get your film in a couple days. Email them if you have questions regarding shipping times.

I might add that there store front is currently closed despite their website stating that they are open from 12-6. Also they are not answering the phone but are answering emails.

Roger

Roger Thoms · May 7, 2020

I just reread your original post and unfortunately my information about Glass Key won’t help you for the weekend. But it would certainly help for the following weekend. Kind of surprised that B&H is slow. I ordered from the 3weeks ago and got my order in 3 days.

Roger

Bormental · May 7, 2020

I called a few of them and unfortunately, they can only ship and it won't be fast. I ended up with some Delta rolls from Amazon with Sunday delivery. Not ideal, but not bad either. Thanks.

DREW WILEY · May 7, 2020

My last B&H order took 5 days instead of 2 or 3. I'm not surprised at all. How could things possibly still be as fast under the current duress? And that was no longer than a shipment from LA right here in Calif. I'm glad just to be well stocked up on film and paper before certain products inevitably start becoming scarce for awhile.

Roger Thoms · May 7, 2020

Could be worse, like ordering from Japan. I’ve be waiting almost a month for this order and it’s still in Japan. Very few flights out right now.

Roget

Colin Corneau · May 7, 2020

This is odd because I ordered a soft lighter modifier from B&H and it's arriving tomorrow - should be about 8 days in total.

120 film in a brick-n-mortar store?

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