35mm film delivery...

[Dean Taylor]

hello



A beginner asks about 35mm film, specifically, film purchased online and delivered in the plastic cannister only--no box...



Is this a fairly common occurrence in the industry, or, ought the delivery be returned to what is a respected resource (B and H in New York)?



thank you



Dean Taylor

 

[OptiKen]

Film is often sold that way by retailers.
They will buy in the four-packs (or three-packs) and then offer individual rolls out of the box. They may also buy bulk that comes in a master carton without the little cardboard boxes. It costs them less that way and ultimately, costs you less than buying it in individual retail packages.

 

[MartinP]

Does the OP still have some identification of the expiry-date and the emulsion-number? Very often (always?) these are on the outer carton, whichever packing size that is.

 

[Dean Taylor]

good point, Martin...

I just checked the plastic canister, and, to the credit of B&H, they (re-)identified both the emulsion (#509-301 in this case), as well as the expiry (10/2016) with a gum label.

Good job!

Dean

 

[AgX]

Some films even never got a cardboard box from the manufacturer.

In this case they nevertheless should have got a best-before date.

 

[theart]

Film is often sold that way by retailers.
They will buy in the four-packs (or three-packs) and then offer individual rolls out of the box.

Some films (Kodak Porta comes to mind) are only sold in five packs. So anyone who sell single rolls is going to be breaking up boxes.

 

[Nathan King]

This is normal for some films. I get my Provia like this every time.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Ah... the pleasures of buying Ilford or Foma... in boxes.
Long dated as well.
If I was buying Ilford and saw a date of 2016, I would return it as it isn't fresh. Last one came with date of Jan 2020.

 

[parkpy]

If you bought portra in anything less than a 5 pack, the rolls will not be individually boxed.

 

[Xmas]

Ah... the pleasures of buying Ilford or Foma... in boxes.
Long dated as well.
If I was buying Ilford and saw a date of 2016, I would return it as it isn't fresh. Last one came with date of Jan 2020.

Ilford used to do five packs of 220 & 120.
As late as 2000 they did three packs of FP with a free Delta.
Not seen a multi pack since.

Simon says they are not preferred by resellers...

 

[AgX]

Portra 800 is still sold single in box over here.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Ah... the pleasures of buying Ilford or Foma... in boxes.
Long dated as well.
If I was buying Ilford and saw a date of 2016, I would return it as it isn't fresh. Last one came with date of Jan 2020.

1) Not much color in the Ilford and Foma lines.

2) Even color film doesn't drop dead on the expiry date. If I'm going to be shooting it anytime in the next year, what is the problem? And the reality is, even color film will be good for several years after, without issue, if not stored in a hot location.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

If I'm going to be shooting it anytime in the next year,

That's very good. Keep buying just enough for the next few months.
Remember: buying fresh keeps the factories in production.