8x10 out of reach...

Andrew O'Neill

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I inquired about HP5 8x10 at local supplier. $216 for a box! Two years ago I paid $160. Once my small stash is used up, that might be the end of 8x10 for me...especially when I have retired... ... I'll definitely stick with 4x5 and medium format, though. Anybody else in the same boat?
 

ic-racer

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Try another supplier. Freestyle lists it for $149.00. Also try Shanghai. I switch back and forth between the two.
 

NB23

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Why no x-ray film? 28-30$ For a box of 100, on ebay.

very popular with 8x10 shooters
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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NB23 said:
Why no x-ray film? 28-30$ For a box of 100, on ebay.

very popular with 8x10 shooters
Click to expand...

I have several boxes of X-ray. I've been using it for about 15 years. Still have a 100 sheet box of 14x17 that I occasionally use. At the end of the day, I prefer panchromatic films.
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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ic-racer said:
Try another supplier. Freestyle lists it for $149.00. Also try Shanghai. I switch back and forth between the two.
Click to expand...

Once the exchange rate is factored in, plus shipping, it's more expensive. That's a lovely film. I still have a box of 8x10 and two boxes of 4x5.
 

NB23

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Andrew O'Neill said:
I have several boxes of X-ray. I've been using it for about 15 years. Still have a 100 sheet box of 14x17 that I occasionally use. At the end of the day, I prefer panchromatic films.
Click to expand...

yeah. I was sure you knew. X-ray has its own sets of problems.
 

Ian Grant

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I started 10x8 around 18 years ago, originally with EFKE PL25 and Fortepan 200, I just couldn't justify Ilford & Kodak's prices, never regretted it, I have quite a bit left,. When I restock it'll be Fomapan 100 or more likely 200, it's under half the price of a box of 25 sheets of Ilford 10x8 film for a box of 50 sheets so a huge saving. I've been using Fomapan 100 & 200 for around 12-13 years and get great results with it. It's a bit of a no brainer really

Ian
 

Vaughn

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No, I took another boat...

...or another way of looking at it, my two boys finally got boats of their own so I'm sailing solo. And as Captain of my little ship, I have budgetary discretion. Damn the expenses, full holders ahead!
 

Alan9940

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I've never used CatLABS X film, but it's $95 for a 25 sheet box of 8x10. Personally, I switched to Foma 100 years ago and buy it from fotoimpex in Germany. Before the current "covid surcharge" with DHL, the cost of the film + shipping was nearly half of Freestyle's price. Not sure how it would all work out today because I'm still using my stash from the freezer.
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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I'll look into the Catlabs X film. Where do you get it? Thanks!
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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I just checked Catlabs website... first time I've ever seen a "gender wage gap discount". Ladies get 10% off. Still though, $95 US translates to $127 Canuck Loonies...with shipping, will still be heaps cheaper than buying any 8x10 film up here.
 

NortheastPhotographic

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Word to the wise, Catlabs 80 X is likely Shanghai 100 (though Omer swears he has his own formulation produced by the same factory, personally I think the film is very good so I don't care). In my tests 80 X should be exposed at ISO 32, and I have developed it in 510 Pyro for 14 minuets with good results. In a Jobo I did a 2-3 minute prewash to match my inversion time.

However, that HP5 price may be covid high and not permanent. In the meantime you may also like Pancro 400 which you can also get from Catlabs (expose at 320 or 250, and develop for 17 minutes in XTol).
 

DREW WILEY

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There's a simple answer to this. Go shoot color 8x10 film for a year, and you'll never complain about the price of black and white again.
 

Pioneer

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I shoot Jason Lane Dry Plates in 8x10. Only $80 for 5 plates. Or I will once I get my plate holder sorted out.

A real bargain especially as he has no competition!!

 
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Andrew O'Neill

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DREW WILEY said:
There's a simple answer to this. Go shoot color 8x10 film for a year, and you'll never complain about the price of black and white again.
Click to expand...

 

Ian Grant

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I just checked how much Foma film is from Freestyle as well as their re-branded version and was shocked to find it's more expensive compared to buying in the UK or Europe.

It's £134 for a box of 50 sheets Fomapan 100 at my UK supplier ($172), 117 euros from Fomafoto (Norway) $135, £103, from Freestyle $219 /£164 and as Arista EDU $200 /£150. Of course you have to factor in shipping and possible Import charges. It was highly unusual for any film or paper to be significantly more expensive in the US compared to the UK/Europe, Freestyle don't list FP4 or HP5 in 10x8 and but comparing 5x4 HP5 it's slightly cheaper (about 4%) here in the UK.

Last time I checked and placed an oder about 10 months ago US prices were about 75% compared to the UK/Europe but shipping then Import duty, VAT, cumulative taxes, and the delivery fee to collect the taxes added a third so there was no benefit. It's worth looking at Fomafoto and advertiser here.

Ian
 

Donald Qualls

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Yep. 8x10 is only for those who are serious enough not to mind a misloaded film holder costing $5 to $20, not even counting that you might no have another with you because everything is so big and heavy.

I haven't even had my Speed Graphic or Graphic View (both 4x5) out this year (in my defense, I bought a "new" MF SLR and have been using that a good bit) -- and 8x10 cameras seem hard to find below $1000 without a lens. Not happening here, any time soon...
 

DWThomas

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It's a tough world out there. A few years back I was deliberating on doing an 8x10 pinhole camera and started looking into what sort of initial outlay would be needed. Just 8x10 filmholders were a bit intimidating, but I obtained a couple older wooden ones that worked out well after some clean-up and re-taping the flaps. But there seemed to be a conspiracy on the film -- the off brands were sometimes half the cost of the big names on a per sheet basis -- but then the minimum size package I could find was twice as big. At that time it appeared I had to spend at least $100 no matter what I bought. There was even a Kodak product available in ten sheet packages -- at almost $90. So when I found a guy on ePrey offering 100 sheet boxes of Fuji HR-T X-ray film for about $43 shipped, I ordered it and plunged ahead. I don't regret it, but between my aging body and the expense, I doubt I will jump into the 8x10 view camera world.

I keep thinking I'd like to see what the pinhole stuff would look like on a panchromatic film, but the pricing is not too encouraging. It's not as though I can't come up with the cash if I felt really passionate about it, but a subliminal cost/benefit analysis starts triggering alarm bells! ("Them bells can make ya crazy ...")
 

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DREW WILEY said:
There's a simple answer to this. Go shoot color 8x10 film for a year, and you'll never complain about the price of black and white again.
Click to expand...
Or 11x14 B&W.
 

Alan9940

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Donald Qualls said:
Yep. 8x10 is only for those who are serious enough not to mind a misloaded film holder costing $5 to $20, not even counting that you might no have another with you because everything is so big and heavy.
Click to expand...

Or, any of the other hundreds of little mistakes one can make with LF!


I've seen quite a few used 8x10's advertised on these boards and other places for well under $1K. And, not that anyone would call the Intrepid 8x10 an engineering marvel it's certainly a budget friendly way to get into this format. I have both the Kickstarter Mk1 and the newer Mk2; it ain't perfect, but it does what I need it to do. And, it's a heck of a lot easier to carry over long distances than my Deardorff!
 

removedacct1

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I suspect my 8x10 film days are coming to a close, given that I can now make an 8x10 wet plate negative for half the price of film.
 

Donald Qualls

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paulbarden said:
I suspect my 8x10 film days are coming to a close, given that I can now make an 8x10 wet plate negative for half the price of film.
Click to expand...

DIY generally saves you money, if you're doing it right. But then, you're back to the 1860s, technologically -- limited to making images where you can take a darkroom. A good size panel van requires less upkeep than a horse, though.
 
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