Any chance to attain color print film?

[it's_hank_dude]

I’m only a few months into film photography and I’m hooked. It seems like when I first got into it there was some color film available but for the last two months I have not seen any.

How do these trends usually go? Can I anticipate it coming back around in the winter for a while or is this somewhat unprecedented? Is medium format my only hope for finding color film?

I found one website that has 100’ bulk rolls of vision3 250D available which I intend to take advantage of, is that unlikely to stick around as well?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Today's hard to get films should return as the supply chain recovers, as is with other items.

 

[BradS]

Many (most?) industries are still experiencing major supply chain issues. Many are also struggling to hire and retain workers.
Color negative film is still available. My son just bought a small supply of Fuji Color 135-36 rolls for his upcoming trip to Germany.
He found it at a local bricks-and-motor camera store. It is available although admittedly scarce.
Assuming you've already checked Freestyle and the big mail order shops in NYC and the other usual suspects, you might have better luck at the smaller stores and on-line storefronts....
For example, you might try contacting Adrian Bacon (a member here) who operates a small photo related business...

see his website at: https://www.simplephotographyservices.com/

 

[it's_hank_dude]

Many (most?) industries are still working through major supply chain issues. Many are also struggling to hire and retain workers.
Color negative film is still available. My son just bought a small supply of Fuji Color 135-36 rolls for his upcoming trip to Germany.
He found it at a local bricks-and-motor camera store. It is available although admittedly scarce.
Assuming you've already checked Freestyle and the big mail order shops in NYC and the other usual suspects, you might have better luck at the smaller stores and on-line storefronts....
For example, you might try contacting Adrian Bacon (a member here) who operates a small photo related business...

see his website at: https://www.simplephotographyservices.com/

I appreciate the link. I don’t know how to find small shops like that.

 

[Paul Howell]

If you keeping you will find color film as it comes off the production line. At this point Kodak is the major maker, most of the others are rebranded from Kodak movie film stock. If find that any of the retailers has what you like buy as much as you can afford.

 

[pentaxuser]

I found one website that has 100’ bulk rolls of vision3 250D available which I intend to take advantage of, is that unlikely to stick around as well?

This sounds like a cinefilm stock. If it is, then there are some who say that if this is developed in a standard C41 chemical process colour crossover is likely or a certainty. They say that in ECN-2 ( the correct process for cinefilm ) then colour correction in PS is possible but if you print with RA4 paper under an enlarger there is no way you can correct the prints to produce authentic colours

RA4 prints under an enlarger may not be what you do but if it is then it may be worthwhile reading what they have to say There are several threads on cine film on Photrio that are worth reading. Have a look at "Colour Negative Film by a member called BMBikerider posted on 6 July where a discussion took place on the issue of using cinestill film

pentaxuser

 

[BMbikerider]

I had a decent conversation with the Fujifilm customer care staff in UK last week (In conjunction with my processing Fuji paper and getting a heavy yellow cast which was on here as well) and he was very guarded about the availability of colour film. I was told that after digital cameras took hold of the publics imagination, Film sales dropped off the cliff and two manufacturing plants, one in Europe and the other in America were shut down. However the production of film has been ramped up in Japan and they are doing what they can.

On a good note however Kodak paper on Rolls (that I used to use) which has not been availably ANYWHERE in UK for several months is now available at a number of suppliers. There seems also to be an improved availability of Kodak 120 sized colour neg film in the ISO 100 to 800 range. 35mm film seems to be at the non availability stage though.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Just a temporary or spot shortage some places; yes, somewhat worse than usual due to pandemic-related labor and distribution issues, but overall, no big deal. Check with the big houses like B&H in NYC or Freestyle in LA. Even in the worst of circumstances, there's still a big selection of film available. And once you find a favorite, buy enough to last you through the next potential shortfall. It shouldn't be long until Kodak film inventories revitalize.

Exactly what kind of film do you actually need? Color negative in 35mm? You mentioned prints, so that's what I assumed, meaning C41 process film. Don't go get something weird, difficult or impossible to conveniently process. This might just be a canister shortage issue, or delay in a specific coating base. At the moment there's a downright glut of 120 roll film, with even sale pricing going on. When batches are made, cut, and packaged, it's done in high volume, and then when inventories run low, it's done again, feast or famine it seems, like a wet season and a dry season on the African savanna. Timing your purchases is everything.

Kodak paper is unrelated, because it's manufacture was switched to China at the worst possible time, right around when the covid epidemic broke out. Kodak film is still made in the US, and they've even upgraded their manufacture capacity recently due to increasing demand. But different types of film often need to be coated on entirely different bases, so big separate batches are requisite. There is a link somewhere to a flick touring the inside of the current film Kodak coating operation,
which gives a glimpse into how every single product is indeed a "big deal" to manufacture, and why it must be done on such a large scale. Like I just said, feast or famine. Buy extra film and store in a freezer well wrapped. I've found that necessary as long as I've been doing photography, now almost 60 yrs.

 

[AZD]

Not that Walmart needs any more money, but they may have what you need. The one by me just got a big shipment of Fuji 400 three-packs ($22 and change), as well as various disposable cameras. I have found their inventory to be very consistent around the country. It’s worth looking anyway.

The photo stores in town are all out of color 35mm. They each received a shipment maybe three weeks ago and it’s all but gone. If you use 120 you can take your pick, whatever you want is available. Just for kicks I bought a 120 roll of Gold 200. Hopefully my angry Zeiss TLR doesn’t destroy it.

But 35mm, yeah, you might need to hustle right now. I doubt it’ll be this way forever. Empty shelves and demand for the product mean there’s money to be made, and someone will want to make it.

 

[mshchem]

I’m only a few months into film photography and I’m hooked. It seems like when I first got into it there was some color film available but for the last two months I have not seen any.

How do these trends usually go? Can I anticipate it coming back around in the winter for a while or is this somewhat unprecedented? Is medium format my only hope for finding color film?

I found one website that has 100’ bulk rolls of vision3 250D available which I intend to take advantage of, is that unlikely to stick around as well?

Hi Hank Dude,
The Vision 3 stuff is movie film. Read more about it, specifically Remjet. If you want to use a lab find one that works with this stuff.
I've never seen a situation like this. In over 50 years I've never seen a situation where you couldn't get Kodak 35mm color negative film.

Might be a good time to get a 10 pack of Ilford, if you want to use a local minilab Ilford makes XP2 it's black and white that is developed like color negative film.
Don't give up it will improve, hopefully soon.

 

[Huss]

Just google the film you want, then select shopping, then lots come up.

for example Fuji C200 right here:

Fujifilm Fujicolor 200 35mm 36 Exposure 3 Pack

The Fujicolor 200 offers a vivid color palette with accurate skin tones and color reproduction in a variety of lighting conditions. Order online today!

reformedfilmlab.com

 

[DREW WILEY]

Don't assume just because something shows up on a seller's website, it's actually in stock. Some sellers are good at keeping quantities up to date, some aren't, and a number of others can be downright deceptive in that respect. When in doubt, call first. Also make sure you're not buying outdated film from a liquidator.

 

[mshchem]

No one has any Portra or Ektar in 35mm.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Just a temporary or spot shortage some places; yes, somewhat worse than usual due to pandemic-related labor and distribution issues, but overall, no big deal. Check with the big houses like B&H in NYC or Freestyle in LA. [...]

Actually the only "straight" color negative film in 35mm that is actually in stock right now at either B&H or Freestyle is some Portra 800 for $17/roll. By "straight" I mean not "creative" film with weird colors or ECN-2 movie film. And Freestyle has a "low stock" warning on their Portra 800, so...

No one has any Portra or Ektar in 35mm.

see above

 

[mshchem]

Actually the only "straight" color negative film in 35mm that is actually in stock right now at either B&H or Freestyle is some Portra 800 for $17/roll. By "straight" I mean not "creative" film with weird colors or ECN-2 movie film. And Freestyle has a "low stock" warning on their Portra 800, so...

see above

No need for 800. I bought a 5 roll Propack of Portra 160 35mm last week from Samy's. They don't have any now.

Sad, perfect mess for EKCo and Kodak Alaris. People are going crazy for film and there's not enough to go around.

 

[gone]

I think Walmart mainly just routes photographic sales to the supplier. The last time I was thinking of buying some papers from them, their ad mentioned they would be shipped from B&H.

eBay has quite a lot of 35mm color film for sale, mostly Kodak Gold and Fuji 200. But the prices! a 5 pack of Porta for $130!!! I wouldn't pay those prices. Maybe grit my teeth and switch to digital, hand color my prints, whatever.

It's not just color film. I saw some bell peppers the other day at Whole Foods for $4 each. My friend said "Just don't buy them. The prices will go down when they sit on the shelves and have to be thrown out". I agree. At some point, the sellers and manufacturers will connect the dots and realize that some money is a whole lot better than no money.

 

[250swb]

I think Walmart mainly just routes photographic sales to the supplier. The last time I was thinking of buying some papers from them, their ad mentioned they would be shipped from B&H.

eBay has quite a lot of 35mm color film for sale, mostly Kodak Gold and Fuji 200. But the prices! a 5 pack of Porta for $130!!! The manufacturers are doing a good job of killing off color film at these prices.

Don't you perhaps think that is the retailer pocketing the money? In the UK one of many reputable outlets sells a roll of 36exp Kodak Gold for an average of £7.89, a three roll multi pack is £17.49 ($20.73), so hysteria, what hysteria? What you want more comparisons! Ok a five pack of Portra 400 is £64.59 ($76.56).

 

[takilmaboxer]

I got all excited when Kodak announced Gold 200 in 120....six+ months ago. I waited patiently while the occasionally available stocks were snapped up. I finally managed to order some from Freestyle and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. But in 35 the arrival date is estimated as September. I found some in a rural Walgreen's...so be creative in your search.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I think Walmart mainly just routes photographic sales to the supplier. The last time I was thinking of buying some papers from them, their ad mentioned they would be shipped from B&H.

eBay has quite a lot of 35mm color film for sale, mostly Kodak Gold and Fuji 200. But the prices! a 5 pack of Porta for $130!!! I wouldn't pay those prices. Maybe grit my teeth and switch to digital, hand color my prints, whatever.

It's not just color film. I saw some bell peppers the other day at Whole Foods for $4 each. My friend said "Just don't buy them. The prices will go down when they sit on the shelves and have to be thrown out". I agree. At some point, the sellers and manufacturers will connect the dots and realize that some money is a whole lot better than no money.

They are always cheaper at Sprouts than Whole Foods. I only go to Whole Foods when I need my wallet and credit card cleaned out of money.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Just hope that WalMart's film isn't as stale and expired as their Pringles chips.

 

[mshchem]

Big question. Will Kodak (Eastman and Alaris) invest in "de-bottlenecking" for producing more 135 films?

 

[Bill Burk]

No one has any Portra or Ektar in 35mm.

I just bought four rolls of 35mm Portra 16 yesterday from Kaufmann Camera in San Bruno, CA

They have Ektar too 120 too. They cracked a brick of TMY2 for me. I would say they have what you need.

 

[Huss]

They are always cheaper at Sprouts than Whole Foods. I only go to Whole Foods when I need my wallet and credit card cleaned out of money.

LA Times just did a survey of grocery stores. Your Sprouts is by far the most expensive.

Which L.A. grocery store chain is most affordable? We ran the numbers

Inflation hasn't been this high in decades. We compiled a snapshot of prices at ten grocery chains in the L.A. area. How does your local store stack up?

www.latimes.com

 

[mshchem]

I just bought four rolls of 35mm Portra 16 yesterday from Kaufmann Camera in San Bruno, CA

They have Ektar too 120 too. They cracked a brick of TMY2 for me. I would say they have what you need.

The issue is with 35mm color films. Specifically the Kodak color negative films.

Another thing, with Fujifilm being the only producer of color negative paper, this too seems to be in short supply. There's nothing to speak of available at B&H. It could be Fujifilm is changing their distribution model, selling directly to large accounts????

120 films seem to be in good shape, I hope that stays true.

 

[Bill Burk]

Right! My guys have it all.