B&W film in South Africa

[Solarize]

I will be spending a month in South Africa over Christmas and with the uncertainty of luggage restrictions on flights, I am concerned about bringing film over.

Does anyone know of any good places in Johannesburg and/or Cape town. I will need 35mm and 120. Might even process the stuff over there if the chemicals are available.

Thanks.

 

[srs5694]

You might consider sending your film ahead of you by mail. If you'll be staying in a hotel, you should contact them about holding it for you.

 

[copake_ham]

Two minute Google search brings up:

http://www.acecam.com/s_africa.html

 

[MattKing]

Two minute Google search brings up:

http://www.acecam.com/s_africa.html

This is scary George - I just got the same result from my search.

Clicking on the links there gives the impression, however, that not many of the businesses listed sell film.

It might be worthwhile to contact Kodak and Ilford - they might be able to give you names of dealers.

Matt

 

[roy]

I will be spending a month in South Africa over Christmas and with the uncertainty of luggage restrictions on flights, I am concerned about bringing film over.
Does anyone know of any good places in Johannesburg and/or Cape town. I will need 35mm and 120. Might even process the stuff over there if the chemicals are available.

I would be inclined to err on the side of safety and take film over. If this is a non-starter, I think some lateral thinking is called for. Bearing in mind that you are dealing with a commodity that is not as popular as it once was, I would look at the website of the Photographic Society of Southern Africa and get some idea of the clubs in the area you are visiting and see if you can contact an individual in a club local to that area. This may seem a long shot but there are lists of clubs and contact addresses for some of them. You could then take advice from someone in that locality about the general availability of the material you are interested in. Although I have visited the Republic a few times, I have never bought B & W film there. The cost could be high and supplies patchy. The disadvantage of sending film out in advance, is that it could be subject to duty and other delays.
I believe there is a website "Foto SA" and you may get some information from that.
Good luck.

 

[leeturner]

There are a couple of pro labs and equipment shops in Johannesburg. Here is a list of retailers Dead Link Removed.
Please note that the B&H Photo Video is not the same as the famous NY store!

For film and processing there is also Beith http://www.beith.co.za/ (just ignore the digital bit of the name).

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear Solarize,

If you wish to use ILFORD Photo film my suggestion is to contact our distributor ISO Photo pty, their contact details are in the 'where to buy'
section, products, country choice etc, if you ring, speak to a guy called George Rosa and he will tell you where to source in jo'burg ( or elsewhere )
as an FYI I have always been able to find good supplies of all photo products in SA.

Kind Regards

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited

 

[patrickn]

Hi

Probably the best would be Kameraz in Rosebank Johannesburg(www.kameraz.co.za) depending what you want. The genrally have Ilford Fuji and Kodak in stock but if you have specific requirements possibly contact them with a view of them getting it for you in advance. 35mm colour print film is widely available but B&W and 120 is not. Any other information you need let me know

Patrick

 

[Solarize]

Thank you for the responses, I've managed to find a few places that should be able to help me.

I'm going to take as much film as luggage restrictions allow and rely on retailers out there filling in should my supplies run out.

Thanks again.

 

[leeturner]

Got to second Kameraz. Used to be my favourite shop in Jo'burg and they used to hold a photographic flea market quite regularly. Johan is a top guy.