Cheapest places to buy film in Denver?

George Mann · Jul 10, 2018

I normally buy film online, but sometimes it would be convenient to grab a roll or two when I am out shooting.

Anyone know who sells it at sane prices in the Denver area?

George Mann · Jul 10, 2018

Am I the only one here?

pbromaghin · Jul 10, 2018

As much as they pretend film no longer, and never did exist, Mikes Camera will try to match prices with B&H or Freestyle. They won't always match all the way, but can usually come pretty close. I have often saved a quite a lot by bringing a printed screenshot of the product page for different films. They don't carry every emulsion, or very much of any emulsion.

Denver ProPhoto, off Broadway near C-470, carries a much wider selection, but I haven't bought there for quite a while because they are just farther away. I absolutely love going to Englewood Camera on Broadway, have bought a lot of equipment, dropped off repairs, but again, not purchased a lot of film. Their selection compares to Mikes.

George Mann · Jul 10, 2018

OK, I am looking for Kodak color films in 35mm. Are the prices at Englewood Camera better or worse than Mikes?

George Mann · Jul 10, 2018

Denver Pro Photo sells Ektar and Portra for $8.95 a roll. Mikes has Ektar @ $9.49, and Portra @ $10.49.

Englewood Sells Ektar @ $9.99, and Portra @ $10.99, but will price-match with Denver Pro Photo with verification.

pbromaghin · Jul 10, 2018

Call and ask if they will match B&H or Freestyle.

George Mann · Jul 10, 2018

pbromaghin said:
Call and ask if they will match B&H or Freestyle.

Englewood said no. It must be local.

pbromaghin · Jul 10, 2018

Interesting. For some reason that doesn't surprise me. They always seem very connected to the local market, concentrating on beating the local competition and not worrying too much about the rest of the world.

mrosenlof · Jul 11, 2018

denver pro photo gives a 10% discount if you're a member of the Colorado Photographic Arts Center.

I buy from them occasionally, but it's almost a 1 hour drive from Louisville to get there.

pbromaghin · Jul 11, 2018

I just got back from MIke's at Park Meadows, looking for film for a family visit next week. I printed this and showed it to them and that's what they charged for 3 rolls of each.

Allan B · Jul 11, 2018

I live in Denver and I only buy film locally if I absolutely must. (Need it immediately).
The last time it was almost double what B&H charges. Everything at local camera stores in Colorado
is usually 30-60% or even more expensive that buying in New York. Some items are
actually more than suggested retail pricing. Try to plan ahead and order a minimum at B&H
to get free shipping and there is no sales tax.

I saw that someone else said that Mike's camera would come close to matching prices.
I did not know that. That might help.

Allan

George Mann said:
I normally buy film online, but sometimes it would be convenient to grab a roll or two when I am out shooting.

Anyone know who sells it at sane prices in the Denver area?

pentaxuser · Jul 11, 2018

pbromaghin said:
I just got back from MIke's at Park Meadows, looking for film for a family visit next week. I printed this and showed it to them and that's what they charged for 3 rolls of each.

View attachment 203940

When you analyse the basics to this approach to pricing, doesn't it kind of resemble a cop who stops a tourist for, say, speeding and charges $100 as an on-the-spot fine. The tourist is a foreigner and doesn't know the law and wants to avoid a fuss. The cop stops another speeder who turns out to be a lawyer with local law knowledge who may create a fuss and he charges $50. The charge depends on the metaphorical size of your biceps. Has to be morally wrong doesn't it?

pentaxuser

RattyMouse · Jul 11, 2018

I only buy film from B & H.

pbromaghin · Jul 11, 2018

pentaxuser said:
When you analyse the basics to this approach to pricing, doesn't it kind of resemble a cop who stops a tourist for, say, speeding and charges $100 as an on-the-spot fine. The tourist is a foreigner and doesn't know the law and wants to avoid a fuss. The cop stops another speeder who turns out to be a lawyer with local law knowledge who may create a fuss and he charges $50. The charge depends on the metaphorical size of your biceps. Has to be morally wrong doesn't it?

pentaxuser

No. Every purchase is an agreement between a willing seller and a willing buyer at a price they agree on. Convenience counts, as does possessing the knowledge that they will match an online price. For instance, in the past I have also bought film for the higher prices from the other 2 Denver area stores mentioned above. They both are "high service" retailers with knowledgeable people who are willing to help me out with answers to questions about equipment, chemicals, technique, etc. I willingly paid their prices to subsidize the hiring of those people. There are many, many considerations that go into determining price.

pentaxuser · Jul 12, 2018

Thanks I suppose this really belongs in the Ethics section. It was just when I gave such an approach to pricing more thought it seemed to raise a question of ethics.

I suspect we are all guilty of straying from the path of righteousness to a greater or lesser extent. If a local shop operated in this fashion I'd probably say this was part of the "give and take" of open "caveat emptor" negotiations but if the shop was owned by a local preacher duly ordained by a church I wonder how I'd feel then?

Just a parting thought to which there is no need to respond as I have already led this away from the thread unjustifiably

pentaxuser

Cheapest places to buy film in Denver?

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