Film Photography Project bulk roll packaging?

B&Wpositive · Apr 25, 2017

End of 2016, I bought a bulk 100 foot roll of Double-X from FPP, but haven't opened it yet. It's in a cardboard box that's shrink-wrapped. I stuck it in the freezer.

It has a warning on it to only open it in the dark. Does anyone know how FPP is packaging their bulk film lately? What am I going to find when I open the cardboard? Is it just a black plastic wrapper, or does it have an actual airtight (and light-fast) "tin" like bulk films traditionally do?

If no one here knows, I'll contact FPP to ask.

Thanks.

AgX · Apr 26, 2017

Wouldn't it be more simple to just go into your darkened room and "have a look"?
I mean, as you intend to use a bulk roll you must already have means at hand to handle such film in the dark.

dourbalistar · Apr 26, 2017

I bought one from FPP in March 2016. I don't remember a shrink-wrapped cardboard box, but mine did come in a light-tight tin. Couldn't hurt to follow AgX's suggestion, though, just in case.

railwayman3 · Apr 26, 2017

I'd probably not have put it in the freezer until I knew whether the packaging was airtight, for the usual reasons of possible dampness or condensation?

cmacd123 · Apr 26, 2017

railwayman3 said:
I'd probably not have put it in the freezer until I knew whether the packaging was airtight, for the usual reasons of possible dampness or condensation?

Indeed, In fact Kodak's recomendations used to read that film once opened should not be frozen, as the humidity levels may not be maintained in spec. FPP is opening the Kodak pack and re-rolling the film, so the humidity level has become uncontroled.

The roll of 5222 I got from them was just in a black bag inside the cardboard box, similar to how Ilford packs their bulk film.

B&Wpositive · Apr 26, 2017

I already froze it off-site weeks ago, so I can't undo that.

Sounds like FPP is just wrapping it based on the reply above.

faberryman · Apr 26, 2017

The Kodak website says the film has a daylight ISO of 250. What advantages does Double-X have over the usual contenders?

Jeff Bradford · Apr 26, 2017

faberryman said:
The Kodak website says the film has a daylight ISO of 250. What advantages does Double-X have over the usual contenders?

Left-overs from cinematic productions (short rolls) can be had inexpensively. My last batch cost about 8 cents per foot.

B&Wpositive · Apr 26, 2017

faberryman said:
The Kodak website says the film has a daylight ISO of 250. What advantages does Double-X have over the usual contenders?

Also, now that Plus-X is discontinued, Double-X is probably the closest thing to it in terms of images and speed. Plus-X was my favorite b&w film. But Double-X is supposed to be similar (maybe even better in some ways).

btaylor · Apr 27, 2017

Short ends?

Jeff Bradford said:
Left-overs from cinematic productions (short rolls) can be had inexpensively. My last batch cost about 8 cents per foot.

Have you found any recently? B&W short ends were hard to find even when I could get 5219...

Gerald C Koch · Apr 27, 2017

Kodak rates Double-X 5222 at 250D. However the film can benefit from using an EI of 400 and increasing development a bit more. So I use it just like any other 400 speed film. I develop it in either Rodinal 1+49 for 7.5 min @21C or HC-110 1+49 for 8.5 min @21C.

As far as short or medium ends are concerned they sell as fast as they come in. I helps to be persistent and call sellers rather than depend on a website which is usually out of date.

cmacd123 · Apr 27, 2017

5222 is sold in 400 ft rolls (and 1000ft) and so Is a little less expensive even fresh. it does have Movie film edge markings rather than still camera frame numbers.

Jeff Bradford · Apr 28, 2017

btaylor said:
Short ends?

Have you found any recently? B&W short ends were hard to find even when I could get 5219...

I just got some 5219 and 5222. I should be getting some Fuji Eterna 400T tomorrow. Much of what is out there is offered up and spoken for before it can ever hit the open market.

btaylor · Apr 28, 2017

I'm just shocked that there is enough real 35mm movie production going on to find any quantity of short ends, esp B&W. Wonderful news!

darkroommike · Apr 28, 2017

I haven't seen any short ends in quite a while I have one roll each Plus-X and Double-X a while back and suspect when it's gone it's gone. New Double-X is almost as much as Tri-X and their bulk film is higher priced than the same films already loaded into cartridges so that's also a no go for me. I have plenty of film to play with, however, including my new favorite Kentmere 400.

Film Photography Project bulk roll packaging?

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