FINDING FILM

[Tusker]

Just ventured out for a look see about B&W film. Almost nonexistent. Wally world had some stuff I had of course never seen. '400CN' processed C-41. Ok, 3 rolls for $9.82. ($3.30 a roll) Picked one up because that was ALL they had. Stopped at a CVS pharmacy, they had the same stuff, by the roll only, $5.49 :rolleyes: Need to check around some more, and check into mail order. Anyone use this 400CN stuff? Oh yeah, CVS also had some Tri-X at $5.49 per roll. All this 24 exposures. So here I set.

 

[Ian Grant]

This is the way of the world. Where I live only 35mm colour neg film is available on the 8 or 9 photo shops & processors, they all think B&W & 120 isn't made any more

They lose because you either buy in a dealers in a nearby city or the internet.

Ian

 

[Frank Szabo]

Just ventured out for a look see about B&W film. Almost nonexistent. Wally world had some stuff I had of course never seen. '400CN' processed C-41. Ok, 3 rolls for $9.82. ($3.30 a roll) Picked one up because that was ALL they had. Stopped at a CVS pharmacy, they had the same stuff, by the roll only, $5.49 :rolleyes: Need to check around some more, and check into mail order. Anyone use this 400CN stuff? Oh yeah, CVS also had some Tri-X at $5.49 per roll. All this 24 exposures. So here I set.

On the net, look up Freestyle and Calumet - between them, you can find almost anything you want in the way of silver film and not have to settle for the C41 B&W at an inflated cost. I've dealt with both and have consistantly had no problems whatsoever. High quality, both in goodies and attitude from their people.

Why B&H may have more goodies in stock with slightly better pricing, I can't recommend them as I've had quite a bit of trouble with them - used equipment that obviously hadn't been checked before sale and 'new' items that turned out to be not so new after all after checking, not to mention the surly sales/returns department.

 

[tessar]

I've used the Kodak 400CN and (in my opinion) it's pretty good, compares nicely with Ilford XP2.

 

[mhanc]

I can generally find a good but not great selection 35mm BW films at the local camera store -- most all the kodak BW films, several of the ilford and fuji. Interestingly, better selection of BW than color. More limited in 120. I try to buy here to support them.

As for CVS and the like -- BW is limited to CN100BW as you have experienced

Have not tried the CN400BW but I very much like the ilford c41 film -- XP2 super.

 

[srs5694]

Tusker,

What you describe is typical of drug stores, supermarkets, Wally World, etc. -- a few rolls of 24-exposure Kodak BW400CN and that's it. On occasion I still see 24-exposure rolls of Kodak Tri-X in local stores, but it's fairly rare. To get non-Kodak B&W film or film in other speeds or types, it really is necessary to go to a well-stocked local camera store or to buy online. Unlike Frank Szabo, I've had no problems with B&H (aside from the fact that they won't take orders during Jewish holidays, which is occasionally an inconvenience). Dead Link Removed is a bit less reliable than B&H, in my experience, but overall not bad, and they'll ship some things (mostly certain chemicals) that B&H refuses to ship. Both are located in New York City, which is good for me (and probably you, in Virginia), since ground shipping times are low. If I order in the morning, I can usually get product from B&H the next day. (Adorama is often a bit slower at getting products out the door.) Freestyle is about as good as B&H, in my experience, but they're in California, so ground shipping times to me in Rhode Island are long. Freestyle's got a somewhat different inventory than B&H, so sometimes it's necessary to buy from one or the other.

As to BW400CN specifically, some people like it and others don't. I generally prefer Ilford XP2 Super for a C41-process B&W film, but that's personal preference. Kodak's film has an orange mask like other C41 films, which makes it easier to print on RA4 (color) paper but harder to print on conventional B&W papers. XP2 Super has a much fainter purple mask, which makes it easier to print on B&W paper and harder to print on color paper. Both products have fine grain compared to other ISO 400 B&W films.

 

[Moopheus]

"As for CVS and the like -- BW is limited to CN100BW as you have experienced"

Around here, the CVSs often have Tri-X, though at $5.50 a roll. I'm always surprised to see it there.

 

[Tusker]

THANKS ALL! No more camera shops around here. I don't count RITZ-- they sure named them right. A trip to the big city is not really in the cards. Traffic is a super killer, gas is worse, and it is looking more and more like mail order will be the way to go. I couldn't even begin to think about setting up a darkroom again, with supplies this way.

 

[srs5694]

Darkroom supplies are still easy to find online. I have no problem ordering paper, chemicals, etc., from B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, or occasionally other sources.

There is a certain irony to the fact that the very technology that's caused such a decline in traditional photography (computers, in the form of digital cameras) is also the lifeline that's keeping traditional photography alive (computers, in the form of Internet retailers).

 

[Ian Grant]

Darkroom supplies are still easy to find online. I have no problem ordering paper, chemicals, etc., from B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, or occasionally other sources.

There is a certain irony to the fact that the very technology that's caused such a decline in traditional photography (computers, in the form of digital cameras) is also the lifeline that's keeping traditional photography alive (computers, in the form of Internet retailers).

You've hit the nail on its head.

When I went into my nearest city Izmir (ancient Smyrna) that's exactly what I was told. All the serious users buy over the unternet from the UK, EU and US when they can't buy locally. That was at a Pro-dealer who personally knew at least 9 or 10 LF users, he couldn't supply them with what they wanted - the Turkish Ilford importer just didn't import what they wanted, and I confirmed this with a telephone call to Istanbul.

Ian

 

[nsouto]

I've been using the online option for film suplies for quite a while now. Usually from that online auction site, where a couple of regulars provide me with almost everything I need. Haven't yet had any problems with expired film being sold as new.
Only some odd bits and pieces of b&w do I still get from a local photo shop, together with developers.
Development of anything non-bw is done in local labs as well.

 

[CBG]

Darkroom supplies are still easy to find online. I have no problem ordering paper, chemicals, etc., from B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, or occasionally other sources.

There is a certain irony to the fact that the very technology that's caused such a decline in traditional photography (computers, in the form of digital cameras) is also the lifeline that's keeping traditional photography alive (computers, in the form of Internet retailers).

An emphatic ditto here.

For some like me - who live away from the metropolis - getting a really wide selection of supplies has never been easier. Getting pro lab processing has been more of a challenge as the remaining labs keep being further away. I have to mail film out for E6.

C