Group purchase: Kodak Plus-X 70mm x 500ft bulk rolls

[keithwms]

I'd like to coordinate a bulk purchase of plus-x in the form of 70mm x 500 ft rolls. This is aerecon material on an estar base. The minimum order is 18 rolls at $720 each, so obviously I'd like to divide this order between several colleagues here on APUG.

It'll get too complicated if we divide the rolls at this stage, so let's work in units of 500 ft. Please let me know how many rolls you will commit to (commiting to purchase a single roll is okay). Once we get close to the target, I'll arrange order and compute shipping etc.

For reference, this is quite similar to standard plus-x but it differs in two important regards: (1) this has more red sensitivity, and (2) the film is on the thin estar base. I have quite a lot of panatomic x on the same base and it's great... fits easily into most holders. I'll be using it mostly in the rb and rz 70mm rollfilm holders and in some sheet holders.

The film can *probably* be cut down to other sizes e.g. 120/220, but I don't have time to arrange that- I am just looking for commitments for straight rolls right now.

So... please let me know how many rolls you'd commit to and if we pass the threshold, I'll get it done.

Here's a link to the product:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484467-REG/Kodak_8282071_70mm_PLUS_X_Aerecon_II.html

Please feel free to pass this invitation on to colleagues at other sites as well.

 

[Vaughn]

Since you mentioned 70mm film. Anyone interested in a 100' roll of 70mm Kodalith Ortho Film 6556 (type 3)?

It came from a military research center and I believe bought by them in 7/1996. In the originally sealed box. Well stored by them, but at room temp for the last 4 years.

Free, plus shipping. Perhaps someone wants it to experiment with 70mm film before buying the film Keith is trying to get an order for.

Vaughn

 

[keithwms]

I can also provide snips of 70mm, but what I have is 2005 vintage portra.

 

[Vaughn]

David from CA was the first to contact me and I'll try to get it out this week.

I am going to take a look around to see if I still have some other rolls of it.

Vaughn

 

[benveniste]

According to Kodak, this film is discontinued, so I'm not sure that the B&H catalog is up to date. Plus-X 2402 is still shown as available, though:
http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Aeria...rvices/Aerial_Films/Black_and_White_Films.htm

Given that I still haven't come up with a project for the 40' of 70mm (perforated) TechPan I have in the freezer, I can't see myself using 500' of Plus-X. But I admit to being tempted by the 150' rolls of perforated Double-X on eBay.

 

[keithwms]

According to a conversation I just had with someone at B&H, the film I describe is available on special order from Kodak. 18 roll minimum order, as I described.

 

[munz6869]

A couple of years ago, friend at the local state government Department of Sustainability & Environment gave me several (expired) 100ft rolls of this stuff that they had sitting in an office for aerial mapping activities. After collecting a heap of 70mm processing ephemera, I finally exposed a couple of rolls with a Mamiya back on a miniature Crown Graphic - you can get 50x 6x7cm negatives on one roll!! I found if I processed it like regular Plus-X the results were fine. Next time I might try stand developing (like Rodinal 1:100 for an hour or something) and see what happens...

This does inspire me to shoot the rest of my "stash" though, so in the interests of emotionally amortising all the 70mm infrastructure I've accumulated, please put me down for ONE roll Keith, and I'll commence saving!!!

Marc!

 

[keithwms]

Thanks Marc! Sure you don't want two??

I have gotten terrific results from my 5" aerial film.

I'll just point that 70mm backs are rather plentiful on ebay now. The Mamiya one is especially nice, it features a vacuum plate that is activated by a hand bulb.

 

[DarkMagic]

Thanks Marc! Sure you don't want two??

I have gotten terrific results from my 5" aerial film.

I'll just point that 70mm backs are rather plentiful on ebay now. The Mamiya one is especially nice, it features a vacuum plate that is activated by a hand bulb.

Can i easy get a back for my Maiya 645AFD or my Hasselblad 500CM?

 

[keithwms]

I'm not aware of one for the 645 AFD, you'd probably have to cut down to 220 for that to make sense. But there must be a 70mm back for the 500cm.

 

[Laurent]

What system does one need to develop 70mm film ? I guess this does not work in a Jobo 1500 series tank ?

 

[munz6869]

I believe the 'fabled' Jobo reel for 70mm film is the 2517, which takes a 5' length of film.

Marc!

 

[keithwms]

Laurent, I have an any-size steel reel that I made in a few minutes. I just cut the steel reel in half and reattached the some pieces with hollow aluminum tube, which were then crimped to keep the right size. The thin base means you can bend it very easily. There are probably some 70mm reels coming onto the used market too, I'd just watch ebay. I do know a few labs still process it.

~~~

In case it's useful, I'll insert some points from another forum, in which someone pointed out that the effective cost per roll is roughly the same you'd currently pay for 120 acros at freestyle. Obviously, people need to do their own math and decide whether it makes sense for them. It makes sense to me because (1) I never claimed this to be identical to plus-x but as a matter of fact, I like the extended red sensitivity; (2) when you purchase a bulk roll like this your price is "locked in" for a very long time (!);(2b) you also have very consistent material to work with for along time; (3) the thin base doesn't bother me in the least, I have panatomic x on estar and love it - you can fit a lot of exposures in one little canister- the 70mm backs aren't that much bigger than the 120/220 ones; (4) you can cut it down to use it in a number of ways; and (5) if it isn't for you then just don't buy it.. but don't moan a year from now about not having any Kodak either

 

[frobozz]

Given that I still haven't come up with a project for the 40' of 70mm (perforated) TechPan I have in the freezer, I can't see myself using 500' of Plus-X. But I admit to being tempted by the 150' rolls of perforated Double-X on eBay.

There's 70mm Double-X on ebay? I can't find it...

Duncan

 

[Vaughn]

David from CA was the first to contact me and I'll try to get it out this week.

I am going to take a look around to see if I still have some other rolls of it.

Vaughn

David, I need your address again -- can't find it!

Vaughn

 

[Athiril]

This may be of interest
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1x-KODAK...Camera_Film&hash=item4cfdafb7e8#ht_1125wt_917

 

[keithwms]

Yep I saw that, but thanks. I have since found quite a lot of other stuff and invested appropriately.

 

[frobozz]

This may be of interest
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1x-KODAK...Camera_Film&hash=item4cfdafb7e8#ht_1125wt_917

Also

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120814393304

(only 150 ft, though a lot cheaper!)

Duncan

 

[vitus]

Many thanks to Keith for coordination of bulk purchase and arrangement of special order from Kodak.
It can be the last chance to rich excellent Kodak Plus-X in 70mm. I think it may disappear soon.

Two years ago Martin Reed did the APUG action for group purchase of FP4/HP5 in this exciting format.
He was personally geared up for 70mm film and he wanted to do a regular Silverprint supply of the Ilford film in 70mm. It was why he was pushing APUG members for it.

Martin suggested a very small order (60 cans of 30 meters) at the beginning which was a drop in the bucket on the scale of Ilford production.
Initially it seemed that the response from the APUG community is encouraging.

I was fascinated by this proposal, especially because I feel comfortable working with a long roll 70mm system.

I'm sure Keith remembers that action, it was a great interest in Ilford 70mm film at the beginning.

Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic declaration it was only 6 rolls ordered finally and the whole thing fizzled out.
I couldn’t believe there was so small demand for that great stuff.

I hope it is a still, sufficient interest in 70mm Plus-X now, but I am slightly skeptical after that failed attempt.
It's a pity my freezer is still stuffed with old 70mm aerial stock, but why not to try the fresh batch of Plus-X Aerographic ?

I'm afraid that Keith is right, Plus-X lovers will moan a year from now about not having any fresh Kodak stuff

Jan Wilhelm

 

[benveniste]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290623980264

 

[keithwms]

I'm afraid that Keith is right, Plus-X lovers will moan a year from now about not having any fresh Kodak stuff

Jan Wilhelm

Yes, and I'm truly sorry to have been proven right about these things many times already

Like I said in another thread, the only sign we'll get that something is about to be discontinued is a big surge in price, and then... nothing.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear All,

We will put 70mm film FP4+ and HP5+ on the ULF run this year :

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology LImited :

 

[munz6869]

Wow!!! As I slowly run out of Plus-X in the fridge and begin to migrate to FP4+... Ilford are awesome. Simon - do you know whether it will be perforated or non-perforated film?

Marc!

 

[Simon R Galley]

Unperforated and probably in more 'affordable lengths' say 100'

Simon.

 

[keithwms]

Bless you Simon. You can count on me for 1000 ft of each.