I wrote to Shanghai film about their 220 availability

[Huss]

Wouldn't you have to pay customs on top?

No. I've bought lots of photo stuff into the US, no customs.

 

[Huss]

I wonder if this is just a 120 film spooled as 220. According to Ilford 220 film is a different beast altogether due to lack of backing paper and need to use different base material (or some special treatment) to boost its durability.

I've looked at my 120 film, and my 220 film (after being developed) and it looks the same. Feels the same. Smells the same. Even tastes the same...

 

[Agulliver]

@Huss if you go ahead, and if you're happy to mail films to the UK I would commit to 5 rolls. I'ts nothing more than something I'd like to try at this stage, having just one 220-capable camera and having never used 220 before.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I've looked at my 120 film, and my 220 film (after being developed) and it looks the same. Feels the same. Smells the same. Even tastes the same...

i would not know, this is coming from 220 discussion earlier in the year and I didn't look back to see what exactly was said, but it was not exactly same film bit for bit. Not that it matters, because in this case they offer what they have in the box and none of this was ever questioned in the days of 220 availability.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

No. I've bought lots of photo stuff into the US, no customs.

Yes, used stuff I know, but I mean this is NEW stuff that at least technically falls under customs scrutiny. 100 rolls is not a lot, yet it isn't small either. All I know is that used gear is not charged as that is the only thing I ever had shipped to US from abroad.

 

[Donald Qualls]

For $8.10 plus shipping, I'd be in for 10 rolls, as long as I can send payment at the right point in my pay cycle (most months, shortly after the 16th would work best). That's a great price, even compared to .EDU Ultra 400 at $4.69.

 

[TheGreatGasMaskMan]

I'd try a roll if this were more readily available in the states...
as I said in a different thread, maybe Catlabs will distribute it.

 

[BradS]

I've looked at my 120 film, and my 220 film (after being developed) and it looks the same. Feels the same. Smells the same. Even tastes the same...

Thanks for looking into this and sharing your findings with us.

 

[pentaxuser]

I'd try a roll if this were more readily available in the states...
as I said in a different thread, maybe Catlabs will distribute it.

Yes, if this stuff can be produced in genuine volume then you'd certainly expect some retailer in the U.S. to try doing so. Could the ongoing China-U.S. problems have anything to do with it? On the other hand if it is made by a small team who are knife and forking the 220 rolls largely by hand or limited automation then to expand sales quickly via a distributor and reseller might bring its own problems of being able to met the demand. It might just be that Shanghai is proceeding cautiously

pentaxuser

 

[Huss]

Let's flip the script... if one of 'you' did this, what would you charge for the film before shipping? You'd have to come up with $810 for the 100 rolls. Then would have to spend your own time to sell and ship film that it seems that most people here only want one or two rolls.
Saying you'd pay $8.10 for a roll kinda does not seem fair to whoever may do this.

Curious. It seems that the demand is very limited on this site.

 

[BradS]

Let's flip the script... if one of 'you' did this, what would you charge for the film before shipping? You'd have to come up with $810 for the 100 rolls. Then would have to spend your own time to sell and ship film that it seems that most people here only want one or two rolls.
Saying you'd pay $8.10 for a roll kinda does not seem fair to whoever may do this.

Curious. It seems that the demand is very limited on this site.

It depends...but even if you did charge $16.20 per roll and sold every roll without any issues (image the mess you'd be in if there were a backing paper issue for example) you'd only net $810. Not really much profit for the effort and risk....and that's a best case scenario.

 

[Huss]

It depends...but even if you did charge $16.20 per roll and sold every roll without any issues (image the mess you'd be in if there were a backing paper issue for example) you'd only net $810. Not really much profit for the effort and risk....and that's a best case scenario.

What backing paper issues are there with 220 film? It does not have backing paper. Just a little strip at the beginning and at the end, that is in a place where the emulsion is not used.

 

[Huss]

Also, this is not about being a money making venture - you'd need to sell thousands upon thousands of rolls for that - but just to be fair to the risk taker/dood doing the grunt work for the community.

 

[BradS]

What backing paper issues are there with 220 film? It does not have backing paper. Just a little strip at the beginning and at the end, that is in a place where the emulsion is not used.

It was just an example of an issue that turned out to be a massive reputation killer and headache. Not saying that same issue would affect 220. Some other issue could turn out to have similar results for the seller (eg you).

Also, this is not about being a money making venture - you'd need to sell thousands upon thousands of rolls for that - but just to be fair to the risk taker/dood doing the grunt work for the community.

Then why did you ask. Sell it at your cost as a public service.

 

[MattKing]

No. I've bought lots of photo stuff into the US, no customs.

If it is for resale, even at cost, it would attract duty.
So you need to factor in the possibility.
220 film is identical to 120, save and except for the leader, the trailer and the edge printing. There also might be a difference in anti-halation, depending on how the film is designed.
Together the leader and the trailer make up a fair bit of "backing" paper. In total, they are in contact with film at the beginning of the roll, film at the end of the roll and a bit of each of the first and last frames.

 

[OrientPoint]

Also, this is not about being a money making venture - you'd need to sell thousands upon thousands of rolls for that - but just to be fair to the risk taker/dood doing the grunt work for the community.

I'd take 10 rolls and be willing to pay a reasonable per-roll premium to cover packing and hassle. I think $10/roll would be quite reasonable (from the buyer's point of view at least).

 

[MattKing]

This sounds interesting and fun, but having to incur the costs and hassle of shipping the film on would deter me.
I do wish all who intend to participate good luck with this.
You might want to consider a bulk purchase of mailing supplies!

 

[foc]

It depends...but even if you did charge $16.20 per roll and sold every roll without any issues (image the mess you'd be in if there were a backing paper issue for example) you'd only net $810. Not really much profit for the effort and risk....and that's a best case scenario.

That would be a good mark up for resale of film normally (for a local distributor) but not if you have to import it, pack orders and then ship.
Since you are the seller, any problems or non delivery to the customer are your responsibility.
Then you have to factor in import customs and duty and then your resale tax liabilities (if any).

 

[Donald Qualls]

And this is why we have fewer and fewer photography resellers every year. If you aren't the size of B&H or Freestyle, you can't make enough at it to bother -- unless it's just a one-time, "so I can get some" deal. What was originally proposed was more along the lines of a group buy.

 

[Agulliver]

Flipping the question around, I doubt my spousal unit would let me.....but in theory knowing the time and effort needed to sell the films on including time at the post office (currently a nightmare as they're working reduced hours)....but also bearing in mind I am a kind soul who prefers to help than to make money....I would probably round up to $10 per roll if I were dealing in US$

 

[btaylor]

$10 a roll, 10 roll minimum, USPS priority mail small flat rate box ($8), no international. Ship all of the orders at once and look at it as an interesting project. Doubt the authorities would be an issue for such a small buy.
I wish I was interested, but 10-12 exposures is enough for me, 220 was great for weddings.

 

[PhotoJim]

I'd join into this group buy, if only I could get to my US PO box.

Here's hoping for others' benefit that it gets off the ground.

 

[Huss]

I think also everyone has to accept/assume the risk if there is a flaw with the film. Think of it as a grand experiment.

 

[peoplemerge]

I can do 10 rolls at $10 + shipping. I'm open to trade for some darkroom time in Hollywood.

 

[Huss]

I sent another email asking if they are ready to ship, if not, when. And also to Freestylephoto asking if they will be carrying it - and if so, when. Because they had mentioned that it will be distributed in the US. If distributors get it at the same time (or before!) me, then what's the point?! Unless there is a big price discrepancy.