Ilford Post Card paper will not be imported into Australia!

[Mick Fagan]

Ilford Post Card paper will not be imported into Australia!

That is the quote I received from the new Ilford distributor to Australia, C. R. Kennedy, on Friday the 24th of February.

The newly appointed distributors of Ilford products didn’t know too much about Ilford product. Which is reasonably understandable as their appointment, (from what I can understand) comes after the former Ilford Australia, closed up shop a short time ago.

Whatever, it appears that they have no intention at this stage, as there has been no demand for that particular line. When I pointed out that yes, Ilford UK pulled the product from the system years ago, due to lack of sales, but the new company, Harmon, had re-introduced it.

It then became apparent that the person whom I was talking to had a quick re-think, he enquired as to where my source of information came from, to which I replied Harmon in the UK, I was then asked for my phone number etcetera, so that he could, if new information became available, telephone me the news.

It appears that if we in Australia wish to avail ourselves of this interesting product, we have two options:-

One, we source it from overseas.

Two, we pursue C.R. Kennedy for the product.

If you go onto their website

www.crkennedy.com.au

You will see all manner of products listed but nothing about Ilford products. I thought this a bit strange, so I put in a search for Ilford and got zilch.

Sort of makes you wonder about their support for the product, eh?

I wonder if Simon from Harmon, is able to shed some light on this?

Mick.

 

[ras351]

I've been asking my local supplier to find out about the reintroduced Ilford postcard paper from C.R.Kennedys for the past couple of weeks but haven't heard anything yet. I'll add a bit more pressure when I see him next week as I also need to find out if Ilford 8x10 Ortho+ film is available here.

Unfortunately the problem in Australia isn't limited specifically to Ilford products. Things like ULF sized Ortho film from Bergger, certain Forte photographic papers, Kodak TXP in sheet film sizes, hobbyist sized quantities of some photographic chemicals, etc are impossible to source locally. I don't enjoy paying high overseas shipping costs for these sorts of items but the local distributors often leave me with little choice.

Roger.

 

[Changeling1]

Ilford- Where in the bloody hell are you?

 

[Aggie]

Sounds like we need to get a case of the stuff and send to the apuggers in Austrailia.

What else can apug do to help the Auzzies get their paper fix?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Quick, lets hear it folks.

Where is the Ilford bashing for ignoring all of the photographers in Australia?

Just kidding, but it does sound very ironic to me and a bit humorous.

PE

 

[ras351]

As of this morning I've given them another prod so we'll see what happens. Humorous may well turn out to be the minimum order requirement.

Roger.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Roger, did you telephone, or an email?

Was their answer, remotely positive?

Telephone calls may have more of an effect, especially if the same person answers all of the calls, from different parts of the country.

On the other hand, a myriad of emails could also have the same effect.

Mick.

 

[Mick Fagan]

PE, I thought my original posting was Ilford bashing.

Controlled polite, hopeing to get a positive result bashing.

Mick.

 

[ras351]

Roger, did you telephone, or an email?

Mick.

Hi Mick,

I walked into the shop and politely asked the guy behind the counter to chase it up (along with some 8x10 Ortho+) with the CR Kennedy rep. He's done it for me for years as I'm always after oddball items so I have confidence I'll get a definitive answer - it just may take him a few days to synchronise with the rep. I suspect availability will depend a lot on whether CR Kennedy's can special order it from the UK without a large minimum order. If not and it gets treated as an 'indent' item we'll probably have to beg Aggie or someone for some overseas help.

Roger.

 

[Bob F.]

Actually, I took it to be C. R. Kennedy bashing... It is not Ilford who is refusing to send it to Australia - I'm sure they would be only too happy for the money - it is the local distributor who says they will not stock it.

So, Mr. Irony is happily sitting back in his comfy fireside chair, relaxing with a nice single malt and a cigar with no intention of donning his hat and coat and exiting the house to do battle in the Australasian countryside.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Magpie]

Hi All,

Vanbar Sydney had a few boxes on the shelf today, from a previous shipment, I asked if they can get any more and the sales staff think it will be an 'indent' item - like my 5x7.

I asked them to try and get Kennedy's to bring it in 'on speck' - they will check and let me know.

Regards

Brendan

 

[Mick Fagan]

Bob F, you are correct!

Mick.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Reply From ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited Re :Australia

[Hi all,

Firstly I am really sorry for the delay in replying I have been at the Focus on Imaging Show, also I am only back a couple of weeks and then I am away for a couple of weeks on business, I will always reply but it may be a bit delayed:

CR Kennedy are our new distributor and they are a great company to work with and dedicated to ensuring the avialability of ILFORD Photo products in Australia.

The postcard pre orders ( it all had to be pre ordered ) missed the change from a stand alone company to the distributor, I will speak to them and see if we can do a small run for them..so it really is not anyones fault, I will look into it and try and ensure supply.

Once again sorry for the delay:

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[ras351]

Thanks Simon. It seems like we slipped through the gap. I heard back from my supplier late yesterday and the rep from CR Kennedy's didn't know anything about Postcard Paper. Could you post an update on this thread if it happens so we can follow it up?

For those curious with regards to Ortho+ film in sizes larger than 4x5 it can be ordered as an indent item. Unfortunately this means a ten box minimum before CR Kennedy's will place the order with Ilford so realistically unless you have a spare couple of thousand dollars it's an import or go with the Maco/Bergger alternatives. Note the Bergger film will need to be imported anyway as the previous importer appears to have dropped this line but 8x10 Maco film is available from Vanbar.

Roger.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Thank you Simon.

Hopefully we can purchase Postcard paper. I used to use it often, but the supply dried up about 6 -7 years ago.

Last night I used up my remaining stock for the current postcard round, so that's it from me.

Mick.