Market for Agfa APX Film

roteague · Jul 11, 2006

I've heard a lot of people talking about getting Agfa APX Film. Is there a market for APX 100 or APX 400, or is it just the APX25?

Paul Sorensen · Jul 12, 2006

roteague said:
I've heard a lot of people talking about getting Agfa APX Film. Is there a market for APX 100 or APX 400, or is it just the APX25?

There is a pretty good market for APX 100 in 120. Or any of it in sheet film. In 35mm it has been pretty easy to come by so for now the prices seem to be staying down.

George Papantoniou · Jul 12, 2006

What do you mean ? Do you intend to buy a big stock and then speculate ? I guess that if you have something like 100 grand to invest now, you can get a few rolls at about 2 euros/roll and later (in a couple of years) sell them with a 50-60% profit. This is not bad, considering the state the world markets are in recently...

Kevin Caulfield · Jul 12, 2006

Why do you ask, Robert? Do you have access to some APX? I would think that most interest would be primarily in the 25, followed by the 100 and then the 400.

Didzis · Jul 12, 2006

35mm APX 100 often come up at German eBay, at about EUR 2 a roll. If you like the film, you might stock up, but I don't think that it there will be large demand for it once the supply dries up. There definitely is market for APX 25, but that is because there are not that many slow speed films around. ISO 100 films, however, are much more common, so people would probably rather switch than buy film for two or three times the price of easily available similar film. At least I plan to switch once my stock is gone. APX 100 in 120 format seems to be pretty popular, which beats me, as Rollei Retro 100 is pretty similar, if not identical, and available at much better prices. Probably the Agfa name has enough sentimental value that people are willing to pay too much. I really haven't seen much demand for APX 400, although you could start some marketing hype; the film was featured in 2005 film "Capote", where it was used by a fashion photographer who made some really beautiful images of criminals with it. So if you sell it on eBay, you might add in bold letters "Shoot like Richard Avedon in Capote did! Use Agfa 400!"

JLP · Jul 12, 2006

APX100 is still available in some Danish photo stores but haven't seen the APX25
Luckily i have a good stach of 400 and 100's in 120 but no 25 unfortunately.
Would love to get my hands on some 4X5 but guess that is to late now

df cardwell · Jul 12, 2006

For APX 100 fans, it comes down to the color rendition more than anything else: it is totally different from the other 100 films. When it is gone, a unique palette is gone. It would be like losing Velvia, and having to shoot any of the other E-6 films.

But there aren't many discerning portrait shooters dallying with film, and fewer that have gone beyond Kodak or Ilford. So, I'd say there aren't many photographers who want it, and those that do are serious enough about it to have stocked up.

APX 25 has been absent so long, we've learned to do without.

APX 400 filled a valuable niche, but it's most recent formulation rendered it impractical to use with Rodinal... besides, its users were pretty discerning, and I don't think there are many shooters left who care about the delicacy of 400 film's grain !

BWGirl · Jul 12, 2006

Hey Robert!
Yep, I think there is a market for APX 100. I personally love the stuff, and horde the few meager rolls I have in 120. :rolleyes: I will miss it sorely when I have no more.

Amund · Jul 12, 2006

BWGirl said:
Hey Robert!
Yep, I think there is a market for APX 100. I personally love the stuff, and horde the few meager rolls I have in 120. :rolleyes: I will miss it sorely when I have no more.

Then buy Rollei Retro 100, it is APX 100.

JLP · Jul 12, 2006

Only problem is where to find the Rollei Retro in the US (120 or 4X5) none of the big suppliers seems to have it in stock.

Ole · Jul 12, 2006

I've got two rolls left of the 20 I bought to fill out an order of sheet film (13x18cm and 6.5x9cm - that's why I bought it).

When those rolls are gone, I'll go back to Ilford FP4+. Same with the sheet films - I prefer FP4+, but for a while it was impossible to find in those sizes.

roteague · Jul 12, 2006

Kevin Caulfield said:
Why do you ask, Robert? Do you have access to some APX? I would think that most interest would be primarily in the 25, followed by the 100 and then the 400.

Mainly just curious. I was at a local photo store yesterday, which is owned by an APUG member, and she had a nice stock of APX 100 and APX 400 in 35mm (not sure about 120).

It is a nice little store, she sells mainly B&W papers and films (up to 4x5) for the local colleges. I try to buy what I can from her, she also sell equipment on consignment.

I was also wondering about some cheaper B&W paper. She sells both Ilford and Gecko (Mitsubishi), but the Gecko paper is no longer going to be available. She needs a cheap paper as a replacement, and is looking for a wholesale account.

Paul Sorensen · Jul 12, 2006

roteague said:
I was also wondering about some cheaper B&W paper. She sells both Ilford and Gecko (Mitsubishi), but the Gecko paper is no longer going to be available. She needs a cheap paper as a replacement, and is looking for a wholesale account.

Robert, in addition to the PM I just sent you, have her check with Freestyle, they wholesale Kentmere and Foma, perhaps others. I don't know about their prices.

pentaxuser · Jul 12, 2006

For APX 100 fans, it comes down to the color rendition more than anything else: it is totally different from the other 100 films. When it is gone, a unique palette is gone.

df. I realise this could be the start of another thread but could you or anyone else in the know describe the colour rendition which sets it apart from say Ilford Delta or FP4. APX is still available in the UK, mainly 400 but 100 can be found and I'd like to hear what it gives that other films don't.

I hope this doesn't sound like a challenge. It isn't. I'd like to be enlightened.

Thanks

pentaxuser

david b · Jul 13, 2006

I have about 100 rolls of 120.

Kevin Caulfield · Jul 13, 2006

I have about 20 rolls of 120 of both the 100 and the 25.

Fotohuis · Jul 13, 2006

Rollei/Maco bought the whole APX (raw material) stock when Agfa Photo went down. It's available under Rollei Retro 100/400 in 35mm and 120 roll film only.
It seems to be a rather huge stock, specially the Rollei Retro 100 version but at the end it's going out of stock of course.

These films can not be replaced but you can look in alternatives like FP4+, Fomapan 100 and for the APX400 the Fomapan 400.

Market for Agfa APX Film

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