No more Arista Premium 400? Hmm......

erikg · Feb 10, 2015

I wish there was a Kentmere 120 range.

heespharm · Feb 10, 2015

erikg said:
I wish there was a Kentmere 120 range.

Yeah why is that??

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cmacd123 · Feb 10, 2015

erikg said:
I wish there was a Kentmere 120 range.

+!

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 11, 2015

Xmas said:
Dead Link Removed

?

Ah!
Holga Direct is run by the same Ebay supplier I used. They're just a bit more expensive.
And now they are twice expensive. £20 for 5 rolls when last time I saw SHD100 2 less than 2 moths ago they were £20 for 10.

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 11, 2015

heespharm said:
Yeah why is that??

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As far as I know 135 and 120 have difference base thickness.
So, they have to be coated onto 2 different master rolls.

blockend · Feb 11, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
Sorry, I have bad news for you: the last time I saw Lucky SHD100 it was nearly £20 a brick.
The real bad news is that it is very difficult to find it now.
Rumour goes that it has been discontinued.
But, I haven't seen any official notification.

This is one of the cheapest you can find now: http://www.processuk.net/Fomapan_100_35mm_x_305m/p740597_12022375.aspx
Or http://www.processuk.net/Fomapan_100_135-36/p740597_12022352.aspx

That's interesting, I just checked my usual ebay supplier and they don't appear to be stocking any Lucky. The last block I bought had a problem with fogging, it took a little detective work because it coincided with buying new cameras and I thought it might be worn camera light seals, but in fact it was a film cassette manufacturing problem. The jaws of the felt light trap were bowed outward allowing light to enter which fogged the first eight or nine frames. I only realised when I couldn't get a cassette to lie in the camera properly, and when I checked every cassette in the batch had the same problem.

The previous batch had to be returned because of base fogging throughout, it looked as though it had been through a powerful X-Ray machine but at 100ASA it was more likely a manufacturing issue. My feeling is manufacturing standards had become progressively sloppy because I'd never had problems with Lucky film previously. It wouldn't be surprising to find they'd wound up the operation.

Thanks for the link re. Foma. On the topic, does anyone know a supplier of re-usable film cassettes? I threw my last batch away after they'd worn out.

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 11, 2015

Well, funnily enough I am reusing the Lucky cassettes. They have snap caps.
Try Process Supplies, Silverprint or Firstcall.
Firstcall has plastic cassettes as well as DX code labels.

You could also get a film retriever so you don't have to destroy normal cassettes when developing and leave a small amount of film at the end. This way you can re-use any commercial cassette.

erikg · Feb 11, 2015

heespharm said:
Yeah why is that??

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Because Kentmere is good film at a good price and it's nice to have the same film in both formats when you are teaching young people.

Xmas · Feb 11, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
Well, funnily enough I am reusing the Lucky cassettes. They have snap caps.
Try Process Supplies, Silverprint or Firstcall.
Firstcall has plastic cassettes as well as DX code labels.

You could also get a film retriever so you don't have to destroy normal cassettes when developing and leave a small amount of film at the end. This way you can re-use any commercial cassette.

Most mini labs will give you their discarded (Dx) cassettes free,
Most use an extractor to remove the film and cut the film leaving a cm or so sticking out.
You can butt this with your bulk film using pressure sensitive tape, and use an extractor when you have rewound.

Or buy plastic cassettes about 10 GBP for five in brick shops, no DX unless you buy the labels.

Or use concentrics many cameras had custom cassettes, e.g. even my Fed 2 had custom cassettes that will also fit many of the other FSU LTM cameras, there is a different model of cassette for Kievs that will also work in Contax II and IIa etc. the Zeiss equivalent is compatible with the Kievs as well.

Or use Lucky snap caps.

cmacd123 · Feb 11, 2015

I believe I have still seem the A_P metal cassettes still listed, in Plain (non DX) http://www.freestylephoto.biz/183125-Arista-35mm-Metal-Reloadable-Cartridge-25-pack but they may be old stock.

pbromaghin · Feb 11, 2015

blockend said:
Thanks for the link re. Foma. On the topic, does anyone know a supplier of re-usable film cassettes? I threw my last batch away after they'd worn out.

Freestyle and B&H have them. Stock looks low, though.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=35mm+cartridge

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=35mm+cassette&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

blockend · Feb 11, 2015

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Roger Cole · Feb 11, 2015

pbromaghin said:
Freestyle and B&H have them. Stock looks low, though.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=35mm+cartridge

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=35mm+cassette&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

They're not hard to get in North America but he's in northern England so I'm sure a UK or European source would be preferred.

They are light weight and not chemical though so ordering from the US is probably quite workable if not available there.

pbromaghin · Feb 11, 2015

I should pay more attention.

Xmas · Feb 11, 2015

blockend said:
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Silver print had plastic reloadables on self service last time I was there.
5x for 10£ though.
Calumet used to stock them try their web site.

blockend · Feb 12, 2015

I didn't know Lucky cassettes were flip top, I take mine off in a black bag with a bottle opener! I'll be more careful in future.

Xmas · Feb 12, 2015

blockend said:
I didn't know Lucky cassettes were flip top, I take mine off in a black bag with a bottle opener! I'll be more careful in future.

The Efke cassettes were(are) the same, if you inspect visually you can tell.
If they separate too easily in dark bag it is a clue, been there done that.
Really embarrassing too...

blockend · Feb 13, 2015

Having tried popping the tops off a Lucky cassette, I can only say you folks must have stronger finger nails than I! Even with a bottle opener the top peels reluctantly, and curls in the process. I'll pursue the alternatives.

Xmas · Feb 13, 2015

blockend said:
Having tried popping the tops off a Lucky cassette, I can only say you folks must have stronger finger nails than I! Even with a bottle opener the top peels reluctantly, and curls in the process. I'll pursue the alternatives.

Well they may not all be finished on the same machine, the Lucky one I had came off easy with finger nails but you need to squeeze gently as well, to reduce the tension on the end piece.

The alternate technique us to bang the spool end piece hard on a sold object, when the cap on the other end will fly off, this is not without risks in a dark room. And can be a worse problem if you drop one in daylight.

The Efke ones (I have) are perfectly serviceable for reuse, indeed you can buy empty metal cassettes with spring on end pieces, they may be easier than the plastic.

blockend · Feb 13, 2015

Xmas said:
Well they may not all be finished on the same machine, the Lucky one I had came off easy with finger nails but you need to squeeze gently as well, to reduce the tension on the end piece.

The alternate technique us to bang the spool end piece hard on a sold object, when the cap on the other end will fly off, this is not without risks in a dark room. And can be a worse problem if you drop one in daylight.

The Efke ones (I have) are perfectly serviceable for reuse, indeed you can buy empty metal cassettes with spring on end pieces, they may be easier than the plastic.

Lucky changed their film for a thinner, blank rebate type and it seems they redesigned their cassettes because the ones I have are certainly not recyclable. I remember varieties that did launch the caps with squeeze, but this isn't one. I'll track down some bayonet end reusable types or leave a piece of film leader in a conventional cassette.

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 13, 2015

All my SHD 100 "New" have pop-up caps. Some are more easy than others though.
Haven't tried the Colour ones.

Xmas · Feb 13, 2015

Lucky may have more then one factory or factory finishing lines

The crimped cassettes need a crimping machine and crimpable cassettes.
The spring end cassettes need a spring end finishing machine and spring end cassettes.

Though they could do the latter by hand easily, simple winder and reel of precut 36 exp loads.

blockend · Feb 13, 2015

All my recent Lucky B&W films have been pre-scratched, so although I like the overall look, I won't lament its passing if it has gone.

No more Arista Premium 400? Hmm......

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