No More Slavich Paper From Freestyle

MaximusM3 · Oct 27, 2011

Figures...it never fails. I've been printing more and more on Slavich paper and loving it for straight up b&w with no toning. Well, I was just informed by a rep at Freestyle, after placing order and finding out that they were short a couple of boxes, that they will no longer import the paper. Reason given: "too expensive to import in the US". Like Ralph Gibson once said, "If you don't like the look on Ilford paper...you can always print in Ilford paper." Not that there is anything wrong with Ilford paper but if I want good, graded silver bromide paper...well, that ain't Ilford..
This sucks!

Andrew Moxom · Oct 27, 2011

can empathize Max.... It does suck, especially as it is THE coldest tone paper available since Agfa Brovira :-(.... I just don't understand why they do not charge more for it based upon the import costs.... I have to believe the cost for the paper is not that great considering that so cheap to buy already... I'd gladly pay a bit more for this paper if it helped cover the import costs. :-( I mean, this and Emaks graded is the cheapest decent paper around.

MaximusM3 · Oct 27, 2011

Andrew Moxom said:
can empathize Max.... It does suck, especially as it is THE coldest tone paper available since Agfa Brovira :-(.... I just don't understand why they do not charge more for it based upon the import costs.... I have to believe the cost for the paper is not that great considering that so cheap to buy already... I'd gladly pay a bit more for this paper if it helped cover the import costs. :-( I mean, this and Emaks graded is the cheapest decent paper around.

I don't get it either, Andrew. I've asked about large special orders and the answer was NO. Which means that there may be more to the story. I would gladly pay more as well, as it is really good paper and there isn't anything else quite like it now.

holmburgers · Oct 27, 2011

Could you find another distributor?

There is a place called Laser Reflections in Poulsbo, WA that sells Slavich holography plates. Perhaps they could be enticed.

MaximusM3 · Oct 27, 2011

holmburgers said:
Could you find another distributor?

There is a place called Laser Reflections in Poulsbo, WA that sells Slavich holography plates. Perhaps they could be enticed.

Who knows...maybe someone may step up but if Freestyle can't make it happen, I doubt anyone else would even bother picking up distribution.

NB23 · Oct 27, 2011

If you don't like Ilford... try Ilford!

It's a mega Bummer. I simply can'T believe what is happening to photography. Quality going down, down, down and down.

AgX · Oct 27, 2011

The title of this thread is misleading.
It should be changed into something like "Freestyle no longer offers Slavich paper".

VaryaV · Oct 27, 2011

This is just f*** great! Six weeks of testing for a new project and I committed myself to using Slavich because of it's beautiful cold toned matte paper. Ordered boxes of both #2 and #3 from Freestyle this week. It would have been nice to know that, that was it. There is no way this will be enough to get me through the project and into the future.

It's not about the price it's about the quality and having choices. I can't use Ilford Galerie for everything, some projects require a different look. I don't like the Kentmere surface anywhere near as well as the Slavich and I won't use it, as those 2 are the only cold toned papers I know.

I agree with Andrew, I'll gladly pay more if that's what it comes down to. and I will get it shipped from overseas if I have to, just to have access to this paper.

Does anyone else have a source in the UK? I can't find anyone else in the US that stocks it.

MaximusM3 · Oct 27, 2011

VaryaV said:
This is just f*** great! Six weeks of testing for a new project and I committed myself to using Slavich because of it's beautiful cold toned matte paper. Ordered boxes of both #2 and #3 from Freestyle this week. It would have been nice to know that, that was it. There is no way this will be enough to get me through the project and into the future.

It's not about the price it's about the quality and having choices. I can't use Ilford Galerie for everything, some projects require a different look. I don't like the Kentmere surface anywhere near as well as the Slavich and I won't use it, as those 2 are the only cold toned papers I know.

I agree with Andrew, I'll gladly pay more if that's what it comes down to. and I will get it shipped from overseas if I have to, just to have access to this paper.

Does anyone else have a source in the UK? I can't find anyone else in the US that stocks it.

Tell me about it..I've settled on grade 2-3 and been testing it to taylor my negs to it and...poof. I have a stash but it will obviously not last forever. Unfortunately, no, there isn't anything like it and that really sucks. Simply saying I'll use Galerie or Foma, isn't going to cut it. It's like sprinkling Pecorino Romano on lasagna instead of Parmigiano Reggiano. Both taste good but it's not quite the way it should be

I would be happy to pay more and asked the wonderful rep at Freestyle if they would consider a large, pre-paid order. She said no, so obviously something else may be at the heart of the matter. I'm sure someone in Europe must have it.

VaryaV · Oct 27, 2011

Yes, hopefully one of our European Apuggers knows where and can send a link. I've had real good luck getting products shipped from the UK and they get here in the same amount of time.

Digitaltruth has the single-weight glossy in Grade#3 but I want the Double-weight matte. It's such a beautiful paper. A warm tone paper just won't work for this project.

oi

doughowk · Oct 27, 2011

Nice papers including bromportrait(?) The Unibrom definitely cool. AG Photo may be trying to carry it

Rudeofus · Oct 27, 2011

I have no experience with Slavich paper at all but just from looking at Slavich's web page, I have reason to believe that they sell their paper directly, too. Might at least be worth a try if you really need this paper and can't get it from local suppliers ...

Mark Fisher · Oct 27, 2011

Ouch...Slavich Unibrom has look for lith that is hard to duplicate. Fomabrom is in the ballpark, but I really prefer Slavich. Hopefully, I can find a source in Europe to ship it. I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising Russian starts (are they already?) selling it on ebay.

pentaxuser · Oct 27, 2011

AgPhotographic's site in the UK say it hopes to offer a range of Slavic paper. Matt at Ag is a very go-ahead guy. Maybe he will report on the latest status.

The implication of Freestyle's announcement is that the import cost has suddenly risen to the extent that importation is no longer viable. I wonder what has caused this change?

pentaxuser

VaryaV · Oct 27, 2011

Thanks for the links Doug and Rudeofus. I hope they do find a way to carry it. I use the Unibrom 160 - double-weight matte, haven't tried the BromPortrait paper. I'll keep checking with them, as Maximus says, there may be more to it, hopefully no more red flags.

They could make the cost up with the consumer.

VaryaV · Oct 27, 2011

Mark, it has already hit ebay.

MaximusM3 · Oct 27, 2011

VaryaV said:
Yes, hopefully one of our European Apuggers knows where and can send a link. I've had real good luck getting products shipped from the UK and they get here in the same amount of time.

Digitaltruth has the single-weight glossy in Grade#3 but I want the Double-weight matte. It's such a beautiful paper. A warm tone paper just won't work for this project.

oi

Varya,

As of today, Freestyle still had some good stock of 8x10 and 11x14 DW matte. Probably won't last long...

Max

VaryaV · Oct 28, 2011

Yes, I just found DigitalTruth has the double-weight matte today. I swear it wasn't there yesterday.

I am emailing them to find out if they will still be carrying it or if it's a run out not to be replaced thing like Freestyle. I have spent the entire day searching and no one in Europe can I find that carries it.

Their website has an email address to order but I won't give my cc info through an email.

Will keep posting any news. As of now, I have about enough stock to last 3 months.

Andrew Moxom · Oct 28, 2011

Looks like Digitaltruth is now carrying ALL glossy and matt Slavich papers. I just checked!! This must be a brand new arrangement. They have the 160 Unibrom in Matt/Glossy and the Bromportrait 80 as well! SWEEEEEEET!

VaryaV said:
Yes, hopefully one of our European Apuggers knows where and can send a link. I've had real good luck getting products shipped from the UK and they get here in the same amount of time.

Digitaltruth has the single-weight glossy in Grade#3 but I want the Double-weight matte. It's such a beautiful paper. A warm tone paper just won't work for this project.

oi

VaryaV · Oct 28, 2011

Andrew Moxom said:
Looks like Digitaltruth is now carrying ALL glossy and matt Slavich papers. I just checked!! This must be a brand new arrangement. They have the 160 Unibrom in Matt/Glossy and the Bromportrait 80 as well! SWEEEEEEET!

I just saw that too! I swear it wasn't on their site yesterday, this is fantastic news. I will post as soon as I get an email response of continuation.

Keep fingers crossed.

Thomas Bertilsson · Oct 28, 2011

Now there's good news! I had been contemplating Slavich Bromoportrait as a graded paper for some time.

- Thomas

brianmquinn · Oct 28, 2011

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that when you order from Digital Truth many (but not necessary all) of your items actually ship from Freestyle. Why else would they sell Legacy Pro items for the same price as Freestyle?

Michael W · Oct 29, 2011

brianmquinn said:
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that when you order from Digital Truth many (but not necessary all) of your items actually ship from Freestyle. Why else would they sell Legacy Pro items for the same price as Freestyle?

I bought some Varycon paper from DT earlier this year & it arrived in a Freestyle box with a Freestyle packing slip. Postage was cheaper than if I had bought direct from Freestyle! I assumed that DT was some kind of re-seller.
Hopefully with the Slavich they are stocking it as it would be frustrating to lose access to an interesting emulsion.

VaryaV · Oct 29, 2011

I had the same thoughts as well, that they were using Freestyle Distribution in NM. I suspect that may be the case because it doesn't make sense to me, why FS would discontinue it and DT would pick it up if it was based on cost entering the country... and no one in Europe seems to carry it that I can find (???).

I still have not received a reply on the email I sent yesterday. I hate to foot the cash right now as I have already spent to much this month at FS but I do need to have a stock of #2,#3 Unibrom to last me for some time. I just hate to be losing options for film/paper processing. It's getting depressing.

VaryaV · Oct 29, 2011

Sadly, it looks like this is it for the Slavich papers in the US..... Email received from Digitaltruth:

The availability is dependent on the importer bringing it in to the US. At this point I do not believe that it will continue to be imported, but there is no way to know for sure and the importer could also change.

Many thanks,

--Jon Mided

Managing Director
Digitaltruth Photo Ltd

No More Slavich Paper From Freestyle

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