Obtaining / buying 120 / 220 rollfilm

tgale

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Oct 30, 2008
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Rijnsburg, T
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It really can be a problem getting rollfilm in some places so I hear - and here in the Netherlands it is. You get quoted a typically 3-week delivery period, and then go back to the shop only to find that it's going to be another 2 weeks, etc., etc., etc.
So why is it that on our frequent vacations to our place in the Swiss Alps (the village of Wengen, in the Jungfrau region) I can order film both Ilford and Kodak etc. from the local shop "Photo Fritz" and he can get it within 3 - 4 days? Well, demand you might say, given the wonderfully photogenic Alpine views... Now, where do you think this film is imported from? Why, no other place than where I live in the Netherlands!!!
Anyone any idea why this should be the case?
 

DanielStone

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it depends on customs for your country, stock available from the distributors(many photographic companies have a middle-man between the store selling and the company making). Also, the speed on how fast the order is phoned in to the distributor, company direct, etc....

some companies, such as here in the US, Kodak in particular, you have to have a minimum order amount ($ wise at least) when you order from them as a retailer.

having worked in a retail job selling photo supplies and film all day long, I feel your pain. I had customers who shot 8x10 and 5x7 TMAX and Portra (not normally stocked items at the store, but S/O), and it would take usually 4-5 weeks or so. Generally, they were ok with it, cause they were ordering a lot of film at a time. Especially the 5x7 color neg. That stuff was hard to get.

-Dan
 

DanielStone

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my next suggestion would be to look at freestyle photographic. they're super quick, prices are almost unbeatable, and they are great people to order from! many people on this forum (myself included) use them regularly.

in this current economy, I try to support my local shops as well, cause I hate to see any business go under. you might want to talk to your local shops and tell them your plight. Your words might fall on listening ears, you never know.

www.freestylephoto.biz

-Dan
 

Aurum

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Supply and demand, one suspects.
For instance I live in a suburb of Birmingham that is known for its slavish adoption of all flashy trinkets. Call it digital camera central. I can walk two minutes from where I work, and buy 120 off the shelf at my Local jessops.
Not as cheap as internet, but available. Speed of purchase depending on how many people are in there printing Digital
In fact I did this today, on my lunchbreak. HP5 in 120, one roll, £5 (oh and a 35mm roll of Tri-X to go with it for a further fiver. )
Well I've got some Goths to shoot in Whitby at the weekend.

Well it is Halloween, and the vampires will be out and about
 

Aurum

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For Mainland Europe, or EEA I'd suggest Macodirect, or Silverprint.
Freestyle are excellent in the US marketplace, but the postage is a killer outside of the 50 states
 

Anon Ymous

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Aurum said:
For Mainland Europe, or EEA I'd suggest Macodirect, or Silverprint.
Freestyle are excellent in the US marketplace, but the postage is a killer outside of the 50 states
Click to expand...

Plus, you may or may not need to pay import duties + VAT on top. Ouch!
 

Larry.Manuel

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Private storehouse.

>You get quoted a typically 3-week delivery period, .... only to find that it's going to be another 2 weeks,

Same story here in eastern Ontario, Canada. We're about 10 km from the USA border, and it is not practical to order film from Freestyle etc, unless it's a $200 order. So I run my own tiny warehouse, keeping a supply of film [and all other supplies] on hand. Enough to last me several months.
 

MartinP

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I'm also in NL. Go with the recommendations above of Macodirector or Fotoimpex in Germany, Silverprint in the UK or Fotohuisrovo in NL.

If you visit Grobet in Antwerp, or a couple of places in the west of NL (or make an appointment at Fotohuis), then you can pick up almost anything you need without the four-day delivery delay from the postal places.
 

Rolleijoe

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Dec 16, 2004
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S.E. Texas
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Aurum said:
I can walk two minutes from where I work, and buy 120 off the shelf at my Local jessops. Not as cheap as internet, but available. HP5 in 120, one roll, £5 (oh and a 35mm roll of Tri-X to go with it for a further fiver.)
Click to expand...

WOW! 5 quid for a roll of HP5+ in 120??? and another for a 35 roll of Tri-X??
I was considering buying my own film for a trip to Scotland next year, but at those prices, I'll risk the X-ray machines and bring it with me. I'm floored.
 

mexico531

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Aug 27, 2009
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Leeds, Engla
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I feel for all those of you who have trouble getting your 120 film. I can nip down to the city centre here in Leeds, and go into my favourite camera shop and get whatever I want straight off the shelf, for less than £5.00 a roll - and I can park almost outside the door.
 

Tom Kershaw

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