Perceptol lives! [And more news from Ilford representative!]

[Ralf]

That's wonderful news!

Reading the posts made after Simon's announcement regarding the postcards, I can't help but visualise that Santa Claus has moved from the North Pole to Cheshire, pulling a brand new pack of poscard paper out of his sack in front of a group of B&W enthusiasts

Can't wait to see the postcards in the shops again, seems like a perfect instrument to spread the idea of analog photography.

 

[haris]

I hope Simon and Ilford Hartman will not shoot me for this, but

I have 5 postcard, 10x15cm, made by Konica with place for adress and stamp on one side, and other side is self adhesive. So, you make your print on your regular photo paper and simply "glue" it on that postcard. Only, I am not shure will glue hold that print or it will fall off during mail transport, I never tried those self adhesive postcards...

 

[Marco S.]

Fantastic news, I've never had the chance to try the postcard papers, I can't wait to try it. Thank you for your continued commitment to us!

I too have never tried the Postcard paper, but look forward to it's arrival. May I also echo everyone's thanks and appreciation for listening to our requests. I also will do my part in supporting Ilford, who values it's customers!

Best Wishes,

Marco

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Let's put our money where our mouth is. We yelled and screamed for "postcards" and Ilford heard us. Now lets go out and order some. It's not a product I've ever used before.... and I'm not sure how I'll make my prints since I only shoot 8x10... but I did order a package yesterday. And I plan to use it up.
-Rob Skeoch

 

[Aggie]

B&H sells the sticky back paper that turns photos into postcards. It is extremely expensive at $5.00 + for 15 sheets of it compared to $18 for 100 sheets of which the postcard stock use to cost me. Then you still have to pay for the photo paper that you stick on the backs of it. It was a hassel and I still have the orginal 4 packs I purchased.

Long Live the postcard stock!

 

[Andy K]

I'm guessing word is getting around. This thread now has 12,200 odd views!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Let's put our money where our mouth is. We yelled and screamed for "postcards" and Ilford heard us. Now lets go out and order some. It's not a product I've ever used before.... and I'm not sure how I'll make my prints since I only shoot 8x10... but I did order a package yesterday. And I plan to use it up.
-Rob Skeoch

It's easiest to make postcards with a neg that doesn't require any manipulation, so if you only shoot a larger format, then dupe a finished print onto a smaller format and make the postcards from the smaller format neg. In the unlikely but I suppose possible event that you own only an 8x10" camera and don't have an enlarger, you could make the dupe with the 8x10" camera so that the image on film is the size of a postcard, cut down the neg, and contact print the cards.

 

[Fintan]

I cant wait to get my hands on this paper, I almost bid $45 for a box on ebay a few days ago. I've a rush of ideas in my notebook already

I'd love to see some creative Photographers embrace these postcards like they do various polaroid products.

Laminating a photo doesnt excite me at all though.

 

[noblebeast]

Let's put our money where our mouth is. We yelled and screamed for "postcards" and Ilford heard us. Now lets go out and order some. It's not a product I've ever used before.... and I'm not sure how I'll make my prints since I only shoot 8x10... but I did order a package yesterday. And I plan to use it up.
-Rob Skeoch

How about this idea: contact print a whole 8X10 negative onto several sheets of postcard paper at once. Then you can send the parts out to people who will collect each one until they can assemble the complete image, kinda like a puzzle. It would be like a do-it-yourself collage, or something like that. I dunno, it has possibilities...

Joe

 

[gnashings]

This postcard business sounds wonderful - as soon as some arrives here, I am buying some. Hopefully it will be in time to send some for Christmas...
Still no Perceptol at my local Henry's, but I am sure its just the store - they are not exactly on the cutting edge, being out here in the boonies...

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Still no Perceptol at my local Henry's, but I am sure its just the store - they are not exactly on the cutting edge, being out here in the boonies...[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure about Henry's in Oakville, but Burlington Camera has been stocking it. They did mention that it's now only available by the case so maybe Henry's doesn't think they can move enough.
-Rob Skeoch

 

[nihraguk]

I fully intend to get myself a pack of the postcard paper once it becomes available locally. I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping that it will be.

 

[pentaxuser]

100% - you got it in one! It's the right size, on the heavier Portfolio paper and has printing on the back for the address etc...

Cheers, Bob.

Bob and others on the thread.

I am no great shakes as a web searcher but it seems as if Calumet in the U.S. still has boxes of 50 sheets at 11x14 inches. Silverprint in the U.K. still seems to show it in most sizes except postcard. Unfortunately with Silverprint you cannot proceed to the buy and checkout sections which is usually where you can find out if it is not in fact in stock.

So, are there stockists who still have Portfolio?

Is Ilford going to re-introduce the postcard size only which is 4x6 inches, I think.

If so when do we get to know the price?

I appreciate that Portfolio is heavier by a factor of about 30% and there may be other cost factors in its production but certainly to go by Silverprint prices it looks to be at least a 100% more expensive than the comparable size of multigrade RC. Mathers sells( presumably at a profit) a box of 5x7 multigrade at under £10. Can we expect slightly smaller paper than 5x7 albeit with a postcard backing to be say 50% more expensive? Or should we expect it to be more expensive by a much higher order of magnitude?

Has Ilford given any thought to producing a standard 8x10 size or even better 8 x 12. This allows for 4 sheets of 4x6 per sheet or sizes in between. OK we'd need to cut it ourselves but most who would buy this paper probably have or would buy cutters.

Admittedly this leaves the issue of the postcard backing but supplying postcard backing sheets could solve this and still allow the benefits of larger prints for other special occasions.

If there were economies of scale to producing larger sheets then both Ilford and its customers might jointly benefit in terms of profit and prices.

Just some thoughts.

Pentaxuser

 

[Bob F.]

Portfolio is available in all the usual sizes including 8x10 if you want to go down that route and save some cash. It was only the Postcard stock that was discontinued and is now being re-introduced. Postcards have to be a certain size: 5x7 will be too large to qualify for the special postage rates in some countries (not the UK as there is no longer a special postcard rate).

Bottom line is that Ilford are re-introducing it. Only Ilford can say how much it will cost. If it turns out to be too expensive, then anyone is free to buy plain vanilla 8x10 and cut it down...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Andy K]

Was Christmas shopping this morning and decided to pop into my local Jessops and grab a bulk roll of HP5+. On the offchance I checked out their paper shelf. Found the attached lurking at the back of the shelf! Ok, it's been hanging around a while, and it may be useless, but then it might be perfectly good. And it would've been a crime to leave it languishing, right?

 

[mikeg]

That's even cheaper than the one I got in Hereford Jessops last month. Time to wend your way over here (there was a url link here which no longer exists) Andy!

Cheers

Mike

 

[haris]

B&H sells the sticky back paper that turns photos into postcards. It is extremely expensive at $5.00 + for 15 sheets of it compared to $18 for 100 sheets of which the postcard stock use to cost me. Then you still have to pay for the photo paper that you stick on the backs of it. It was a hassel and I still have the orginal 4 packs I purchased.

Long Live the postcard stock!

Agree, as I said me too never used those 5 back papers I have...

If my suplier of Ilford products will have postcard paper, I am ready to include atleast one box in my next Ilford material order too

 

[Simon R Galley]

A Quick Note From Simon

Firstly, must not forget my manners, thanks to Mark for todays postcard, the first glossy one I have had and it held up well in the post, again another nice image.

I think its already cleared up ( thanks ) but all PORTFOLIO papers from ILFORD up to the really big sizes remain available, it was the postcards only that were pulled ( and of course are now reinstated ) to check any ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology product go to ILFORD.com click on the flashing ikon on the right hand side, scroll down to Product Availability List (PAL) and you can check all the products.

I was amused by the 10x8 negative to postcard debate, and before anyone even think of asking the answer is NO: I preferred the jigsaw idea....

Kind Regards

Simon.

 

[pentaxuser]

Was Christmas shopping this morning and decided to pop into my local Jessops and grab a bulk roll of HP5+. On the offchance I checked out their paper shelf. Found the attached lurking at the back of the shelf! Ok, it's been hanging around a while, and it may be useless, but then it might be perfectly good. And it would've been a crime to leave it languishing, right?

Lucky man! At this firesale price, it suggests that Jessops will soon have TV adverts like Kodak. Keep It Digital, Keep It Jessops to simply vary the brand name. No reason why it shouldn't be good.

Pentaxuser

 

[eggshell]

Hi again Simon,

This may be a little off topic. Since many of us travel places to shoot, do you know for sure if films are safe under airport x ray (old & modern machines)? Have you ever done x ray tests with your films before? You're the man in a film factory, so perhaps you know more than anyone of us. You will be forgiven if you have no answers or advice for us.

 

[markbb]

That's even cheaper than the one I got in Hereford Jessops last month. Time to wend your way over here
Mike

Ah, Hereford's Jessops. As I come from Hereford I visit quite often. This summer I found the Jessops shop and went in...

Me. "Can I have some FP4."
Spotty Kid: "Yes sir, how many"
Me. "1 box please of 10x8."
SK. "10x8? Ah you mean paper, it's behind you on the shelfs"
Me. "No, I mean a box of 10x8 FP4 film please."
SK. "Sir, Ilford don't make film that big. What would you want it for anyway?"
Me. "To take photographs?"
SK. Looking flustered, but you couldn't fit it in the camera..."
Someone's Mum: "Can I help?"
Me. "Yes, I wondered if you have any FP4 sheet film in stock. 10x8"
SM. "10 x 8?"
Me. "yes"
SM "What's sheet film?"
Me "film in a sheet as opposed to a roll"
SM "oh......"
finally....
Old Geezer: "Sir, we stopped selling sheet film a long time ago, there's no demand"
Me "Well I want some!"
OG. "I know. I used to shoot Large Format too". (horray, someone who knows!!). "But I've not done it for ages. Had to sell everything when we moved, there's no room in the new place or a darkroom"
Me "I see. Never mind, at least someone here knows what I'm talking about"

 

[Andy K]

I have had similar conversations in Jessops regarding Ilford chemicals, film and paper usually with "Ilford are in receivership at the moment and not making anything..." thrown in for good measure.
When I bought that box of postcards last week I asked if they would order more in for me, they refused and would not believe Ilford planned to reintroduce it. If Jessops don't know the true situation at Mobberley maybe Ilford should give Jessops a kick up the backside and show them exactly what IS being produced by mailing out a list of available materials to all branches of Jessops.
Unless you want to wait a few weeks it really is getting difficult to buy traditional materials, is it any wonder people assume you can't buy film anymore when shops like Jessops are telling people the wrong thing?

 

[FrankB]

There's little on show in Jessops now that I can't get cheaper in PC World (let alone online). Film stocks are way down with a few rolls of 135 and little (if any) 120.

Any meagre trad photo supplies are kept in the back room to give more space to displays of overpriced scanners, memory cards, cables and software. Requests for non-digital products have been met with a weary sigh, a roll of the eyes and a reluctant trudge into the back room.

They wonder why there's no demand?! Possible because we'd like to browse through goods on display and deal with people who think of us as customers rather than nuisances

On a more positive note, at least this has given Jessops PFY staff a chance to broaden their skills - whereas they used to merely be ignorant on the subject of photography, now they can be ignorant about computers too!

<rant mode disengaged>

 

[Aggie]

Near me, on the outskirts of nowhere, there is a small old Mormon pioneer town. The only reason it remained in a living state is that it sits on top of a highway that just one hour south is the main entrance to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. One hour North is Bryce canyon. One hour East is Lake Powell. Less than One hour West is Zion National Park. Kanab is nothing more than a bump in the road with a few motels, and resturants catering to the tourist trade. Surprisingly it has one hole in the wall shop for photography. You have to search through their stacks of cameras to find digital. The wife of the owner also has part of the place taken over for her Harps and music. YET they prominently display the Ilford sign. They don't carry such things as paper, but you can get film from 35mm up to 8x10. For me it is closer than going to Vegas to Casey's (which is a ok photo store). I was so spoiled by Looking Glass in Berkeley. I really do miss you tomtom and your store.

 

[mikeg]

Ah, Hereford's Jessops. As I come from Hereford I visit quite often. This summer I found the Jessops shop and went in...

I only go down to Hereford 4 or 5 times a year as Shrewsbury is closer to me, but I usually go into Jessops for a laugh. Their very tiny store of paper and chemicals is now under the counter and not even on full display. However, they did have a fridge still in the back corner with a couple of rolls of Velvia and Kodak HIE along with what looked like one box of Velvia 4x5. As you said though I doubt if most of the staff knew what that stuff in the fridge was! The other shop in Hereford, Melgrays is slightly better, quite a lot of second hand cameras and mainly Paterson chemicals.

Jessops do seem to be clearing out their darkroom stuff now, I presume for good, so it may be worth popping into your local branch and seeing what they've got. Recently, I've been in Hereford, Shrewsbury and Worcester branches and they've all got darkroom stuff on sale. Worcester had 20% off paper and chemicals and I was tempted by an LPL 12x16 masking frame in Shrewsbury for 12 pounds but I think I'll save up for an RRB one.

Cheers

Mike