Seeing If Kentmere 200 Is Any Good...

[Andrew O'Neill]

What developing time did you use for Xtol R in all of those films? I have not found a satisfactory time yet.

Craig, I used: K100 9min; K200 8.5min; K400 9.5min. 3min prebath

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@John Wiegerink I'll probably pick up a box of assorted Timbits. Just pop them in your mouth and go!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@retina_restoration great idea! I will definitely compare Tri-X and K400.

 

[retina_restoration]

@retina_restoration great idea! I will definitely compare Tri-X and K400.

Great, I look forward to that! Thanks.

 

[Craig]

@retina_restoration Yes, it definitely seems like Kodak is in an aggressive strategy to undercut the competition right now. 35mm prices are even closer together. But I assume in Europe (and possibly Canada) things are different.

In Canada right now,
for 35mm: 120:
Tri X: $16.00 $18.49
K200: $9.99 (all speeds) $8.99
HP5: $12.98 $13.29

In 120, Kodak is twice the price of Kentmere.

 

[loccdor]

@Craig Wow, yes completely different situation!

 

[retina_restoration]

In Canada right now,
for 35mm: 120:
Tri X: $16.00 $18.49
K200: $9.99 (all speeds) $8.99
HP5: $12.98 $13.29

In 120, Kodak is twice the price of Kentmere.

Ouch!!

 

[Craig]

@Craig Wow, yes completely different situation!

It is, TMX is $22 a roll. In colour, Portra 400 is $26 a roll and Portra 800 is $32. (All 120 size)

Kodak is expensive in Canada.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Not really ouch if you prefer Ilford
My local shop has a decent stock of Ilford.

 

[GregY]

Ouch!!

RR.... Those prices Craig mentioned are in Canadian $$... (1 USD = 1.38 CAD today)

 

[Craig]

RR.... Those prices Craig mentioned are in Canadian $$... (1 USD = 1.38 CAD today)

Although the Kentmere prices are in line, as $7 USD ~ $9.65 CAD for a roll of 120, and my local store has Kentmere 120 for $8.99 CAD. So slightly cheaper to buy Kentmere in Canada, but not a large difference.

Kodak pricing shows the large discrepancy across the border though, although Kodak has been more expensive than Ilford in Canada for decades.

 

[retina_restoration]

Not really ouch if you prefer Ilford
My local shop has a decent stock of Ilford.

As I said earlier, since 2020 I’ve been buying mostly Ilford films because they were far more affordable than Kodak. But this year, that’s no longer the case.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Perhaps the reason that Kodak films have always been expensive up here is because there is no Canadian supplier, unlike Ilford. Correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[GregY]

Perhaps the reason that Kodak films have always been expensive up here is because there is no Canadian supplier, unlike Ilford. Correct me if I'm wrong...

Andrew I wondered that as well, as the distributor always takes a cut. To me there's not much logic as Amplis distributes Ilford film in Canada. Kodak Alaris (USA) distributes Kodak film yet i can buy it from the B&H for 1/3rd less than it costs me in Canada. But i'll happily buy Ilford at the price difference

 

[retina_restoration]

Perhaps the reason that Kodak films have always been expensive up here is because there is no Canadian supplier, unlike Ilford. Correct me if I'm wrong...

The last time I bought 120 format Tri-X in Canada was in Toronto, in 1994, and at that time it was $4.25 a roll. My subconscious still thinks that's the price I'd find if I walked into Vistek today!

 

[GregY]

The last time I bought 120 format Tri-X in Canada was in Toronto, in 1994, and at that time it was $4.25 a roll. My subconscious still thinks that's the price I'd find if I walked into Vistek today!

Long ago......film prices make me happy that I'm not a motordrive user.

 

[MattKing]

Kodak Moments buys the raw film stock from Eastman Kodak and then cuts, spools, boxes, brands, and distributes it under the Kodak Professional and Kodak Gold labels."

Almost totally incorrect.
Kodak Moments is the division of Kodak Alaris that deals with Kodak still films.
In essence, they are what is left of the remnant of the majority of Eastman Kodak's still film business infrastructure that was jettisoned and sold off as part of Eastman Kodak's bankruptcy.
They order from Eastman Kodak, who slit, edge print, cut, perforate or mate with backing paper, brand and box the film ordered by Kodak Alaris.
Then Kodak Alaris, through the Kodak Moments division, distributes the film to local distributors around the world, who in turn supply local retailers.
Kodak Alaris also provides the central website resources with things like datasheets and promotional brochures.
The issue with Canada probably relates to there being no local distributor who buys the sort of volumes that fuel the lower prices from places like B&H. That and the fact that the number of end customers and retailers here is relatively tiny. In addition, at least until recently, the big US retailers had little difficulty selling directly into the Canadian market, frequently at retail prices as low or lower than the distributor's wholesale prices for the small volumes that Canadian retailers want to buy..