Special Order Ilford Film in 3 1/4 x 4 1/4??

[ineffablething]

Does anybody know why Ilford isn't offering HP5 (or even FP4) in 3 1/4 by 4 1/4?? I would buy a shitload and lots of people have cameras in this size. Is it too late to get Ilford to cut film in this size? Anyone know??

William

 

[matt miller]

A few months back when J&C were taking orders for the big TMY run, 3x4 was one of the options. I ordered only 200 sheets, hoping that it would become a stock item. It was not one of the popular sizes though, and will not. I'll have to be picky about what I spend my little stash on. I have heard rumors about J&C 400 coming in 3x4. I seem to remember that John told me it would be ordered when the 200 was gone. That was a while back though.

 

[waynecrider]

I only ordered two boxes of the Tmax, so I guess I'll have to cut some TRiX. I think keeping some 400 speed in stock would be smart, but who knows how many are shooting the format. I just called this last week about the J&C 200 but no word yet.

 

[ineffablething]

Well, when you're shooting graflexes handheld,400 speed is mighty handy. I had some of the Photo Warehouse stuff, but I ran out. I had initally bought 1000 sheets. All good things must come to an end, I guess.

 

[Oren Grad]

They didn't offer it because they didn't hear enough people asking for it, I'm sure. There's no reason we can't ask them to create a catalog number for the next round. Then, if they get enough orders they'll cut it, and if not, they won't.

I ended up ordering some 3.25x4.25 TMY, but if Ilford can be talked into listing this size as an option for the next round, I would order some HP5 Plus.

 

[ineffablething]

Who can I talk to I wonder, at Ilford or anywhere else?

 

[Dave Parker]

Who can I talk to I wonder, at Ilford or anywhere else?

One of the Illford guys posts here quite often, I am sure when he pops in, he will see this thread and respond.

Dave

 

[Simon R Galley]

The ILFORD photo man popped in

Hi

We have just been through a huge ULF film process, whereby we are in the process of making what has been requested, and advanced orders : Next time
around request the size and if we get enough orders we will make it, to be honest it was not one that had been requested :

Sorry we could not help this time around

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

 

[bill schwab]

We have just been through a huge ULF film process...

Music to the ears.

Thank you,

Bill

 

[Curt]

I posted a request for PanF in 2 1/4 3 1/4 to Ilford on the Ilford web site. I am anticipating a favorable reply. There needs to be a consistent supply of a fine grain slow speed film in the smaller sheet film sizes. It would be the first real step forward in medium format sheet film in a long long time. It's not that a new film must be developed and produced but that the existing film be cut to size and packaged. Even that is being done with the current HP5.

I think it would be a smart to cover a slow speed and a high speed in 2x3 and 3x4 sizes. More and more of these format cameras are being used and the interest is increasing.

I check JandC from time to time but a limited purchase one time a year is not what I would consider a reliable source.

If Ilford fills steps up it would be a boon for the community.

Curt

 

[Ole]

... I think it would be a smart to cover a slow speed and a high speed in 2x3 and 3x4 sizes. ...

And 6.5x9cm and 9x12cm.

 

[Curt]

Absolutely, I forgot the CM sizes, 6.5x9cm and 9x12cm. They complete the group and would be a solid lineup.

C

 

[MenacingTourist]

And 6.5x9cm and 9x12cm.

Amen!

 

[Ole]

Amen!

And that vote of confidence gives me the confidence to mention 24x30cm yet again, even if it isn't exactly "small"...

 

[avandesande]

Hopefully next time around it won't be a call for 'ULF film sizes' but for custom film sizes, that will include everyone.

 

[cdholden]

I think it would be a smart to cover a slow speed and a high speed in 2x3 and 3x4 sizes. More and more of these format cameras are being used and the interest is increasing.
Curt

Curt,
I suggest you check your resources. The rest of the world says film is dead.
</sarcasm>
-Chris

 

[Oren Grad]

Hopefully next time around it won't be a call for 'ULF film sizes' but for custom film sizes, that will include everyone.

That's basically what it was this time too. I asked for HP5 Plus in 6.5x8.5 and 2.25x3.25, and they ended up accepting orders for both. I think you just need to be paying very close attention, and speak up. Again, I think the key to having any particular format available next time is for enough of us to ask for it, and to follow up with actual orders if/when they provide a catalog number.

 

[sanderx1]

I posted a request for PanF in 2 1/4 3 1/4 to Ilford on the Ilford web site. I am anticipating a favorable reply. There needs to be a consistent supply of a fine grain slow speed film in the smaller sheet film sizes. It would be the first real step forward in medium format sheet film in a long long time. It's not that a new film must be developed and produced but that the existing film be cut to size and packaged. Even that is being done with the current HP5.

Curt

I though Ilford had said several times that they weren't making Pan F into a sheet film as they didn't think there was enough demand to warrant developing it and coating it on a different, sheet film compatible base? Or did this change lately?

 

[Simon R Galley]

I am popping in.....we offered to make a very wide range of sizes as a 'one off' some sizes that were requested and put on the list did not make the minimum manufacture levels ( which were not high, I know I set them ) for some sizes we only got 5 to 10 orders which I am afraid is just not viable, as the cutter patterns are over £ 100 each.

We have made lots of sizes though and you will have further opportunities in the future, really sorry if some of you have been dissappointed.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...some sizes that were requested and put on the list did not make the minimum manufacture levels ( which were not high, I know I set them ) for some sizes we only got 5 to 10 orders which I am afraid is just not viable, as the cutter patterns are over £ 100 each...
Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

Simon, have those sizes been announced anywhere? There's been no notification to me that the wholeplate film I ordered didn't meet a required minimum, and I am expecting to take delivery around the May time frame.

Please elaborate on the £ 100 cutter patterns. Is that a fixed cost to create a rectangular cutting tool? If so, how many sheets can it cut before requiring replacement? Also, if some folks desire a specific size that doesn't meet minimum manufacture levels, might you offer to make it anyway if they pay (or split) an additional £ 100 charge for the cutter pattern?

 

[Simon R Galley]

ULF Film

Hi Sal,

I do not have the complete listing of what is in manufacture, I will try and get it today and post it tomorrow :

Its not just the cutters, the boxes are handmade and even to get a half reasonable price we need 50 boxes ( still over $ 9.00 per box ) the cutters will last quite a long time, but for three or four boxes it just does not make commercial sense.

I really do not wish to dissappoint anyone...but I may have to, let me have a look at the mnfc list and I will come back to you

Kind Regards

Simon.

 

[Mark Layne]

And 6.5x9cm and 9x12cm.

and 10x15 Postcard

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...Its not just the cutters, the boxes are handmade and even to get a half reasonable price we need 50 boxes ( still over $ 9.00 per box ) the cutters will last quite a long time, but for three or four boxes it just does not make commercial sense...

I can't speak for anyone else, but suspect that there would be no complaints if you used the next larger size box to package films for which you only receive small orders. 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in a 4x5 box, wholeplate in an 8x10 box, etc. I'm already expecting to use my 8x10 interleaving folders and envelopes to store processed wholeplate negatives.

Looking forward to your next post with manufacturing sizes list.

 

[Bob F.]

From a previous post on paper boxes, it would appear that the problem is that you don't want the film to rub together as it bounces around in a box that is too large. Having said that, a die-cut & folded cardboard or foam insert that gripped the film packet firmly within a larger box (or even simply wrapping it in layers of bubble-wrap to make a snug fit) might be a more economical option... Dunno, never been involved in that kind of production issue. Does seem that it could be made to work without the expense of too many custom size boxes though.

Cheers, Bob.