Stock up on Arista Pro film

Loose Gravel · Apr 11, 2005

I just got my new Freestyle Catalog. I noticed that they are introducing many new house brands of film and paper while washing their hands of the old supplier(s). I noticed, too, that there is a new Arista II film and that they are selling out stock of Arista Pro film ... "while supplies last". I took this to mean that it will be gone, to be replaced by something more expensive or unknown. Arista Pro has been Ilford products for years and an inexpensive source of HP5+ and FP4+. Although they are still carrying Ilford film at new prices, it appears as though the house labellked Ilford will disappear. I assume this is the fallout from Ilford's financial problems.

Anyway, the upchuck here is to stock up on Ilford film (Arista Pro) at good prices.

VoidoidRamone · Apr 11, 2005

If I have my facts right...? I think the new Arist.EDU Ultra is Foma products and the Arista II paper is Kentmere. But I'm not sure what the new Arista II film is. And I just bought some more Arista.EDU fiber paper (Forte Polygrade V). I have grown to like this paper, and now it looks like I'll have to pay $16 instead of $10 if I can even find it (8x10/25sht).

-something else I had noticed a while ago, if anyone likes Ilford semi-matte warmtone FB 8x10/25 sht... freestyle is still selling that for $7! I'm personally not much for warmtone or semi-matte... but that sounds like a great deal.
-Grant

ElrodCod · Apr 11, 2005

I just looked at there website & the "new" Arista II film is made by a German manufacturor. My guess is it's rebranded Agfa APX100 & 400. Another good buy is the Arista Pro 50 (Ilford Pan F Plus).....100' bulk spool for $16.99.

Jürgen · Apr 11, 2005

Does anyone know if this new film will be available in roll or sheet film?

Jurgen

Ian Grant · Apr 11, 2005

I could ask why stock up. Is it buy while still cheap.

Personally I haven't bought a non chromogenic film of Ilford manufacture for many years (for my own use). Not that there's anything wrong with them, but before Delta films were introduced I'd switched and have stayed with Tmax, can't afford Tmax in 10x8 who are they kidding. I'll stick to Forte film in 10x8.

Reality is going to kick in as European manufacturers tried absorbing exchange rate fluctuations, at their cost in the past, now you need to pay world prices, which means big increases.

Monophoto · Apr 13, 2005

The new Freestyle catalog gives us some information, but it also raises a lot of questions.

Three observations:
- there is a commitment to continue to support sheet film users - up to 11x14
- the new Arista 35mm film is marked "made in Germany"
- the existing supply of Ilford-based sheet film is being cleared out
- but the announcement of the new film makes no mention of availability in sheet format

It would be easy to assume that Agfa will be manufacturing the new roll film. Some time ago Agfa announced that they were exiting the sheet film market. It wouldn't make a lot of sense for Agfa to exit that segment but continue to manufacture private-label products.

ISo I would infer that the folks at Freestyle haven't determined how they are going to backfill the sheet film niche.

zenrhino · Apr 13, 2005

Loose Gravel said:
I just got my new Freestyle Catalog. I noticed that they are introducing many new house brands of film and paper while washing their hands of the old supplier(s). I noticed, too, that there is a new Arista II film and that they are selling out stock of Arista Pro film ... "while supplies last". I took this to mean that it will be gone, to be replaced by something more expensive or unknown. Arista Pro has been Ilford products for years and an inexpensive source of HP5+ and FP4+. Although they are still carrying Ilford film at new prices, it appears as though the house labellked Ilford will disappear. I assume this is the fallout from Ilford's financial problems.

Anyway, the upchuck here is to stock up on Ilford film (Arista Pro) at good prices.

I got an email from Marv at Freestyle saying that they are indeed discontinuing the house-branded PanF+ but as of yesterday they had 1400+ rolls of it.

That'll be about 1350 rolls of it when I get done ordering here in an hour. =)

Wayne · Oct 21, 2005

I sure wish I had seen this when it was first posted, cuz I missed the boat. So what are you former Arista 400 LF users using now that it isnt available anymore. I just checked the price of HP5+ in 8x10 and...yikes!

Wayne

Stock up on Arista Pro film

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