T-Max 100 (120) backordered?

[bvy]

I notice most of the big US vendors show T-Max 100 in 120 as backordered, and it's been that way for several months. The in-stock date keeps getting pushed out. I'm not speculating anything, just wondering if this is normal -- and if I should stop waiting and order something else in the meantime. Thanks.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Order something else, in the meantime. How about TMY-2?

 

[Rick A]

If you like T-Max 100 and can't get it, buy Ilford Delta 100 instead. Both are tabular grain with similar results.

 

[bvy]

If you like T-Max 100 and can't get it, buy Ilford Delta 100 instead. Both are tabular grain with similar results.

Thanks. That's Plan B.

 

[Rick A]

I'm not a fan of the look with T grain films, but I prefer Delta 100 to T-Max when I do shoot it. If I had any in the freezer I would give it to you, but I'm all out(except for a box of 4x5).

 

[Hatchetman]

That is unbelievable that Kodak can't make TMax 100. That is a really really bad sign.

 

[MattKing]

Probably tangled up in the issues requiring replacement of the backing paper.

 

[bvy]

Order something else, in the meantime. How about TMY-2?

That's 400, right? Looking for something a bit slower.

If I had any in the freezer I would give it to you,

That's nice. Thank you.

Probably tangled up in the issues requiring replacement of the backing paper.

Could be. Hadn't thought of that...

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

That's 400, right? Looking for something a bit slower.

Ah, the beauty of using neutral density filters. Get a set of them and you can shoot at whatever aperture you want.
TMax 400 is, in my book not two, but three stops faster than TMax 100, so I'd put a three stop ND filter on the lens and call it good.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Yes, it's 400, but the grain is just not there, and by far a more superior film than tmax 100, IMHO. But I think Matt is correct in saying that it may have something to do with the paper backing issue... I'm sure they've been set back by that. 100 Delta was suggested. That is a great film! I used to use it in 4x5.

 

[destroya]

just checked, the 100 is still back ordered along wtih ektar in 120. funny. I bought a propack of tmax 100 a few months ago for under $22. now the price shows $26.50. big jump in price for a short period of time. looks like kodak is gonna price themselves out of my B&W 120 rotation just like they did with bulk rolls of 35mm

 

[bvy]

Freestlyle updated their availability date of T-max from July 1 to Sept. 2.

 

[Lachlan Young]

Maybe the backorders consumed the latest batch...

Why not write to Alaris & ask?

 

[pentaxuser]

I have just done a quick check of about 6 major U.K. retailers and none seem to have Kodak TMax 100 in 120 on back-order. I would have thought that it might have affected the U.K. retailers as well

pentaxuser

 

[bvy]

Maybe the backorders consumed the latest batch...

Why not write to Alaris & ask?

Did just that. It took a week or more to get a response, but what I got was a courteous and detailed personal reply. In a word (okay, two): backing paper.

 

[EdSawyer]

what's the deal with backing paper?

 

[MattKing]

what's the deal with backing paper?

Wrapper offset problems (ghost images of numbers in negatives) which arose when the backing paper was changed last year.

There are a number of threads on the subject. Here is a link to one of mine, that includes important warnings about affected batches and references a couple of others: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[MattKing]

Did just that. It took a week or more to get a response, but what I got was a courteous and detailed personal reply. In a word (okay, two): backing paper.

Did your reply include an estimate for when supply would resume?

 

[Njord]

The backing paper issue is something I ran into with TMY-2 earlier this year. I've switched to using Ilford films until I hear that it's resolved.

 

[MattKing]

It seems to be resolved - it's just that the stocks of certain films are back-ordered because there isn't enough new backing paper to go around to ensure full international supply of all the emulsions.

See the emulsion batches listed in my linked thread for the batches that are identified as problematic.

In addition, the numbers on the newest version of the backing paper are harder to see, and there aren't as many duplicates in alternative positions. Some people with red window cameras where the red windows used those alternate numbers may find the new backing paper unsuitable. Apparently some of the recently produced pinhole cameras have suffered from this.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Film manufacturers do no make films continuously they are made in batches. Existing stock must be depleted before another batch is started. This is a common practice in many industries.

 

[Njord]

Good to know the issue has been resolved!

 

[Matt5791]

Supply on all Kodak film this year has been dreadful - I was told it was some mis-forecasting earlier in the year. It has also affected Fujifilm on lines like Pro400H because people started switching from Portra and messed up Fuji's forecast!

Currently T-Max 100 120 is on back order.

We have had to dramatically increase our stock holding of Kodak in order to try and bridge the gaps - but it means a very significant amount of cash sat on the shelf in stock of course.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Supply on all Kodak film this year has been dreadful - I was told it was some mis-forecasting earlier in the year. It has also affected Fujifilm on lines like Pro400H because people started switching from Portra and messed up Fuji's forecast!

Currently T-Max 100 120 is on back order.

We have had to dramatically increase our stock holding of Kodak in order to try and bridge the gaps - but it means a very significant amount of cash sat on the shelf in stock of course.

Here in the US, Ilford has been a very reliable partner for me in the last years, and that's not meant to insult Kodak at all - their products are formidable.
Ilford also has very good alternatives in the speed range of TMax 100, in Delta 100, FP4+ (arguably), and Pan-F+ (if you shoot roll film).

 

[bvy]

Did your reply include an estimate for when supply would resume?

More details about the issue itself, but he did say this:
"The delay in supply could last for another few months, but we are working hard to get it back into production as quickly as possible."