Hooray! I was notified that the TMax 100 in 120 that I have had on back-order for over a year is being shipped. Now I can see for myself how good or lousy it is in MY darkroom........Regards!
Tmax 100 in 120 format
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Depending on format, T Max is 35-40% more expensive than Delta at my local store; and approximately double the price of FP4/HP5. I'm not able to justify that price difference for my work.
well B&H is much more expensive than all the other usual online retailers, so give others the business
My, it must be nice to still have a local store that sells film, B&W or otherwise! We once had three full service stores and several satellite locations. Then people quit buying film and having it processed as well as doing their own darkroom work (except for a few of us diehards). If we had such a store, I would buy locally also whether Ilford, Kodak, etc.......Regards!
It is, I can buy 8x10 film off the shelf. That's part of the reason I try and support them as much as I can.
Yay for Kodak! I've personally never had these issues with Kodak film, but I'm glad things are on the mend.
I've been shooting a lot of film since the summer, and will continue to do so, shooting mostly Kodak and Ilford emulsions. The price is not as important as the look of the film in the grand scheme of things (a few dollars here and there versus the cost of talent/space), so I'm just happy to have film to shoot.
I've been shooting a lot of film since the summer, and will continue to do so, shooting mostly Kodak and Ilford emulsions. The price is not as important as the look of the film in the grand scheme of things (a few dollars here and there versus the cost of talent/space), so I'm just happy to have film to shoot.
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I have a local store that sells most films, yet I can't justify buying from them because the price is so much higher. With B & H I get an instant 6% price reduction due to no sales tax plus there base price is at least 5% lower. I can't pay 11% more for film just because it is local.
Yes, you can pay 11% more to buy local! You just don't want to and I agree with you 100%. It's the same way folks here keep saying "buy Kodak" and support them. Well, I for one don't buy into that theory. You sell a great product, take good care of your customer and price your products competitively and I'll support you. Otherwise common sense tells me to shop elsewhere. Now, I can buy Ilford HP5+ and FP4+ local for just slightly more than B&H and I do do that on occasion. The only Kodak film I might buy is TMY2. Tmax 100 just never turned my crank (I shoot 120 format so 35mm might be different) and I would rather use Ilford Delta 100 or better yet, Fuji Acros. Just me of course and I'm sure many folks here feel different. Unfortunately I didn't make out very well in this new "tax break" deal to allow me not to think with my wallet. A wise old man told me something once and I'll never forget it.. He said, "One of the things that screws the working mans economy up royal is that there are some folks out there with more money than brains, which tends to drive prices out of reach for the poorer folks". He's right in a way.
There are many things that go into pricing a product. Cost of labor where it's produced is one. Things are produced cheaper coming from China than the US. How much product you sell is another. More can mean better prices to the consumer. It all depends; there are so many factors. None of the film manufacturers are swimming in profits, especially Kodak Alaris. If people don;t want to buy Kodak because of the price, they can buy alternatives. That's what competition is all about. But, I wouldn't blame "rich" people for the cost of a commodity like film. It's not a Maserati.
I would respectfully submit that refusing to buy a quality product because of an eleven percent price difference is....well, penny wise and pound foolish. You get what you pay for. Here in New Mexico I have three stores that still sell film, but the price is nearly twice the online price.I pay it because I want them to stay in business. Then I try to be careful about tripping the shutter. In the case of TM100, I will but in bulk online, but if I run out, the locals provide a much appreciated backup.
On a straight currency exchange basis from US->Canadian, my local store is cheaper than B&H on HP5 ( didn't check the others). If I buy from B&H I have to factor in shipping, a courier handling charge, customs, duty, etc. Plus wait for it, rather than being 10 min away. I think I have it pretty good locally.
Not always. However, you always pay (one way or another) for what you get.
On the surface, it appears that way. However, B&H ships for free whereas the others add shipping to the price. Comparing B&H and Freestyle, B&H actually ends up slightly cheaper, after factoring in the shipping at Freestyle.
If I am buying small quantities I buy locally to support the stores. If I am buying a lot of film or chemicals I buy for the best price. I like the advantage that sometimes comes from buying on line for less and having it delivered thus saving a fifteen minute one way drive to Samys or a forty-five minute one way drive to FreeStyle.
You say, "well, penny wise and pound foolish. You get what you pay for", but not always. I do wish Kodak the best, but when they price themselves out of most folks common sense buying habit it's not good. When you buy your bulk Tmax online check to see the difference in price between it and Delta 100 or FP4+ bulk. It seems to me that where Ilford films are made is not China and Ilfords labor and raw material costs can't be much, if any, different from Kodaks. I'm not saying anything bad about either Tmax or Tmy2, but I'm really puzzled as to the price difference. I'm like Ratty in this respect and refuse to pay the difference until somebody can justify it and so far nobody, as far as I know, has come up with that explanation? The nice thing for me and my work is that I can get by just fine without using Kodak film. Others might not be able to say that. Also, I'm still gun-shy about the paper backing issue and that adds to my reasoning also. You buys what you want......you takes your chances!
Considering the difficulties and exactness of producing excellent film products, I do not think that Kodak nor the other manufacturers are pricing themselves out of the market. If necessary skip the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and you can afford several rolls of film. Life is about choices.
If you read what I wrote, the same products are 11% more in the store in my town vs online at B & H. Quality doesnt enter into the discussion because the products are the same.
A 100% markup to buy in a store? Ridiculous.
"Ridiculous"
Once, many years ago, I pulled up to a gas station in a remote Nevada town, in dire need of a cold beer to assuage the effects of 112 degree heat. I was surprised to see gas priced at ten dollars a gallon. I asked the clerk why, and he replied "if you're dumb enough to run out of gas out here, you'll just have to pay the price".
Both of the photo stores I was referring to are within walking distance of the Old Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You need enchiladas there, they're $13. A drink, $10.
A roll of Tmax....well, you get the picture. I shut up and paid the price. Got one good shot on the roll
Once, many years ago, I pulled up to a gas station in a remote Nevada town, in dire need of a cold beer to assuage the effects of 112 degree heat. I was surprised to see gas priced at ten dollars a gallon. I asked the clerk why, and he replied "if you're dumb enough to run out of gas out here, you'll just have to pay the price".
Both of the photo stores I was referring to are within walking distance of the Old Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You need enchiladas there, they're $13. A drink, $10.
A roll of Tmax....well, you get the picture. I shut up and paid the price. Got one good shot on the roll
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