Where can I buy and develop 120 in Cairo?

[varan]

Hi there -

I need to find a good photo lab in Cairo where I can buy and/or develop 120 film. If someone could recommend a good shop I would really appreciate it. You can send me an email. Thanks all - Miguel

ps - I have a Chinese seagull camera (from the 60s/70s) and would love advice on finding a close up lens or filter - I can't really take good portraits.

 

[Ole]

By now it's more than 12 years since I was in Cairo...

But already at that time it was difficult to get 120 film developed in many European cities - at least if you didn't happen to know which lab would do it.

In Cairo I just walked into the closest camera shop, delivered my film, and could pick film and prints up the very next day. If my somewhat hazy memory is correct(ish), the shop was on the Qasr El Nil, across the river from the Opera house where I spent most of my time.

 

[varan]

Thanks a lot Ole! I will look for that place.

 

[Ole]

Varan, I'd suggest you just go looking for any photo lab or shop. That's what I did, and found one less than a block from my hotel. I guessed that good cameras would tend to be used for a lot longer time in countries less "consumerist", and it seems I was right. while 120 film was about obsolete in European high street shops, it was still alive and well in most of Africa (well - the parts I've been to).

Today the situation may well have changed, as any film seems on the way to obsolescence - at least if you believe what you read on some photo sites. For all I know, 120 film in Egypt has gone the way of the dodo. And maybe that shop has, too - there could be a new souvenir shop there, or a high-rise hotel, or something completely different. And maybe it wasn't on the Qasr el Nil in the first place; my memory is no longer what it's never been.

 

[varan]

again - thanks! So true about 'developed' countries filling up strip malls with little 35mm and digital places. Photo albums, frames and 400 35mm film is all they seem to carry. I lived in China for a year and found 120 film for sale everywhere though developing it is getting harder. I usually buy lots of 120 when I find it but worry about it going through the xrays at the airport. Nothing I can do but carry it on and ask for hand inspection I guess. Buy the way, do you usually use large format cameras? I haven't yet ventured into that territory. In Russia they still use the giant wood cameras for document photos.

 

[Ole]

By the way, do you usually use large format cameras? I haven't yet ventured into that territory. In Russia they still use the giant wood cameras for document photos.

I use all formats - mostly 6x4.5 when travelling "light", LF for anything loser to home (or wihtin driving distance), and 35mm when I feel like it. My latest "toy" is a Bessa L with 21mm lens - a wonderful little wide-angle camera. Much easyer to bring than an ancient 18x24cm German wood camera!