Whole Plate ( 6 1/2" x 8 1/2") Film in the US?

[rrankin]

Is there any whole plate film still sold other than FP4 and HP5? Even those seem to not be available at many places. Are those the only current choices in the US?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[davekarp]

I think Kodak made some TMax 400 as part of a special run a little while back. I think it was handled through Glazers in Seattle. There is a small chance they might have some.

The availability of HP5+ and FP4+ depends on whether any of the stores purchased some extra WP film from the annual Ilford special run. Most of that run is spoken for by advance orders from users.

Mirko at ADOX has also indicated that it will be possible to get reasonably sized special runs of the forthcoming ADOX pan 400, so they would likely cut some WP film if you could get enough people interested.

 

[pgomena]

Definitely try Glazer's in Seattle. I don't know about the TMax, but they were able to get 100 sheets of FP4+ drop-shipped from their distibutor for me last May. I believe the film person's name is Ann. She was very helpful. I've not seen any other emulsions than the two from Ilford.

Peter Gomena

 

[rrankin]

Midwest Photo, where I normally get it, isn't sticking FP4+ this year (or maybe ever again?) but has HP5+ in stock. I've written to Glazers to see what they have. Freestyle just said it was a special order item and they didn't have any. I'll post here when I hear back form Glazers.

Cheers, Richard

 

[frednewman]

Hi Richard

Whole plate 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" film either FP4+ or HP5+ is one of the special order films from Ilford. It is a non-stocking item, meaning there is non available in the warehouse. It is only available once a year, usually in the spring during Ilfords ULFF (ultra large format film) special order. There is no minimum quantity needed to order, so if you wanted two boxes of whole plate FP4+ or HP5+ film they would produce it. There no longer has to be a minimum order for each size. For example the minimum number of boxes of whole plate film for an order is 25 boxes.

We are part of the Ilford ULFF every year but we only order what our customers order. We have placed special orders for our customers who order the minimum quantity.

I just checked and our price for whole plate is $78.78 and the minimum order of 25 boxes, so the cost of the minimum order is $1969.95. This is about half the cost of most of the minimum orders.

Ilford does announce on APUG the dates for the special order which they do every spring.

I usually advise that when placing an order with the Ilford ULFF that you get enough film to last you at least one to 1 1/2 years, since the special order is only once a year and if you have film left over there is plenty of time left on the expiration date.

Fred Newman

 

[rrankin]

Fred, when you say "There no longer has to be a minimum order for each size. For example the minimum number of boxes of whole plate film for an order is 25 boxes. " do you mean there is no minimum if you order during the ULFF special order, but OTHERWISE there is a 25 box minimum?

Are there sheet films available during the ULFF other than HP5 and FP4?

And as a note - Glazers does not have any FP4 either. I had already checked the View camera Store and noticed they do not have it listed either.

Cheers, Richard

 

[frednewman]

Hi Richard

First - The only film available in the ULFF program are FP4+ and HP5+.

If you order during the ULFF program - usually in the spring - it's usually about 5 or 6 week period for ordering, there is no minimum quantity required. If you are the only photographer ordering 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" FP4+ they will do the order. This is only for the ordering period.

If you order any other time then the minimum quantity of 25 boxes of 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" FP4+ or HP5+.

We do have all the ULFF films on our web site with a note saying these are special order. Ilford seems to vary the times for the ULFF program. We do send out an email to all our customers as soon as we find out about the dates of the ULFF program so our customers won't miss out.

If you want me to send you a reminder, please send me an email to info@viewcamerastore.com with the film size and type in the subject section for our data base. Then when Ilford announces the ULFF program we will send you an email.

I have found over the years that when you have anything other than the standard sizes (4x5, 5x7 and 8x10), you have to do a bit of advanced planning and you do need patience.

Fred Newman

 

[rrankin]

Thanks, Fred. I've sent you an email. Cheers, Richard