Where do you guys buy your film from?

allicio

allicio

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Andrew cowman
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I was just wondering where you guys buy your film from? I'm looking to get dome portra 400 in 35mm but wondering which suppliers keep it refrigerated?
Cheers for any advice
Andy
 
I buy mine from wherever is cheapest at the time :D Not sure where keeps it refrigerated to be honest (not sure if it really matters that much either). I've been using Calumet lately as their prices have been very good, but in the past I've used Amazon and Silverprint. Portra 400 is currently £24.99 at Wex :)
 
I used to get mine from japan exposures. That was until the economy crashed [Insert month long angry rant about brexit Grrrrr] and now I'll be going to where ever is cheapest.
 
I've bought film physically from Calumet in Edinburgh and they took it from the fridge. Most shops seem to have it on open shelves.

I have a little spreadsheet of the films I like and common sources that I update from time to time. Prices are wildly inconsistent. Delivery charges are the issue in many cases. Watch out, a few add VAT onto published prices. I used to use Macodirect.de a lot but the change in the Euro plus their swingeing delivery charge probably makes that a no-no. Calumet and AG are usually best for me.
 
This thread still has many relevant suggestions. Generally - there is no particular one cheapest place, and prices fluctuate with the same film stock. If you live near one of the companies and can pick up in person, saving on P&P charges, that may turn out to be the cheapest way of buying film.
 
I have a look at Wex, Calumet, 7dayshop, RK Photographic, AG Photographic and Amazon and see who has the best deal at the time. They seem to have the best prices. I've shopped at Maco Direct a lot in the past, but with the pound falling so hard, I think the UK based companies are better value right now.

I've seen part of the RK Photographic warehouse and noticed that some of their film was stored in a fridge. I don't know if all of it is. I guess storage isn't an issue if you buy from a store with a high turnover.
 
7dayshop have had some good deals in the past - look for "postage included", they seem to be the best unless you plan on buying in bulk.
 
Cheers very much gents
I've ordered a block of 5 from amazon sold on behalf of camarthan cameras for £36.99 I've arranged for it to be delivered to one of those locker thingies in a local co-op which is 1.99 for next day delivery so all in all not too bad
 
allicio said:
Cheers very much gents
I've ordered a block of 5 from amazon sold on behalf of camarthan cameras for £36.99 I've arranged for it to be delivered to one of those locker thingies in a local co-op which is 1.99 for next day delivery so all in all not too bad
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Wow, Portra 400 has really shot up in price - reading your post, I thought it seemed a bit high so I had a look at all the usual aforementioned film suppliers - and yours is the cheapest I can find!

It is an absolutely superb film though - effortlessly pushed, and with unrivalled colour palette.
 
Ebay if the price is right. 7 Day shop can be good for deals as mentioned. Got 5 rolls of Ektar 100 120 from them recently for a shade over £22 delivered which is a good price.
 
freecom2 said:
Wow, Portra 400 has really shot up in price - reading your post, I thought it seemed a bit high so I had a look at all the usual aforementioned film suppliers - and yours is the cheapest I can find!

It is an absolutely superb film though - effortlessly pushed, and with unrivalled colour palette.
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From the photographs I've seen using this film I do have to agree. The colours are gorgeous!!
I must admit I've been looking round at prices and this was the cheapest I could find it too.
 
The issue with Portra this year has been less about price and more about availability! there was a dreadful cock up with forecasting earlier in the year by Kodak / end of last year which caused a lot of supply problems globally with Portra and other Kodak films. People then started buying more Fuji, which rendered Fuji's forecasting wrong, causing supply problems with them too.

We have had to dramatically increase the amount we hold in stock in order to try and bridge the gaps. So we now have to have a lot more cash in stock than we used to.
 
So if they forecasted less than was actually being sold, as much as it annoyed me by having to switch to Fuji, it can only be a good thing as it means film sales are on the up.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
So if they forecasted less than was actually being sold, as much as it annoyed me by having to switch to Fuji, it can only be a good thing as it means film sales are on the up.
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Or declining less rapidly than expected, perhaps.
 
skysh4rk said:
No, I think they're on the up.
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This does seem to be correct. Ilford definitely sold more film in the last year than in the previous five and I believe both fuji and kodak were the same. Good news all round
 
freecom2 said:
Wow, Portra 400 has really shot up in price ...........It is an absolutely superb film though .
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have you used this for landscapes..?

I've asked AG if i can buy a single roll to try - read it's quite saturated

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which I'm not looking for actually
I asked cos I wondered if it is a good thing when used for landscapes..
 
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The problem is the digi manufacturers couldn't care less about film and all they are interested in is making loads of money......otherwise they could restart production of say the FM or AE1p and advertise "try the experience of using film" or "it's cool" and so on.
 
Yardbent said:
have you used this for landscapes..?

I've asked AG if i can buy a single roll to try - read it's quite saturated
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I've used it for everything.

It has very natural colours and great dynamic range; I definitely would not classify it as very saturated though.
 
excalibur2 said:
The problem is the digi manufacturers couldn't care less about film and all they are interested in is making loads of money......otherwise they could restart production of say the FM or AE1p and advertise "try the experience of using film" or "it's cool" and so on.
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Well, the Nikon FM10 is still produced and is advertised in this way, I believe, although I'm not sure if anyone stocks it in the UK. It's available at B&H and Amazon in the USA though.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112196-USA/Nikon_1689_FM10_35mm_SLR_Camera.html
 
$519 for it as well. Bit expensive for a plastic Cosina made camera. Be surprised if they sell many of them when you can buy umpteen better cameras used for a fraction the price?
 
DNH said:
$519 for it as well. Bit expensive for a plastic Cosina made camera. Be surprised if they sell many of them when you can buy umpteen better cameras used for a fraction the price?
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You cannot buy umpteen better new cameras, though. Actually, Cosina are an excellent manufacturer - using plastic is no bad thing. We are a long way from the 1950s when 'plastic' meant 'will fall apart soon'.
 
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john.margetts said:
You cannot buy umpteen better new cameras, though. Actually, Cosina are an excellent manufacturer - using plastic is no bad thing. We are a long way from the 1950s when 'plastic' meant 'will fall apart soon'.
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Ok less than umpteem then....... buying S\H cameras and having each one serviced (as good as new). :D
 
Buying s/h cameras is much better - I buy 2 or 3 most months (keeps me out of mischief and out of the pub) including a FM 10 with a Pentax K mount sold under Cosina's own name - fairly elderly now and still in excellent condition.
 
Yardbent said:
have you used this for landscapes..?

I've asked AG if i can buy a single roll to try - read it's quite saturated
Click to expand...

You would be better off with Ektar if you want highly saturated negative film with more contrast. It's also a little cheaper. Shoot it like slide film and it's superb.
 
skysh4rk said:
I've used it for everything.

It has very natural colours and great dynamic range; I definitely would not classify it as very saturated though.
Click to expand...

thanks
which I'm not looking for actually
I asked cos I wondered if it is a good thing when used for landscapes..
 
FruitFlakes said:
It's not saturated at all. Very neutral looking, warmer compared to Fuji stock.
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thanks
which I'm not looking for actually
I asked cos I wondered if it is a good thing when used for landscapes..
 
FujiLove said:
You would be better off with Ektar if you want highly saturated negative film with more contrast. It's also a little cheaper. Shoot it like slide film and it's superb.
Click to expand...

thanks
which I'm not looking for actually
I asked cos I wondered if it is a good thing when used for landscapes...?

I will order a roll of EKTAR 100 from @AgPhotographic to try though
and hopefully also a single roll of Portra 400 to try

a chap on eBay sells a 'trial pack' ( 1 x Portra 160 and 1 x Portra 400) ... ain't cheap tho......:(
and PhotoExpress gave me a good 'tip'
single rolls on eBay are 'split' from a ''5-pack'' -- so you dont get to see the 'Use by Date''............Hmmmm..:whistle:
 
.
double post
 
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john.margetts said:
You cannot buy umpteen better new cameras, though. Actually, Cosina are an excellent manufacturer - using plastic is no bad thing. We are a long way from the 1950s when 'plastic' meant 'will fall apart soon'.
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That you can't I admit & I was tempted to add a CT1G to my collection a couple of months ago but if I was dropping money like that on something badged as a Nikon I would want it built by them & not for them. I have quite a few Nikon's from the 70's & 80's & all they have needed are replacement foam seals. No CLA needed. $519 could likely get you a usable F2 or F3 & a couple of Nikkor primes. Read that Zenit are returning to the film camera market. High end though this time.
 
Just picked up 3 rolls of Ilford XP2 super 400 from boots. They stock various 35mm film that you can just go in and buy. Usually have 3 for 2 or buy 1 get second ½ price.
 
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