Man, Is Film Getting Hard To Find!

[Joseph O'Neil]

I have three stores in my city that *might* physically carry a single box, or even two boxes of one brand, one speed of B&W film in 4x5.

Yes, i think mail order is the way to go. Here in Canada, Rob Skeoch or Eight Elm Camera have both been excellent to deal with

joe

[j.e.simmons]

The last store here carries almost nothing film related - a little 35mm and a little Ilford RC paper. I asked about the lack of stock and was quickly told that if it were not for the local schools, they wouldn't bother to carry what they do carry. I asked about ordering, since they are Ilford dealers, and the price they quoted me for Ilford paper was almost double what B&H charges. I'd be willing to pay a bit of a premium to help them stay in business, but not that much of one. They are obviously interested only in competing with Best Buy for the digital market, so the Internet folks get my business.
juan

[Michael Mutmansky]

One of the best places to get sheet film at good prices is Penn Camera in the Washington DC area. They have had good prices on 4x5 and QL film, and they also have typically offered free shipping on orders over $200 if I remember correctly.

I typically order a case of film at a time from them for B&W, and individual boxes of the rest. They don't always have everything in stock, but they are good about communication and will get the product to you. They are also a 'local' store in the DC area, so while they aren't necessarily local to you, you are supporting a legitimate local shop.

I've heard recently that they may carry less 4x5, so I'd love for more people to buy from them to encourage them to stock it into the future.


---Michael

[Scott Davis]

Penn camera has also recently discontinued processing of 120 at all but one location now. Which is a shame, because they did a good job with the C-41 120. Now the best bet for LF processing in the DC area is Chrome lab in Georgetown.

[Ted Harris]

If what you want is local availability you should be able to walk into your local store (or call them) and have them order film for you. I used to do taht with Concord Camera in Concord, NH. I paid too mcuh and sometimes it took longer than mail order to get but it was local.

[John Powers]

Dodds, the professional photography shop of the largest multi-store photo retailer in Cleveland, started carrying one box of T Max 100 to service any and all 4x5 shooters in northern Ohio about three years ago. The day I discovered that I bought my first supplies from B&H. Last week a box of T Max 400 8x10 arrived amongst two large cartons of supplies from B&H. No sense giving the rest of the order to Dodds if they won’t stock the film. The expiration date on this box is 12/09, a bit more than your 60 day concern. The 7x17 and the freezer get fed once a year with Ilford from the ViewCamera store until we find some way to get T Max 400 or Ilford produces that 3200 they talked about at APUG Toronto.

I love the waterfalls just south of you in Brevard, Transylvania County. I guess I’ll just have to pack in film on my Toyota mule.

John

[gregstidham]

Now the best bet for LF processing in the DC area is Chrome lab in Georgetown.

I just had 40 sheets done by Chrome in Georgetown last June and they said they still get lots of film to develop. Maybe it was just their PR talking, but I got the feeling they still have a pretty good amount of E6 work coming in.

As far as finding film-
I order everything one month in advance. The days of wandering into a camera store and picking up some film is over in my opinion. Now I know how the ULF photographers feel.

[Don Wallace]

The larger stores in Ottawa, Canada, will special order LF film, but they stock almost nothing. Not even a lot of 120 film. I highly recommend Rob Skeoch for b&w. Nice guy and really on the ball. 8 Elm is good too. I laugh at the big pro sites, like Henry's or Vistek. They all have the same site software and its almost impossible to find what you want. Rob's site is so straightforward. Now if we can just talk him into getting colour film...

There are also some good labs in Ottawa. All the retail at Ginn Photo got taken over by Vistek, but the Ginn family still runs the lab and it does damn good work. There is also Proulx Brothers, and, I think, a few more.

After hearing all the tales of woe about labs closing down elsewhere, I am counting my blessings here in Ottawa.

[Michael Jones]

I just call Fred or Dennis at the View Camera Store. He has always has my B&W film in stock (including my 14x17). Good luck.

Mike

[Bill McMannis]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Iris, where I get my E-6 processed, just got in a nice supply of 4x5 transparency film. (I do wish it showed up a couple days sooner.) I also ordered some Tri-X when I was in. I prefer to buy from them or Ball Photo (another local store) if possible.

I guess I simply need to stockpile film so I do not get caught short if an opportunity comes along.

Thanks again.
Bill