Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Australian suppliers and Labs

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    76

    Australian suppliers and Labs

    Hi

    I'll be moving to Australia (Brisbane) in early 2009, and I'm a little concerned as to the availability of film and chemicals.

    I mainly use 120 roll film in 612 backs, and my emulsions of choice are:

    Velvia 50
    Porta NC and VC in both 160 and 400
    Ilford Delta 100 and XP2S 400 (C41)

    I also need black and white chemistry, I use either TMAX or ID-11, plus fix.

    I can get all this pretty easy and cheaply here in the UK, but what mail order suppliers are there in Australia?


    I also need a reliable lab for E6 and C41 processing. Here in the UK I send them to Peak Imaging if I want a great cheap and quick service, or take them to one of the expensive London labs if I need them back the same day or am worried about posting them off.

    So, again, does anyone have some recommended labs they use in Australia - either mail-order or walk-in.


    I'm sorry if this question gets asked a lot - I did search the forums but lots of the answers seem to come from 2004 to 2006, and we all know how difficult it is to get hold of film and processing compared to just 2 or 3 years ago!


    Thanks in advance for your help


    612tom

  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Kaneohe, Hawaii
    Posts
    1,390

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    Quote Originally Posted by 612tom View Post
    Hi

    I'll be moving to Australia (Brisbane) in early 2009, and I'm a little concerned as to the availability of film and chemicals.

    I mainly use 120 roll film in 612 backs, and my emulsions of choice are:

    Velvia 50
    Porta NC and VC in both 160 and 400
    Ilford Delta 100 and XP2S 400 (C41)

    I also need black and white chemistry, I use either TMAX or ID-11, plus fix.

    I can get all this pretty easy and cheaply here in the UK, but what mail order suppliers are there in Australia?


    I also need a reliable lab for E6 and C41 processing. Here in the UK I send them to Peak Imaging if I want a great cheap and quick service, or take them to one of the expensive London labs if I need them back the same day or am worried about posting them off.

    So, again, does anyone have some recommended labs they use in Australia - either mail-order or walk-in.


    I'm sorry if this question gets asked a lot - I did search the forums but lots of the answers seem to come from 2004 to 2006, and we all know how difficult it is to get hold of film and processing compared to just 2 or 3 years ago!


    Thanks in advance for your help


    612tom
    Blanco Negro in Sydney.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Toowoomba Australia
    Posts
    66

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    In Brisbane there are only a couple of places you can go to for 120 or large format film, and there is no guarantee that either will be in stock. Pricing is excessive, in fact it is cheaper sometimes to import directly from the US than trying to buy locally. Having said that Photo Continental at Mt Gravatt and Ted's in the City usually have something or are willing to get it in for you. From a mail order perspective Vanbar in Melbourne is quite good from a service perspective.

    As far as processing is concerned, Blanco Negro is extremely good, however they are in Sydney. There are limited alternatives in Brisbane, however try Allchromes in the Valley.

    Let me know if you need any further information.

  4. #4
    neophyte
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    234

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    I mix my own chemistry and find vanbar to be helpful and not too horrible for price (www.vanbar.com.au and look at their online catalogue. It'll give you some idea of prices, available stuff etc).
    If you are going to paid in A$ I think the the cost of film is going to hurt; if in UKP you are laughing. I do big orders from the US for kodak/ilford materials or use the shanghai film off ebay.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Milford Pa.
    Posts
    2,930

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    how long you going? can you bring the supply you need with you? just pack a big carry on suitcase and send it through the carry on x ray. this is what i would start with.

    eddie
    My YouTube Channel has many interesting videos on Soft Focus Lenses and Wood Cameras. Check it out.

    My YouTube videos
    oldstyleportraits.com
    photo.net gallery

  6. #6

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    Hi
    I agree with Craig about film supplies - try Photo Continental at Mount Gravatt (and keep an eye on B&H in NY and Silverprint in London for price comparisons).
    Re processing, ProLab in South Brisbane have been good the few times I have used them (www.prolab.com.au).
    Cheers
    Ian

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Mt. Victoria,The Land Down Under
    Posts
    117

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    I purchase all my film from B&H Photo in NY. It is a lot cheaper to purchase from them than any outlet in Australia, even with the freight.I have never had any X ray problems with my freighted in stock.

    I can tell you how our industry works in Sydney at any rate. There is a very good LF photographic outlet in Sydney called Mainline Photographic. They have had intentions of importing stock at a reasonable prices but I'm not sure that it came to anything. They are very friendly and would be able to give you very good advice about any facilities in Australia - just Google them.
    All colour film I have processed at Vision Imagelab in Sydney. They would have to be the busiest Lab in Australia - at least have constant through put which I think is a good thing. There is another colour Lab in Sydney who would be cheaper, but I have forgotten there name, can find out for you if need be. It is very easy and quick to freight film between Sydney and Brisbane.
    For B&W, it is do it yourself, or Blanco Negro as others have suggested. Vanbar, for darkroom supplies, has a branch in Sydney.
    Be a slave to technology, or shoot film.
    www.abriefvisionoftime.com
    www.photorepair.com.au

  8. #8

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    I get all my film of this guy on ebay:

    http://shop.ebay.com.au/merchant/che..._udhiZQQ_udloZ

    Always fast delivery! I've only purchased 4x5 stuff so I am not sure about any other films. But i'm sure he sells it!

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    127

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    Vanbar will have the best range amongst the Australian stores. Freestyle, Silverprint and the 'Formulary are easy for everything else.

  10. #10
    Leonard Metcalf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    293

    Re: Australian suppliers and Labs

    From my Blue Mountains perspective I regularly use: Vision Graphics (E-6 & C - 41) & Photo Technica in Syndey and does E-6, C-41 and black & white processing ( which is done in XTOL in deep tanks)... I have dealt extensively with both services and can recommend both of them for large format processing.

    I haven't personally used Blanco Negro but they do have a good reputation amongst the large format crowd and specialise in black and white work.

    I usually order my film from Badger Graphics, it is still cheaper to pay the freight from the USA than buy it here in OZ, as long as you buy enough at once. Delivery is surprisingly fast and always hassle free.

    Vanbar seems to have the best supply of photographic chemicals & papers, and is very reliable. They also have all of there supplies listed online so you can easily see what they have.

    Scott at Mainline Photographics is a pleasure to shop with. Though he concentrates on equipment rather than supplies. Though he does also distribute View Camera Magazine too.

    If you need any further Australian info please don't hesitate to ask.

    Enjoy, Len


    Len Metcalf

    Leonard Murray Metcalf BA Dip Ed MEd

    Len's gallery lenmetcalf.com

    Lens School

    Lens Journal



Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •