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View Full Version : Arista EDU Film Prices Go Up



Ari
21-Jan-2013, 08:09
I jut checked Freestyle's page, I've been waiting for their stock of 8x10 of Ultra ISO 400 to arrive.
Arrive it did, with a $15 increase in price to $154; at this point it makes as much sense to get some Ilford.
Not too long ago, the same 50 sheets sold for $120.

Is there any lower-priced 8x10 B&W film out there anymore (not counting X-ray)?

Thanks

jp
21-Jan-2013, 08:18
The Ilford's not much more! And it's probably a good deal better in quality and consistency.

B&H sells the Ilford for substantially less than Freestyle at the moment.

Ari
21-Jan-2013, 08:19
Yes, that's my thinking, too, thanks.

John Kasaian
21-Jan-2013, 09:17
Arista .edu Ultra is my "WTSHTF" reserve, along with various incarnations of ortho (x-ray, APHS, etc...) My freezer is currently cubed out with the stuff. For portfolio work I use Ilford HP-5+ or FP-4+ from Badger Graphic or B+H (whichever is cheaper,) or the last of my Kodak cache. My current modus operandi is to have always have an extra, unopened box of both Ilford emulsions on hand so whenever I tap into new box, I've got two boxes on the way from Badger Graphic---why two? It costs the same for shipping as one.
Freestyle does stock Foma N111 which is my printing paper of choice and prompts me to make my annual restocking trip to Hollywood (and visit my 102 year old Uncle!)

Roger Cole
21-Jan-2013, 09:53
Humm. Just checked Freestyle's site. In 4x5, EDU Ultra aka Foma is 100 - $32.99, 200 - $39.99 and 400 - $36.99 per 50 sheet box. Per sheet that's $0.6598, $0.7998 and $0.7398 respectively.

B&W lists Ilford FP4+ $101.98, HP5+ $114.95, and Delta 100 $104.11 each for 100 sheets, or per sheet prices of $1.0198, $1.1495 and $1.0411 respectively. At least in 4x5 there's still a substantial difference, though shipping is also often less to me from B&H than from Freestyle. West coaster may have the opposite situation and those in the middle of the US more of a balance.

Whether Ilford is worth the difference is another question. In general it is. But the Arista is the least expensive general use sheet film (that is, not x-ray etc.) that I know of, and does have its own look. It's fun to have some around and I usually have a couple of holders loaded with it.

I realize Ari was comparing 8x10.

Roger Cole
21-Jan-2013, 10:05
In 8x10 the Arista is $131.99 for the 100 speed and $153.99 for 200 and 400, as he says. Those are 50 sheet boxes. Ilford at B&H is from $87 and change for HP5+ and right at $89 for Delta 100 and FP4+, all for 25 sheets.

The price per sheet works out to $2.6398 and $3.0798 for the Arista and $3.4864 for HP5+, $3.5988 for FP4+ and $3.5848 for Delta 100.

HP5+ looks like a relative bargain at just under 41 cents per sheet more than the Arista 400. In 100 speed films the Arista becomes more appealing in the comparison from a price standpoint.