ULF Film suppliers

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Hello,

Aside from B&H, who else has a ready supply of ULF film formats for Bergger and Ilford films, I need 12x20?

Thanks! James

-- James Christian (jcc928@aol.com), February 27, 2002

Answers

James, in answer to my ULF post earlier this month, the kind and knowledgable people on this forum highly recommended Photo Warehouse 800-922-5484 as an excellent source for Ilford FP-4+. I have not tried them yet, as I am waffling on whether to shoot film or make paper negatives(lots cheaper!) first. Bostick& SUllivans website has some interesting information on paper negatives if you're interested. Good luck and welcome to the ULF Banquet!

-- John Kasaian (www.kasai9@aol.com), February 27, 2002.

James,

You can get 'made in England' film from Photo Warehouse. You need to make sure that you tell them that you are using the film in 12x20 filmholders, because it needs to be nominally smaller than 12x20 inches. They cut it all to order. I don't think that you can get a 400 speed film from them in that size, however.

Supposedly, any normal camera store should be able to order Ilford 12x20 as part of their normal orders, although it may take a while to come in if they don't have stock at the Ilford warehouse.

I was on the phone to The View Camera Store (formerly Darkroom Innovations) today, and they have HP5+ in stock, and maybe others.

Now the bad news: they told me that Kodak has again raised the minimum order for TXT 12x20 to approximately $15,000. That means that it will be even harder to get, unless you are made of money.

I think the writing is on the wall for Kodak and the banquet formats. So, I have ordered in some HP5+ to do some testing on, and I suspect that I will shift over to that as my reserve of TXT disappears.

---Michael

-- Michael Mutmansky (mjmlighting@adelphia.net), February 27, 2002.




-- Michael A. Smith (michaelandpaula@michaelandpaula.com), February 27, 2002.

We have Tri-X 8x20 in 10-sheet boxes and will sell it for the cost of what other films are going for. I don't know what that is right now, but can easily check. If interested, send an email to me off of this list.

-- Michael A. Smith (michaelandpaula@michaelandpaula.com), February 27, 2002.

For $15,000 does the 12x20 Tri X come with a camera, tripod, 7.7Dagor lots and lots of holders, and a truck to cart it all around? May not be too bad of a deal if its the new and improved tri-x with Kodak "dust-buster" emulsion (requiring a slight adjustment in developing times)

-- John Kasaian (www.kasai9@aol.com), February 27, 2002.


Check with Fred Newman at The View Camera Store in Arizona.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), February 27, 2002.

Yes, View Camera Store is the only place in the US as far as I know where you can be reasonably sure of getting 12X20 in stock most of the time. Forget about Tri-X, it costs 40% more now per box than HP5+ ($280 vs 200 for 25 sheets)and climbing, and is becoming all but unobtainable. There is plenty to love about HP5+, of which Fred Newman usually keeps ca 5 boxes in stock most of the time, so I would start learning to love it now if you're going to start shooting 12X20! I just bought two boxes from Fred, so he's down to three or so, but has more coming in soon. The HP5+, by the way, works GREAT for Pt/Pd for me when processed in pyro, though this is contrary to what many say. Personally, I really don't feel I'm making any compromises going with the cheaper, faster and more readily available HP5+ in this format! The more you buy, the more Fred will stock! As for the Bergger, though it is nominally ASA 200, I and many peoplec rate it at 100, which is awefuklly slow for a format where you wil likely be shooting at F64 much of the time. Very nice film for contact printing in both Ag and Pt, though, and pretty vwidely available in 12 X20.

Happy shooting and watch that back lugging your 12X20 around!

Nathan

-- Nathan Congdon (ncongdon@jhmi.edu), February 27, 2002.


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