Cheapest sources of film

generic_throwaway

Hey folks - quick question...I'd like to start using some medium format cameras I've had lying around for a while and I'm wondering where the best sources of film are these days?

Thanks!

DaireQuinlan

All the good sources of budget or cheap film have dried up over the last few years. I used to get a lot of shortdated or out of date film on EBay or even Adverts, but neither is worthwhile anymore, Adverts is full of gougers looking for extortionate prices for outdated stuff. I'm working my way through what I have, and only buying new B&W which I generally get from thephotoshop.ie as it's local, and much the same price as getting it elsewhere.

Whats the camera, incidentally ?

BeardySi

120 film and cheap are not words you really see used together unfortunately.

generic_throwaway

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117933523#Comment_117933523

Well I've got a mix of things - an old Ikonta 6*9 folder, an Ikoflex 6*6, a Yashica 124G, a Bronica ETRSi, and a Hasselblad 500 c/m. Too many cameras and not enough time, skill or film. Might try to take a few photos of the kids in the next while if I get the chance.

DaireQuinlan

Nice, sounds like a good set of different cameras, both the Yashica and the Hasselblad would be my choice, grab a bunch of HP5 from thephotoshop.ie and maybe a yellow filter or something and bob's your uncle.

Classic adverts 2nd hand film sale here https://www.adverts.ie/film-cameras/fuji-pro-400h-120-5-pack-brand-new-refrigerated/24938228 looking for €90 for some price gougy godforsaken reason. thephotoshop doesn't sell that fuji, it does Portra 400 at €11.65 a roll, but agphotographic, another big retailer (UK based though) that I used to bug chemicals from, has Fuji Pro 400H 5 pack at £39.90

Not in any way affiliated with thephotoshop BTW, just a had good service from them whenever I've ordered or queried or whatever.

UK based, but https://www.discountfilmsdirect.co.uk/ might be worth a look, they usually hold a lot of stock.

generic_throwaway

I guess the follow-up to this would be where do folks get their film developed? I'm particularly interested in B&W at the moment.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117945550#Comment_117945550

For B&W I would do my own, it's not that difficult or expensive. Colour is though.

You need a Paterson tank, developer, fixer and somewhere completely dark.

When I was doing some of this I used the attic at night with the steps back up, landing light off and a towel across the gap in the trapdoor. Even then if you sat there for 15 mins you could start to see the outline of stuff, but still it was always dark enough and I had no disasters. Note you also really need to trust the person who puts the steps up and more importantly down for you.

DaireQuinlan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117945550#Comment_117945550

I dev everything at home and then scan. Very little equipment needed, changing bag, dev tank, chemicals, thermometer, some graduated cylinders and what not. Both B&W and C-41 are easy. C-41 has a few more steps and a little more rigour required with temperatures.

lenscap

If you like to buy film processing online and local, you could try these guys.

https://printpoint.ie/film-developing

(for 120 film developing just click on advanced)