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  #1  
Old 24th April 2012, 09:15 PM
ujjwaldey ujjwaldey is offline
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Default where is the best buy

Hi everyone

My film stock is running low; and I am looking to stock up some films before prices go haywire. I use Provia for slides and Porta for print. Whats the best place to buy - pricewise?

Also, has anyone used the Rollie and Agfa reversal films. Any feedback?

Ujjwal
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  #2  
Old 24th April 2012, 09:27 PM
Lostlabours Lostlabours is offline
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B&H or Freestyle in the US even with shipping and import tax/VAT/

Ian
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Old 24th April 2012, 09:39 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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Hi Ujjwal, I am glad to see you are still with us. Lostlabours has researched the U.K. v U.S. market and it is likely that he is right but I'd check on various U.K. retailers to see if the difference is enough to make the purchase from the U.S. worthwhile. Small savings per film multiply if you buy enough.

To get the best deal in the U.K. it might be necessary to buy from several retailers depending on the type of film which of course increases costs as it means postage from each.

I'd check AGphotographic, Mathers of Lancashire, Silverprint( good if you buy at least 10 films) and even Mailshots.

In my research I came to the conclusion that most of e-bay sellers will not beat the above retailers although there are occasional "bargains"

Finally if it is B&W consider bulk rolls

Mike
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Old 24th April 2012, 10:11 PM
Lostlabours Lostlabours is offline
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As Mike says I have researched the options and have an account with B&H who I have bought from with no problems in the past.

Howeever I would prefer to support UK based suppliers but when the price differentials are so great it's difficult when you have limited funds especially as many US purchases come in Tax free.

As well as Silverprint & AG I'd recommend Fomafoto in Norway and Fotoimpex in Germany, also RK Photographic in the UK. I've recieved shippments from Fotoimpex (Berlin) iis 23 hours !!!!

If the manufacturers particularly Ilford sold to all retailers UK/US the at same prices we wouldn't have this ludicrous situation where their films are very much cheaper in the US.

Ian
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Old 25th April 2012, 07:14 AM
Dave miller Dave miller is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lostlabours View Post
SNIP

If the manufacturers particularly Ilford sold to all retailers UK/US the at same prices we wouldn't have this ludicrous situation where their films are very much cheaper in the US.

Ian
I didn't like to mention that!
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  #6  
Old 25th April 2012, 08:22 AM
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MartyNL MartyNL is offline
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Just use our sponsors!

Many people all around the globe would kill to have the range, choice, prices and service we have on our doorstep.
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Old 25th April 2012, 03:02 PM
big paul big paul is offline
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I don't know if they sell all what you need, but the place that I use the most is sds . I buy mostly standard stuff, and they stock what I need at very competitive prices and are very helpful and friendly. I like to use a company that I can rely on and trust and they have never let me down.
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Old 25th April 2012, 03:43 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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Based on what Ujjwal wants, it doesn't seem as if SDS has a very big range of the kinds of film he is looking for. Good place for secondhand darkroom stuff however as well as the usual chemicals

Mike
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Old 25th April 2012, 04:01 PM
paulc paulc is offline
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Ag Photographic and Silverprint are my main suppliers - Both have a reasonable range, and if in stock, ship fairly quickly. I've also used RK Photographic when they had some paper at a much lower price than anyone else.

Recently, I purchased some film from macodirect over in Germany. Once minimum order and shipping charges had been factored in, the price for one box of 5x4 wasn't much cheaper than buying in the UK. However, if I was to buy in quantity, it would be the first port of call - Note: My experience of purchasing film is, on the whole, limited to 5x4 sheets.
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Old 25th April 2012, 04:31 PM
JohnB JohnB is offline
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I buy my Ilford film locally at a very good price, but I've found Discount Films Direct to be good too. They also sell Agfa Precisa slide film, which in my limited experience looked decent enough. I've no experience of Rollei slide film but I've heard that it is very grainy it certainly looks that way from what I've seen on flickr.
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