Australia/New Zealand Getting cheap film in Australia

[cambolt]

Having just spent around $30 on just two rolls of 135x36 film, I am wondering where all you heavy shooters get your film from?
I know I could buy bulk film or 50 roll packs, but I don't usually shoot more than a roll a fortnight so this probably won't be ideal for me.

 

[gavinlg]

welcome to the matrix... The way I see it, you can either get it cheap from the usual overseas suspects, or embrace digital.

 

[KarlG]

I get my colour from either Ebay or Freestylephoto.biz and I get Arista Premium 400 (rebranded Tri-x) from Freestyle.

Shipping can be a bit high from Freestyle, so I buy in bulk & split orders with my brother. Cuts down the total cost a fair bit.

 

[cambolt]

welcome to the matrix... The way I see it, you can either get it cheap from the usual overseas suspects, or embrace digital.

I started off on digital, and it hasn't turned out so great for me 😉
Looks like my only option is to buy in bulk from vanbar, 100ft of HP5+ is only a few dollars cheaper in freestyle if you factor in shipping.
Maybe someone on here would be interested in sharing a few rolls...
Don't get your hopes up though, I still have to get a bulk loader 🙄
I was just hoping there was some secret shop somewhere that sold film for a half decent price in decent quantities. Ah well

 

[Johnmcd]

I get it from B&H photo in the States, usually 20 rolls at a time. Ilford 120 film is about $3.30 a roll. I usually buy some other stuff as well to make the postage worthwhile. Even with a weak Aussie dollar, it is better than half price after postage. At the moment it's nearly a third of the price delivered to your door 🙂

John

 

[cambolt]

I get it from B&H photo in the States, usually 20 rolls at a time. Ilford 120 film is about $3.30 a roll. I usually buy some other stuff as well to make the postage worthwhile. Even with a weak Aussie dollar, it is better than half price after postage. At the moment it's nearly a third of the price delivered to your door 🙂

John

With shipping from B&H factored in, 30m of HP5+ is no cheaper than over here, shipping is something like $50, while the same product is available for $80 incl. shipping from camerastore.com.au.

Are there any places overseas that will ship to australia for a decent price?

 

[Freakscene]

Periodically RFF has open calls where people put orders in, share shipping and redistribute. I don't tend to participate because I buy up big (100-250 rolls/order) but it seems a good way to work for moderate shooters.

Marty

 

[will-i_am]

yeah i buy from ebay or freestyle. Its worth it from freestyle if you buy in bulk especially with stuff like legacy pro or arista and stuff like fuji pack film for polaroid as well wich is like 1 3rd of the price compared to buying here and ebay is good when colour film pops up cheapish.

 

[cambolt]

Just out of interest, how many rolls do you generally buy when you use B&H/Freestyle etc?

 

[Freakscene]

Just out of interest, how many rolls do you generally buy when you use B&H/Freestyle etc?

100-400, depending on what film it is and what I'm doing. I keep my shipments including shipping just under $1000.

Marty

 

[ChrisN]

The shipping tends to be cheaper from B&H.

 

[cambolt]

The shipping tends to be cheaper from B&H.

Cheaper than what? From my experience, shipping over here is usually $40-50 from them.

 

[Spyro]

group orders from o/s through flickr groups.
make it just under $1k

 

[zvos1]

As other said group buys from freestyle is a good way to go. Just purchased 20 rolls of HP5 for around $60 including shipping.

Also, Vanbar here in Melbourne (they have online shop as well) usually has specials on freshly expired film. Last month I bought 10 rolls of Sensia slide film for $8 including processing, just recently expired. I think they still have it in stock.

Another solution is bulk loading.

 

[cambolt]

I've been thinking about bulk loading. I just calculated the following into freestyle:
100ft of HP5+ = $52
Bulk loader = $25
Photoflo = $8.39
Negative Sleeves = $7

Shipping = $53
Total: $145

Do you think this is worthwhile?

 

[fergus]

With shipping from B&H factored in, 30m of HP5+ is no cheaper than over here, shipping is something like $50... <snip>

The boxes they ship in start at a certain size; so the freight is for the size of the box. At least it starts that way, and yes weight will eventually cause freight to rise.

But the trick is to keep filling the box with more film for the same (or similar) freight cost.

I buy individual rolls of film rolls not bulk rolls; the weight of an additional roll is almost nothing; add a roll and check shipping costs, usually no change. Keep adding rolls!

 

[ChrisN]

Cheaper than what? From my experience, shipping over here is usually $40-50 from them.

Cheaper than Freestyle. I've run several group buys on this forum. For the last two B&H was the less expensive both for the film itself, and in the shipping charges. But certainly check both - either can change their policies and the way they apply "shipping charges". Many US businesses seem to have outsourced their shipping and the charges applied seem very high.

 

[ChrisN]

I've been thinking about bulk loading. I just calculated the following into freestyle:
100ft of HP5+ = $52
Bulk loader = $25
Photoflo = $8.39
Negative Sleeves = $7

Shipping = $53
Total: $145

Do you think this is worthwhile?

Check your local Teds for the Photoflo - my last several bottles I got from them for about $6.50. Liquids add a lot of weight to your parcel.

Why not get a couple of bulk rolls while the exchange rate is good - it keeps well in the fridge. It's a shame you missed Keith's bulk order on HP5 twin packs a few weeks ago.

 

[cambolt]

Check your local Teds for the Photoflo - my last several bottles I got from them for about $6.50. Liquids add a lot of weight to your parcel.

Why not get a couple of bulk rolls while the exchange rate is good - it keeps well in the fridge. It's a shame you missed Keith's bulk order on HP5 twin packs a few weeks ago.

I was thinking of getting two rolls, but at my current rate, It would take years to use 30-40 rolls. Unless someone wants a bulk roll and share shipping. If I do order from freestyle, I will post a thread and see if anyone wants anything.

 

[cambolt]

Oh so buying twin packs is actually cheaper than bulk rolls! I might buy 20 and sell 10