Arista Premium 400 discontinued?

[Pioneer]

I really think that if you use re-branded and discount films you need to be prepared for it to go away at some point. It is just the nature of the beast. Even the majors could go away at some point. Basically I have tired of it and have slowly but surely been moving over to buying all of my film from both Kodak and Ilford.

 

[kshapero]

Chris - thanks for your reply - I haven't used EDU Ultra - have you?

I found Foma film to a bit soft and not as defined as Tri-X.

 

[f16sunshine]

Hopefully FS brings in a re-branded Ilford film to replace the previous Kodak options.
As other commenters Foma 100 is OK . Foma 400 always leave something to be desired. I would rather convert digital files to B+W ad opposed to depending on that film.
I like the grain 🙂 ..... Wish it was not so clumpky and lacking sharpness.

 

[rwintle]

FWIW my local store in Toronto that stocks the Premium 400 has had supply issues of the 24-exp rolls recently. They usually seem to order 500 rolls at a time and the last order they only received 100. So either the stock is really depleted, or Freestyle's rationing it to this particular re-seller.

Aden Camera at Yonge and Elm, in case anyone local is interested. Not sure if they have any more but there wasn't much left last time I was there.

 

[Tijmendal]

I bought 80 rolls of the stuff last week. Guess that was about the last of it!

Or it may be that the Kodak no longer wants to compete with itself. The new Kodak (the pension folks) may decide to no longer provide Freestyle with re-badged Tri-X. In the future, if you want Tri-X, you're going to have to buy Tri-X, and at Kodak's price. At least that's one theory.

Jim B.

Exactly. I've never understood why the Arista stuff even exists. You don't hear me complaining, but from a business perspective it doesn't make much sense...

 

[rwintle]

I bought 80 rolls of the stuff last week. Guess that was about the last of it!



Exactly. I've never understood why the Arista stuff even exists. You don't hear me complaining, but from a business perspective it doesn't make much sense...

Depends on the terms and market. If there's a significant market of people who might buy B&W film but not at the full cost of "real" Tri-X, and if a supply deal can be cut that leverages Freestyle's retail front end while still maintaining a profit for Kodak, then why not? Many businesses do similar things (Seattle's Best coffee vs. Starbucks, for example).

All kind of a moot argument now I suppose. 🙁

 

[traveler_101]

There was a thread here several months back noting the end of the relationship between Freestyle and Kodak. It was reported then that they had a few hundred thousand rolls in stock and that would be it. I think Tom A was responsible for snatching up a small percentage of that inventory....😛

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127422&highlight=arista+premium

Right. I picked up 80 rolls after reading that. But it is already half gone. I should have bought more.

Or it may be that the Kodak no longer wants to compete with itself. The new Kodak (the pension folks) may decide to no longer provide Freestyle with re-badged Tri-X. In the future, if you want Tri-X, you're going to have to buy Tri-X, and at Kodak's price. At least that's one theory.

Jim B.

Exactly, but the decision was made even before the film division was transferred to the new owner, Kodak Alaris. I am thrilled to have managed to buy Arista Premium, but I am more than happy to see the end of re-branded Tri-X if it restores Kodak to profitability . . . anything if only Kodak can stay in business. Whatever happens I bet we'll be paying $10 a roll within five years. Kodak Tri-X @ $5 is a good price.

 

[presspass]

I, too, will miss Arista Premium in 36 exposure cassettes. I am going back to bulk loading and would like to know if either Orwo or Kentmere are comparable to Tri-X. Mostly shot at 400, but a few rolls every month at 1600. Any input appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Tri-X at $5 has forced me to shoot Arista.Edu. If it goes to $10 a roll, I can't imagine too many people ever shooting it again.

Right. I picked up 80 rolls after reading that. But it is already half gone. I should have bought more.



Exactly, but the decision was made even before the film division was transferred to the new owner, Kodak Alaris. I am thrilled to have managed to buy Arista Premium, but I am more than happy to see the end of re-branded Tri-X if it restores Kodak to profitability . . . anything if only Kodak can stay in business. Whatever happens I bet we'll be paying $10 a roll within five years. Kodak Tri-X @ $5 is a good price.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

As of today Arista Premium 400 24-exposure rolls are still in stock at Freestyle.

Chris

 

[wblynch]

I quit caring when we lost AP 100 (plus-x) and both Legacy Pros.

I do like the EDU and want to try the 200

 

[mdwsta4]

Called up Freestyle again yesterday and the rep I spoke to confirmed the 36 roll film is discontinued, but they have about 170,000 24exp rolls left. Picked up another few packs while I drove past there this afternoon. Think I have 100 rolls of 24/36exp so that should last me a little while.

 

[RFluhver]

I was in LA last week and stopped by FreeStyle to pick some Arista Premium 400. They said the same thing, that they've run out of the 36exp rolls. So I just grabbed 50 of the 24exp ones.

By the way, as I paid, I asked if Arista Premium is Tri-X rebranded, as claimed by some. The answer I got was that they are not at liberty to say. I thought that somewhat odd. It either is or isn't.

 

[Mark C]

It clearly is, and that has always been part of these deals with manufacturers. Why would they allow Freestyle to advertise that they are selling Tri-X for much less than Kodak price?

I've used a lot of it and still have a few hundred foot rolls in the freezer, but decided to put some more 100' rolls of Kodak TX in when I saw a decent price this summer. The 24 exposures weren't saving me anything over the 100', but would still be a good deal for someone who doesn't bulk load.

I miss the stuff and wonder whether we'll see more deals like this in the future. I hope we do, but even if not we have a surprisingly wide choice of great films available today.

 

[bhop73]

By the way, as I paid, I asked if Arista Premium is Tri-X rebranded, as claimed by some. The answer I got was that they are not at liberty to say. I thought that somewhat odd. It either is or isn't.

They're not allowed to say because of legal issues, but they'll usually give you hints, such as "it's made in the u.s." and "strangely enough development times are the same as tri-x" *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

 

[mdwsta4]

FYI - First it was the 36 exp rolls, now it's the 24 exp rolls. Freestyle is officially out of all Arista Premium film as of Monday. Glad I have about 6 bricks stocked away in my freezer.

 

[Chris Bail]

I knew I should have bought some on Monday when I was browsing the site. I have 30 rolls in the freezer and 100 ft roll of Tri-X, so I don't really NEED anymore right now anyway.

 

[JChrome]

You never need it until you need it.

It would have been great for Arista to get a bunch of 120 Tri-X. That would have been fun!

I got caught up in the "great film scare" of 2011 and bought 150 rolls of the Arista EDU 100 120. They did raise the price of it (used to be 2.89 and now 3.09). Anywho, the downside in this investment wasn't so terrible (just had to shoot a bunch of film 🙂).

I have two friends that are shooting film for the first time and enjoying it (much to my excitement). One's buying the Pentax 67 and one the Fuji GW690. Because Arista 120 is the cheapest 120 film you can buy and I want them to be able to make mistakes without wasting too much money, I make sure and get them started there.

Too bad about the Arista Premium. But we should appreciate Freestyle for what they did (and are still doing with Arista EDU).

 

[Noll]

It was a great thing while it lasted! I have 3 bricks In the fridge here. Probably should have bought more, but i'll just have to start supporting kodak a little sooner. Or switch to Hp5 + bulk rolls....

 

[rwintle]

Surprisingly, Aden Camera here in Toronto just got another order of Arista Premium 400 in 24-exp rolls filled. I got the impression they weren't expecting it to happen. The rolls are just in plastic canisters though as it seems the cardboard boxes are now all long gone.

Toronto shooters, move fast. I think there were only about 50 rolls. No, I didn't clean them out. 😉