B&W Film and Supplies in Africa?

[kemal_mumcu]

I'm going to be in a large city in West Africa for a while; while I was there for a short while I never bothered to notice if there is basic b&w film stuff available. There was C-41 and processing readily available. I feel silly asking this but I really can't find much information.

My guess is that one should be able to find TriX and D-76 but then I'm not sure. Maybe E-6?

I'll be living there for a while so I'd rather not fill my suitcase with chemicals if I can buy it there.

Does anybody know more information about this?

Thanks a lot.

 

[BobYIL]

Africa today looks like a mosaic of states having not much common to exhibit. How about specifying the country or town so you would be receiving more insightful inputs?

 

[caasols]

For what my colegues tell me of their work experience in Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde, it will be hard to get black and white film, and near to impossible to get Chemistry for developing your own.

 

[rxmd]

I'm going to be in a large city in West Africa for a while; while I was there for a short while I never bothered to notice if there is basic b&w film stuff available. There was C-41 and processing readily available. I feel silly asking this but I really can't find much information.

My guess is that one should be able to find TriX and D-76 but then I'm not sure. Maybe E-6?

I'll be living there for a while so I'd rather not fill my suitcase with chemicals if I can buy it there.

Does anybody know more information about this?

Thanks a lot.

Without knowing where you go, it's difficult to give concrete advice. Accra or Lagos is different from N'Djamena, Niamey or Freetown.
In genereal I'd expect you to have to import it yourself or have it sent to you.

 

[kemal_mumcu]

Sorry. Dakar, Senegal. 🙂

 

[jaredangle]

With the state of E-6 films today, I'd be more inclined to shoot a high-quality C41 film for the color shots instead for long term... I've read about C41 shops still around in Dakar but nothing about E6, as digital is the economical option for the majority of the population.

Not trying to dissuade you from taking E6, as I'd probably shoot it myself, but not a majority. I'd probably be shooting Ektar and Fuji 160C alongside the b/w film.

 

[kemal_mumcu]

Thanks for the responses so far. I know there isn't much information on this - I have done many many searches.

I know there are C-41 shops because I saw them when i was there about 2 years ago. I also saw a lot of people taking pictures with simple slr cameras, which gave me hope that maybe film photography might be strong there. But yes, I imagine especially with smart phones many people now would be printing directly from these.

I really really like E-6 though and I'd be willing to shoot E-6 and freeze it till I had a chance to come home.

B&W, if I can't get simple developer and fixer there I could try ordering in small amounts from Europe. It would be more expensive but hey...

I will be bringing out a scanner though.

I know there are RFFers who have spent some time in Africa and I was hoping they would chime in.

 

[furcafe]

Not sure if you're on Lightstalkers (http://www.lightstalkers.org), but that forum might be worth trying.

 

[emraphoto]

there will be lots of c-41 service. bring your own B+W chemicals.

go to one of the shops and ask if they will piggy back on their orders or where they get them. DHL has a pretty good service in Dakar but make sure the courier you use clears customs for you and then bills you. otherwise the bribing via customs on your own can get out of hand.

stay out of any of they print and processing shops in city core. you're a target going in them?

if you want me to post on Lightstalkers, let me know.

Senegal is in a bit of a dicey spot right now. lot of folks watching it very closely as a strong opposition movement is developing quickly there. keep you eye on what's happening

 

[jaredangle]

B&W, if I can't get simple developer and fixer there I could try ordering in small amounts from Europe. It would be more expensive but hey...

D76 powder would probably be best – lighter than liquids so you won't get screwed over on shipping costs, and you'll be able to have larger amounts shipped at once without ORM-D restrictions for dangerous chemicals. You *might* even be able to take it with you on your trip over, but I'm probably wrong.

Not sure if you're on Lightstalkers (http://www.lightstalkers.org), but that forum might be worth trying.

emraphoto and furcafe are right, lightstalkers.org is the place to go for this. I'm a member of it. Lots of experienced minds there.

 

[kemal_mumcu]

Lots of good wisdom here. Thanks. I feel like I'm getting somewhere now. I like the idea of piggybacking on a store's order to get supplies - less bureaucratic hassle.

I've never signed up to lightstalkers as it seemed "out of my league" but if someone could post the question there for me I'd be much appreciative.

I think I'll bring out some D-76 to start and then start asking around once I get there.

What about E-6 processing? Or is that asking too much?

 

[rxmd]

Lots of good wisdom here. Thanks. I feel like I'm getting somewhere now. I like the idea of piggybacking on a store's order to get supplies - less bureaucratic hassle.

I've never signed up to lightstalkers as it seemed "out of my league" but if someone could post the question there for me I'd be much appreciative.

I think I'll bring out some D-76 to start and then start asking around once I get there.

What about E-6 processing? Or is that asking too much?

E-6 is probably asking too much but it's a matter of luck, really; maybe you'll just find that one lab that still does it. You'll find out about these things on the spot.

It's probably better to import chemicals via the mail rather than carrying it on you in person, simply because crossing the border with lots of bags of white powder can lead to awkward situations.

John's tip about taking a good look at the political situation as it unravels is very worthwhile; Senegal was for a long time a haven of stability in West Africa but seems to be going through some rougher waters currently.

 

[emraphoto]

http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/help-needed-access-to-chemicals-or-processing-in-dakar