California (Bay Area, Northern) Bay Area Visit

[naruto]

Hi folks

I'll be visiting the bay area between June 16th and 28th on work. But, I do hope to walk around and shoot quite a bit. I need info on the following:

1. where is the best place to buy photo chemicals? I need metol, sodium sulphite and sodium metaborate/balanced alkali.
2. which is the cheapest place to buy film 135 bulk and 120 format.
3. I also need a few darkroom stuff like dark 1lt plastic bottles, negative sleeves, etc. Which is the best place to buy these?

For all the above, I have usually relied on Freestyle and shipping to Singapore via special SingPost service. I want to know if there are local shops that sell the above for cheaper. 🙂

I am also on the look out for a decent screwmount body, one that may not need an overhaul. If you are looking for a buyer, PM me. 😉

I will surely be viewing 'The Americans' show. Any other places you recommend on "die die must visit places" ? Also, any of you RFFers free for a meet up/shoot out?

cheers.

 

[vdonovan]

There is not a good supplier of photo chemicals and darkroom equipment in San Francisco itself. The major camera shops--Calumet, Gassers--have some bits and pieces of darkroom supplies, but really a very poor selection. Calumet carries a few Photographer's Formulary products but again, it's very limited.

I hear there are good shops in Palo Alto and Berkeley, but I am not familiar with them. I live in San Francisco and buy everything I need over the internet from Freestyle. You might be better off making a stop-over in Los Angeles and dropping in on Freestyle's store.

Calumet does have good film prices for 120 at times. A better shot if you're going to buy in volume to take back would be Just Film (www.justfilmsf.com). Jurgen will definitely negotiate a volume discount. He does not carry bulk film, but maybe he can order it.

For an interesting experience, go check out Camera Heaven in the Tenderloin, a repair shop with some cameras for sale in an interesting neighborhood. David is an interesting guy, very knowledgeable about film cameras. Might have a body for sale.

While you're in San Francisco, don't forget to drop by the Rayko Photography Center, at 3rd and Harrison, near the Moma. There are always good photography exhibits in the gallery, some interesting used gear for sale, and excellent darkroom facilities.

 

[Papercut]

I'd be very, very surprised if there was anywhere in SF that even had the chemicals in stock, let alone at a price that could match/beat Freestyle. It's just barely possible that the places Vince mentioned (Looking Glass in Berkeley and Keeble and Shuchat in Palo Alto) might have some of them, but again I'd be very surprised.

As for places to shoot/see, it all depends on what you're interested in. On the museum side, SFMOMA, the De Young, and California Academy of Science are all worth the time imo. But there's a ton to see/do for nearly all tastes.

1. where is the best place to buy photo chemicals? I need metol, sodium sulphite and sodium metaborate/balanced alkali.
2. which is the cheapest place to buy film 135 bulk and 120 format.
3. I also need a few darkroom stuff like dark 1lt plastic bottles, negative sleeves, etc. Which is the best place to buy these?

For all the above, I have usually relied on Freestyle and shipping to Singapore via special SingPost service. I want to know if there are local shops that sell the above for cheaper. 🙂

 

[ampguy]

Keeble & Shuchat has it all

Keeble & Shuchat has it all

I would take the ~1hr trip to go here:

http://www.kspphoto.com/activepages/290.html

Not sure of film prices, but b/w chemical prices were surprisingly, not a lot more than Freestyle for me last year when I had to stock up there.

You can also get Washing Soda at the Mollie Stones next door, if you plan to do any coffee based developing.

Several good places to eat close by, and a train station there as well.

Hi folks

I'll be visiting the bay area between June 16th and 28th on work. But, I do hope to walk around and shoot quite a bit. I need info on the following:

1. where is the best place to buy photo chemicals? I need metol, sodium sulphite and sodium metaborate/balanced alkali.
2. which is the cheapest place to buy film 135 bulk and 120 format.
3. I also need a few darkroom stuff like dark 1lt plastic bottles, negative sleeves, etc. Which is the best place to buy these?

For all the above, I have usually relied on Freestyle and shipping to Singapore via special SingPost service. I want to know if there are local shops that sell the above for cheaper. 🙂

I am also on the look out for a decent screwmount body, one that may not need an overhaul. If you are looking for a buyer, PM me. 😉

I will surely be viewing 'The Americans' show. Any other places you recommend on "die die must visit places" ? Also, any of you RFFers free for a meet up/shoot out?

cheers.

 

[Sisyphus]

Naruto,

I will have a little bit of time, at the begginning of your trip, to meet up with you, photograph, and show you around a little bit; just PM me when you arrive. I can also, take you around to help you purchase the supplies you are looking for.

:s:

 

[Papercut]

ampguy, it's been several years since i was down in PA so I'm genuinely curious does K&S actually carry the raw chemicals? Naruto wasn't looking for pre-made/mixed developers (like HC-110, Xtol, etc.), but the components for making his own (stuff like metol, sodium metaborate, etc). It'd be great if there was a "local" source for these, so I'm hoping I'm wrong -- I make my own dual bath developer from time to time too.

 

[naruto]

Vince: Thanks for the advice on the photo shops, I'll be sure to check out the ones in SF. The prices on TriX 120 does seem cheaper in Singapore, compared to the US. Let me try negotiating a bulk deal.

Kevin: I got another recommendation for ksphoto (other than ampguy), and emailed them asking for details. But, I am yet to hear anything from them. And, yes, I am planning to mix up the Thornton's formula. 🙂

ampguy: thanks, I'll give them a visit. I am staying a 20 min drive away from the place. 🙂

thomas: I'll PM you once I am there. I mostly like to shoot street and people.

 

[Papercut]

"street and people" huh? you're in luck, there's plenty of both in SF! ;-)

As for Thornton's, are you looking to buy chemicals in large quantities to take back with you? Or is it just a few liters for while you're here? If it's the latter, I may have extra unmixed ingredients -- the only trick would be arranging a time/place to hand them off to you (I live in San Rafael across the GG Bridge to the north but make pretty frequent trips in to SF).

K&S is a wonderful store -- I remember being completely dazzled the last time I was in there on a trip to Stanford. Worth the trip down there to see I would imagine.

 

[Sisyphus]

Ok sounds good;

Film: I generally order my film from B&H photo in NYC, and have it shipped to me; you might want to see about ordering film from them and having it shipped to your hotel.

Chemicals: I am able to get some of photo-chemistry from Bryant Laboratory in Berkeley, which closer than San Rafael; it might want to be something to look into.

Photographing: Sounds good . . .

Thomas
:s:

 

[bob338]

you can email volker at just film and i'm sure he can have whatever film you want waiting for you when you arrive in san francisco. i think they also sell film at rayko, but i haven't been there for a while.

bob


http://www.justfilmsf.com/menu.asp?id=5N2H8NFCUH

 

[vdonovan]

you can email volker at just film and i'm sure he can have whatever film you want waiting for you when you arrive in san francisco. i think they also sell film at rayko, but i haven't been there for a while.

bob


http://www.justfilmsf.com/menu.asp?id=5N2H8NFCUH

Rayko has very limited film for sale, mostly outdated or off-brand 35mm for use by students taking classes there.

 

[kaiyen]

KSP does not have raw chemicals there. they just have a lot of developers there, and some photo formulary pre mixed stuff. good prices though. their darkroom dept doesn't get much activity.

 

[Vics]

Is Photographers Supply on Bryant St. closed? Their North Bay store in Santa Rosa is still open, but a bit limited. They had some Tri-x on sale yesterday for $4.85 a roll, 135/36exp.
Vic

 

[RayPA]

Hi folks

Also, any of you RFFers free for a meet up/shoot out?

cheers.

We call them 'beer and gear' (when in Rome...) 😛 If you arrive on the 16th, you will have just missed two consecutive weekends of local b&g's. There's one on the 6th and one on the 13th, both based on the Frank exhibit.

Maybe we can put something together for the weekend of the 27th for those who haven't made the show yet or who want to see it again with a group. (?)

/

 

[pbhome]

Keeble & Suchart in Palo Alto

Keeble & Suchart in Palo Alto

Naruto,

I stopped by at K&S last week to get my supplies (HC-110) and some bottles.

Yes, they still do have good selection. I'll stop by to day just in case and will confirm.

Where will you stay, in San Francisco, or in the area?

Would D-76 be easier to get? 🙂 I know that K&S has that in stock.

-Pat

 

[RayPA]

Does Looking Glass in Berkeley carry photo chemicals? It's been years since I've been there.

/

 

[Honus]

Does Looking Glass in Berkeley carry photo chemicals? It's been years since I've been there.
/

Ray - I'm in there quite frequently and I can definitely tell you that ... I'm not sure. 😀 They have a decent supply of developers, but I don't think that they have raw chemicals.

Roland - Haven't seen you in ages. I'll be at SFMOMA this Saturday with a splinter group of RFF radicals. Would be great if you could make it. I'll even let you play with my new toy. 😱

Naruto - Sorry to be hijacking your thread. I'll be out of town during your visit here, but I'm sure you'll be able to find some RFF'rs to hook up with.

 

[vrgard]

We call them 'beer and gear' (when in Rome...) 😛 If you arrive on the 16th, you will have just missed two consecutive weekends of local b&g's. There's one on the 6th and one on the 13th, both based on the Frank exhibit.

Maybe we can put something together for the weekend of the 27th for those who haven't made the show yet or who want to see it again with a group. (?)

/

Ray, can you clue me on on the local gatherings on the 6th and the 13th? I can't readily find postings about them and I'm interested in seeing the Frank exhibit. And it would be good to see the gang as well.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[RayPA]

Ashwin and I have to meet anyways 🙂 Another beer and gear would be great. Saw that you cann't make it on the 13th, Ray. Damn, and I was just convincing myself to go ....

BTW, anything ever come out of your G10 a couple of weeks ago ? 🙂

Cheers,

Roland.

Roland, I'm going on the 14th and would be glad to join you and Ashwin on the weekend of the 27th. Yes, I got a very nice photo of you perched atop the Beemer. I'll post it somewhere. We really have to put together another ride. That was a blast!

Ray, can you clue me on on the local gatherings on the 6th and the 13th? I can't readily find postings about them and I'm interested in seeing the Frank exhibit. And it would be good to see the gang as well.

Thanks,
Randy

Randy, Kent initiated the meet on the 13th and nested within that thread is Robert's suggestion to meet on the 6th. I think both meet-ups are pulling RFF and Blow-Up folks (which reminds me 😉 )

 

[naruto]

Ok, there hasn't been any response from the guys at ksphoto, I guess I'll walk in there and take a look. My plans have changed slightly and I'll be arriving there on 18th.

RayPA, Roland: Shall we meet on 20th instead? I have a late dinner/BBQ appointment that night, but I am free the whole day. I am working on the 27th weekend. 🙁 RayPA, beer & gear sounds good. Though, I was looking forward to trying some wine. 🙄

Honus: maybe the next time. Looks like I may need to make frequent trips there this year.

pbhome: I can source D76 locally, and some of the Ilford stuff. It's the raw chemicals that are hard to get. I am staying in the bay area close to Sunnyvale.