shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I'm just curious, can you not use XP2 for your work?
bobbyrab
Well-known
I have to say I had a bit of a wake up call this morning, I generally take some c41 B&W at my weddings alongside digital canon. It's not necessary for me to use film, my clients don't book me because I shoot some film so it's self indulgent on my part really, but I'm now beginning to question at what point does it just become too expensive.
This morning I've gone to my usual online retailer who has had remaining stock of Kodak cn to find it's all gone, so my only option now is Ilfords XP2, but at over £6 per roll, then add postage development and scanning costs and it's getting close to £20 per roll. As well as the cost, if Ilford drop xp2 I'm left with an M6 and four lenses that won't be viable to me as work cameras. So do I bite the digital M bullet or give up on my lovely Leica. I don't doubt films continued availability but it's never again going to be cheap and easy.
This morning I've gone to my usual online retailer who has had remaining stock of Kodak cn to find it's all gone, so my only option now is Ilfords XP2, but at over £6 per roll, then add postage development and scanning costs and it's getting close to £20 per roll. As well as the cost, if Ilford drop xp2 I'm left with an M6 and four lenses that won't be viable to me as work cameras. So do I bite the digital M bullet or give up on my lovely Leica. I don't doubt films continued availability but it's never again going to be cheap and easy.
BlackXList
Well-known
I'd love to use XP2 Super, especially since I don't live all that far from Ilford, but shooting it at box speed I always get appalling results with it.
I've seen some lovely results in the "XP2 super love" thread, I just can't seem to produce anything that isn't a grainy mess, (loses definition/detail to grain). wheras BW400CN is fantastic at box speed.
I need to give Neopan400CN a try, but I'd much rather stick with BW400CN for as long as possible, simply because I know how it works
I've just checked an online retailer who I'd bookmarked only last week for BW400CN and it's no longer on their site in any size. it's still on the Kodak site, but under consumer film, rather than professional film (kind of silly considering it has "professional" in the name)
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Funny to read the number of alarmed posts in the last few days.
The OP is over two years old, BW400CN in 120 apparently was terminated somewhere end 2010, early 2011...
The OP is over two years old, BW400CN in 120 apparently was terminated somewhere end 2010, early 2011...
bobbyrab
Well-known
It's also gone in 35mm, I managed to pick up a pack of ten today but it's only what stock is still on the shelves. Neopan 400cn is also no longer available.
Personally I don't have time to be developing film at home, so C41 is great for me, and has been quite cheap up until now, but that's drawing to a close which I fear will put further pressure on film sales. One of the cheapest sources of film in the UK was seven day shop, they seem to have dropped Ilford as their price has risen.
I don't mind paying a premium for film in the future, but there is a point where it's not really viable for my commercial work, I know that's not an issue for most people here where the increase is of less consequence.
Personally I don't have time to be developing film at home, so C41 is great for me, and has been quite cheap up until now, but that's drawing to a close which I fear will put further pressure on film sales. One of the cheapest sources of film in the UK was seven day shop, they seem to have dropped Ilford as their price has risen.
I don't mind paying a premium for film in the future, but there is a point where it's not really viable for my commercial work, I know that's not an issue for most people here where the increase is of less consequence.
BlackXList
Well-known
I realise this is a UK centric point but at the start of the week 7dayshop were supplying 5 packs of BW400CN in 35mm, today, it's not on their site at all. No 5 packs, no single rolls, no note to say "out of stock", no results when searching for it, the listing has simply gone.
I'm certainly heading towards "alarmed" on this one.
I sent Kodak a message through facebook the other night, have had no response, so today I've emailed someone there to see if I can get a reliable clarification (of course if I do I'll come back to this thread and share the news, good or bad).
I'm certainly heading towards "alarmed" on this one.
I sent Kodak a message through facebook the other night, have had no response, so today I've emailed someone there to see if I can get a reliable clarification (of course if I do I'll come back to this thread and share the news, good or bad).
bobbyrab
Well-known
As far as I'm aware it was discontinued by Kodak some months ago, I've bought a few boxes of 50 at a time, but it's getting to the bottom of the stock now, and I assume 7day shop are out all together.