Drug Store Film?

[pcfranchina]

What kind of drug store convienience type film do you use? Im looking for something high contrast..... Any recomendation?
For B/W I usually use the Kodak BW400cn Not sure about color print film though.


Thanks

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I bought a box of cheap Fuji film rebadged as Jewel (a supermarket chain in Illinois) and I swear I'll never do it again: I got the weirdest and most unhealthy greens (for grass) and really strange looking blue snow.

It was probably the only time I strayed from regularly packaged Fuji HQ 100 and Kodak ISO 200. Needless to say, I've stocked up on them just in case I need print film again.

As for B&W... sorry, no suggestions.

 

[KoNickon]

Can't go wrong with the Walgreens (Agfa) film -- better buy it while it's still available.

I think CVS's store brand film is made in Japan, which means it's in all likelihood Fuji, and thus a pretty safe bet.

What's the big NYC drugstore chain -- Duane Reade? Do they have their own house brand? It might be fun to try out the various house brands of film and see what you get. I have recently been using house brand film from a place called "American Family" -- I gather that's a chain store but I don't know where they're located. (I got the film on an island on the Maine coast -- I don't know how it got there.) The film is Ferrania -- OK but not as good as the Agfa/Walgreens by any means.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

This is CVS 200 straight from the camera. I usually sharpen and saturate, but I liked this one how it was. Leica iiif rd/st, collapsible summicron w/sooky.

 

[ch1]

Can't go wrong with the Walgreens (Agfa) film -- better buy it while it's still available.

I think CVS's store brand film is made in Japan, which means it's in all likelihood Fuji, and thus a pretty safe bet.

What's the big NYC drugstore chain -- Duane Reade? Do they have their own house brand? It might be fun to try out the various house brands of film and see what you get. I have recently been using house brand film from a place called "American Family" -- I gather that's a chain store but I don't know where they're located. (I got the film on an island on the Maine coast -- I don't know how it got there.) The film is Ferrania -- OK but not as good as the Agfa/Walgreens by any means.

Hmmm, I've never seen Duane Reade film but they are carrying more and more store-branded products so might be worth a look!

Also, the "majors" (e.g. CVS and Rite Aid) have now "invaded" NYC so their stuff should be available.

 

[dmr]

Can't go wrong with the Walgreens (Agfa) film -- better buy it while it's still available.

I picked up 40-some rolls of the Walgreens/Agfa 200 film last fall when it was on sale for $.77 per roll. I've used most of it, but at the regular price I probably won't get any more.

After using it a while, I definitely don't like it as well as the Fuji 200 (Super HQ?) or the Kodak Gold 200. It's ok, particularly in non-contrasty daylight, but definitely a step down. Kind of Ektachromish in color character. (Not saying that is bad. I like the color rendition it has, just not the way it handles.)

First of all, the grain is far more obvious on an 8x10 print. Second, it doesn't seem to have the exposure latitude of the Fuji and Kodak.

I also tried the W/A 400 and don't like the way it handles in low light. 🙁

I don't want to even remind myself of the mistake I made trying the W/A 800 for night shots! 🙁 Totally 144! 🙁 Grainy, contrasty, dirty. 🙁

 

[KoNickon]

OK, maybe I am just out of it -- "totally 144" = "totally gross"? Gotta be text messaging shorthand.

I like that shot with the CVS film -- I'll have to check it out.

I'll agree that the Walgreens film is grainier than the Kodak or Fuji, though I've never tried the Fuji Super HQ film, which seems to be the only variety of Fuji 200 speed you can find in drugstores and supermarkets. Is it an older emulsion formula than Superia? Can anyone comment on the differences between Super HQ and Superia?

 

[cbass]

I also tried the W/A 400 and don't like the way it handles in low light. 🙁

I don't want to even remind myself of the mistake I made trying the W/A 800 for night shots! 🙁 Totally 144! 🙁 Grainy, contrasty, dirty. 🙁

I'll second that sentiment with respect to the CVS brand 400 and 800 speed color films. They are pretty bad. Stick to 200 ASA for better results.

 

[RML]

Until I switched completely to digital, I shot Hema iso400 colour negatve. Hema is a Dutch chain store like boots and the like. You can find them also in Belgium and Germany IIRC. I've shot that film for years and years, and never had anything but good results with it. I have no idea whether it's basically Fuji or Agfa film, though. The film is available in rebate packages of 5. Last time I bought them, these 5-packs were about 13,50 euro (but that was last year June or so).

 

[Theo-Prof]

I'll agree that the Walgreens film is grainier than the Kodak or Fuji, though I've never tried the Fuji Super HQ film, which seems to be the only variety of Fuji 200 speed you can find in drugstores and supermarkets. Is it an older emulsion formula than Superia? Can anyone comment on the differences between Super HQ and Superia?

Yes, the HQ is an older emulsion than the Superia. The 200 speed and 400 speed films really benifited from the latest Fuji tweek to the emulsions.

 

[pshinkaw]

Walgreen's has not been replacing their stock of store branded Agfa film as it sells out. Also, I have noticed that they are reducing the number of display pegs on their film racks. Almost like they are not planning on selling a lot of film varieties anymore. Locally they have also stopped selling Fuji film even though they upgraded a few years ago to Fuji processors.

I wonder what kind of film they will put in their single-use store brand cameras? That market is still thriving.

-Paul