Good budget alternatives to tri-x and HP5+

[zabo69]

Hi,
What good alternatives are there to hp5+ and tri-x?

Regards,
Avelino

 

[Vics]

Arista Premiun 400 at Freestyle.biz
EDIT: I bought Tri-x at Freestyle last week for $4.39/roll

 

[zabo69]

i am from Portugal, i can't find arista film 🙁

 

[CliveC]

I hear Kentmere 400 is grainer than Tri-X, but not bad. Made in the UK, should be available in Europe? No personal experience with it.

 

[msbarnes]

Arista Premium IS tri-x...I'm not sure how international shipping would work...

There is fuji neopan 400 but that might be discontinued and maybe not cheaper.

Foma 400, maybe, but I've never shot it in 35mm and it is about a stop slower from my experience. I would test foma 400 and kentmere 400 if they are available. I have no experience with kentmere.

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

Arista premium 400 is trix, but trix from germany is cheaper. Then Rollei RPX 400 i hear is quite near trix. but you have to try it by yourself ("rangefinderfreak" knows this film).

 

[gb hill]

Just buy & try what is available to you & experiment. You might hit on a good combination that you like. Myself I prefer the Arista EDU film to the Arista Premium. I know all film has risen in cost but living in Europe I would think Ilford is pretty cheap. Over here in the US it's expensive.

 

[ChrisN]

I think Ilford film is probably cheaper in the US than the UK!

 

[Keith]

I think Ilford film is probably cheaper in the US than the UK!

That's certainly been my experience.

 

[gb hill]

I think Ilford film is probably cheaper in the US than the UK!

Wow I shocked to find that out, but now thinking about it with the retailers we have in the States vs retailers elsewhere except maybe Japan, US retailers order more bulk to be able to sell at a better price. Just my guess though.

 

[Keith]

At one stage Freestyle had Ilford HP5+ on special in three packs at a price that worked out to less than two dollars per roll.

 

[ChrisN]

Wow I shocked to find that out, but now thinking about it with the retailers we have in the States vs retailers elsewhere except maybe Japan, US retailers order more bulk to be able to sell at a better price. Just my guess though.

Probably local tax issues too.

 

[ChrisN]

At one stage Freestyle had Ilford HP5+ on special in three packs at a price that worked out to less than two dollars per roll.

And I think you did a bulk order, and I got about 20 rolls. 🙂 Most of it is still in the fridge while I'm using up the Arista Premium.

 

[Jerevan]

Kentmere 400 is a great film, you can find it at fotoimpex.de for €2.89 a piece if you buy ten at a time.

 

[gsgary]

Foma 400 is good, i get 100 feet of HP5 for £50 delivered direct from Ilford

 

[mfogiel]

In 35mm your best bet is Arista Premium 400 from freestyle - even if you pay the courier and taxes, you will still save a lot, providing you order something like 200 boxes, otherwise, I would give the Rollei RPX 400 from macodirect a try. I haven't used it yet, but I have just tested RPX 100, and it is very good, plus it has the advantage of drying completely flat.
If you buy a lot of film, put it in the freezer.
Another way to save money, is to buy in 100ft rolls and cut the film and load the cassettes yourself.
Read this:
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/09/09/my-time-with-henri-cartier-bresson-by-ishu-patel/

 

[valdas]

Definitely Rollei RPX 400 is worth trying. Not really HP5, but I like it. 30% cheaper than HP5, try at www.macodirect.de

 

[stompyq]

The Kentmere films are good but come out horrible in Diafine. Not entirly sure about other developer combo's. I've had very good luck with the Arista films from freestyle

 

[stompyq]

Definitely Rollei RPX 400 is worth trying. Not really HP5, but I like it. 30% cheaper than HP5, try at www.macodirect.de

Rollei RPX and all the other Rollei emulsions are more expensive than the Kodak/fuji/ilford offerings here in the US

 

[Eugen Mezei]

i am from Portugal, i can't find arista film 🙁

They were also sold in Germany. I don't remember if by Fotoimpex or Maco.