Happiness is easy

[santino]

I just bought a collapsible I-50 for 3 euros and a I-61 (Panda) for 2 euros! (from the same seller).

It'll be my second I-61 (my one is a terrible sample, performance is nada and I think it's the worst FSU lens I got - my I-61 LD is outstanding).

The I-50 will be my first collapsible I-50 (got a I-22, am very satisfied).

Hope it's in good condition.

(sorry, I just had to post that, I'm kinda excited). 😀

 

[Pherdinand]

happiness is not that easy.
After three months of fighting with the bank policies and finally paying extra for the wire transfer, my Freestyle shipment from the US arrived.
However, the paper chunk the mailman left behind says, i can pick it up BUT i have to pay 57 euro (duty charges).
On film and developer.
Damnit!

 

[santino]

I'm sorry to hear that.
I bought from Germany so there should be no problem with shipping.

 

[MartinP]

Hmmm, that's a lot of tax. You could try getting "HP5+" etc via www.efke.nl possibly ? I haven't had a problem finding darkroom stuff in this part of NL (near Arnhem) but have to go to Utrecht for a lot of chemicals, or Antwerp is good too. Esoteric papers might be more awkward admittedly.

Santino, I also now have an I-50 (but rigid), though it will need cleaning. Looks like someone dunked it in lighter-fluid which moved oil on to the lens elements. Ooops. Good luck with yours !

 

[Pherdinand]

i bought about 40 rolls of film incl neopan 1600 and delta 3200 that is rather expensive here, and efke 25 in medium format that is not easy to find. I also bought diafine developer that is also difficult to find and more expensive here.
I did my homework, and ended up with the conclusion that i should buy at one place and go for the cheap and slow shipping and i will come out remarkably cheaper.
Did not think about getting tax'ed for a 250$ merchandise (that includes shipping!). 🙁

A few online shops sell at a reasnably price but they do not have all the stuff i wanted. In fact diafine is only available at rovo as far as i know.

 

[santino]

taxing - thats why I don't buy from russia anymore. reasonable prices but if I buy over 20 euros, bang!

 

[MartinP]

For a large quantity like that, it would maybe be cheaper to go Ryanair to London and fill your carry-on luggage ?!

There and back in a day, especially from this side of NL, is simple - I have had to do that for a funeral unfortunately. Then you can hire an entire room in a cheap hostel (in Piccadily for example) for 20 quid a night per person and make a weekend out of it - done that too 🙂

The only question is, what would be said about the chemicals on the 'plane I suppose....