Kodak's breathtaking price increases (at least in Japan)..

[Ko.Fe.]

I wish we have here as good prices as they have in Japan for some of their "internal" color film, like Fujicolor Industrial.

 

[Moto-Uno]

If the info I've read is correct, LOMO Lady Grey is Tri-x and I got 3 , 120 mrolls for $10.00 Canadian just last week. Not a bad price I believe. Peter

 

[btgc]

My suggestion is that a lot of us, including me, should sell some gear or otherwise beg, borrow, or steal some money and stock up on this, because it ain't going down in price from here on out. Kodak Alaris has already clearly stated in no uncertain terms that their film production decisions will be based on professional and consumer buying of film.

So far so good. But if we all stock up right now for a year or two then they don't get orders in near future and decide film isn't in demand?

OK, it's not so easy and they should have analysts having answers on how much people are willing to spend on particular products.

I just don't want to feel like each buy is the last one, heck, I'm low volume user and we already have had high local prices, so internet shopping has been liberating discovery.

 

[michaelwj]

Australians have always been ripped off with film prices. The internet allowed price transparency so now I'd guess most regular film shooters buy from overseas, where savings can typically be 30-50%, including postage.

I'm grateful to earlier posters for giving me some pointers to other films that may meet my needs if prices continue to rise.

Here's a comparison of Freestyle vs Vanbar Imaging, a large photo warehouse in Sydney. Vanbar prices are typically a few dollars cheaper than most retail shops (although it's very hard to find any retail camera stores that stock bw film or Portra).

Tri-X 400

Freestyle (USD) prices:
135-36 - $4.39 (currently discounted 20%)
100' - $89.99

Vanbar Australia (converted to USD) prices:
135-36 - $8.49
100' - $144.85
==========
HP5+

Freestyle (USD) prices:
135-36 - $5.59
100' - $64.99

Vanbar Australia HP5+ prices
135-36 - $13.29 a roll, but currently discounted to $20.45 for 3 rolls
100' roll - $92

Edit: moral of the story: if you're visiting Australia, stock up on film before you leave!

Not long ago in another thread I was defending the price in Australia, when others were bashing them. I bought 30 m of TriX in December from Vanbar for A$75, cheaper than I could have bought it in the states. It just jumped to A$155. WTF? Over double in a few months. TMAX 100 seems to have not jumped that much, although TMY400 jumped about $25, and the Ilford films haven't moved. If their prices stay more stable then I'll jump to using their films. It won't stop me shooting film though, I may just have to plan more.
I've got about 10 m of TriX left, and I fear it will be my last 10.

Michael

 

[kiss-o-matic]

I usually have to go to Yodobashi in Shinjuku if I need Tri-x, as they are one of the few places which have it in stock consistently.

I was going to grab one when I was there last time, and it was out.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

If Kodak price rise drives demand to Ilford and strengthens their position I can live with that. The only real issue I have with films made by the latter is the reciprocity curves, which are nowhere near Acros, for instance. If they tightened these up personally I'd have no significant reason to buy black and white from anyone else.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[Tijmendal]

If the info I've read is correct, LOMO Lady Grey is Tri-x and I got 3 , 120 mrolls for $10.00 Canadian just last week. Not a bad price I believe. Peter

This is definitely not the case. Too bad.

 

[RattyMouse]

In some of the shops in Tokyo they are having trouble keeping Tri-X on the shelves, it sells very well. Two out of the last three times I have been to Bic Camera in Yurakucho, they have been sold out. But they always have plenty of T-Max on hand, as well as Fuji Presto.

I usually have to go to Yodobashi in Shinjuku if I need Tri-x, as they are one of the few places which have it in stock consistently.

No, Kodak's distribution of film is broken. Talk to your suppliers. The film is not selling well because they CANNOT get any. Portra is hard to find in China these days because my supplier can't get any from Kodak.

Raise prices like this is suicide. Perhaps that is what Kodak wants.

 

[Dante_Stella]

TriX is still a great film - but when prices start climbing too high, I look for alternatives. I go through 500+ rolls a year and that is significant money.

Ok, I'll bite. You're shooting 18,000 frames of film a year, taking pictures of what? That's Winogrand territory. 🙂

Dante