Last Call! 127 film at Freestyle-Hurry!!!

[dave lackey]

Freestyle just sent out emails to customers. They need nine (9) more orders for 127 film in the Ilford 2018 program.

I ordered one more!

They still need 8 orders! Immediately..

Please contact Freestyle if you want 127 film this year!🙂

 

[Beemermark]

I didn't get the email and I can find no way to order on their website.

 

[dave lackey]

Hey, sorry, you will need to call them. Speak with Sherry Lee or Emily Holter.
The ULF Program for 2018 expired May 25th... now they are looking to get enough orders to complete the minimum required to manufacture 127 film this year or they will cancel everyone's orders.

Hopefully they will find enough people to meet the minimum.

Here is the number I have for Sherry Lee:

1.800.292.6137 ext. 132

 

[jamin-b]

I received teh following message from them and indicated I would add 1 or 2 rolls to my order if it helps.

Hello Ben,

There is a minimum order quantity for item #1174843 ILFORD HP5+ 46MM X 50FT.
Ilford is short just 9 units.

We are trying to contact all of our customers to see if they would like to increase their orders. If no one does, then all orders for the 46mm HP5+ will be canceled.

Would you like to increase your order?

Best regards,
Emily
--
Emily Holter
emily@freestylephoto.biz
Sales/Customer Service
+1 (323) 660-3460 ext. 102


5124 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

Freestyle Photographic Supplies

 

[dave lackey]

Cool!!!

Thanks, Ben!!!😎

 

[NY_Dan]

Why doesn't Freestyle just order the few extra rolls themselves so they don't lose the profit and goodwill - plus they will sell those rolls anyway. I'd order some, "but for these reasons I'm out."

 

[dave lackey]

Why doesn't Freestyle just order the few extra rolls themselves so they don't lose the profit and goodwill - plus they will sell those rolls anyway. I'd order some, "but for these reasons I'm out."

Great question!!!!😀

Hopefully they will get enough or I will be out of film for the next year! I am just not set up to slit my own...

 

[css9450]

I wonder if the same situation exists at the various other participating retailers who were taking pre-orders? It would be a shame if no one got any film because each retailer was short a few orders. One solution, I suppose, would be if photographers all teamed up to buy from the same store but that of course would come at the expense of some other store.

 

[Timmyjoe]

The whole way the process is set up kind of invites failure. The retailers have to get the exact number of rolls ordered before Ilford will make the film for them. One roll short, no film. One roll over the number, and that last order is not filled. So as long as there are, let's say, exactly 23, 46, 69 orders (can't remember if the minimum is 23, or 27,or ?) then all the customers are happy. Any number in between, you've got upset customers. Why would a retailer want to put themselves at this risk?

Best,
-Tim

 

[dave lackey]

The whole way the process is set up kind of invites failure. The retailers have to get the exact number of rolls ordered before Ilford will make the film for them. One roll short, no film. One roll over the number, and that last order is not filled. So as long as there are, let's say, exactly 23, 46, 69 orders (can't remember if the minimum is 23, or 27,or ?) then all the customers are happy. Any number in between, you've got upset customers. Why would a retailer want to put themselves at this risk?

Best,
-Tim

Not really. It has been successful for over 12 years. Can't argue much with that. If you have a great idea, why not share it with them (Ilford)? I am sure they could improve some because it does seem a bit tight.

Imo, their advertising completely sucks and I will be sharing my thoughts with them about that soon, myself.

The larger problem that is always a concern is how long will they keep up with this very good program when people don't buy for reasons previously stated.

We shall see. 🙂

 

[Oren Grad]

Not really. It has been successful for over 12 years.

The 46mm long roll option was added to the program only relatively recently, in response to requests they had received. But I think there has been trouble every year in achieving the minimum for that particular offering. Either enough people aren't aware of it, or the demand just isn't that high - probably both factors are in play here.

 

[dave lackey]

The 46mm long roll option was added to the program only relatively recently, in response to requests they had received. But I think there has been trouble every year in achieving the minimum for that particular offering. Either enough people aren't aware of it, or the demand just isn't that high - probably both factors are in play here.

Could be...I am almost finished with the 50' roll I obtained from Larry. It is a wonderful thing to have fresh film ready to go!

THAT is why it would be nice for anyone remotely interested in shooting 127 the next year should support with an order. It would also help the rest of us, but if not, what other choice do we have?

There is NO other manufacturer/assembler in the world, as far as I know, and I am NOT going to slit 100 rolls of 120 film either. We either support Ilford through various retailers or we don't. I don't find the current program particularly distasteful (different, yes, but it is a specialty). If they make the film, I will receive it in a matter of a few months. If they do not make the film...

I get my money back. I am ok with that!:angel:

 

[css9450]

...and I will be sharing my thoughts with them about that soon, myself.

If you do, be sure to put a bug in their ear that perhaps the old traditional 127 mainstay Verichrome Pan could be most closely replicated by doing FP4 in 127 next year? I think there were vastly more simple box and folding cameras made which were designed for the slow films of the era; enough so that HP5 might not be the best pick. In other words, I'm not really keen on attaching a ND filter to my Kodak folder just to shoot HP5 (although I suppose I could pull-process it...).

 

[Oren Grad]

THAT is why it would be nice for anyone remotely interested in shooting 127 the next year should support with an order.

Unfortunately, the source of demand here isn't "anyone remotely interested in shooting 127" but rather "anyone sufficiently eager to shoot 127 that they're willing to spool their own from long rolls and backing paper".

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'd be far more interested in buying a couple rolls if it were FP4.

Best,
-Tim

 

[dave lackey]

Unfortunately, the source of demand here isn't "anyone remotely interested in shooting 127" but rather "anyone sufficiently eager to shoot 127 that they're willing to spool their own from long rolls and backing paper".

Yep! I was that way myself! Then I tried it and found it is a lot of fun!!!!🙂

What is the alternative choice? None since no one is making it available anymore.

Let's roll!!!😀

 

[farlymac]

Two things I come away with from this system of film ordering are:


1) It's only once a year, and some folks just can't afford to buy an annual supply all at once. Plus it's not well known that this plan is in existence.


2) There are a diminishing number of user cameras out there that have full controls to be able to handle the HP5. They're either snatched up by collectors, or too expensive for those who would like to try 127 format.


I'd try it myself, Dave, but I'm not investing in a Baby Rolleiflex, Sawer's MkIV, or Yashica 44 just to run an occasional roll through it. I'm trying to get rid of cameras!


PF

 

[Dan]

How does one roll their own with the backing paper and film separate? Does one make a jig for lengths and roll in the dark?

 

[dave lackey]

I'd try it myself, Dave, but I'm not investing in a Baby Rolleiflex, Sawer's MkIV, or Yashica 44 just to run an occasional roll through it. I'm trying to get rid of cameras!


PF

Hahaha! Me neither.. that is why I after I found out how much fun the BR is, I set a plan to shoot at least one roll each week! It is very simple to do, and when I am done shooting, and developing and scanning, the whole process becomes a craft with the feeling of creating images, not simply taking pictures. The only thing better would be printing my own but there is not enough time in a day for that!🙂🙂🙂

 

[css9450]

How does one roll their own with the backing paper and film separate? Does one make a jig for lengths and roll in the dark?

In a nutshell, yes. See here:


https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164780


Start at about Post #6. Lay out the paper and put some sort of markers on it for the correct length. I used clothespins. Lay down the film onto the paper as close to being centered as possible, and trim the end (or ends) as needed. Roll it onto a 127 spool and tape the end. It takes some patience because its in complete darkness but its not hard.