Shooting BW analogue in China - 2016

[robdeszan]

Hi All, It would be great if you could share your experiences with shooting film (film and film processing chemicals for BW availability)? Is it easy to obtain materials and chemistry these days? I imagine online ordering is the best way? I typically shoot tmax range from kodak processed in xtol so nothing unusual. We will be relocating for a couple of years, not just travelling.

Many thanks!

Pat

 

[sebastel]

i left shanghai about a year ago, so my report isn't fully up to date.
i found nothing lacking from the local chinese market for film and chemicals except for rodinal. i preferred ilford pan 100 and pan 400 film. also i found that fuji is a bit cheaper in china compared to europe.
have a good time!

 

[robdeszan]

Cheaper fuji? That sounds ideal. My other favourite film is fuji acros. It looks like I will be hauling far too many equipment bags into China.

 

[sebastel]

keep in mind, that the situation off the big cities may look different. for example in dalian i had problems finding decent photographic supply. (fyi: dalian has about 4-5 million inhabitants, it's not exactly a small town)

 

[robdeszan]

We will be in Shenzhen which being right next to Hong Kong should be one of the better cities to be in when it comes to photographic supplies. I will also need a scanner though and taking my flextight is not an option...

 

[Archlich]

Online is the best way. Enormous selections - anything you could imagine - if you know how to use Taobao. Some brands (especially Ilford) are more expensive than B&H, but again they have very cheap Superia there...

Won't be much trouble for you to fetch a scanner as well.

 

[Joao]

ERA 100 ISO B&W films provided decent and consistent results, but it is not available anymore on-line. I wonder if they discontinued it definitely or not (the manufacturer's website does not reply).
If you can find some rolls, they're worth trying.
Regards
Joao

 

[robdeszan]

That all sounds reassuring, thanks! Might post the developing equipment as well. I will have to pick up a scanner over there and sell on when we move back, the flextight and it's shipping box weigh a ton. Reflecta or Epson v700 (I use one at home already for proofing) will have to suffice.

 

[nongfuspring]

Haven't been shopping for photographic supplies in Shenzhen but HK is a good place for film and chemicals. If you're from the U.S. you may find Kodak is much more expensive than other brands but Fuji films are generally a lot cheaper. In Shenzhen you may also find Lucky or Shanghai films for not much and I've also found places in other parts of China that sell Acros for as little as $2. Unless you're really set on Kodak I'd consider switching.

 

[xixi_gelly]

I live in Beijing now full time and can say don't worry about buying any photographic equipment. You can get everything here or on Taobao. Generally Tri-x or Tmax goes for about 35-38 RMB for a 135 roll. You can buy all sorts of Ilford soups, Kodak HC110, dektol, Rodinal, almost everything.

In fact, if anything, my advice for you is to bring the scanner and buy the actual photographic supplies - film, developer, fix, patterson tanks, trays, enlarger etc etc here in China.

As an aside, film shooting and all things vintage and analogue is VERY popular among the current generation of young Chinese. As for the older generation however, don't be surprised you see an inordinate number of nouveau riche walking around with M 240's paired with Noctiluxes. I've never spotted so many Leicas and so frequently as I have in this country.

 

[sebastel]

leica M with noctilux? hahaha ... that must have been the mistress.
the real nouveau riche now uses alpas with leaf backs and rodenstock lenses.

 

[robdeszan]

All very good advice, thanks. Taobao seems expensive for scanners, I may post it in the end. I also need to transfer a set of 4 elinchrom quadras with some basic modifiers. It's all a bit scarry when I think about the amount of equipment I'll somehow need to transport from the UK.
I saw zeiss otuses even leica s2s in the hands of obvious snapshooters myself when I went last year. 🙂

 

[xixi_gelly]

Love it

Love it

leica M with noctilux? hahaha ... that must have been the mistress.
the real nouveau riche now uses alpas with leaf backs and rodenstock lenses.

+1000 Love this. 😀

 

[Archlich]

All very good advice, thanks. Taobao seems expensive for scanners, I may post it in the end. I also need to transfer a set of 4 elinchrom quadras with some basic modifiers. It's all a bit scarry when I think about the amount of equipment I'll somehow need to transport from the UK.
I saw zeiss otuses even leica s2s in the hands of obvious snapshooters myself when I went last year. 🙂

Posting is good idea. Last year I had my V700 shipped there from Canada via surface mail. Took two months, zero issue.