Toronto Film Shooters - Film Prices - DEALS!

[BLKRCAT]

So this is a bit of a follow up to my Film Expensive? Only in Canada Thread.

I ended up looking online this morning to see about ordering some film from my usual BH and the prices look to have increased. To the point that it's not exactly worth it to buy from it anymore.

I was very critical of Downtown Camera's prices here in Toronto at the time but it looks like the tables have turned dramatically. Prices compared site to site with DT Camera and BH look favourable on the Canadian side.

To put it over the top Downtown Camera offers a membership card with a $20 initial buy in but offers 25% off kodak films as well as a bunch of other benefits.

http://www.downtowncamera.com/blog/new-amfm-membership-for-film-lovers/

I'm going to check it out tonight but it looks like my prayers were finally answered when it came to a fairly priced local film shop.

Some quick comparisons understanding that buying single bricks from BH isn't the most economical, usually I buy 2.5 bricks at a time:

Brick of Tri-X (10 rolls 24 exposures)

BH - $87.11 CAD
Downtown Camera - $92.55 CAD without Membership
Downtown Camera - $74.05 CAD With Membership

Brick of Portra 400 (10 rolls 36 exposures)

BH - $147.86 CAD
Downtown Camera - $143.96 CAD without membership
Downtown Camera - $115.17 CAD with membership!!

Hopefully my maths are correct but it looks like DT Camera has listened to their shooters and that gains huge respect from me. I still have to check it out first hand but if this is all true I'll be recommending DT camera to everyone I meet on the streets.

 

[Archlich]

Thanks for sharing!

How long had they been doing this? If it lasts I'd definitely be stocking up when I'm back in Toronto this summer...

 

[BLKRCAT]

I believe its new. I remember seeing an email introducing the membership in the last couple months. Also they are discontinuing the stamp program they had.

 

[rbsinto]

For the last few years, Downtown Camera has been making a serious effort to keep film photography alive, by stocking and selling and processing a wide range of print as well as slide film, film cameras and processing materials.
Claudia Mac, who runs their film program is always on the lookout for new and interesting supplies of emulsions from wherever, and recently gave me a roll of ISO 320 colour slide from a new supplier to see if I like the results.
I was there on Saturday to drop off a roll of colour slide for processing (which by way of full disclosure is not done in-house, but by Borealis in Montreal) and learned that they will soon be stocking E-6 kits for home processing of slide film.
I can't speak to the issue of their black and white film prices as I don't purchase it, but for their knowledgeable and excellent service and great prices on equipment, I recommend them without reservation.
Robert

 

[brbo]

...and recently gave me a roll of ISO 320 colour slide from a new supplier...

?! No hint to what this is? Fresh? Manufacturer?

 

[j.scooter]

Thanks for the heads up.
Just in time need to stock on some 120. Hopefully the discount also applies to Ilford, I have recently stqrted usingHP5. Will check it out.

 

[BLKRCAT]

Only applies to kodak! Heres the link to the membership

http://www.downtowncamera.com/blog/new-amfm-membership-for-film-lovers/

I wouldn't doubt it if the prices of Ilford went down as well. I'm not an avid Ilford shooter so I never checked it out.

 

[newsgrunt]

and membership gives you 10% off other items (not sure if it includes other films) but my 3v lithiums were discounted.

 

[oltimer]

That's a great benefit to all you in the Toronto area, or at least close by car. It's still cheaper for me @1000 miles north to get the free shipping from B&H. Shipping to me from Toronto is not that cheap.

 

[rscheffler]

Think of how much money you save not living in Toronto. 🙂 That's a lot of film!

 

[sportster44]

I was in last week. The membership gives 10% off other film manufacturers including Ilford and Cinestill. Some of their Kodak prices are still crazy.... $250 for a bulk roll of Tri-X. Versus $65.99USD for HP5+.

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ In Vancouver they're asking just shy of $15 for a roll of any Kodak 35mm b&w film.
How do you spell highway robbery ? Thank Budda for Ilford , a hair over 1/2 Kodaks price!
Peter

 

[BLKRCAT]

Some of their Kodak prices are still crazy.... $250 for a bulk roll of Tri-X. Versus $65.99USD for HP5+.

Totally agreed IF you have to bulk roll tri-x. When they have a cheaper option for the same product with no hassle of bulk loading then just buy the cheaper option.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I checked BH for 30.5 meters of Tri-X, plus 30.5 meters of Kentmere 100.
Total in CAD and three days delivery:
204.22 CAD. For two bulks of film.


TRi-X from Downtown camera in same bulk, no Kentmere 100 bulk, no delivery, 10% off is 256.208 CAD.

Tri-X is 30 USD off at BH, but even at full price it is cheaper from BH.

I guess, hassle and cheaper means something very different in Toronto. To me dealing with not-reusable film cassette to get film out from it is the hassle.

 

[newsgrunt]

glad I got some bulk Tri X at henrys when it was $99 a can 😉 It's not mellowing in the freezer...

 

[BLKRCAT]

TRi-X from Downtown camera in same bulk, no Kentmere 100 bulk, no delivery, 10% off is 256.208 CAD.

Tri-X would be 25% off not 10%. Price would be 227.99 with tax. Still high but like I said, they have an option for Tri-X already rolled up, why bother with the hassle of bulk in this case unless you run like 12 exposure rolls or something like that.

For the average consumer its not an issue and for the professional, budgets can cover such an expense.

 

[sportster44]

True, but when I can buy HP5+ for less then half of the Kodak price in bulk, it takes my price per roll well below the Tri-X price per roll. I love Tri-X.... But at double the price of bulk HP5+?

 

[BLKRCAT]

^ Like I've said, then just buy pre-rolled canisters.

I've bulk rolled and I've bought pre-rolled. I don't see much of an advantage if any to buying bulk OTHER than spooling up short rolls for testing or short client work. Also spooling up shorter rolls means more leaders, which means more wasted and less economy to your bulk roll.

If you need to buy bulk their Tri-X offering isn't going to appeal to most consumers.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Ten rolls would lasts for two months with me. Three maximum.
115.17x4=460 CAD. 40 rolls of film per year is fine. But at this price I will quit from film and buy just few rolls per year to be able to be film macho on the internet.

For now I'm buying 39 USD Kentmere film. It is 200 CAD for three bulks, which is 60 rolls of 36 frames per year. Less than 20 CAD per month for film is very economical to me.