When color film stock can be back to normal?

[kiemchacsu]

When color film stock can be back to normal?
Not even to mention that the price is skyrocketed, it's still very difficult to buy film nowadays,
on B+H site, some of my favorite emulsion such as Fujicolor X-Tra 400 or Kodak Ultramax 400 are out of stock for months.
Anyone knows what is happening with the film manufacturing world-wide?
P.S Could you recommend some other places to buy films in large quantity (rather than B+H, Adorama, Freestylephoto... )

Thanks
Trung Nguyen

 

[bluesun267]

Everyone is out of 400 speed color from all manufacturers, it's impossible to get, according to my local camera shop. But they have gotten recent shipments of Ektar, Gold 200, Fuji C200 (same as Gold 200 in the US). So there are some options, maybe not exactly what you want, but at least something. I don't have any answers as to why or when, and unless we have someone on RFF that actually works at Kodak, everything else is just speculation.

My backup for buying film (if I can't get it in the US) is Fotoimpex in Germany. Their prices are very reasonable; DHL shipping is a bit high (around $40) but if you're buying a quantity, that shouldn't hurt too much). It arrived in about a week for me. (I ordered Velvia from them.)

 

[Nitroplait]

Just buy a lot when it is available.
I buy 2-3 years worth when my local shop has my preferred film on the shelves.'
I actually currently have 6 years worth of film in stock and should stop buying.

 

[KoNickon]

I find the Fuji 400 and Kodak Ultramax in local (Hartford CT USA) drug stores as well as my local camera shop. Haven't noticed it being out of stock.

 

[Livesteamer]

I live in North Carolina and some of our CVS drugstores have good stocks of Fuji 400 color negative film. A box of 3, 36 exposure films for $29. I bought four boxes today for $120 which is less expensive than Kodak. Joe

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I live in North Carolina and some of our CVS drugstores have good stocks of Fuji 400 color negative film. A box of 3, 36 exposure films for $29. I bought four boxes today for $120 which is less expensive than Kodak. Joe

Check out those four foot long receipts you get from CVS. I recently got a 25% off coupon that I was able to use on a 3-pack of the Fuji Superia 400, so got it for $21. I mostly shoot black-and-white so that's about a year's supply of color film for me.

 

[Fjäll]

It's possible to find stock from smaller businesses if you look around. I've stopped using the popular color films due to the unreasonable price increase. My go to film these days are the Kodak Vision3 250D and 500T which I buy in bulk. Probably the best color film I've used next to Portra 400

 

[KoNickon]

Check out those four foot long receipts you get from CVS. I recently got a 25% off coupon that I was able to use on a 3-pack of the Fuji Superia 400, so got it for $21. I mostly shoot black-and-white so that's about a year's supply of color film for me.

Good tip! I tend to chuck those out since they are so ridiculously long.

 

[ranger9]

Expensive is the new normal. As more and more of the world's wealth continues to concentrate in the hands of fewer and fewer people, manufacturers of every kind of discretionary product have more incentive to concentrate on those people and ignore "downmarket" shoppers who fuss over things like price.

 

[Prest_400]

Inflation is everywhere now and film is no exception, also noticeable in B&W.
Was today in some local stores for some Delta 100, and in EU it's past 8€/35mm roll. In one of the stores a girl queried about 35mm color and the clerk replied that as soon as they got some, it flies off the shelves.

I Don't shoot much color and have enough stock frozen for sporadic use, including E6. All last bought in 2019. My interest in color comes and goes as it's more of a hybrid process.

I is a bit shocking to thing how Gold 200 being available in 120 places more economical than Ektar and Portras... While 3 years before its introduction neither P400 or P800 were priced there.
Still have a 220 pack of Fuji 160NS that I got in 2016 just because of that format. Will perhaps find soon when to shoot it. Another shock is that Fuji has nothing left of the pro line, no C41 120!!

 

[dmr]

I really don't think it will ever get back to "normal", which in my mind is that you walk in to any CVS or Walgreens and there are several selections of Kodak and Fuji to choose from.

We do have one remaining real camera shop in the area which tries to keep a selection, but it's been hit and miss. Lately I've been getting what I do get at places like Film Photography Project and Cinestill.

 

[j.scooter]

It's possible to find stock from smaller businesses if you look around. I've stopped using the popular color films due to the unreasonable price increase. My go to film these days are the Kodak Vision3 250D and 500T which I buy in bulk. Probably the best color film I've used next to Portra 400

Where is a good source for these bulk rolls of Vision 3?

 

[agentlossing]

B&W has been hit hard too. I kept seeing Fomapan prices remain the same, but the other day I looked, and 100' rolls had gone from $49.99 to $69.99, pretty much overnight.

 

[bluesun267]

Where is a good source for these bulk rolls of Vision 3?

Buy any motion picture film direct from Kodak. Best price. They only take phone orders 800-621-FILM (in US). Look at their latest "Motion Picture Price List" PDF (google it) before hand so you know the prices, catalog number and available lengths. 400 feet is the smallest length of 35mm btw.

If you want a smaller roll, like 100', Film Photography Project may have it.

 

[Fjäll]

Where is a good source for these bulk rolls of Vision 3?

https://mutascan.film/en/product-category/films-35mm/

Or just search for Kodak vision short ends on eBay for movie production left overs

 

[jsrockit]

I wonder if these price increases and availability problems will slow down the crazy price increases we've seen in all desirable film cameras over the last few years. Then again, many digital cameras aren't available immediately either.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

When color film stock can be back to normal? ...

IMHO, it'll never happen!

With the price of film cameras where they are - along with the availability and cost of film - maybe it's time to switch to digital?

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ How low do you want to set the bar ? 🙂 . Peter

 

[kiemchacsu]

^ How low do you want to set the bar ? 🙂 . Peter

I am not talking about the price yet;
but about the "availability"
even though some are willing to pay high price but the chance they can get is still quite low.
Let's talk about the popular film Fujicolor 200, two years ago in 2020 it was about $4/ roll (36EXP) but now B+H is selling at $10/ roll,
THAT'S INSANE I would say.

 

[boojum]

Just buy a lot when it is available.
I buy 2-3 years worth when my local shop has my preferred film on the shelves.'
I actually currently have 6 years worth of film in stock and should stop buying.

And there is the problem: hoarding.