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Buying Film Where do the pros buy their film? I have things lining up for me to do some shoots, and I want to buy film at the best price possible. Can you buy film wholesale somewhere? Any suggestions?
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Tony Sweet |
Buy film at http://bhphoto.com
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Thanks Tony. They were one place I was looking at. Obviously, care of film is very important. Therefore, purchasing from a reputable establishment is probably wise.
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Tony Sweet |
One more thing, Jerry. You'll probably see two prices, one for US and one for gray market. The price difference can be substantial. Inquire further with your salesperson as to the nature of gray market film, because it can be classified as grey market for several reasons. I have used grey market film with no problems. You can also check with Hunt's photo in Melrose, MA for film, also. Good luck!
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Bob Cammarata |
Thanks Jerry, for posting this question re: wholesale film. I too, am looking for an alternative to retail. Thank you, Tony for the info.... Have you ever used "grey market" Fuji Provia 100? If so, how was it, and what is the approximate shelf life?
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Tony Sweet |
Hi Bob: I've used grey market Provia100, although not for a while. Not sure about the shelf live, but I put it in the freezer immediately and, being a professional, I shoot it up pretty quick anyway.
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John P. Sandstedt |
HELLO!!! I'm shocked that anyone suggests Fuji Provia 100 film is "gray market!" After all, isn't Fuji film a Japanese product and exported to the USA. And, what about Agfa, Konica and Ilford film? PopPhoto had an interesting article this month - do's and don'ts regarding spending for photographic "stuff." While many argue that PopPhoto "never met a piece of equipment it didn't like," the article did indicate it's folks [or, at least, the author] never had had a bit of difficulty with imported film. My own experience confirms this. Remember, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, and Leica cameras and lenses, Tamron, Vivitar and Sigma lenses, Slik tripods, etc. all are imported. The gray market designation usually reflects the fact that this equipment doesn't come with US warrantees and may not be repairable, under warrantee, in the US. Gray market items may also be missing batteries, straps, etc. It doesn't necessarily imply any difference in actual quality of the item itself.
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Can anyone discuss "gray" market film, or point me to some good resources. I think I read that the difference is the intended market. If Ilford, for instance, is made and packaged for the USA, it is not gray market film. But, if it is made for Indonesia, and winds up in the USA, then it is gray market. From my understanding, the latter situation is cause for concern because the quality and care for the film cannot be guaranteed. I will not use any gray market film yet for pro shoots. However, due to the low price of gray market film, I will experiment with it on my own. One of my worries is that there are likely to be large variations in quality. You cannot control for the “gray” part of the world the film came from. Each time you order film, it may be totally different circumstances. Does any one have results they can share; good or bad? Jerry
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Tony Sweet |
Never had a problem. I wouldn't worry about it. But, there is an element of risk. Just keep it in the freezer until you use it and in the freezer until you get it processed, if there's a time lag between shooting and processing.
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Bob Cammarata |
I was under the assumption that Fuji manufactures the film and supervises the importation to its various markets around the world. Referring to the "grey market"...in this particular case, means that another importer...not Fuji, is responsible for bringing it over to the U.S., and their quality control standards during shipment may not be as high. Unless I'm mistaken...the two films themselves, are identical.
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John P. Sandstedt |
Once agin, check out one of the photomagazine. Often, stores like Adorama list all kinds of film - like, for example, Kodak made for international sales [whatever that means.]
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Buddy Purugganan |
TRY B & H ( www.bhphotovideo.com) Adorama(www.adorama.com ). They sell a vast variety of films for 35mm and they have great packages too.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
I've heard also that with gray market it could mean that something like film, you don't know if it's been sitting out in some loading in 100+ heat in a country in the desert somewhere for a month or two. And that u.s. market is supposed to be handled and shipped in better care. But if gray market means that it can be missing batteries, straps, etc.... that etc. dosen't sound too good to me.
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