Topic: Sources for disappearing film/paper/chemicals

[Rogerrr]

I thought it would be good to have a thread where we can post sources for materials that are becoming difficult to find. Whether it's a film, paper, or darkroom chemical that's becoming hard to find...perhaps we can share information on sources and/or substitutes

I just found out that my bleach has finally gone bad....I always used Kodak's "developer system cleaner" as the bleach for B&W reversal processing ( reading labels is so helpful sometimes!)...unfortunately now the store stocks something else for cleaning darkrooms that won't work as a bleach in reversal (slide) processing.

fortunately I can mix up the bleach chemicals myself -- it was just a teeny bit safer buying it pre-mixed though

[This-is-damion]

www.retrophotographic.co.uk  here in UK is a great source for stuff, film, chemicals and more besides (inlcuding water diviners)

very helpful as well.

[LT]

dont forget www.silverprint.co.uk

[Dave_M]

I've used a variety of online/phone stores in the UK.

The one that I keep returning to is:

http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/

They get my cash because:

a) Friendly and professional. (to be honest I've dismissed a few other sources because I thought the people I spoke to were arrogant condescending insert swear word here)

b) Next day delivery at a fiver (if > £30)

c) They have good 2nd hand gear (duh!)

[Rogerrr]

my favorite alternative source is...my car battery

the first time I developed BW film as a slide I needed 12ml of sulfuric acid...it was like 11pm at night...so I went out to my car with an eyedropper and took a tiny bit out of the car battery

worked great!



for raw chemicals and recipes for making all kinds of darkroom potions:

www.photoformulary.com

[nicnichols]

I've been getting almost all of my film on eBay..
and its been working out quite well..
I shoot mostly Toy Camera, med format, and the
average price works out to not much greater than US$1.25 a roll..

There seems to be a few stores in the UK selling on there as well..

A cheap sorce to pick up bulk lots, and so far its been all
great film..

[jrong]

I try as much as possible to support places like Retrophotographic and Silverprint, since they continue to sell film/paper/chemicals. I'd readily give my money to them and perhaps pay a little more just to keep the film business alive.

I usually boycott places like Jessops, which will stop supporting real photography the moment it stops being profitable.
 

Jin