Topic: Film in London and Dublin

[Faintandfuzzy]

Happy Sunday everyone.  I'll be in London and Dublin for a few week this coming July and August.  To save having to transport film from Canada, I thought I'd check to see where anyone in the area would recommend to buy film.  I'd be looking for Ektachrome 100, Ektar 100...maybe Velvia as well. 

Any suggestions welcome.  Thanks all.

[irv_b]

Hi
In London we are well served for film shops selling film. Where are you staying because most are in or around central London off the top of my head you have Mr Cad in Victoria, Calumet in Wardour St SOHO, West End cameras in Tottenham Ct Rd, London Camera Exchange (LCE) on the Strand and Process Supplies in Clerkenwell.
There are most likely more if you google

[hookstrapped]

My friend in London always buys film when she comes to NY because she says film is so much more expensive in London. Check prices before leaving home without it!

[Francois]

Maybe it would be cheaper to buy online at a place like B&H and have it shipped to your hotel in London just in time for your arrival?

[Faintandfuzzy]

I’ll check the shops listed and see how prices compare.  Thanks for the suggestions.  I told my wife I would only use one “little” film camera...and she says “you’re taking the F5...aren’t ya?”  😜

[Faintandfuzzy]

Wow.  I checked prices and on average, film is between 28% and 44% more expensive in the UK.  I will take my chances with hand inspections

[hookstrapped]

The carry-on baggage scans don't hurt film. Like they say, up to ISO 800 you're safe. It took me a while to get comfortable with this but if the line is long and they seem put out by a hand inspection, don't worry.

Checked baggage scans on the other hand...

[irv_b]

Wow.  I checked prices and on average, film is between 28% and 44% more expensive in the UK.  I will take my chances with hand inspections

In that case bring a chunk of film over and set up a stall in one of the markets and pay for for trip by just undercutting the shops

[Indofunk]

The carry-on baggage scans don't hurt film. Like they say, up to ISO 800 you're safe. It took me a while to get comfortable with this but if the line is long and they seem put out by a hand inspection, don't worry.

I remember when I'd ask for a hand scan every time and Peter told me this exact thing. Now I never bother with a hand scan and I tell people this exact thing 

Also, yes to film being super expensive in London (along with everything else, to be fair). Ilford, which is produced pretty darn close to London if I'm not mistaken, costs a good 50% more in London than in NYC. maybe there's a negative import duty?

[Late Developer]

Another place worth considering for film is the Aperture store on Rathbone place.  They're open on Saturdays from 12:00 to 19:00 (but not Sundays).

Again, on Rathbone Place (nearer to the Oxford Street end) is Park Cameras.  Not sure what they stock, film-wise, but you can always check online.

[Late Developer]

The carry-on baggage scans don't hurt film. Like they say, up to ISO 800 you're safe. It took me a while to get comfortable with this but if the line is long and they seem put out by a hand inspection, don't worry.

Also, yes to film being super expensive in London (along with everything else, to be fair). Ilford, which is produced pretty darn close to London if I'm not mistaken, costs a good 50% more in London than in NYC. maybe there's a negative import duty?

Hi Indofunk.
Actually, Ilford film is made in Mobberley, Cheshire (near Manchester and about 225 miles NW from London).  The brand originated in Ilford, Essex in the late 1800s but Ilford acquired a film production plant in Mobberley in the late 1920's. They only make B&W film these days - though they did make a colour slide film for a short period in the late 70s or early 80s.  It was good as well but I doubt it was able to compete brand-wise with the Kodak and other transparency films around at that time.

[Francois]

I wonder if Ilford has a factory store?
Maybe they could have better prices....

[Mike Crawford]

I wonder if Ilford has a factory store?
Maybe they could have better prices....

I'm pretty sure Ilford would only sell at a similar price to the shops they supply as otherwise they would be underpricing the shops who them may not be so keen to stock Ilford products! Though Harman does have an online shop.

If the OP does want to pick up film in London, would always recomend Process Supplies who I'm sure have the largest stock of different films in London. Though not open weekends. https://www.processuk.net

[Francois]

I don't know.
Here some factories have their own stores where you can buy their stuff at a discount. But this is usually the case only for bakeries...
Though there is a kitchen accessory manufacturer in the industrial park that sells end of line products at a good price.

[Faintandfuzzy]

Thanks everyone...interesting stuff.  Wonder if I can stop by the Ilford site itself. 

[Francois]

Just email them, they'll tell you.

[Late Developer]

Just email them, they'll tell you.

The Ilford factory is 200 miles from London, outside a small village called Mobberley, in Cheshire.  I'm on their emailing list and they sometimes offer film at slightly below retail and delivered (UK mainland) for free.

I was born not too far away from their factory and, although it's a lot of years since I lived up there, I doubt they'll have a factory shop or sell to the public from the factory itself.  Here's a link that might help;

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/faqs/