B&H Photo and imported Tri-X?

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R.W. Behan - 14 Mar 2007 04:49 GMT

B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.

Anybody know what's going on? Is the digital revolution slowly strangling
B&H's inventory of films?

TIA

Dick B.

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Gordon Moat - 14 Mar 2007 18:31 GMT

> B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
> discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Dick B.

Due to Dollar to Euro exchange rates, some films are barely different in
price from imported to USA designations. Last I recall of several
different Kodak films sold that way through B&H was that there was less
than 0.50? difference in price; that hardly seems worth the effort for
B&H to import. It also surprises me that Kodak and Fuji have not
complained to B&H about grey market films, though maybe they have recently.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>

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Q.G. de Bakker - 14 Mar 2007 19:40 GMT

> B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
> discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.
>
> Anybody know what's going on? Is the digital revolution slowly strangling
> B&H's inventory of films?

Could it not just be that Kodak isn't producing Tri-X outside the U.S.
anymore?

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darkroommike - 14 Mar 2007 23:27 GMT

I'm not sure that's it, it the past a lot of "imported" film
was made in USA with overseas multi-language packaging, sent
overseas and then re-imported to the US through gray
channels. The Official film market rarely complained since
there were not the trademark and warranty issues that
originated with gray market cameras and even gray film
improves a brand's market saturation.

darkroommike

>> B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
>> discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Could it not just be that Kodak isn't producing Tri-X outside the U.S.
> anymore?

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j. fabian - 15 Mar 2007 01:54 GMT

> B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
> discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Dick B.

From the horse's mouth:

"We sell three types of Kodak film:
€ IMPORTED Film made outside the USA and imported for us. This may
also be referred to as "GREY".
€ USAW Film manufactured in the USA for Worldwide distribution.
€ USA Film manufactured in the USA or manufactured overseas and
imported by Kodak USA for domestic distribution.

"Agfa, Fuji, and Ilford film are made outside the USA. While we offer
many of these in "grey or direct import" and "USA" the primary
difference is not where the film came from, but who brought the film
into this country.

"We recognize that professionals and amateurs are concerned regarding
handling and storage. Accuracy, reliability, and repeatability are
crucial film requirements to photographers. Therefore all our film
storage methods meet the most stringent industry standards.

"Note to buyers of Kodak USA film:
If the film you are buying is eligible for Kodak's current promotion you
DO NOT need each roll's individual box or UPC code. Kodak will accept a
copy of your B&H invoice (which shows the date, film type, quantity, and
whether it is USA or otherwise). B&H periodically ships unboxed
individual rolls and this arrangement with Kodak permits you to buy from
us with confidence."

<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=catalog.jsp&A=getpage&
Q=filmpopup.jsp>

Signature

well, it looked good on paper

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R.W. Behan - 16 Mar 2007 23:49 GMT

Thanks, folks,

Probably time to start using Ilford film, anyway.

Dick

> B&H Photo for years has stocked "imported" 120 Tri-X and a substantial
> discount. Now all I see at B&H is the "USA" designated Tri X.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Dick B.

Reply to this Message

j. fabian - 17 Mar 2007 02:23 GMT

> Thanks, folks,
>
> Probably time to start using Ilford film, anyway.
>
> Dick

If you've enjoyed Tri-X I suggest trying Ilford HP-5 Plus (_Not_ Delta
400*). The grain structure is slightly finer than Tri-X, and it is
capable of significantly higher contrast depending on chemistry and
push/pull. I shot nothing but Tri-X for about 20 years then discovered
HP-5. I shoot high contrast so I was hooked.

*The Delta emulsions are similar to T-Max. Personally I find the "T" or
"Delta" shaped grain looks too much like color negative for my tastes.

Good luck

j f

Signature

well, it looked good on paper

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R.W. Behan - 17 Mar 2007 05:42 GMT

JF:

As a matter of fact, I ordered a dozen rolls of HP-5 yesterday, suspecting
it was the Ilford equivalent of Tri-X. I also suspected the Delta emulsion
was similar to Kodak's T-Max technology--which I never cared for--and your
note confirms that.

So how about developer? I have quite a bit of D-76 stocked ahead, and I
thought I'd begin by developing the HP-5 according to the Tri-X specs.
Would that work?

Years ago I wrote a little book about a down-and-dirty Zone System approach,
using variable film-development times to control negative contrast. That
was keyed to Tri-X and D-76, so it looks as if I may have to do some
recalibrations with HP-5. And, given my suspicion that Kodak is easing out
of the film/chemical business, maybe I'd better switch to an Ilford
developer sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the tip, and I'd appreciate your thinking about the items above.

Best,

Dick Behan
Lopez Island, Washington

(I tried sending this note just to you via email, but it was rejected.)

>> Thanks, folks,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> j f

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Q.G. de Bakker - 17 Mar 2007 13:46 GMT

R.W. Behan

> So how about developer? I have quite a bit of D-76 stocked ahead, [...]
>
> [...] maybe I'd better switch to an Ilford
> developer sooner rather than later.

Ilford ID11 and Kodak D76 are the same stuff, same formulation.

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R.W. Behan - 17 Mar 2007 17:31 GMT

Mr. de Bakker:

Thanks for the tip. I will rest at ease.

Cheers,

Dick Behan

> R.W. Behan
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Ilford ID11 and Kodak D76 are the same stuff, same formulation.

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Bogdan Karasek - 17 Mar 2007 18:19 GMT

Hi,

Would it be possible to receive a copy or where I can get a copy. I
have also been using Tri-x since the early '60s and am always interested
in what others have managed to do with the film. The film has changed
over the years (I still treat it as a 200 iso film) and it is still my
workhorse in 35mm, push, pull, it does it all.

Cheers,
Bogdan

snip

> Years ago I wrote a little book about a down-and-dirty Zone System approach,
> using variable film-development times to control negative contrast. That
> was keyed to Tri-X and D-76,

snip

> Best,
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>>
>>j f

Signature

__________________________________________________________________
Bogdan Karasek
Montréal, Québec e-mail: bkarasek@videotron.ca
Canada

"Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen"
"What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence"
Ludwig Wittgenstein
________________________________________________________________

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R.W. Behan - 17 Mar 2007 19:04 GMT

Bogdan;

Sure. I have a few old dusty copies and would be happy to send one. Send
me your mailing address.

Best,

Dick

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>>>
>>>j f

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