View Full Version : What is happening to Tmax - short supply?
tkamiya
10-27-2009, 05:11 PM
It seems Tmax100 and Tmax400 35mm are in short supply and shipments are hard to come by. I've contacted Adorama and B&H and if the item was not in stock, neither have any idea when the next shipment would come in. I've looked Freestyle and Tmax400 36 exp are in short supply.
I've contacted Kodak and it says there are no production issues on 35mm.
Who's telling the truth??
I'd like to standardize on one film and I picked Tmax400 but now I am starting to wonder...
Any opinions or experiences?
Christopher Walrath
10-27-2009, 05:39 PM
Don't worry. They have just reformulated the TMY (400) in the last year. It's not going anywhere fast.
DanielStone
10-27-2009, 06:07 PM
i don't think you have anything to worry about mate,
TMY-2 is always sold out when I go to get a box or two(4x5)
and I know that Freestyle and Samy's stock it regularly. Its just that its popular.
PE, what's the usual time to create/coat a master roll of b/w film these days? Week, two, month?
-Dan
tkamiya
10-27-2009, 06:20 PM
Thank you, Christopher and Daniel.
No, I am not worried that Kodak may discontinue T-max any time soon. What I am concerned about is the way the company replenishes orders. In other words, if the production schedule is such that there may be a long time between production runs, resulting in long time of items being out of order at the distribution level, then I will need to keep larger stock here.
My last purchase is already half gone and I am going to buy some more. The question is, how many??
tiberiustibz
10-27-2009, 06:24 PM
It doesn't hurt to stock up. You never know these days :(
jgjbowen
10-27-2009, 06:24 PM
My last purchase is already half gone and I am going to buy some more. The question is, how many??
Consider purchasing a 12 month supply. When you have a 6 month supply left, it's time to repurchase another 12 month supply.
wclark5179
10-27-2009, 06:34 PM
Just a thought...
Bulk loading:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/29132-USA/Kodak_1587716_TMY_35mm_100_Roll.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/29118-USA/Kodak_8570541_TMX_35mm_100_Roll.html
I believe that with the economy weak and film sales down (although maybe recovering some, or maybe not, or...) a lot of places are trying to cut their stock down to the minimum they think they can get away with. I've seen this in retail before: the store cuts down, thinking they can place a hurry-up order with the distributor, who has cut their stock believing they can get a quick order from... When the herd all moves in one direction its the little guy who gets trampled. Just buy more and re-order before you need to.
tkamiya
10-28-2009, 03:56 PM
I think I'm going to do just that.... order two dozen for a starter... Thank you for your input.
billschwab
10-28-2009, 04:14 PM
Just buy more and re-order before you need to.Words of wisdom in the new reality of analog photography.
tjaded
10-28-2009, 04:17 PM
Plenty in stock at www.justfilmsf.com
jeroldharter
10-28-2009, 04:25 PM
Consider purchasing a 12 month supply. When you have a 6 month supply left, it's time to repurchase another 12 month supply.
Good advice.
I ordered 200 sheets of 4x5 TMY2 from Calumet that was backordered. I then ordered 300 sheets from Freestyle and forgot about my backorder until it arrived recently. Now I have plenty!
railwayman3
10-28-2009, 05:12 PM
Checked earlier with one of the big UK mail order suppliers, as their website (unusually) showed several types of Kodak films as "on order". I'm assured there are absolutely no problems, just "Kodak UK a bit slow on deliveries".
I'd agree that keeping an ample stock of one's favourite films in the freezer is a good plan these days, it's no use wingeing about the suppliers if they can't supply by return due to supply delays from the manufacturers.
tkamiya
10-28-2009, 07:12 PM
I just placed an order for more.... let's see if it get filled....
From now on, I have to keep an eye on my stock and that of the supply chains. Recently, my typical supplier has gone out-of-stock and they have been for a while. The point of my post was to see if this was common for Tmax. Anyway, thank you, everybody, for advise.
Terence
10-28-2009, 07:20 PM
My rule of thumb is a hundred rolls of 120 on-hand. When I run through 20, I buy 20 more and rotate the stock. 20 rolls will last me about 2 months at home or one week on vacation.
tkamiya
10-28-2009, 09:49 PM
My rule of thumb is a hundred rolls of 120 on-hand.
That's A LOT of film! I'm thinking two dozens to start... (35mm)
DLawson
10-29-2009, 08:54 AM
I'd agree that keeping an ample stock of one's favourite films in the freezer is a good plan these days, it's no use wingeing about the suppliers if they can't supply by return due to supply delays from the manufacturers.
Just-in-time shipping is an evil that has infected all levels of business. Unfortunately, there is no way to defeat it, so all you can do is maintain your own stock and order ahead.
Ironically, doing that mucks with the sales rate data that they use to predict sales and plan just-in-time ordering.
Matt5791
11-01-2009, 04:45 PM
Just to say, we are having no difficulties with supply of Kodak black and white film (or chemistry) at present.
Matt
JBrunner
11-01-2009, 05:19 PM
Funny, here I have TMax coming out of my orifices, but Plus X is hens teeth.
tkamiya
11-01-2009, 06:39 PM
Funny, here I have TMax coming out of my orifices.
I do NOT want your Tmax!