5x7 films availability

[Fredrik Sandstrom]

I'm currently playing with a Tachihara 5x7 camera that I will probably buy. 5x7 film seems hard to find though; what films are currently in production in this size (or 13x18 cm)? I'm primarily interested in E6, but it'd be nice to know what options we have in B&W and C41 as well.

And can anyone suggest a good source for this film, preferably in Europe?

Many thanks!

[David A. Goldfarb]

Badger Graphic is taking pre-orders for Provia 100F in 5x7", and I think that may have been a special order item that they aren't planning to reorder any time soon, so get it while you can--

https://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=257

Some people I know who want to shoot 5x7" color transparencies cut down 8x10".

[werra]

As B&W, Fomapan 100 is available in 13x18: http://www.fotomaterial.cz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_18&products_id=28 . Wephota products should be available in both 5x7/13x18 as well.

[david_mizen]

chinese shanghai B & W for colour see japan exposures/megapearls they are currently looking at a special order for velvia 50

[Slavomir Polivka]

http://www.fomafoto.com

[DanielStone]

for b&w,

efke: comes in 25,50, and 100 speed flavors :munch:. Ilford cuts 5x7 regularly, Kodak occasionally.

I shoot 4x5, but 5x7 seems to be available a good bit from the "smaller"(efke, foma) manufacturers compared to the "big guys"(Fuji and Kodak)

-Dan

[Jerevan]

The Fomapan 100 works fine for me in 13x18. I bought mine from www.fotoimpex.de. I have also used the Ilford Ortho plus in 13x18 which is a wonderful film but unfortunately a bit expensive.

[WarEaglemtn]

Take a look at View Camera Magazine. Every now and then they print information on the films still available. Also, it is worth subscribing too for LF information.

[Fredrik Sandstrom]

Thank you for your replies! B&W seems to be easily obtainable at good prices. E6 film less so (and a lot more expensive). And C41 seems non-existant..?

[Sal Santamaura]

...B&W seems to be easily obtainable at good prices. E6 film less so (and a lot more expensive). And C41 seems non-existant..?Think of 5x7 as "cutting edge" in that respect. I don't believe it will be too many years before all color sheet film is gone. In my opinion, unless you're interested in black and white, large format may not be the thing to pursure. I also suspect the end of color film in other formats won't be far behind...

[jgjbowen]

The late Ted Harris told me a few years ago that 5x7 (13x18) was much more popular in Europe vs North America. I believe Ted frequently purchased color film from Europe because more emulsions were available across the pond.

In the US, I would check the MAJOR retailers ie B&H, Calumet, Badger, Freestyle, Adorama, insert your own here.... If they don't have it, then it will likely have to be special ordered. Check APUG and the LF forum for notices of special orders.

Good Luck,

[Renato Tonelli]

I haven't had any luck finding E6 emulsions in 5x7 at B&H, Adorama, and some others; I've placed a special order at Badger Graphics (see David's post and link above). Unless I'm missing something, Kodak does not offer their E6 films in 5x7 at all.
Too bad - 5x7 is a really nice format.

[Fredrik Sandstrom]

I don't believe it will be too many years before all color sheet film is gone.
Don't say that --- a new one was announced today! http://www.photographyblog.com/news/kodak_ektar_100_sheet_film/

(Not in 5x7 though.)

[frotog]

Don't say that --- a new one was announced today! http://www.photographyblog.com/news/kodak_ektar_100_sheet_film/

(Not in 5x7 though.)

Thanks! Great news! Cutting down 57 from 810 is no problem. For those who can't stomach doing it themselves try Varo Tech in West Chester Pa - they're experts at photosensitive material handling. I brought them 12 boxes of 8x10 400nc and they cut and repackaged for $150...accurate cuts to +- .25 mm.

[Sal Santamaura]

...I don't believe it will be too many years before all color sheet film is gone...


Don't say that --- a new one was announced today! http://www.photographyblog.com/news/kodak_ektar_100_sheet_film/

(Not in 5x7 though.)While happy to see the Ektar 100 announcement, I'll stand by my prediction. I just don't see color film surviving the next decade.

A pessimist is never disappointed, only pleasantly surprised. :)

[viridari]

I don't believe it will be too many years before all color sheet film is gone.

I guess Kodak didn't read this before releasing Ektar 100 in sheet film today. ;)

[Sal Santamaura]

I guess Kodak didn't read this before releasing Ektar 100 in sheet film today. ;)I guess you didn't read this

http://www.apug.org/forums/943821-post14.html

before posting.

[Van Camper]

Sal, it helps if you know what is going on in the market. With the arrival of digital, we now had to split the pie in two. This means a restructuring in the industry, and film moving to a specialty class status. Product choices are less (no repetition), local neighbourhood labs have closed down...why....because it is a specialty good, and like surgery you find it in major cities. Things are leaner and meaner. All the smoke we saw was in the smaller formats (35mm and medium format). At one time medium format was the bread and butter in the wedding industry, but now it is replaced by the dslr.

Look now at the large format ndustry (the resellers), and the number of mfrs of film cameras (for large format) has actually increased ...Fotoman China, Goaersi, Chamonix are newcomers. The product lines are expanding....formats like 5x8,6.5x8.5,7x17m etc.... and other odd sizes have been added, and we now have ultra large format (a term that 5 years ago didn't exist). We have over 15 mfrs of large format cameras (Toyo, Linhof, Sinar, Wenham, Fotoman China, Goaersi, Wista, Arca, Sylvestri, Chamonix, Horseman, Ebony, Shen-Hao, Tachihara, and many more.

First, decide what part of the industry is suffering before you say film is near dead. The fine art market is doing well, but like any other specialty item (jaguar autos, errari,etc....you wait longer, less choices, travel farther, all are expected inconveniences (but if you want it, Mpex or Badger has it or can get it). People are not buying 44 inch printers just for their little dslr. Digital backs are unaffordable, and still do not match 4x5.

When I see large format mfrs disappearing, and their product lines reduced to one or two products (not a dozen), then I;ll worry about film. Ever look at how extensive the ebony or chamonix product line is? They didn't start-up thinking that business will be over in 5 years. Linhof would not have upgraded their technica (to model 3000), or updated the technorama. The market is smaller, film choices in large format are leaner (but all there), and new film products developed (Ektar 100). Even Polaroid is back in business. Don't just look at the small format mkt and tell us film is dead...rather look at the entire industry. Every pro still shoots his large format camera for personal work (allows bigger prints, more portable then sBetterlight scanning backs, far cheaper), they just gave up their 35mm and 120 formats. Large format is "high-end" photography, and the cheapest route for the absolute best quality while remaining affordable. Under $1000 and your in business, and you pay-as-you-go for shooting film (no massive depreciation if your not using your digital back everyday).

Well, if film is dead, I got to ask....do you have a P65 digital back (only $50k plus body, lenses, tax). This market is shrinking....people are finding they get by with a high-end dslr (that is weatherproof, and faster frame rate).....leaving only a small market wanting a digital back. The wedding/journalist/amateur/sports/magazine market is dominated by the dslr, and I don't think they will switch. Digital backs are now sandwished in the middle, better then a dslr (but not beating the 4x5 or larger formats), and cost 20x more then necessary.

Lets not get into stitching either, because I can stich large format also (eg- two 4x5 gives 4x10)....so there is no way of catching up, and your light would be changing trying to catch up doing 30-50 or more exposures.

[nsurit]

B&H has Kodak Porta 160NC and Ektachrome tungsten in 5X7. Not a bunch of choices. Bill Barber

[DanielStone]

Lets not get into stitching either, because I can stich large format also (eg- two 4x5 gives 4x10)....


(4) 4x5's make an 8x10, not 2 :p

I know, I'm being picky :D

-Dan