Anybody want to start a co-op to buy film, paper, chemistry etc. in bulk

[jon]

I'd be interested, especially when it comes to 4x5 film. My current "cheapo" method involves weeks of waiting around for ERA PSS film to make its way from China. Nice film though.

As much as I like to support local business, my pocket-book trumps their balance books nowadays. Even relatively common brands, like Ilford are significantly higher-priced. 100 sheets of 4x5 FP4 comes to like $147 with tax at Henry's -- almost $50 more than at Freestyle after the conversion.

And while I laud a retail store like Henry's for continuing to sell analog materials, their darkroom section makes me feel like I'm going in to the porno area at the video store. Tucked away in a sad little corner at the back, the only thing its missing are the saloon doors.

[Uncle Bill]

I'd be interested, especially when it comes to 4x5 film. My current "cheapo" method involves weeks of waiting around for ERA PSS film to make its way from China. Nice film though.

As much as I like to support local business, my pocket-book trumps their balance books nowadays. Even relatively common brands, like Ilford are significantly higher-priced. 100 sheets of 4x5 FP4 comes to like $147 with tax at Henry's -- almost $50 more than at Freestyle after the conversion.

And while I laud a retail store like Henry's for continuing to sell analog materials, their darkroom section makes me feel like I'm going in to the porno area at the video store. Tucked away in a sad little corner at the back, the only thing its missing are the saloon doors.

I agree with Jon, The Henry's Darkroom section in their Superstore is sad looking.

I too am interested in the Cooperative idea. Maybe, just maybe it will force some of the established retailers to sharpen their pricing a bit.

[Mike1234]

Could you check to see what you can get in 5x7... especially lower speed color neg?

[PhotoJim]

I'm potentially interested, although I live in Summitville (aka Regina ). However, I do get to Toronto a couple of times a year.

I think the real issue is whether you can get enough people together to make the diversity we would likely want fit the economies of scale that we would resultantly need. For example, I use Ilford products (film and paper, and some chemistry), Photographer's Formulary products (TF4 fixer and glycin, plus a few other bulk chemical ingredients, especially now that JD Photochem is shutting down), Foma films (primarily in Arista clothing), Kodak films (Ektar and some black-and-white) and chemicals (Photo-Flo, HC-110), and Fuji films (Velvia and Superia). That's just me - and that's a huge variety. Granted, even if the coop only handled, say, Ilford it might still be worth my while to participate.

It surprises me that Toronto can't support a healthy darkroom section, but I have seen Henry's darkroom section recently so I know you guys are telling it like it is.

[Uncle Bill]

The healthy darkroom section is down the street at Downtown Camera, Eight Elm and Aden near Hospital Row and Ryerson have a decent selection of darkroom stuff. Out here in Halton, Burlington Camera is my go to if I don't want to deal with downtown traffic.

I have no idea why Henrys has a measly darkroom section compared to the other stores. Probably better margin in darkroom products than in the cameras.

[ricksplace]

I agree with Jon, The Henry's Darkroom section in their Superstore is sad looking.

I too am interested in the Cooperative idea. Maybe, just maybe it will force some of the established retailers to sharpen their pricing a bit.

When I'm in Toronto, I buy most of my materials from Downtown Camera (about a block from Henry's).

It would be nice if some of the retailers would "sharpen" their pricing a little. The only pro lab left in Thunder Bay just informed me that they will no longer be stocking any darkroom supplies. While their pricing was a little high, I always bought what darkroom supplies I could get from them. Thunder Bay has a population of over 100,000 and now there are NO darkroom supplies available at retail.

[naeroscatu]

especially now that JD Photochem is shutting down

Jim, is that something you know for sure? their website still show business as usual. I use to get most of my chemicals from them. Last I heard from Claire was in May this year and everything was OK. thanks for sharing the latest with us.

[PhotoJim]

Jim, is that something you know for sure? their website still show business as usual. I use to get most of my chemicals from them. Last I heard from Claire was in May this year and everything was OK. thanks for sharing the latest with us.

I read it on another forum, and emailed Claire a few days ago mentioning it and asking what she still had in stock. She replied with a stock list and didn't correct my statement. She has very little in stock compared to what she once did, e.g. no hydroquinone.

[Rlibersky]

I would love to get in on some 8x10, 5x7 plus-x

[Marek Warunkiewicz]

I've bought most of Claire's remaining stock of "popular" chemicals. Going to New York next week to stock up on some other stuff, like Collodion, Silver Nitrate etc. Can't stand this having to go to six or seven places, pay huge amounts for shipping etc. JD is definitely stopping the photo end of things, sadly.