daveolson Posted October 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Was in the local Walgreens the other day and I went to the section where, in the past, they always had a large array of 35mm canister film. Not any more, nothing but cheap one time use cameras. If this store is reflective of the Walgreens chain( in the USA ) inclusively, and they are. Gone. Of course this is also a reflection of manufacturing of film by the various companies still afloat. Sorry for the negative info. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Hi daveolson, Take a look here Local Walgreens Drugs Stopped Selling Film. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
buranca Posted October 11, 2011 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2011 I used to be a fan of Walgreen's. Not so much anymore. It was always convenient to run in and grab a few rolls -later dropping the C41 film back off for a 1 hour turnaround. Lately, my closest (small volume) store's stocks have been nearly depleted and are not being restocked to the point that I could see them dropping it altogether. I have noticed that the (larger volume) stores seem to be hanging in there though. As there seems to be a store on every other corner -you might want to try another, more high-traffic'd store. On another note, I have seen increasingly poor quality and customer service in the labs there. I decided to try CVS and was really pleasantly surprised. Quick turnaround and cheaper + much better quality, IMHO. Oh... and they still sell TRI-X! And on that note... I may as well just give up on C41 and get back into the darkroom! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted October 11, 2011 Share #3 Posted October 11, 2011 Not sure what to say - these things go round and round really, but it does seem that the bottom end of the film market is dying fast. This is hardly surprising when the end use of these films and cameras can easily be covered by a cheap digital: if the end-result never amounted to more than a snapshot to show friends and relatives, then an iPhone that can post to Facebook is better than any roll of film. On a positive note, the really excellent lab that I use in Stockholm (Team Framkallning on Prästgårdsgatan) was really busy today when I was picking-up my films - never seen the owner so stressed. These are small, small signs - sometimes positive and sometimes negative - but in the end all we can do on a personal scale is keep shooting film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimP Posted October 11, 2011 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2011 I have been seeing a lot of these posts on various forums lately. Not sure I see the gloom and doom of this. It makes sense that these stores stop selling film.. the masses are going to digital. My local camera store, though, still stocks a selection of color & B&W films and I never had issues ordering film from mail order houses. As a matter of fact, I have been slowly replacing my digital gear w/ film cameras and do most of my post processing "wet". A couple of weeks ago I brought along my film camera to a department picnic and shot some photos of the afternoon. When I developed, scanned and sent out the images to the people in attendance, I received a number of comments of how beautiful the pictures were and asked what camera I was using. They were quite surprised to hear that my image sensor was Ilford HP5+ and the camera was circa 1980. Not that this little exercise will reverse the trend of film, but I think that people forget what a special medium film is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted October 11, 2011 Share #5 Posted October 11, 2011 These are the camera specs from the new HTC Amaze smartphone. ($260) with a new or upgraded plan. (8 MP and dual led flash.) Lots of other phones have improved cameras too. So you can see why many snapshots will be made on phones. Capture the moment — in a flash Whether you’re snapping photos or shooting stunning 1080p HD video, capturing and sharing with this smartphone is a snap. With the dedicated Instant On button, your camera is ready to start taking photos or shooting video with just a touch. * SmartShot™ - takes 5 photos and compiles the best parts to create one perfect shot. * BurstShot™ - capture 5 consecutive shots with just one click, so you never miss the action. * SweepShot™ panorama - take ultrawide shots then sweep in any direction. * ClearShot™ HDR - see crystal clear detail even when shooting in mixed or direct light. * Perfect Pics™ - analyzes & scores your photos then groups the best ones for easy sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 11, 2011 Share #6 Posted October 11, 2011 So, an HTC camera phone is now a suitable substitute for a film camera. Maybe for some. Maybe for too many. Maybe not for lots of people. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted October 11, 2011 Share #7 Posted October 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) So, an HTC camera phone is now a suitable substitute for a film camera. Maybe for some. Maybe for too many. Maybe not for lots of people. I am just reporting facts not trying to convince you to use a phone for photography! You just have to look around and see how many people are already using phones to take pictures instead of using any kind of dedicated camera. That demand is pushing more features and better quality into phones. In the case of the HTC Amaze, the camera is the major feature they use to promote the phone. They even call it a "Camera Smartphone." http://htc.t-mobile.com/amaze-camera-phone?cm_mmc_o=Vzbp+mwzygt*VAygtzlw*VyBpAgf+mA55Byf*VyBpAgf+mA55Byf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 11, 2011 Share #8 Posted October 11, 2011 So...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted October 11, 2011 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2011 So...? Maybe use of cellphone cameras helps explain why this Walgreens doesn't stock film. Weren't you following this? I think if I had one of those cellphones, the results would be more than adequate for lots of the "snapshots" I do which are often just so I can remember something or show somebody something. - Not for art or business. E.g. I could photograph the broken valve and email it to my plumber so he can be sure to show up with the correct part. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted October 12, 2011 Share #10 Posted October 12, 2011 I understand the point that Alan's making. The real significance is where the leveling-out will actually happen. What we're undeniably seeing is a massive shift in the demographic of film users. The crucial question is whether the 'aesthetic' use of film can be large enough to sustain film production, when the mass of 'image-takers' have abandoned film (and cameras altogether, for that matter). I'm hopeful, but not totally certain. I'm even less convinced that digital cameras will survive the onslaught. But that's another discussion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 12, 2011 Share #11 Posted October 12, 2011 Smartphones aren't impacting film at all. The snapshooters had already moved onto digicams, but instead of buying newer digicams they use their phone cameras. The big players report declining sales of digicams, apart from emerging markets where sales are increasing as the population adopt the newer technology and standards of living are increasing. They will surely follow the trend over the next few years as use of mobile phones increase too. If Nikon, Canon etc aren't selling cheap P&S digicams, will the enthusiast/pro Market alone be enough for them? Digital imaging is still maturing, and changing. Who knows what a 'serious' digital camera will look like in 10 years. Film on the other hand is a mature medium. There won't be any new significant changes (new formats or processes) and there are/will be enough users to sustain a number of suppliers of film/paper/chemicals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 12, 2011 Share #12 Posted October 12, 2011 Weren't you following this? Of course. I was just wondering why you were advertising smartphones. In the film forum. Silly me... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted October 12, 2011 Share #13 Posted October 12, 2011 Smartphones aren't impacting film at all. The snapshooters had already moved onto digicams, but instead of buying newer digicams they use their phone cameras. Some snapshooters still use film cameras. I've seen them. I think if someone is currently using a film camera for snapshots, and one buys a current cell phone, one may use the film camera less, if at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveolson Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted October 13, 2011 As an addition to sorry news, Albertson's, big food chain, no more film. Gone. No market. I'm glad that half my freezer is stocked to the brim with Fuji slide, and HPs delicious B&W. Before moaning over a subject that has been creeping up the last few years. I suggest B & H Photo Video in NYC. No I don't work for them, but I should own a number of small shares based on made purchases since 1986. They still have a reasonable number of films. Be advised, they are presently closed for a Jewish holiday. No phone orders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalphil Posted October 15, 2011 Share #15 Posted October 15, 2011 Picked up some film from Matt at Ag Photographic here in B`ham the other day. He told me that business is excellent, and he continues to get positive feed back from all the major film manufacturers regarding their committment to film production. I cannot speak for the US market, but hope this is positive. Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmonaut Posted October 15, 2011 Share #16 Posted October 15, 2011 I seldom if ever use the type film found in a pharmacy or department store. CVS did sell TriX at a whooping $8.00 a roll. Unless I absolutly had no choice I bought in a store. It is so much cheaper to stock up and keep some in the fridge rather than pay twice the price. I currently have about 20 rolls of Trix and 20 rolls of Neopan. As I find bargains I stock up. If those selling film would lower the price. Maybe its not a lack of a market as more competion with online stores. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted October 17, 2011 Share #17 Posted October 17, 2011 I buy my film, either 35mm and 120, from B&H. The selection and price is better than the drugstores, plus no tax. Just pay the shipping. DaveO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joachim123 Posted October 17, 2011 Share #18 Posted October 17, 2011 I buy mine on line in bulk on E Bay it usually comes from Hong Kong or somewhere over there. They are reliable,quick cheaper, than Calumet or any others and usually include free shipping. Ocasionally, I have received a free gift as well. They have all that I need you just need to order ahead of time because shipping can take up to two weeks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clickie McPete Posted October 17, 2011 Share #19 Posted October 17, 2011 My Walgreens is where I get a lot of C-41 processing done for my toy camera work. They were great because they would take E-6 film and run it through their machine no questions asked unlike the local CVS which refuses to do any cross processing. Well, this week I was told that Walgreens is getting a new machine later this week, but it will be for prints only and they no longer will do film processing. I am very bummed just from the loss of convenience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen in Montreal Posted October 20, 2011 Share #20 Posted October 20, 2011 .....Walgreens is getting a new machine later this week, but it will be for prints only and they no longer will do film processing. I am very bummed just from the loss of convenience. More and more shops are putting out apps for smart phones, shoot and tag the picture, off it goes to be wet printed and returned to you by mail. They are betting on this being the way of the future for wet printing. In the Kodak annual report, they listed something like 2 billion in film sales globally last year, but less than 400 million of that was here in North America. I guess the reasoning at Walgreens is A hobbyist with a 5d Mk2 will most likely have an nice Epson. A guy with an 8mp iPhone (or whatever) will tag the file and upload for printing (if they even print). Film shooters need to stock up, make room in the freezer guys! :) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/163938-local-walgreens-drugs-stopped-selling-film/?do=findComment&comment=1822402'>More sharing options...
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