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Buying film in Beijing


magd0328

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Hmmm, yes. Bought some Kodak cheapo 100 which is good to 2009. Have been all over the city today looking for the stuff, with no joy anywhere. One shop even tried phoning round a few other places but nobody has it. Everyone is digital over here and the small stock of film you can find is usually of the cheap consumer type. A found an internet link recommending a shop called Today Photo, but couldn't find it. I am not sure it exists any more.

 

Anyone else with any ideas?

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Guest DuquesneG
Everyone is digital over here and the small stock of film you can find is usually of the cheap consumer type.

 

I remember back not that long ago reading a number of "film is dead" threads where more than one person asserted strongly that the demand in China would guarantee the continuance of film production for years and years to come.

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Everyone is digital here, from what I can see. This country is most definitely NOT going to prop-up demand for film.

 

As to my question, after a very very extensive search I think I can safely say that Kodak Portra is not available in China. It is available on 3-5day order from Rayi if you really need it. Otherwise you have to go for something called Pro Image 100 in 35mm or Ektacolor 160 in medium format. Fuji Pro 160/400 is not available either.

 

magd0328

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@magd0328: I sent you a message a few days ago suggesting places to look. I'm not sure if you've seen it (the message, that is). Did you try Wukesong and the store near the national museum? If yes and they didn't carry Portra, that's too bad.

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kaytee, thanks for the message. Unfortunately I can't access the email address I have linked to l-camera-forum from the web (only from my computer at home - and it is a mystery to me why). So I haven't seen your message. I have indeed made the pilgrimage to Wukesong (amazing place, I have never seen anything like it). No, they don't have it, though they have what looks like at least one example of every half-decent camera or lens every made in the last 40 years available to buy off the shelf.

 

There is something called Kodak Ektacolor 160 available in medium format which has the same "Now with even finer grain" label on it as my Portra (160NC-2, 2006 revision). But it is not available for 35mm. From visiting vast numbers of camera shops, posting on another site and some trawling of the web I think I can conclude the following:

1) Portra is not available off the shelf in China.

2) It is available as an import within 3-5days from Rayi.

3) Ektacolor 160 is medium format only and is produced for the Chinese and Brasilian markets by Kodak China. As to whether it is a Portra clone is unknown.

4) The nearest equivalent here is Kodak Pro Image 100. This seems to be a 2005 vintage film made for China/South East Asia.

 

Happy shooting

magd0328

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That's funny, I thought I sent a private message which should be viewable on this site. If you find yourself near the national museum, I've been told there's a store in an alley east of the museum that has a good selection of film. (Unless they've been cleaned out already by the olympic photographers :p) But better to shoot with what you have than go on a wild goose chase, right? I hope we get to see some of your pictures once they've been processed.

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kaytee,

Sure, I will try to remember to post something here when I'm back. Could be a couple of month's before that happens, though. I will have a mountain of film to sort through when I get back... maybe 60 rolls. Not looking forward to the processing bill.

P

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