josé garese , Feb 05, 2012; 09:49 a.m.
For many weeks, there hasn't been any portra 8x10 160, on the shelves of B&H or Adorama. Is that a bad sign? Does Kodak entering Chapter 11 affect its production and/or distribution?
I called Adorama and someone said to me that they didn't have an ETA (estimated time of arrival) for that product. Too bad! I am carrying out a project in 8x10 with that film and now I am forced to stand by. If anyone has any news on this issue, please post it!
Q.G. de Bakker 
, Feb 05, 2012; 10:51 a.m.
josé garese , Feb 05, 2012; 10:55 a.m.
Mmm... Not really. Too expensive. USD 120 is the price in the US, shipping (within US) included. Thanks anyway!
Michael Axel 
, Feb 05, 2012; 01:32 p.m.
Have you tried FreestylePhoto.biz? It looks like they might have several 8x10 films in stock.
josé garese , Feb 05, 2012; 04:31 p.m.
Thanks Michael. Just checked their website. They indeed have Portra in stock, although it is a bit more expensive, plus I have to pay shipping costs. I guess I will have to order from them if film doesn't arrive in either of the two NY superstores. Are they reliable? Had never heard of FreestylePhoto before.
John Shriver 
, Feb 05, 2012; 04:38 p.m.
Chapter 11 shouldn't affect wholesale sales. However, part of the reason they went Chapter 11 is that their suppliers lost trust in them, and started demanding cash payment before delivery. So there may have been some supply problems due to lack of raw materials. If there were supply shortages, Kodak would clearly put their resources into making fast-selling films, like Portra in 135 and 120, rather than slow sellers like 8x10 sheet film.
But Kodak is now creditworthy for about 18 months. The digital photography patent portfolio will be sold soon, which will put in a bunch of cash. They just need to stop losing money on all the non-film product lines.
josé garese , Feb 05, 2012; 04:42 p.m.
Hope that that happens soon, and that we continue to enjoy 8x10 for many years.
Mike Earussi , Feb 06, 2012; 08:01 a.m.
Jose, Freestyle has been around for decades and I've ordered from them many times. They're quite often the last resort and best resource for many films.
josé garese , Feb 07, 2012; 08:06 p.m.
Update: I have bought the last four boxes of Kodak portra 160 ASA, 8x10 from Freestyle.
I previously had a "live chat" with someone from B&H, and a conversation with another guy at Adorama: they don't have a clue when Kodak film that is back ordered will be available again. They just couldn't answer that simple question, either out of personal negligence (they look up what their PC says for that product, an info anybody visiting their site can obtain) or out of some sort of real disarray at Kodak that doesn't provide information for the time being. I lean towards the former for this cluelessness (they do not sound as extremely investigative), but who knows?
On the other hand, at Freestyle they told me that more film is on its way, around March...
josé garese , Feb 07, 2012; 08:09 p.m.
Oh, and if someone at Kodak stumbles upon this thread, it would be fantastic to have some inside info on the subject
