Heckuva Brownie!

May 30, 2009 11:57 AM

Hey, Seattle-area photographers! I was just gifted a Baby Brownie Special for helping a family member find a good computer. I'm really excited and I want to start using it. Just a few things...

First, and most importantly, where can I find 127 film in Seattle? I've found some online sources, like B&H, who sell cheap black and white, but I'd really like some color film.

Second, where can I get the film developed in Seattle? I've found a place in Portland, but I'd prefer local.

Third, the shutter is a little gummy. It can take the shutter anywhere from less than half a second to three or four seconds to "open and close" (it moves on a wheel, rather than an aperture). CameraTechs up in Ballard look promising. Anyone have a good camera repair guy or lady they'd recommend?

posted by gc to media & arts (6 comments total)

Glazer's Camera might have 127 film, and could probably recommend somewhere for the developing and repair.
posted by hades at 12:52 PM on May 30

I recommend you shoot Seattle Bon Vivant a FlickrMail - she's got quite a camera collection and seems to know where to get vintage cameras serviced and where to buy film.
posted by chez shoes at 1:15 PM on May 30

Bluefire.
posted by Sys Rq at 2:22 PM on May 30 [1 favorite]

Kodak still makes its pro Portra 160NC film in 127 format, so any decent pro camera shop that sells kodak film should be able to order it in, if nothing else. B&H sells it as well, at $12 a roll.

That Bluefire Murano 127 film that Sys Rq posted seems like a great deal at $6.99 a roll.
posted by XcentricOrbit at 2:29 PM on May 30

Until recently, Maco was the only company that still produced a colour film in the 127 format, its been discontinued. It looks like there some stock left so you could try asking Glazer's if they'll special order in a brick for you. Or, bite the bullet and buy it by mail order. All the other colour films available in the 127 format are cut and respooled Fuji Velvia or, Kodak Portra 160 offered by B&H and The Frugal Photographer. If you're daring you could try cutting and respooling it yourself, there are a number of photographers with obsolete formats who do just that.

Kodak still makes its pro Portra 160NC film in 127 format

Nooo. Film for Classics buys bulk film from the manufacturer, cuts it down to size then, respools it and, sells it through B&H.
posted by squeak at 3:24 PM on May 30

Kodak still makes its pro Portra 160NC film in 127 format

Nooo. Film for Classics buys bulk film from the manufacturer, cuts it down to size then, respools it and, sells it through B&H.

Looking a little closer, it looks like Film for Classics doesn't sell to consumers directly anymore, just to distributors. Bluefire looks like they have the best deal.

I hit up Glazer's this afternoon, and they recommended Panda Labs for developing, and Camera Clinic (in Shoreline) for fixing the shutter, which seems to have fixed itself. I just contacted Seattle Bon Vivant to see what she thinks as well.
posted by gc at 4:49 PM on May 30