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Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 09 Mar 2015, 10:50
by PatrickCM
Visited Vanbar to pick up some chemicals the other day. Very sad to see the run down state of their stock; couldn't get most of what I wanted and what stock they had looked old and tired.
Does anyone know of any other sources for chemicals in Sydney?
Or is there some way we can gee-up Vanbar to support film photographers again?

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 09 Mar 2015, 15:11
by Ed5x7
Chris Reid at Blanco Negro in Redfern carries a good range of Foma chemicals and other supplies. As I understand it, he is more than happy to order things in on request. Chris is a master printer and a very good friend to the large format community in Australia. As he uses the Foma supplies himself, I am sure he will be more than happy to discuss with you how to get the best out of them for your work if you are more familiar with another brand's chemistry.

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 09 Mar 2015, 16:57
by Barry Kirsten
I noticed on Vanbar's website that many chemicals are out of stock to online orders also. I don't know if this is an increasing trend, as I don't deal a lot with Vanbar, but it always annoyed me in the past that I could usually bet they'd be out of something I wanted.

I don't want to sound negative, but I think much of the problem is due to the small size of the Australian LF market. Vanbar probably carries more stock than anyone else, to their credit. Smaller businesses usually have smaller inventories, and I noted the other day that Blanco Negro is out of some of their advertised lines of printing paper.

I tend to wait until I can afford to place a large order, then use B&H or some of the other overseas suppliers. But with the AUD so low at the moment, that hurts too; but I can usually get what I want.

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 09 Mar 2015, 22:57
by Ed5x7
Blanco Negro does offer competitive pricing on the Foma gear and - while it might not be for everyone - it is worth giving it a go. Before giving up on it, seek Chris' advice as to how best to use it as the work he produces using it is exquisite. At the end of the day, that is the advantage of having someone here in Australia that you can talk to about these things. We enjoy these limited local resources on a use it or lose it basis.

The Blanco Negro website does indicate that many items are currently out of stock. The website also suggests a shipment is coming in this month. In a newsletter that Chris sent out earlier this year he referred to the difficulties of trading in a very small market and suggested that - to balance the market's need for a good inventory with his need to make a living and avoid large amounts of stock going slowly stale on his shelves - he is aiming for monthly shipments from Foma for those willing to pre-order (which seems pretty reasonable in all of the circumstances).

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 14 Mar 2015, 23:02
by Alastair Moore
I need to find another source of film/paper than Vanbar. I wanted to order some paper on the off chance I might get it before this weekend coming. The price of the paper itself is fair - $40 for 30 sheets of Ilford 8x10 RC. But the shipping! The shipping is absolutely insane. They want $35 for shipping. I know for a fact that it is not $35 shipping from VIC to NT. They could send express post and it's less than a tenner. I shall be emailing them about that.

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 15 Mar 2015, 13:19
by Oscar
I think they use a courier of some sort, not the postal service. (Not that I'm excusing their shipping pricing model!)

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 15 Mar 2015, 18:51
by Alastair Moore
Yeah, they use star track it seems. I'm picking up some packs of paper when I'm down in Victoria next week. I'll bring it back with me on the plane. A bit frustrating as I wanted to bring some prints with me for the Large Format Group weekend on Phillip Island. Never mind!

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 16 Mar 2015, 20:22
by Geoff Roberts
It's great to have somewhere local to get Adonal (rodinal), as I believe that can't be shipped by air. Not too sure how I'd get my hands on it without Vanbar.

Re: Vanbar Sydney fading away?

Posted: 17 Mar 2015, 10:36
by Nathan Everett
I have always just given the guys in the Camperdown store a call about a week before I want my order and they get it in if they don't have stock. My reasoning is if I (we?) don't support them they won't be there for us in the future. Also of note is that the premises has been 'for sale' for a long time now, once it sells I guess it'll just be the Melbourne store left...