Opinions of eBay 16mm recans/expired stock

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Matthew W Phillips

Active member
Next year Im going to shoot a feature on 16mm and Im getting mostly fresh Kodak stock but I was wondering what experience any of you have with ebay recans/slightly expired stock (V2, for instance)? The stock would be kindof like "just in case" stock or insurance if I ran out. The seller Im mainly interested in is "filmforsale" as he/she has great deals on full 400' loads.

Also, Im trying to line up my workflow and Spectra processes 16 for .13/ft. Anyone know any cheaper for color neg?
 
The only expired/recans I've bought, I've paid peanuts for. That way no big deal if it's no good. Can you find out a bit more about the seller? Where are the recans coming from etc.

I've seen quite a lot of expired stock selling for more than the cost of factory fresh?!
 
Don't bother with old film if you are doing a serious project. Insurance is no good if it's a gamble to begin with.
Try http://www.alphacine.com for a deal. The real savings is the deal you can get on a scanning. Try them for that too and don't do any scanning on anything below a Spirit.
 
Film is always exposing, in the dark or in the light. The difference simply influences speed. Also cold conditions slow this perpetual developing, and warm speeds it up.

That said, re-cans are risky. If experimenting, it's fine. But you risk major consistency issues when you combine film from different places, ages, and etc.
 
So based on the answers, most of you would rather shoot on a lower ratio with fresh stock and have ZERO reserves if it meant those reserves came from recans or slightly expired stock? Obviously, the preferred answer is have more fresh stock but in my budget, its not going to happen.

Thanks for your insight.
 
If the project were a real shoot, new film everytime.

I don't know what you are doing, (a feature right?) but imagine what you are paying everyone on crew per day. Imagine the cost of locations, camera rental, equipment, sound, crafty,... the whole 9 yards. That adds up fast... and you want to risk that by cheaping out on the film? If you get a batch of film that is flashed, old, or has been exposed to X-rays or significant temperatures (like left in a hot car), than you risk serious contrast and color shift issues that can possibly ruin your continuity beyond repair in DI. Did someone say reshoots or extended schedules? Now hire all those people for another day for reshoots. Get the equipment again, actors availability and locations. Ugh. Do it right the first time and you'll avoid some possibly serious issues.

Unless experimenting, it's always a safer bet to go new film stock. Now if you know exactly where the re-can's are coming from, and they are from a legit place, you can run the dice and see how it goes. I would try my hardest to talk Kodak into giving you a deal or a grant, or a discount. They have done so for me in the past and are very nice people. Of course I wasn't shooting a feature, but none-the-less, it doesn't hurt to ask.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
If the project were a real shoot, new film everytime.
,. I would try my hardest to talk Kodak into giving you a deal or a grant, or a discount. They have done so for me in the past and are very nice people. Of course I wasn't shooting a feature, but none-the-less, it doesn't hurt to ask.
Click to expand...

Ufortunately, my rep is a bit stingy. He will offer ZERO discount on 19' stock (as he says this stock is 70% of their film business) and I haggled to get a 28% discount on 30' which is being discontinued. That is still less than the 30% discount Canadian film students get. No COMP stock offered whatsoever. Ive heard some people getting 5-10k ft comped but I wonder how reliable those tales are.
 
There used to be several reputable sellers of re-cans (Dr. Rawstock etc...) they always snip tested there re-cans and short ends to assure quality and consistency. I am not sure if there are any suppliers like them anymore?
 
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