Portra from B&H - New or old?

[scott_turner]

My film cupboard (OK, refrig.) is just about empty again, so an order to B&H is

forthcoming. One of the films I'd like to order is the NEW (not the old) Portra

160VC, so...

 

Has anyone placed a recent Portra order (35mm and/or 120) with B&H who can

verify whether they're now shipping the new stuff or still the old?

 

TIA

 

Scott

[jeff_drew4]

They have a toll free phone# 800.221.5743 for customer service or 800.606.6969 for sales; and they answer email if you fill in the template on their website.<p>

The info would be better first-hand, don't you think? :-)<p>

[andy_szeto]

I ordered 10 rolls of Portra 160VC a couple of months ago and they are all the new version.

[christiaan_phleger___honol]

Just got a batch last week, 35mm, was all new. Great Great stuff. Don't tell the digital guys....

[manuel_zamora_morschhaeuse]

I had an outdoor shooting two weeks ago and tried (the main camera was digital) the new Portra 160NC. After I got the developed rolls back and fed them into my scanner I was very positively surprised - this new emulsion is tack sharp, scans beautifully and gave the portraits a unique and very nice tonality, in my opinion better than the old NC.

 

Have fun shooting,

Manuel

[scott_turner]

<p>Thanks to all for the responses. &nbsp It's great to hear that the new Portra seems to be nudging the old off the shelves.</p>

 

<p>Specifically for Jeff who asks &nbsp - &nbsp <i>"The info would be better first-hand, don't you think? :-)":</i></p>

 

<p>Perhaps you're not aware that there's been more than a little bit of retailer confusion when it comes to the new Portras. &nbsp Kodak made substantial changes to the films themselves, but only minor packaging changes, and no name change. &nbsp And with declining film sales, it's taken some time to clear out old inventory. &nbsp As a result, I've called local stores and have been assured that they have "the new stuff" only to drive out and find it's still the old. I've also received "they changed Portra? &nbsp Wow, I didn't know that!" as a response. &nbsp Specific to B&H, the last time I contacted them, (admittedly some time ago), I was told, "we can't be sure".</p>

 

<p>Given all of this, it seems pretty reasonable to me to inquire on a special interest forum as to what folks are <b>ACTUALLY</b> receiving from a vendor. &nbsp That, to me, is the best kind of "first-hand" info, plus now others know as well.</p>

 

<p>Scott</p>

[ilkka_nissila]

The new stuff has a text indicating it on the box. If there is no text about it being the new version with finer grain, it is the old Portra. If they say they aren't sure => it is the old version.

[steve_levine]

I bought a brick of the new there last month.

[jeff_drew4]

Confused retailers & sales clerks? Say, "it ain't so!" :-)

If I need to call B&H or any other major supplier, I usually have the specific info at hand. You probably know the correct answer but you are looking for someone at the location to validate it. On rare occasions, I get wonderment and thank the clerk for checking and go to "plan B." :-)