My Report on 4x5 Film in Prague, Czech Republic

[nicolas_block]

I flew from Boston USA to Prague on September 23rd. In Heathrow

airport I changed British Airlines flights, getting from one terminal

to the other required an X-Ray. There are no hand inspections. When

I arrived in Prague I went to the largest shop in town to look for

4x5 film. This is "Milan Skoda Photo". There is some expired Portra

160NC for sale there. It is not being refrigerated. There is quite

a lot of transparency film there in 4x5 size. There is no BW or

Color Negative film there. Around town, checking from one shop's

recommendation to the next, I found no 4x5 Negative film. I've

checked now at about 20 shops. Transparency film is widely

available, I even saw some Kodak in 5x7, I didn't think they still

cut 5x7 chrome! There is some 9x12 cm film, just slightly too small

for my holders, HP5, FP4 and some Color Trans. in this size. So, if

you're on your way to Prague with a 4x5, pack some film and get a

direct flight to avoid Heathrow. If you have to order film from B&H

in NYC when you arrive note that the 22% sales tax is applied by

customs here on all packages declared at a value (including shipping)

of 8000 Kc ($295) or more. I recommend calling on a state-side

friend to ship the film to you as a gift. Yet another possibility is

to contact manufacturers and with their help, track down a retailer

who can broker the sale. I'm quite irate today, though I finally

have my film, I payed about $105 in tax on top of the $68 B&H charged

to ship. Tax may be refundable upon leaving the country but the

terms require departure within thirty days of payment. In terms of

other film, you will find lots of Ilford, Fuji and Kodak pro films in

120 and 35mm. There are more ancient Kievs and Contax cameras than

you'd ever beleive as well as the most pristene and beautiful Zeiss

Jenas I've ever seen. I hope someone finds this information useful.

Email me if I can help you in anyway. Yours, Nicolas Block

[dlabrosse]

Don't know if they deliver to Prague but I've found the best way to avoid X-Ray issues when travelling is to send your film FedEx. They do not yet X-ray their packages.

[Jochen_S]

Praque is eastern + continental Europe. These are 2 arguments against available 4x5 sheets. A couple of used metric holders won't be very expensive and will surely master suply problems. - My experience. Of course you find Kodak, I would believe in them puting an extra charge on cutting down 4x5" to 9x12...