I have some mixed feelings regarding the films I have received monthly from the Casual Photophile Film Club. Joining the film club is more expensive than buying film so the benefit is getting to try films I might otherwise not try. So it’s disappointing when films I have used before that are easy to get show up in the mail (e.g. Kodak Gold, Kodak Ektar, Fujifilm Superia X-Tra). Twice, I also received 2 rolls of the same film only a few months apart (Kodak P3200 Tmax and Kodak Ektar).
I have to balance that with the excitement that comes when less accessible films show up, and I do get to try something new (e.g. Kosmo Foto, Fomapan Action 400, Ferrania P30).
Some films fall somewhere in-between: not necessarily hard to get but also not things I routinely buy. The various Ilford films I’ve gotten through the club fall into this category. I pretty much have liked all the Ilford films I’ve tried, but they offer a wide variety of choices so the film club has broadened my horizons when it comes to Ilford (Ilford HP5 Plus, Ilford PANF Plus, Ilford XPS Super).
Such was the case when a roll of Ilford Delta 100 Professional showed up in the mail back in May. I have used the Delta 400 before, but this was my first time with the 100.
I loaded it in my Canon EOS Rebel 2000 with my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 lens. Holly and I went out for a walk into University City, mainly on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania but also a little bit around the nearby West Philadelphia neighborhood . As before, I was pleased with the results with the Ilford film.
I’m undecided as to whether or not I want to continue with the film club. I am paying a premium (almost $15) a month for each roll, and I’m not sure the curated selections are always working for me. I think I was more excited about the club when I first joined and knew less about different films. I’m better able now to navigate what I want and like and to track down any unusual films that pique my curiosity.
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