jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

I love to shoot film from time to time especially B&W.I was preparing to order some film from B&H until I saw the price. Can anyone explain the reason for the sudden increase in price? I guess I may have to live with digital. Thanks for your response.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Supply and demand?

Supply is still limited due to the pandemic?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

FYI, Just in case you didn't know, there is a Film Photography category on UHH.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-136-1.html

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I haven't shot film in over 20+ years.
No need or desire to do so.
But I still appreciate the finesse of the way film and chemical prints look.
But not THAT much.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Several factors:
1. Some supply issues related to the two years of covid. However, this should be a small factor by now.
2. Prices remained steady for a long time and now companies are increasing prices due to their increases in raw materials and labor.
3. Price gouging. Part of price increases are justified re: #2 above. But some of the inflation we are seeing is just plain price gouging. Corporate profits should be impressive as quarterly earnings reports are released.

therwol Loc: USA

I posted an opinion a few months ago that the price of film (and processing) could deter a lot of people from using it, and it may even bring the end of its use by hobbyists who aren't getting paid for their work. Hollywood is still using a lot of film. It has been said that they're keeping Kodak in business. (A surprising number of movies are still shot on film and then digitized.) They could price themselves out of that market too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Many factors go into the price increase:

INFLATION accounts for some of it — If you download an inflation calculator into your smartphone, you'll see what I mean. In 1980, I was paying around $15.50/roll for Tri-X film I bought in 100' rolls and spooled into snap cap cassettes with a Lloyd loader. 100' roll of film filled 18.5 – 36-exposure size 135 cassettes. Today, that would cost $61 or so, if you believe the inflation calculator app! Instead, that roll of Tri-X film costs about $150! (If I still used film, I'd actually BUY Ilford HP5+, at $110/100', as I liked it better anyway.) By comparison, you can drop back to Arista brand and it's $64/100'.

Why is Tri-X $89 more than the Consumer Price Index suggests it might cost? Demand and costs of production, for one. Kodak went through bankruptcy over a decade ago, and sold their film manufacturing to Alaris. Alaris kept the brand. But with digital technology replacing MOST of the demand for film, they have to charge more for products just to make them and eke out a profit. Film coating alleys are very expensive to maintain, staff, and operate. Low volume means high unit costs that have to be recovered via price increases.

There is also brand perception. Kodak sells a lot of film in the USA because of brand loyalty. And they slapped the "Professional" moniker on Tri-X a while ago, which sets it apart. You can buy Ilford, Fomapan, Arista, Rollei, and Kentmere films for a lot less.

therwol Loc: USA

It could get to the point where higher prices mean even lower volume, both going in a cycle until there is no chance for profit any longer. No profit=no product. Some people will still shoot film for as long as it's made, but the choices compared with the pre-digital era are much diminished.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The vast majority of consumers gave up on film between 1998 and 2012. I'd give it about ten more years before most producers bail out.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Agree.
Possibly less than ten.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There is a little stronger European market for film, where street photography with film cameras is fairly popular as a hobby. Most of the film brands I mentioned earlier are made there.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

And what about China?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That, I have no idea. I've never used any Lucky film or other Chinese films.

I always stuck with Fujifilm, Ilford, and Kodak. There are some respected brands such as Agfa, Arista, CineStill, Foma, Kentmere, Rollei,... Those are very popular with students and European street photographers who post on YouTube.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Kodak (99.9%) and Ilford for me.
(I would never use film made in China.)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I meant what about the number of film users in China. Which you answered. Thank you.