The Cost of Shooting Film (Page 2): I've done the expired film route, as well. --Bob...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've done the expired film route, as well.
--Bob

CHG_CANON wrote:

I know, but I don't have the time, space, nor interest in developing. I've done enough scanning to know I want to pay people to do that too. My best 'cost saving' is to buy bulk lots of expired film for pennies on the roll.

Quixdraw Loc: x

If it is my film that I have allowed to expire, well and good. It is paid for and I know how it has been stored. Otherwise, if I'm going to the trouble and expense of using film for fun, I can't see any advantage to buying expired film unless it is a special type which I might require than can't be had otherwise. Why pinch pennies and gamble with results.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

quixdraw wrote:

If it is my film that I have allowed to expire, well and good. It is paid for and I know how it has been stored. Otherwise, if I'm going to the trouble and expense of using film for fun, I can't see any advantage to buying expired film unless it is a special type which I might require than can't be had otherwise. Why pinch pennies and gamble with results.

Almost all my film posts are / include expired film. Granted, it is a gamble and I've received some bad rolls in larger lots, but mostly, I buy from people who've kept their film frozen or refrigerated and it just goes into my freezer upon receipt. You make some exposure adjustments (I adjust the ISO) for the age, especially for older color, and then shoot as normal. I track every roll on age and results and know what to expect from each for setting the usage parameters.

For me, film is just something different to do, emphasizing different aspects of the shooting and editing technique. I also want differences from digital, so the film that looks most like digital is the least interest to me. Expired color adds some 'wonkiness' that justifies the effort and experimentation.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use expired films for fun projects and experiments. If it works, fine. If not, no big loss. It was fun either way.
--Bob

quixdraw wrote:

If it is my film that I have allowed to expire, well and good. It is paid for and I know how it has been stored. Otherwise, if I'm going to the trouble and expense of using film for fun, I can't see any advantage to buying expired film unless it is a special type which I might require than can't be had otherwise. Why pinch pennies and gamble with results.

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

Costs do not matter, if it is a hobby. When I have spare change, I spend it on my hobby. I love film photography and also like my digital stuff. Depending upon my mood, I pick whichever and go shoot pictures I have three film cameras loaded with different films (6 film cameras total) and grab whichever one I feel like playing with at the time. I send color film out for development for negatives only; I develop my own B&W. When I'm short on change, my film work slows down and my digital work picks up. Just have fun at what you enjoy. Counting every nickel you spend on a hobby takes the enjoyment out of it, IMO.

Douglas Tharp Loc: Texas

For me film is a trip back to the 70’s and working in the darkroom. I am having a great time, but the cost is crazy. Film at $6.00 for a 36 exposure, and 8x 10 paper at close to dollar each adds up. Just taking a class, after it is over back to digital.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rmalarz wrote:

That "year two" cost will depend on the latest model to be released. Chasing that new equipment is the only way some will ever achieve their dreams of becoming a good photographer.
--Bob

agillot

yes if you chose a pricey camera .a old film camera is not even the equivalent of a kit camera , like a D 3500 , at about $ 500 . so , be fair in your comparison . i can see the fun of doing film in B/W [ used to do it ]

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

rmalarz wrote:

There is an active discussion, ongoing at the mome... (show quote)

Was the film camera free? Lens too? Mail if you're not doing your own developing? Internegative when you want to enlarge, or scan for digital printing?
If you're only considering consumables, what is the cost of consumables with digital?
I choose digital most of the time, and when I go back to film, it's 6x6 or 6x4.5, to get resolution comparable to modern ff digital.

BebuLamar

mikegreenwald wrote:

Was the film camera free? Lens too? Mail if you're not doing your own developing? Internegative when you want to enlarge, or scan for digital printing?
If you're only considering consumables, what is the cost of consumables with digital?
I choose digital most of the time, and when I go back to film, it's 6x6 or 6x4.5, to get resolution comparable to modern ff digital.

Film cameras and lenses are not free but I do have a bunch of them so it doesn't cost me anything to use them. So I only count the film and processing cost which is high for me because I shoot color. Can't even buy the chemicals any more. B&H won't ship them due to DOD rules. A large photo store in Dallas laugh at me when I asked to buy a roll of film. I still use film but it's getting much more difficult and costly compared to the 90's.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

rmalarz wrote:

There is an active discussion, ongoing at the mome... (show quote)

And add the cost of a computer and associated software.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

rmalarz wrote:

There is an active discussion, ongoing at the mome... (show quote)

When looking at the prime criteria why people are choosing a digital camera over film I really doubt the cost of shooting film comes up. Most people that still shoot film also shoot digital. While I no longer shoot film I understand that the experience is different and people enjoy that experience. I resisted in the early days of digital because I loved the entire process of film. I’ve learned to love the entire process of digital. I really doubt the cost of shooting film ever comes into play when making the choice.

BebuLamar

SuperflyTNT wrote:

When looking at the prime criteria why people are ... (show quote)

The cost and the increasingly difficulty to get films and chemicals was the reason for me. It also about the one thing I hate is to buy mail order or online. I love to go to the store and buy my supplies. I can't no longer do that.

User ID

rmalarz wrote:

There is an active discussion, ongoing at the mome... (show quote)

No problem. 20k clicks on a top shelf camera is negligible.

Your comparison is full of arbitrary false comparisons ... hard to believe you’re really unaware of that. IOW it’s quite meaningless, except to you. So it’s not worth sharing. Some users are shooting digital at zero to 2 cents per frame, but so what ?

My film costs were 30 to 60 cents per frame, and my digital camera didn’t cost even half of the price you posted. So my break even point is at under 5k clicks. Acoarst these are my figures and my usage. IOW just as meaningless as yours ... except to me. The only reason for posting such info is to provide some perspective.

GAS496 Loc: Arizona

How about $6.50 per negative to blow your minds? That is the cost for one sheet of 8x10 HP5 developed. The next three weeks has me in Utah and New Mexico exclusively for taking photographs. I was getting all my film holders loaded last night and my wife asked if 40 sheets will be enough to last. I looked at her and quipped if I shoot all that film I am going to be disappointed with myself. So why tell this story? Because we all have different loves and methods for creating our art.