Iridium
Member
Ok. The issue of price increase on films has been posted several times. Nevertheless, I would like to expand my thoughts as a serious amateur photographer.
This summer I started a new project using square format lo-fi cameras (Holga and Lubitel) and colour film. Unfortunately, I hadn’t stocked a lot of 120 colour films and now I need to buy a new lot in order to continue the project. I searched thoroughly the local market as well as the whole Internet for best prices. The results were quite frustrating. After the last price increase, it was impossible to find colour negative 120 films under 4.5 €, while a single roll of slides climbs up to 6-9 € with the E-6 processing at 6-8 €. Even the cheapest colour film in Asia, the Ektacolor Pro 160, has been ceased by Kodak. I have also been told that Fuji will announce another price increase soon (true?). In a while, the film will be sold only at Sotheby’s…
Under these circumstances, the total cost (film + processing) for a sufficient quantity of rolls is getting unbearable for me, as I have also to take into account the cost for the b&w materials. On the other hand, I don’t think that digital photography can offer me any reasonable alternative. Thus, I don’t see any practical solution (apart maybe from Ebay) to complete at least this project next year. Otherwise, I will totally give up medium format colour photography or I will shoot a couple of rolls just for fun. Fortunately, I can still have access to normal priced 120 b&w (mainly Acros) films and so I will stay alive photographically for a couple of years more (I think…).
If the film prices keep rising that fast, film photography will become pretty soon only a nostalgic hobby. In contrast, digital technology hasn’t developed yet affordable and equivalent solutions for medium and large format photography. Ain’t this a fundamental constraint for the photographic art?
This summer I started a new project using square format lo-fi cameras (Holga and Lubitel) and colour film. Unfortunately, I hadn’t stocked a lot of 120 colour films and now I need to buy a new lot in order to continue the project. I searched thoroughly the local market as well as the whole Internet for best prices. The results were quite frustrating. After the last price increase, it was impossible to find colour negative 120 films under 4.5 €, while a single roll of slides climbs up to 6-9 € with the E-6 processing at 6-8 €. Even the cheapest colour film in Asia, the Ektacolor Pro 160, has been ceased by Kodak. I have also been told that Fuji will announce another price increase soon (true?). In a while, the film will be sold only at Sotheby’s…
Under these circumstances, the total cost (film + processing) for a sufficient quantity of rolls is getting unbearable for me, as I have also to take into account the cost for the b&w materials. On the other hand, I don’t think that digital photography can offer me any reasonable alternative. Thus, I don’t see any practical solution (apart maybe from Ebay) to complete at least this project next year. Otherwise, I will totally give up medium format colour photography or I will shoot a couple of rolls just for fun. Fortunately, I can still have access to normal priced 120 b&w (mainly Acros) films and so I will stay alive photographically for a couple of years more (I think…).
If the film prices keep rising that fast, film photography will become pretty soon only a nostalgic hobby. In contrast, digital technology hasn’t developed yet affordable and equivalent solutions for medium and large format photography. Ain’t this a fundamental constraint for the photographic art?
loquax ludens
Well-known
The more expensive it gets, the fewer people will be able to afford to use it, and the less of it will be available. But those who want to use it enough will find a way to do so, even if their choices are far more limited than they are today.
Iridium
Member
Way? Like sell your car or mortgage your house?...:angel:
loquax ludens
Well-known
Some might choose to do that, yes. Probably few people will dispense entirely with food, clothing, and shelter, since doing so is not conducive to continued existence. 
But this is nothing knew. You have to prioritize your activities and decide how you want to use your disposable income. You do this already today.
But this is nothing knew. You have to prioritize your activities and decide how you want to use your disposable income. You do this already today.
Photo_Smith
Well-known
I think it's still pretty cheap, I pay about £2.20 for a roll of B&W 120 and about £4.00 for a roll of Ektar/Portra. I process them at home so add about £1.50 for film processing for the colour and about half that for B&W. From there if I get a good shot I print.
Now if I get out the 8x10 Gandolfi.....
Now if I get out the 8x10 Gandolfi.....
Iridium
Member
I think it's still pretty cheap, I pay about £2.20 for a roll of B&W 120 and about £4.00 for a roll of Ektar/Portra. I process them at home so add about £1.50 for film processing for the colour and about half that for B&W. From there if I get a good shot I print.
Now if I get out the 8x10 Gandolfi.....
In the UK you get 2.20 b&w. Where this happens?
Photo_Smith
Well-known
Here:
http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByGroup.asp?PrGrp=2211
They have an internet shop, possibly I don't know you may be able to claw back the VAT which would make the film £1.86.
http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByGroup.asp?PrGrp=2211
They have an internet shop, possibly I don't know you may be able to claw back the VAT which would make the film £1.86.
Jockos
Well-known
Since you're already using lomo cameras, maybe you could hold the cost down by buying expired film, and then maybe cross process it to get the ultimate feeling