cheapest way to shoot film?

[cope07]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this, but I thought I would give it a try.

I want to shoot film. I currently have a Leica M6ttl in my possession and I am on the fence about selling it due to my digital workflow (Nikon d90 +lightroom).

What is the most economical way to shoot film. Ideally I would like to shoot B&W (triX) but it seems that that is expensive to develop. I am not going to have access to a darkroom at any point in the near future.

First off, what are good cheap films?

My best guesses would be:

to use C41 process film (which limits me to color, yes?) and develop at say Wallmart or costco and have them scan or spend $500 on a used V700. I believe this means I can do bulk rolling. That would make the cost at about $3 roll + $1-4 of develop + my time scanning

Alternatively I could use C41 film and send it off to Precision for the $12 dev and high res scan deal. This way I could bulk roll and I don't have to spend time scanning. so...$15 a roll total


------Lastly I am not sure it is worth it, because non of these methods are going to get me optical B&W prints, so I am not really sure what I will gain over digital, other than getting to use a small rangefinder.


somewhat unrelated
Finally does anyone know if M body prices are going up or down? What about leica lenses?

 

[sepiareverb]

A jug of Rodinal or HC-110 goes a very long way. HP5+ is pretty cheap right now from several suppliers in a '2 for 1' pack.

 

[Neare]

The cheapest way to shoot is to develop yourself, and you don't need a darkroom to develop film.
You need a darkroom changing bag and a daylight developing canister, neither are very expensive.

Also, buying bulk rolls of film and loading your own canisters will also save you quite a bit of money.

If you want the work digitally, you will need a scanner (or use the lightbox + digital camera method) so consider it an investment.

 

[cope07]

anyone used XP2, I am intrigued as it is developable with C41 process.

 

[B.J.Scharp]

You want cheap?

Rodinal, 14.99, at 1+50, enough for over 60 rolls, so 25 cents a roll.

Fixer, 3.99. At 1:5, enough for about 50 rolls, so 8 cents a roll

Rebadged Tri-X, 2.39 a roll.

That makes a total of $2.72 a roll.

Seeing how C41 film starts at $2.99, I really doubt C41 is cheaper...

As for scanning, that's the same cost either way, and film scanners are extremely cheap nowadays.

(I'm not counting the cost for a daylight tank, a changing bag and two graduates. Those can be had on Craigslist for next to nothing, and will last forever)

 

[Chris101]

Both XP2 (Ilford, clear base) and BW400CN (Kodak, orange base) are B&W films that use the C41 process. I've shot both and they each have their own distinct advantages. I must agree with the others though, self developing B&W film is cheap, easy and does NOT require a darkroom. An hour of the bathroom to yourself is sufficient.

 

[acheyj]

Try to develope your own it aint hard. Years ago (60's) I had a full darkroom Leica gear and MF, really did it full on, gave it all away to rear a family and run a farm. Started again a few years ago. Scan my negs develope in the laundy or out in the shed. Try to use time and temp with precision but sometimes dont bother and am amazed just how rough I can get and still get a good neg. Give a go.

ron

 

[B.S.]

I'm on vacation in Arizona right now, currently without my scanner and the only place I truly trust to develop my film properly-- The Icon.

Since I'm not a fan of the places I've gotten film developed out here, I figured I'd go the cheapest way I know how...

Got 20 rolls Kodak BW 400CN for a little over 30 dollars on ebay (great place to buy really cheap film in bulk) and have been dumping the spent rolls at CVS for 3 dollar-ish processing/scan.

Now-- The quality is terrible. But it's kind of fun to just let random people at CVS develop/scan your film and see what they come up with. That's a guilty pleasure of mine every time I visit Arizona.

Good luck shooting cheap!

 

[Stuart John]

I think shooting B&W and developing at home is the cheapest way to shoot film. At least that is what I do.

 

[cope07]

Thanks for all of the info. BJ sharp, you links and info were great. On the last one, I couldn't find the 2.99 c41 process film. I guess I will have to weigh the convenience of taking c41 film to a processor or the economy of doing developing myself. I don't know which I will do. I am taking a college photo class right now so the technical details of dev'ing b/w don't scare me much.

On the other hand, I have a tough time believing that scanner is any good. at all. How does the v700 do for 35mm? I have heard that it is pretty good for MF work, but maybe not so good for 35mm (not that I would know of anything in that price range that is any better)

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

cope07, the flatbed scanners might give you 2000x 3000 in real resolution from 35mm, half the linear res of a real film scanner.

Comments above are right on, except that if you value your time and image quality, you might do better sending film to Precision (a sponsor here).

 

[Chris101]

I'm on vacation in Arizona right now, currently without my scanner and the only place I truly trust to develop my film properly-- The Icon.

Since I'm not a fan of the places I've gotten film developed out here, I figured I'd go the cheapest way I know how...

Got 20 rolls Kodak BW 400CN for a little over 30 dollars on ebay (great place to buy really cheap film in bulk) and have been dumping the spent rolls at CVS for 3 dollar-ish processing/scan.

Now-- The quality is terrible. But it's kind of fun to just let random people at CVS develop/scan your film and see what they come up with. That's a guilty pleasure of mine every time I visit Arizona.

Good luck shooting cheap!

When I'm in Arizona getting c41 developed on the cheap, I go to Walgreens which is a notch above CVS. When I want the good stuff I take it to Tempe Camera.

 

[Chris101]

... I am taking a college photo class right now ...

Don't they let you develop film for *free* there?

 

[cope07]

Yes they do and its great, but this is my last year of college and I am moving across the country afterward, so it is not really a long term solution. We pay for prints and film though, lest you worry.

 

[Chris101]

My "last" year of college was 36 years ago. None-the-less, I take 'ART 290, Portfolio Development' (almost) every Spring semester at my local community college in order to have access to the darkroom, and a young(ish - although there are other OFs in the group as well) peer group to critique my work and keep it fresh. The photo department director (who is coincidentally my close friend) refers to me and an "enrichment" student.

I don't care though. It keeps me in the dark with a minimum of expense (I pay for my own materials too. I'm not worried) and they do all the maintenance and most of the clean-up. I recommend this route to anyone who wants the darkroom experience, but is limited by 'real world' constraints.

By the way, many of the projects in my signature link are from that class over the years.

 

[PatrickONeill]

rebadged fuji200 24exp: 99¢
CVS develop only: $2.19
total cost: $3.18
plus tax

:edited and revised developing costs:

I use my slr as a copycamera, its good enough for posting on the internet and its a hold over till I get a proper film scanner.