Freestyle Film Price Increases. Yikes!

[Joe Vitessa]

Just logged onto Freestyle.com to purchase some film and noticed that a 36-count roll of T-Max 400 now goes for $5.39. Fuji professional color films, which have been increasing for months, are now off the charts -- 400H @ 7.19 a roll!

Fuji Acros in 120 size has increased from a very reasonable $2.99 a roll to $3.49 (still not terrible, but not a good thing.) Arista.EDU films have also gone up between 15 and 20 percent.

I'm committed to film photography, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to afford it. Just makes me sad.

Joe

 

[nlubis]

That is a some sad news. Not a Sunday morning report that I would like to hear.

 

[Eric T]

The recent large increase in the price of silver is at least part of the problem here. The price on Sept. 16, 2011 was $40.70 per ounce (US dollars).

 

[Eric T]

Check out the recent history of silver prices here:
http://silverprice.org/silver-price-history.html
A year ago, silver was about $21 per ounce. Two years ago, it was about $11 per ounce.

 

[eleskin]

Silver prices, the Dollar sinking, supply and demand?

Silver prices, the Dollar sinking, supply and demand?

We all know commodities like gold and silver are way up and the dollar is taking a beating. Unfortunately, silver is a crucial ingredient in film and will affect it's price. On top of that, digital has reduced demand over the years, so supply and price reflect that. Recently there gas been renewed interest in film, but probably not enough supply, hence higher prices. Maybe some day the cheapest way will be making your own glass plate negatives like the late 1800's again. At least you would not be held hostage to market forces!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Well, I don't think the price of silver is going to do anything but continue to rise, so the upward price trajectory for film is likely to continue. And the higher the price, the less film folks will buy, which will force the prices up. It's a circle.

 

[Riverman]

Film is still cheap in the US (or rather the sales tax is much lower). I've been enjoying US film prices for the last couple of years. Shortly I'll be returning home to the UK where the equivalent of around USD 10.50 per roll of Fuji 400H is just about the best price you'll find! Velvia 50 north of 11 bucks!

 

[Pherdinand]

add to that my color film development costs - 7 to 9 euros is the average what the local shops charge, and they all send it to the same processing lab - and i am next in the line of unhappy film users...

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I do wonder if the price of film could ever fall when/if the price of silver does. Silver prices are astronomically high right now, but if you look at the historical charts, a similar spike happened in the early 1980s and then the price plummeted and remained level until recently. Of course, when the price of silver finally does fall, the demand for film likely won't be there. Still sad.

Joe

 

[paulfish4570]

buuuuummer ...

 

[batterytypehah!]

Hit CVS and stock up on their color 200 ASA clearance sale. Just not those of you who live in my area 😀

 

[FalseDigital]

I can buy film cheaper here in Bangkok at even retail cost. My local store sells T-Max for roughly $4 a roll. Maybe I should start selling to RFF members.

 

[Rayt]

I was going to order some Fuji 400x from Freestyle last week and noticed it was $2 cheaper than B&H and now they are the same price. I should not have hesitated. As long as they make it I'll buy it so don't discontinue the stuff!

 

[semilog]

Well, I don't think the price of silver is going to do anything but continue to rise.

I this to be taken as advice to buy silver, or are you merely speculating? 🙄

 

[Keith]

$45.99 for a 100 ft roll of Arista Premium 400 ... that's a lot more than I paid for the last couple I got a few months ago!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

semilog, I tell people food is a better investment than silver or gold. Silver is hard to eat. 🙂

 

[charjohncarter]

I was going to order some Fuji 400x from Freestyle last week and noticed it was $2 cheaper than B&H and now they are the same price. I should not have hesitated. As long as they make it I'll buy it so don't discontinue the stuff!

I'm with you on this topic.

 

[Tim Gray]

I get the feeling sometimes that Freestyle keeps less film on hand than B&H so their prices follow any price increases a bit quicker. They are usually a tiny bit more expensive on the films I buy, but that's really not a big deal to me. I usually order from B&H anyway since they are so close. I pay for UPS ground and as long as I order by noon or so, I get it 24 hours later.

Also, Ilford pushed through a big price increase late summer. There's a big thread on APUG about it.

 

[Rogier]

I still have 20 Rolls of Fuji Press 400 for sale at just $2 per roll 🙂

 

[paulfish4570]

walgreens now charges $9 to develop and scan a 24-exp roll of c-41. it was $6 last summer ...