Shooting Film on a Budget

Urban Grimshaw

Urban Grimshaw

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Been thinking about moving back to film for some of my photography. I have always favoured the results of film, and I have a few cameras sat here, but it'll take a bit of convincing to get me to load them up with film.

The problem for me, is that when I did shoot film, the films would be sat around for months until I got them developed. I'm just not cut out for all that waiting and expense. It's a chore. And I'm sure some of you will disagree, but that's just me.

What I'm interested in, is the budget (DIY if needs be!) approach. Knocked up a shoebox negative scanner the other day, but the results have a lot to be desired.

I guess I will at least have to buy the film, and get it developed into negatives, but what's my options for doing the rest myself, with the smallest possible financial layout? I like the idea of having full control over this.
 
Do the developing yourself? The cheapest developer is probably Kodak D76, or you could get a developer that is reusable. Rodinal is not reusable but you only use a tiny amount each time, so that's another idea.

If you can get your hands on a bulk loader for cheap, then rolling your own film might be an option. That way, instead of being forced into having 36 exposures, you can roll your own 12 exposure roll, since you don't get through many frames fast. Roll your own, develop your own, scan your own - probably the way to keep your overheads down.

Other ways to acquire cheap film is to keep an eye on clearance sections on websites that sell film, keep an eye on cheap/expired film being sold on the Classifieds here, check your local classifieds - and failing that, AG Photographic has 10 rolls of APX 100 for £18, another possible option.
 
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I'm working on the assumption that that would require an initial outlay that I can't afford...

My assumptions could be wrong?
 
Depends, I'm trying to find some developing stuff as well. There is an initial outlay but I'm trying to (also) work out how to keep it to a minimum. Failing that, if you just get your hands on cheap colour film and send it to labs for process-only and then scan it yourself, that might work instead? I know Genie do C-41 processing for £1.99 excl. VAT only, so say you get some Kodak colour film from Poundland, that would probably come to about ~£3.50 per roll (excluding P&P, although if you were in London you could probably drop it off with them).
 
500ml rodinal - £18.49 - will process 85 x 35mm films (@ 50:1) - say 22p per film
Paterson Tank - £21.99 (same supplier as rodinal, and he'll combine postage!)
Ilford Rapid Fix - £8.16 (again same supplier, same postage!) (okay - i forgot this - it's so long since I bought any :lol:)
10ml syringe for measuring rodinal - £1.57 (though you only really need one if you clean it out properly!)
3 asda 1L measuring jugs - 50p each
A room that's light-tight - under stairs cupboard/large wardrobe,cellar,loft - to load film
thermometer - £3.98
scanner - something second hand for under £50 - Brian (excalibur) will probably help out here ;)

Around £100 for the hardware to do the job, and enough chemicals to process 85 rolls of black and white.

To be completely honest, much as it grieves me to say this, but if that's too much money, then you really shouldn't be considering shooting film at the moment.
 
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TheBigYin said:
To be completely honest, much as it grieves me to say this, but if that's too much money, then you really shouldn't be considering shooting film at the moment.
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The trouble is. I'm not wanting to take on film as a full time activity. It's more out of interest. While I can see the benefits in that set-up, I don't think it's for me at the current time.

I suppose it's not just a matter of cost. Getting a few rolls of film processed won't break the bank. But I do like to be hands on, and in control. And the DIY process always interests me, whatever I'm doing. And I'm not looking to be producing professional quality results...just something that is pleasing to the eye. For a bit of fun.

At the very least, getting the negatives processed, and employing the use of a cheap scanner. But I'm interested in what creative ideas people have...even if it's making your own camera and exposing straight onto a sheet of paper!
 
Mark - at the minimum, fixer as well!

If you want to DIY, you can't get away from the outlay - it's the same for anything, not just photographic.
 
freecom2 said:
Mark - at the minimum, fixer as well!

If you want to DIY, you can't get away from the outlay - it's the same for anything, not just photographic.
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Okay - I'm a plank... it's been that long since I had to buy any I forgot!
 
To be honest, most of the things you mentioned are pretty much one-off purchases as well, since they will last for a long time and for a fair bit of processing. But it always comes down to that, the initial outlay will probably sting but it's constantly re-usable - and judging from what I can see on eBay, most of the hardware components like dev tanks still retain some value.
 
freecom2 said:
To be honest, most of the things you mentioned are pretty much one-off purchases as well, since they will last for a long time and for a fair bit of processing. But it always comes down to that, the initial outlay will probably sting but it's constantly re-usable - and judging from what I can see on eBay, most of the hardware components like dev tanks still retain some value.
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True - I reckon the dev tank's probably got a true cost of maybe a fiver, as I doubt you'd lose more than that selling it on if film isn't your bag :shrug:
 
you can often find things like dev tanks on ebay for a few quid S/H or for £10 new, the chemicals are the main expenditure but they do last for a long time. Firstcall photographic sell budget packs of chemicals which are more concentrated solutions so they will last longer. Every now and again, stuff for devving comes up in the classifieds :)
 
Polaroid, or rather Fuji Instant.. works out 80p an exposure, so not cheap per shot, but it's fun and there's no significant waiting before you see the result. You just need to ration yourself (although the cost per shot is actually very comparable to shooting MF and sending your film out for development).

No need for a negative scanner, a regular flatbed will do. And there's some online interest in using bleach/Milton to produce a negative from the backing sheet for alternative printing processes.

Just something a little off-beat, but still in the realms of film.
 
Urban Grimshaw said:
I guess I will at least have to buy the film, and get it developed into negatives, but what's my options for doing the rest myself, with the smallest possible financial layout? I like the idea of having full control over this.
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If you are to send your film out for processing, you will have no control over it.
Options for doing the rest yourself, really depends on what you think is "the rest"
Polaroids aside, it boils down to two things, printing via an enlarger, scanning digitally or both.
If you aren't prepared to process your own film it is unlikely you would be interested in printing with an enlarger with all the expense that that entails.
So is this really a scanning question ?

Keeping costs to a minimum, there is a lot to be said for slide copying, I did it myself in preference to a flatbed for quite a while, I was that disappointed with flatbeds.
 
joxby said:
So is this really a scanning question ?
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It's looking that way. Just interested in all the options available. I do like the full film strip scans. Is that something you can get done commercially?

Anyways, I've just dug the old Praktica BC1 out of the cupboard. And what do you know, it already had a film in there.. So I reeled off the last couple of shots, and they're now ready to be developed having been sat in the camera for 15+ years :woot:

Was about to run out to Tesco to get another roll, until I realised it was Sunday. But loving the 28mm on the full frame already.
 
Or... ASDA will develop and scan a film (no prints) in an hour for £2.

Maybe not the highest quality but if you want it doing cheap...
 
I've yet to try it but my next few films will go there, given the machines are mostly automated I'd hope they're on a par with my local Boots. In fact, given they're scanning negs rather than the prints (as Boots do) I'd expect them to be better.
 
Depends on your local Asda of course - it's quite difficult to find out about which ones do nowadays :(
 
Tesco in my area does process only for 99p. Morrisons also used to do it but the two near me have got rid of their processing equipment.
 
walsh said:
Tesco in my area does process only for 99p. Morrisons also used to do it but the two near me have got rid of their processing equipment.
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Anyone tried their new send away service?
 
Asda and Tesco developing for £0.99 is probably not the best way to get into film!

To put people off ever shooting film? Yes!

Is it really that hard to find someone to show you how to develop a film hmmm.

I can imagine what it must be like for someone, who has grown up with an automatic dishwasher all their life. Suddenly, they meet some Neaderthal who suggests that they might try washing their own dishes ... and the conversation goes:

Automaton: "no thanks - I'd rather use the automatic dishwasher".
Neaderthal: "but honestly - it's not that hard! You just need to buy some suds and developer.."
Automaton: "But it's cheaper if I do it in the automatic dishwasher"
Neaderthal: Handwashing has less of a sterile and clinical taste residue in the plates!
Automaton: "Well maybe, but I'd rather use the automatic dishwasher"
Neaderthal: "And handwashing is better for the environment....
Automaton: "Tescos and Macdonalds are my favourites"

:lol:
 
***Asda and Tesco developing for £0.99 is probably not the best way to get into film!****

It's a very good way to try film, as long as the person is informed that Tesco/Asda vary in quality of results.....just think:- buy Kodak Ultrmax in Poundland shops for £1, load camera fire away street shooting for 36 exposures, then pop into large Asda and get your film dev with index and CD in 1 hour for £3 (why you shop or whatever).....nearly as quick as digital after sorting thru' 500 shots machine gunning.

Good Asda with 3 year OOD Jessops film
Fujinon50mm-800px.jpg


Good Tesco with Fuji superia 200:-
Hexlenses5.jpg
 
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I started out shooting film, many, many, moons ago. Everything from finding the cheapest developers, to shooting pro film and developing at pro developers, so I'm familiar with the differences.

Cheap developing can yield some very uninspiring results. Or at least it used to - technology's changed a lot, I don't know what is the case now. And I don't know if the printing process accounts for a lot of it....cheap paper doesn't help at the very least.

But...the dSLR produces pixel perfect results. As long as I can get some pleasing colours, and a bit of an atmosphere from film, I'm happy. Overall 'quality' isn't important.
 
A lot of the machines are just dip and dunk C41, so it's only the handling before and after that really has an effect (or the chems in the process). Does anyone maintain a list of which supermarkets still do cheap dev to CD? Tried to Google but didn't come up with much.
 
freecom2 said:
A lot of the machines are just dip and dunk C41, so it's only the handling before and after that really has an effect (or the chems in the process). Does anyone maintain a list of which supermarkets still do cheap dev to CD? Tried to Google but didn't come up with much.
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Tesco, Asda, Boots? :D

Tried one store of Morrison once and erm well the development was ok for £1 but..........


Morrisondev1.jpg
 
Man, that's a spotty scan :cool:

Didn't you rinse the neg's and re-scan this one... vaguely remember someone doing this :thinking:
 
I think there might be scope for a sticky thread for this one to be honest...

but obviously it'd take people to contribute and make it a sensible resource
 
TheBigYin said:
Man, that's a spotty scan :cool:

Didn't you rinse the neg's and re-scan this one... vaguely remember someone doing this :thinking:
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Yes it was me and I did indeed wash the neg again and re-scanned. So the dev and fixer was ok (not stale), just the handling for the spots, OR IIRC you said at the time "it could be sediment or scum as the machine wasn't used frequently".
 
On the few occasions I have taken film to be developed at Tesco it's hit and miss in regards to the quality. Depends on the person doing the developing!
 
freecom2 said:
Specific stores! :bonk:
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Well I used to got to Watford (Herts) for I hour service, but they send the film away now ( where they, or any Tesco, send the negs may be good, but can't be bothered to wait a few days), so I switched to Asda at Park Royal London, but lately they seem to be using stale chemicals (very bad blotchy grain in shadows), so switched to Asda at Slough (near London).
Of course the places have to be convenient and the wife likes to shop at Tesco or Asda ;).....for me I cycle about 4 miles to Asda at Slough for exercise :cool:
 
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