The increasing cost of film :o(

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I usually get my film from Calumet as it seems to be one of the cheapest for the stuff I use the most. I used to order Portra 400 until it was unavailable at the beginning of the year so went over to Fuji Pro400H at £22 for a box (5 rolls of 120). This is still the same price at the moment, but the Portra has gone up to £25. How shocked I was though to see that one of my favourites, Portra 800, has now gone up to £15 per roll for 35mm!! I paid £8 earlier in the year. The 120 version is still similar at £49.99 for a box of 5 in 120. I love Portra 800, but at that price, it's really making it out of my price range I think. I don't shoot a lot of slide film but I also noticed that Velvia 50 is £10 a roll for 35mm. Once you factor in developing and scanning, good grief!

It won't stop me shooting film, just thought I would express my surprise, especially at the 800 almost doubling in cost. Oh well. :)
 
Ouch yeah, that would sting. I'm lucky that Ilford seem comfortable with their prices and the £4 a roll has been pretty stead for FP4. Then again 35mm does seem disproportionally expensive.
 
DG Phototraining said:
I remember being unimpressed when my usual 36 exp roll went up to £1 !!!

It was a while ago mind :D

Dave
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If only I were trying to shoot more weddings on film......oh, wait!? :D

steveo_mcg said:
Ouch yeah, that would sting. I'm lucky that Ilford seem comfortable with their prices and the £4 a roll has been pretty stead for FP4. Then again 35mm does seem disproportionally expensive.
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My friend, Ian, has now gone exclusively Ilford B&W. He bought a V700 with the better scanning holder and develops at home now too. The cost is really appealing. I love colour though. :(
 
I guess it costs them more to make as the huge turnover market has dropped. Pricing themselves out of any market though at this rate.

I was so glad when digital came in. My first camera paid for itself in saved film/processing fees in less than 6 months. Before that I remember saving up for film for events and holidays and having to process it spread out over several months. Must be even worse for people now. I hope they do not kill off film by pricing it out of everyones range.
 
It will be partly due to the falling value of sterling. It was $1.50 last year and it's down to $1.25 so that's a big fall to absorb.

I haven't seen so much hype about Lomo and film stuff this year so I wonder if that's another reason. Volume isn't there to support the lower prices.

Luckily I'm content with cheapo Agfa and the bargain bucket Kodak colour stuff.
 
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gazmorton2000 said:
I usually get my film from Calumet as it seems to be one of the cheapest for the stuff I use the most. I used to order Portra 400 until it was unavailable at the beginning of the year so went over to Fuji Pro400H at £22 for a box (5 rolls of 120). This is still the same price at the moment, but the Portra has gone up to £25. How shocked I was though to see that one of my favourites, Portra 800, has now gone up to £15 per roll for 35mm!! I paid £8 earlier in the year. The 120 version is still similar at £49.99 for a box of 5 in 120. I love Portra 800, but at that price, it's really making it out of my price range I think. I don't shoot a lot of slide film but I also noticed that Velvia 50 is £10 a roll for 35mm. Once you factor in developing and scanning, good grief!

It won't stop me shooting film, just thought I would express my surprise, especially at the 800 almost doubling in cost. Oh well. :)
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Have a look at Macodirect.de. They are still showing Portra 800 in 135 at €11 per roll, and a 5-pack in 120 at €49, They have rather expensive postage, so you'd have to make a largish order, but it should still be cost-effective against the prices you quoted. 5-pack of Portra 400 in 120 is €31 so probably not cost-effective.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
It won't stop me shooting film, just thought I would express my surprise, especially at the 800 almost doubling in cost. Oh well. :)
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Unfortunately, £30 looks like it will become the new standard for a box of 120 colour film in the near future, but the price of film, as with anything, trends upwards over time, so it's not really that unexpected. A roll of film is still far cheaper than any digital medium format sensor and the film dimensions are still a whole lot bigger too.

I bought a few hundreds pounds worth of film yesterday, as I can't imagine that Brexit is going to help film costs any, but I will continue to buy it until I literally—or perhaps mathematically—can't afford to.

I think there's a chance—albeit slight—that some Kodak products could actually go down in price though, as I believe that some of the recent pricing for Kodak products has been driven by strong demand and lack of stock.
 
srichards said:
Looks like the Mailshots UK person that used to sell lots of film here in sunny Stoke isn't doing it any more. Website has gone to a holding page :(

Discount films direct have portra 800 35mm at £11.25 a roll.

http://www.discountfilmsdirect.co.u...6-exposure-colour-print-camera-film-247-p.asp
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Still not cheap but better than £15 I guess.

ChrisR said:
Have a look at Macodirect.de. They are still showing Portra 800 in 135 at €11 per roll, and a 5-pack in 120 at €49, They have rather expensive postage, so you'd have to make a largish order, but it should still be cost-effective against the prices you quoted. 5-pack of Portra 400 in 120 is €31 so probably not cost-effective.
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Yeah I can't afford to order in bulk to benefit from the saving at the moment.

skysh4rk said:
Unfortunately, £30 looks like it will become the new standard for a box of 120 colour film in the near future, but the price of film, as with anything, trends upwards over time, so it's not really that unexpected. A roll of film is still far cheaper than any digital medium format sensor and the film dimensions are still a whole lot bigger too.

I bought a few hundreds pounds worth of film yesterday, as I can't imagine that Brexit is going to help film costs any, but I will continue to buy it until I literally—or perhaps mathematically—can't afford to.

I think there's a chance—albeit slight—that some Kodak products could actually go down in price though, as I believe that some of the recent pricing for Kodak products has been driven by strong demand and lack of stock.
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Oh, don't get me wrong, I am still going to be exclusively film for everything except weddings. No going back to digital as far as I'm concerned. Just seemed a big jump. I think you are right though about the Kodak supply earlier in the year.

A few hundred pounds worth? Bet that was a great delivery to receive!!
 
Maybe it's time to stop using s*** film and shoot decent but more expensive film and be more selective at what we point our cameras at and when we press the button.
 
RaglanSurf said:
Maybe it's time to stop using s*** film and shoot decent but more expensive film and be more selective at what we point our cameras at and when we press the button.
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It probably depends on what we're trying to achieve. If it's simply using a film camera (with a film in, otherwise it's like target shooting with blanks - not that I've ever tried target shooting) then cost of film is an important consideration.

As to being more selective about what we point our cameras at - I'm unhappy with that as an idea, because it seems to put the quality of the result on the subject chosen, rather than how we approach that subject. Thinking more about what we're doing, and choosing the best viewpoint etc. using the same subject - that I'm happy with.
 
StephenM said:
As to being more selective about what we point our cameras at - I'm unhappy with that as an idea, because it seems to put the quality of the result on the subject chosen, rather than how we approach that subject. Thinking more about what we're doing, and choosing the best viewpoint etc. using the same subject - that I'm happy with.
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Not really Stephen , pretty much the same thing just with more words.
 
RaglanSurf said:
Maybe it's time to stop using s*** film and shoot decent but more expensive film and be more selective at what we point our cameras at and when we press the button.
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H'mm not quite right as it's all horses for courses e.g. at the meet taking snaps of the mob, why on earth would a person use £11.25 plus film for pics with flash when Vista or any expired film (I used Gold) would do. The way I look at is:- if you want high ISO shots with no flash then it's digi or use a tripod with low ISO film.... so that's that. :(
 
Tri-X is probably the only expensive film that appeals but what does it do that the cheaper Ilford ones don't? [queue flame war ;) ]
 
excalibur2 said:
H'mm not quite right as it's all horses for courses e.g. at the meet taking snaps of the mob, why on earth would a person use £11.25 plus film for pics with flash when Vista or any expired film (I used Gold) would do. The way I look at is:- if you want high ISO shots with no flash then it's digi or use a tripod with low ISO film.... so that's that. :(
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When some of those cheap films look as beautiful as Portra 800, then I'll consider them. Until then, I'm gonna have to spend some money!
 
Just deciding I should perhaps buy some film before it goes up more (shhh). Looking at Ag-Photographic, they are still showing Portra 800 at £10 something for 35mm... however their 120 5-pack is nearly £60!
 
Gosh it is getting expensive indeed. 10-15£ for a roll of 35mm that is just crazy!
 
Hee hee.

I had to chuckle at that Brian, even though I firmly believe that everyone should do their own thing and use whatever suits them.
 
simon ess said:
Hee hee.

I had to chuckle at that Brian, even though I firmly believe that everyone should do their own thing and use whatever suits them.
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Well what can you say Simon other than:- we all take our hats off to guys so dedicated to film that they will pay over £11 for a roll of film. (y)
 
gazmorton2000 said:
I used to order Portra 400 until it was unavailable at the beginning of the year so went over to Fuji Pro400H at £22 for a box (5 rolls of 120). This is still the same price at the moment, but the Portra has gone up to £25.
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Well, the price of Fuji 160NS and 400H, two of my most used 120 films, just went up at Calumet by £4.40 today. My order from this weekend would have cost £44 more if I'd bought it today instead.
 
I think as the price of film increases I'm just going to end up using it less, or use more black and white that I can dev myself. I'd love to shoot more but I need a house, and as my girlfriend tells me, "you can't live in a camera".
 
skysh4rk said:
Well, the price of Fuji 160NS and 400H, two of my most used 120 films, just went up at Calumet by £4.40 today. My order from this weekend would have cost £44 more if I'd bought it today instead.
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Well that sucks.

Carl Hall said:
I think as the price of film increases I'm just going to end up using it less, or use more black and white that I can dev myself. I'd love to shoot more but I need a house, and as my girlfriend tells me, "you can't live in a camera".
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Tell her you can't take photos with a house. Ha!

One of my friends has now gone exclusively Ilford B&W film. He home develops and scans with a V700 and his results are great. It's a very tempting idea, but I love colour. :(


I don't shoot much 35mm at all really, despite having the Leica. Last night I was on a couples shoot and they gave me a carrier bag with around 20 rolls of expired 400h and Portra 400/160. That should keep me busy for a while. Dated since 2012, they should be ok I think but I doubt I'll use a top end lab for the dev & scan.
 
Carl Hall said:
I think as the price of film increases I'm just going to end up using it less, or use more black and white that I can dev myself. I'd love to shoot more but I need a house, and as my girlfriend tells me, "you can't live in a camera".
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Fortunately, I'm no longer a student, so film is cheaper for me now than it has ever been relative to my wages. I plan on shooting it to death now... and I had previously shot 510 rolls of 120 format over the past 46 months.


gazmorton2000 said:
I don't shoot much 35mm at all really, despite having the Leica. Last night I was on a couples shoot and they gave me a carrier bag with around 20 rolls of expired 400h and Portra 400/160. That should keep me busy for a while. Dated since 2012, they should be ok I think but I doubt I'll use a top end lab for the dev & scan.
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Unless the film was kept in very warm conditions, I'd have no problems sending it off to a good lab. I would imagine it's fine. If you're concerned, just send a roll or two off to test the batch.

To be fair, even with batches of fresh film, I shoot a roll or two to ensure that the film is fine before using it for important holidays, projects, or events. There are no guarantees.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Tell her you can't take photos with a house. Ha!
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Haha, I have actually said that before, I was the only one that found it funny though lol.

Andysnap said:
Ha! Little does she know..... :D
http://www.idesignarch.com/quirky-coffee-house-shaped-like-a-rolleiflex-twin-lens-camera/
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StephenM said:
O yes you can.
The camera obscura in the Foredown Tower. Three floors, all mod cons.
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When I posted my comment I just knew that someone would find a camera that you can live in. Glad that the F&C section didn't let me down :D

skysh4rk said:
Fortunately, I'm no longer a student, so film is cheaper for me now than it has ever been relative to my wages. I plan on shooting it to death now... and I had previously shot 510 rolls of 120 format over the past 46 months.
To be fair, even with batches of fresh film, I shoot a roll or two to ensure that the film is fine before using it for important holidays, projects, or events. There are no guarantees.
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Jeepers thats a lot of film!

Yeah I get what you mean. Unfortunately regardless whether I earn £15k or £50k a year, £100 spent on film is still £100 not going towards a house and future.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still use film even if it's £20 a roll in a few years, it'll just be less often, or for special occasions.

Nod said:
Since "Camera" is a Latin word meaning a room, we all do!
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So if I ever get a room for my cameras, then I can call it my room room? :D

steveo_mcg said:
You've got an RB...
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To live in, or use as a weapon? :D
 
Oh, I was quite lucky today.

I went into Calumet to collect my order from over the weekend and they had two boxes of Fuji 400H in stock in the fridge. Because of my large order, I received a £10 reward voucher and then I was able to get them to honour the old price before the £4.40 rise, so I effectively got those two additional boxes at £17 a pop.

It almost feels like Christmas up here!

IMG_0452.JPG
 
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skysh4rk said:
Fortunately, I'm no longer a student, so film is cheaper for me now than it has ever been relative to my wages. I plan on shooting it to death now... and I had previously shot 510 rolls of 120 format over the past 46 months.




Unless the film was kept in very warm conditions, I'd have no problems sending it off to a good lab. I would imagine it's fine. If you're concerned, just send a roll or two off to test the batch.

To be fair, even with batches of fresh film, I shoot a roll or two to ensure that the film is fine before using it for important holidays, projects, or events. There are no guarantees.
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Thanks for the advice. Maybe I just worry from stuff I have read about expired film. I will get a roll through soon and see how it turns out.

That's a LOT of film you shoot!

skysh4rk said:
Oh, I was quite lucky today.

I went into Calumet to collect my order from over the weekend and they had two boxes of Fuji 400H in stock in the fridge. Because of my large order, I received a £10 reward voucher and then I was able to get them to honour the old price before the £4.40 rise, so I effectively got those two additional boxes at £17 a pop.

It almost feels like Christmas up here!

View attachment 75415
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Winning!
 
7dayshop is often worth keeping an eye on for good deals. Was able to get 120 Portra 400 for £22 a couple of weeks ago. Out of stock now. A month or so back was able to get 120 Ektar 100 for a similar price from them.
 
Ian in Lancs said:
I cant see a proble with prices or supply...

https://www.7dayshop.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=35mm+film

https://www.7dayshop.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=120+roll+5+pack

https://www.7dayshop.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=120+film

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=35mm+36exp+(ilford,+portra,+kodak)+-kentmere&_ssn=discountfilmsdirect&_sop=16&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X120+(ilford,+portra,+kodak)+-kentmere.TRS0&_nkw=120+(ilford,+portra,+kodak)+-kentmere&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=35mm+36exp+(ilford,+portra)+-kentmere&_sop=16&_ssn=discountfilmsdirect&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X35mm+36exp+(ilford,+portra,+kodak)+-kentmere.TRS0&_nkw=35mm+36exp+(ilford,+portra,+kodak)+-kentmere&_sacat=0
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As per the OP, Gaz is looking for Portra 400, Portra 800 or Fuji Pro 400H and none of them are available from 7DayShop? DiscountFilmsDirect have some split rolls of 800/400 but I think Gaz was looking for full boxes of 5 ideally.
 
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