Color vs BW costs

[Spylake]

I printed my last enlargement back in the 70's. Back then color prints used multiple chemicals and were for the brave and rich. So, I was surprised that it seems color papers and chemicals are now maybe cheaper than B/W .

Am I missing something?

 

[Bob-D659]

Colour is quite a bit less expensive, but the departure of Kodak from the cut sheet market hasn't helped with availability.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Color(or is it Colour) is a less expensive, but I have found that B&W is easier to use.(At least to me).

Jeff

 

[pentaxuser]

I think that RA4 paper is now cheaper than B&W paper but B&W processing chemicals for both film and paper probably still have the edge but it's close

pentaxuser.

 

[RPC]

When I started color printing back in 1984 color paper was cheaper then, than B&W. In fact, color paper hasn't changed that much in price since then. Then I could buy an 8x10 100 sheet box for $30-35 from a local camera store and the last box I bought less than a year ago from a local store was in the same price range. Haven't really paid as much attention to B&W paper.

Color(or is it Colour) is a less expensive, but I have found that B&W is easier to use.(At least to me).

Jeff

We have a different viewpoint. To me, color as easier. The processes are standardized. B&W is a lot more involved, with its many different developers, times, temperatures, dilutions, films, papers, contrast control, zone system, etc. Not as easy to learn and master.

RPC

 

[hka]

Color is (much) cheaper and easier.
RA4 paper € 2,67 p/m²
B&W FBWT € 19,69 p/m²
B&W RC will be a little cheaper I have no price indication of that.

Color film is a bit more expensive.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Here in the UK I think colour film is cheaper than B&W, at least if you avoid the 'pro' films and stick with 35mm. Colour printing is definitely cheaper than B&W and I'd agree that it's easier. Developing, however, is cheaper for B&W or at least can be cheaper (I use HC-110).

 

[hka]

I am talking about sheetfilm.

 

[thegman]

In the UK, I sheet B&W sheet film is a lot cheaper than colour, probably because all the cheap colour film like Superia or Gold, are not available in anything other than 35mm. A quick spot check on AG Photographic tells me 50 sheets of Fompan 100 in 4x5" is £26.90, 10 sheets of Ektar is £30.50. A big difference, and Ektar is the cheapest colour film I know of which is available in formats bigger than 120. I think in 35mm, the situation is reversed, and the cheapest colour film is well under £2, the cheapest B&W I think is only a little under £3.

 

[perkeleellinen]

The OP says he/she shoots 35mm, hence if he/she chooses Superia or Gold, colour film is cheaper.