Is there a way to cut down on film costs?

[Pieter12]

Precisely.



A perfectly useful suggestion that, if followed, would reduce his outlay for gasoline to zero. Complete elimination of the expense. How much more help could he get?

A bicycle or public transportation.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

........(Rodinal seems to have reappeared from ADOX. At 1:50 it goes a long way).....

There is a shortage of high quality Paraminophenol in Europe. We are getting much less than we ordered. Since we are unwilling to sacrifice on quality by switching to the lower grade, supply will remain challenging for the coming weeks. Prices have also dramatically risen. Rodinal ingredients now cost twice as much as they did last year. We are trying to keep necessary adjustements within reason and we still have stock of some of the other chemicals used but in general those raw matrial price increases are something we have never seen to this extend since we do business. However the costs per film are still unbeatably low with Rodinal. Even after the increases.

 

[maltfalc]

Don't know Canada, but in the US Fuji HR-U in 8x10 is USD$38 for 100 sheets--which is USD$13.68 for 36 exposures. I've never seen 4x5 x-ray film (I'd be curious if it exists?), but if you cut the 8x10 down, you're down to USD$3.42 for 36 4x5 exposures, but then you have to buy a cutter, and go through the process of cutting it down.

I bought what should have been fairly cheap Kodak (Carestream) x-ray film about 5 years ago - a box of 8x10. With shipping and customs, it ended up costing well over $100 (don't remember how much). I'd rather buy Shanghai.

Not that I need 4x5 film, anyway - I have enough to last until doomsday.

i'm cutting down 10x12 hr-u with a modified thrift store paper cutter with foam strips at 99mm on one side and 125mm on the other. $90 CAD on ebay, including shipping and customs from the states.

 

[mshchem]

There is a shortage of high quality Paraminophenol in Europe. We are getting much less than we ordered. Since we are unwilling to sacrifice on quality by switching to the lower grade, supply will remain challenging for the coming weeks. Prices have also dramatically risen. Rodinal ingredients now cost twice as much as they did last year. We are trying to keep necessary adjustements within reason and we still have stock of some of the other chemicals used but in general those raw matrial price increases are something we have never seen to this extend since we do business. However the costs per film are still unbeatably low with Rodinal. Even after the increases.

Better available at a higher price than not at all. Rodinal is an extraordinary product, keeps well, quick to prepare. I have a package of Adox XT3 I am ready to mix up next.

I have noticed that the Kodak 35mm color negative films seem to be impossible to obtain mail order (online) I suspect part of it is the odd concept of "free shipping". We all know that is nonsense. B&H who are great people to deal with, but 2 day FedEx shipping with a $50 order is not a sustainable business model. I do love it though!

 

[Agulliver]

Kodak and Fuji C41 films are hard to find practically *everywhere*. There have been supply issues since before the pandemic.

 

[Don_ih]

i'm cutting down 10x12 hr-u with a modified thrift store paper cutter with foam strips at 99mm on one side and 125mm on the other. $90 CAD on ebay

What speed does it end up being?

I was shooting the Carestream stuff at iso400 when I had Diafine to develop it in. Unfortunately, my Diafine died and I think I fogged my remaining xray film (accidentally left the box open when I turned on the light).

 

[maltfalc]

What speed does it end up being?

I was shooting the Carestream stuff at iso400 when I had Diafine to develop it in. Unfortunately, my Diafine died and I think I fogged my remaining xray film (accidentally left the box open when I turned on the light).

most people meter at 50-100.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

It wasn't that long ago when I would shoot a roll of B&W film every day. I'd come home and develop/proof scan the negs, then try to get some prints made that same week. The 35mm Tri-X was rebranded as Arista, and only $2.50 a roll. 24 exposure was perfect for a daily shooting schedule.

But when I looked at what it would cost to do that today I came up w/ crazy numbers.....between $2500 and $3000 just for the film, not even counting paper and chemical costs.

So I thought of making the film. Just build a jig to cut edge perforations into a clear base, then coat it and stuff it into used canisters. Hardly seems to be a viable replacement though, maybe just something to try and see if it could be made to work.

Is there any way to make this less expensive, other than buying a quantity and putting it in the freezer?

The Kodak Tri-X and Plus-X Arista Pro films were a short term blip about eight years ago.

The only way to cut film costs, as always, is to bulk load. And look for deals with the large purveyors.

Making your own? Really?

 

[MattKing]

Back on topic please.
Even the Breatharians have an environmental impact.

 

[GregY]

"The only way to cut film costs, as always, is to bulk load." Paul, you're making the assumption based on 35mm.
I use far more 120 and a substantial amount of sheet film......more than 35mm.

 

[cjbecker]

My way was too start shooting 4x5 more often. If i take a 35mm camera out, i will use the whole roll, take a 120 camera out, use the whole roll, take a 4x5 out with one holder, shoot 2 sheets. Typically get about the same amount of keepers.

 

[Dennis S]

The only way I found was bulk film and make my own developer (PMK & Pyrocat) Usually the cheaper Fomapan as well as 5222 & Orwo in 400' rolls

 

[Paul Verizzo]

"The only way to cut film costs, as always, is to bulk load." Paul, you're making the assumption based on 35mm.
I use far more 120 and a substantial amount of sheet film......more than 35mm.

You are correct, of course. Looked at it from my usage perspective. I do shoot some 120, but infrequently and mostly for "grins."

 

[Sirius Glass]

You are correct, of course. Looked at it from my usage perspective. I do shoot some 120, but infrequently and mostly for "grins."

I grin when I shoot 120 film.

 

[GregY]

I grin when I print from large negatives....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I grin when I print from large negatives....

Me too.

 

[cjbecker]

I grin when I print from large negatives....

It makes it so much more enjoyable for me. Only have to look at a sleeve of 4 negatives.

 

[foc]

I grin when I print from large negatives....

I grin when I look at my film cameras. My family and friends think I look slightly mad.
I know it................