tokam
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One definition of a boat: a hole in the water that you throw you money in.
We live in an age where good photographs are produced by volume not by skill!!
Ahaha! Oh my, don't let me do your taxes! My math was so wonky
@Huss, you live near the beach. Do you know what a boat slip rents for in a harbor? Next time you're shooting, look at the boats on the water and shake your head at how much they're costing. The $8 roll of film you're shooting is nothing compared to that, and you're getting as much enjoyment as they are, but without the maintenance headaches of a boat.
Mark
It used to be that we paid for the 'expense of film' (and processing) over the years, after we purchased the camera.guangong said:My friend seems to upgrade his digital cameras every year or so. I figure that I would not be spending that kind of money feeding my Hassy for the remainder of my life.
One definition of a boat: a hole in the water that you throw you money in.
@Huss, you live near the beach. Do you know what a boat slip rents for in a harbor? Next time you're shooting, look at the boats on the water and shake your head at how much they're costing. The $8 roll of film you're shooting is nothing compared to that, and you're getting as much enjoyment as they are, but without the maintenance headaches of a boat.
Mark
Thinking of boats, my parents looked at buying a sailing cruiser in the early 90s. Buying the boat wasn't an issue as such, a decent 30 foot second hand one could be had for a similar amount to a car. But mooring fees would have been several thousand per year. Even back then.
Regarding film, it was artificially cheap 20 or so years ago. Over production lead to some amazing bargains, along with the Eastern European factories like Forte and Efke churning out film onto the market almost for pennies. That's all gone. We're back to the 70s now in terms of costs, and it's not going to get cheaper. Every one of us must decide if our hobbies and interests are worth it. And adjust accordingly if basics such as bills or food are a difficulty.
I'm probably lucky in that I've never used a commercial lab for B&W developing, always done it myself apart from the very first roll of FP4 that I shot in 1978. That really cuts down on costs a lot. I probably still shoot in the region of 80 B&W rolls every year along with the occasional glass plate. I bulk roll almost all of my B&W so that shaves a bit of money off the cost (Ilford HP5+, Fomapan in various flavours). I also look for deals, for example sometimes I can pick up a brick of short dated 120 films - last year I got two bricks of Fomapan 400 that I am still working through. For colour film I just look for deals, I was lucky enough to take a trip to America last October and pick up a lot of Fuji Superia 400 from Wal-Mart stores at half the price it is here. I am fortunate in that I have a lab in my town which does C41 cheaper than I can reasonably do it myself at home.
But it ain't getting cheaper. I have had to figure out how to cut pennies here and there. I'm in no danger of being unable to pay bills but perhaps I spend less on other hobbies. I'm not buying physical books much, and am being careful with the vinyl records. I haven't bought any "new to me" cameras in 2023 so far!
Count me as one of the film shooters who also has a DSLR (Nikon D7200) and a half decent compact digital camera. though I definitely shoot more photos on film. The D7200 was bought second hand with under 100 on the shutter count for less than half price. And I can use lenses on it that I also use on my F601M and the wife's F50 (not that she's used it in years).
Anybody check the price of Velvia or Provia 8x10 film recently?![]()
I've been tracking my film use since Sep 2014. From then until now - 1025 rolls
A rule I learned from owning classic cars that applies to film usage as well - never add up the receipts![]()
Choosing hobbies, whatever they are, and allocating costs is the decision we make.
I shoot a lot of film, but do not eat out much, do not smoke, and maybe go to my local dive bar for one beer once a week.
One pint of Hazy Ale is $9, which is more than one roll of the films I most often use. I‘m anti-social so I’m not buying drinks for anyone else there either. That helps..
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'Sailboat racing' is like standing in a cold shower while tearing up $20 bills constantly.
That is a prolific use of film! Apologies if I'm the only one who doesn't know, but do you have a website somewhere?
Thanks!
Since you develop your own black & white film you know that the cost of stop bath with indicator and PhotoFlo are just so damned expensive!
I’ve heard that about boating, however, my father-in-law gave us the sailboat that my wife had as a kid. Its 14’ 1963 Grumman Multi-purpose boat. It has a mast with a single sail, lee-boards, etc. and also oars and oar locks. Registration here on it and the trailer is permanent so no ongoing costs. I keep it next to the garage at my rental property across the street so no storage fees (in fact, I guess the tenant is paying for it). We have a small lake nearby and we used it a lot when the kids were young. I get it out now and then and get some looks when I tow it with my ‘65 Triumph TR4. So, it’s one boat story that isn’t a money pit.
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