10 tips to save money when shooting film

The price of shooting film has gone up a lot over the past years, and I myself have definitely felt this. I started my analog photography journey in 2010, and my favorite film stock back then was Kodak Portra 800, which I bought for about 7€ (7,5$) per roll. These days, buying a roll of Portra 800 in France sets you back about 24€ (25,7$). But, there are ways of finding film for cheaper, and in this video I give you ten tips so you yourself can save some cash as well. These ten tips are divided into three categories: cameras, film and process. I hope this video will be helpful for you, wether you are just getting into film photography or if you've been shooting it for a while. If you have more tips to share, feel free to put them in the comments! :)

#shootfilm #shootfilmonabudget #tipsforshootingfilm #analogphotography

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[miskers]

Regarding scanning your own negatives, I recommend that people who are on a budget that don't have a digital camera or film scanner check their local library for a film scanner. Mine let's me check out a Plustek 8100 (with a laptop that has the software already downloaded) for 24 hours at a time.

[MarcoRoepers]

Developing your fillm yourself is so much fun. Not is it only cheaper but is so great to do the whole proces yourself. Developing B&W film is also not that difficult.

[jasongold]

never forget 1/2 frame is basically movie film size! It enlarges nicely, fitting photo paper better than regular 35mm.

[campyonlyguy]

I follow all of these tips (more or less). Processing film at home is pretty easy--anyone who can read instructions and is willing to take the time can do it. When our local labs shut down during COVID, I started processing color and black and white at home and have never looked back. I can do BW for about $1 US a roll in chemicals; about $1.50 for color. I scan on a flatbed scanner and print only a very few images. I would recommend to anyone looking to buy a camera to find out about photo walks or camera swap meets in their area. You'll find people there who probably have cameras to sell and who would love to talk to you and give advice.

[alanneilson]

I haven't shot film for quite a few years but when I did I use to bulk load and develop my self even had a darkroom but that was even longer time ago. Still have a few film cameras and keep meaning to give them a go.

[photobobo]

When in the distant past I have sent my film out to a lab for processing, it often comes back with dust, scratches and even finger prints. I have been processing my own film, both black and white an color, for the last 35 years. I bulk load my black and white film for about $1.10US per 36 exposure roll. Color negative chemistry now costs about $20US for 8 rolls, if you shop carefully.

[paullacotta]

Another very beautiful and thoughtful video. Thank you!

[bklyncyclist]

I've started shooting with a Mamiya 645 and spend amounts that are under the radar of the Commissar of Everything. The camera itself I inherited, I bought the matching flash for it for $60, and a huge zoom lens for $110 shipped. I use fresh film, and don't pay too much attention to how much it costs although I was surprised that two rolls cost me $40 yesterday, Portra 800 and Cinestill 800T. I develop my own now but had to buy the equipment and chemicals for a modest sum and also inherited a V600 scanner so I can scan myself too. I'm maybe $400 into this hobby at this point, much less than the cost of the cheapest mirrorless, although I inherited a few of those too. The only other thing I still want to buy is a tripod but it isn't a priority and it would need to be pretty heavy duty to support the camera, zoom lens and flash. The results though have been astounding. The Commissar liked my photos enough to want prints of my latest black and whites to put up in the house. I'll have a lab do those, that's beyond my capabilities.

[chrisoco]

Sound advice. I have two film cameras, a Canon EOS 500, which I bought for myself, and used until I moved on to digital, and a Practika, which was recently given to me by a friend. I'm now inspired to order some film and try them out. I doubt that I'll go down the road of processing at home, but like the idea of photographing the negatives and converting them to positives. Might try that! 🙂

[SuperCrapLazy]

yours is one of my favorite film channel, went complete hipster, I shoot only b/w film. I bulk load them, develop them with d96 monobath and scan using a 5$ wolverine scanner I found on a thrift store. it still his pricey compared to shooting digital.

[kenmccoll]

Always look forward to your videos and yes, I follow all of these tips. I've standardised on Fomapan for B&W (although Foma 200 in 120 size is horrid) and Kodak Gold in colour. Yay :-))

[professionalvr]

The truth behind the underrating of Praktica cameras is because many assume that they are crappy Eastern Block cameras, which aren't worth shooting film with, with Japanese cameras and Leicas being the only worthy cameras for shooting film. Oh my, how wrong those persons are. I use a Praktica MTL 5B, which still works perfectly nearly 40 years since it roll off the Pentacon factory in Dresden. This is a fully mechanical camera, with the only electronic part being the lightmeter. The other advantage of Praktica cameras is the PL (Pentacon Loading) film loading system, which makes loading film in a Praktica a lot easier.

[MJohnson-qphe]

Great video! You are such a good speaker; I have no place to develop my film but I usually can shoot 1-2 rolls per month (sometimes). I do digital also. I especilly like cameras with CCD sensors. I don't really have a favorite film camera but I love my pentax 645. Oh yeah, there's more, but maybe another time. Digital cameras: nikon d600, and canon 5d. Anyway, please keep making videos, it's a pleasure watching you talk about stuff, you are so smart, funny, and likeable.

[jonathanramsdell]

Definitely, try bulk loading. It is far less expensive than buying pre-rolled film, even considering the initial outlay of a bulk loader and empty cassettes. Plus, you gain the option of loading however many exposures you want on the roll.

[MirkoCano]

Even me, who doesn't shoot film, found your video entertaining :-)

[crikycrocky]

Doing it yourself developing and printing need not be as full on expensive as one may start off thinking. First off save your empty film canisters for reuse, (tip, take it carefully when first opening after use). Find used darkroom equipment, (dev tank). Monochrome enlargers even in poor condition can be rebuilt and refurbished without too much trouble. Try using regular plastic trays, bowls and measuring jugs rather than the "photographer" equivalent. A regular washing up bowl will. do just as good a job when developing prints as a developing tray and cost but a fraction. Oftentimes the "photographer" gear is made of the same plastics as the similar items you find in your kitchen. Film clips? use document clips or food bag clips, a fraction of the price. In the end regular agitation, accurate temperature and thorough washing will be the ticket to success.

[andrewwilkin]

Hi Els, sound advice. I think the reason why Practika cameras are looked down on is they get included in the same category as the Russian cameras. The East German engineers innovated and improved their designs over the years.

[Uwe_Ludolf]

#11 know the manufacturers and their products. Many of the "fancy brands" (JCH Streetpan, Kosmo, catlab x320 to name a few) are just rebranded Foma, Agfa Aviphot or Kentmere emulsions at a much higher price

[thevoiceman]

No. I really Really don't want a leica. Hate Rangefinders and the price tag. I used to help promote a camera show where I live. The owners paid me in film and cameras. The owners passed away and could not get in touch with the grandson . We were going to keep it going. if you buy a 3 pack of Ultramax from B&H in NYC it is cheaper. My photo store has a lab and sells all types of film and digital and the lab does a great job of it. I just read china is going to start making Fuji film for fuji.

[veghxgq]

it is not expensive, as I have already written here. Of course, if someone wants to have a darkroom, they have to spend more, but it is also a one-time expense and then only chemicals. But I'm going a different way. Scan the negatives and that's it. Today, analog photography is both cheaper and easier than when it was widely used. a lot of cheap cameras because they are cheap after all, except for the top and cult models.
In addition, there is a lot of free advice on the Internet and bliss like this one here 👍.
As for movie prices, I haven't smoked or drank since I was born. No spend beyond my mean and I spend more on sweets each month than one roll of film. And 36 photos every month is really a lot. And the most important. Nowadays, analog photography serves as a hobby. We use digital cameras in commercial applications. so we don't have to be a perfect film photographer. We treat it as fun and a break from everyday life