i feel like the demand for film has exploded but the manufacturing and infrastructure for film production and processing hasn't caught up yet. i really, really hope they expand their factories and ramp up production again.
Well, Kodak closed thier factory in November 2024 to modernize the equipment and catch the demand for film. Hopefully we won't have shortages in the future.
1-2 years ago, Kodak had problem making135 cassettes, so they loaded all the Gold 200 film stock into 120 fromat. They made way too many Gold200-120, so they reduced the price. It seems they have sold all of them, so they raise the price now.
I have significantly slowed down my film photography recently after getting back into it in late 2015/ early 2016. The price increases are bad but it’s the development costs that are too much to make it worth the cost. At least here in Vancouver, BC.
The price of silver was down from 2011 until 2020 and even by then, the increase from 2020 until 2024 was roughly 60 to 65% to the median of 2011 to 2020. We didn’t even hit the 2010 price of silver yet (and that it all without adjustment to inflation).
Quite literally my favorite film stock. Say what you will about its exposure latitude and saturation, I've gotten some of my sharpest and most color-accurate photos on that filmstock. I switched to ProImage because of prices (huge compromise in quality), but prices going down means we're back in business.
Effectively I stopped shooting film or at least it's been a couple of years since I shot my last roll. My fridge is still packed with rolls but these prices take away the fun of it.
@@Alexius1Komnenos Well it's a flow thing I guess, it started getting more and more expensive so I would shoot less and less often, until I'm finally saving for something special. Some of them are Fuji Pro400H that I'm not just gonna shoot for anything since they don't make them anymore. And a lot of them are 120 which requires more of me in terms of a project to shoot.
I'm stocked up on 120 for years, but because of this video I did jump on amazon and buy a couple 10-packs of GOLD 200 in 135 before the prices increase. I was able to get them for 10.70 per roll after tax and shipping. Lets see how this comment made today (2024-12-08) ages.
When cigarette prices skyrocketed, I thought only rich people would be able to afford to smoke. But the rabble still continue, finding a way to support their habit, and so it will be with film and darkroom.
Thanks for sharing your insight. What a bummer to see the price hikes especially when the film is getting more popular than ever. Kodak Gold 200 is my favorite to use with my Rolleiflex!
I don't really care about the price of film. What worries me is the price of lab products, paper, the disappearing lab techs (retiring) and most importantly the lack of decent scanners on the market
@@houghwhite411 glad I'm not the only one to be worried. It seems that no company wants to make scanners anymore. I would pay a good price for a good, versatile, automatic film scanner
With Kodak making it harder to buy bulk film while raising prices again I feel very jaded. I love the challenge of film photography, although it does sometimes feel like the hobby itself is alive and hates us lmao. I’m excited for newer companies like Harman making new color film, and maybe Lucky too. I find myself annoyed with Kodak more often than not.
I spent a career in the graphic arts as a color scientist working on the transition from the magic in the darkroom to digital cameras and printers. I am fortunate to have a few of the recent Olympus Digital Cameras. However, I find the complexity, with literally a computer in my hand called a camera, that I often miss the point of capturing that special image. Last year, I had my Olympus OM-4 T refurbished and make a point of taking it out to remind myself that photography with film requires finding the right subject, finding the right time of day but mostly concentrating on the composition, meaning get the shot in camera. This helps me when I go back to my digital cameras. So, I will continue to use film cameras as a way to keep my “photographic eye” honed but the cost means it is only a teaching tool for me now.
For some of us, it’s not a „hobby“. It’s how I earn money. Film has a look, and there are those willing to pay for that look, always will be. I remember Tri-X (the formulation before the current coating machines were installed) costing 99¢ per roll. Also remember 4x5 25sheets HP5+ costing $4.99. Films I was shooting just 15 years ago are gone. But I’ve been shooting since 1979 with film, and I’m going to continue to.
I bought a lot of film just before the last big price increase and have at least 50 rolls in my freezer. I won’t be doing that this time. Unfortunately I shoot mostly medium format but I’m now looking into breaking my Nikon F’s out again and bulk rolling 135 to use in those.
With the digital photos bein so much cheaper, you would think Kodak would try and keep the prices lower to keep individuals interested in buying films.
Film prices are going up faster than inflation because the price of silver has increased faster than inflation (and silver is one of the major materials in film).
It seems the color stocks will be going up. I do not shoot color 35mm anymore. For 35mm, I shoot black and white. For medium format, it’s black and white and color, and for 4x5 it’s strictly black and white. I was able to buy about 10 boxes of Kodak Gold 120 last year at 38.00 a box. Going to have to make some decisions on what I will be shooting. Unfortunately, alot of people may find it becoming too expensive to shoot film and just shoot digital.
By another RUclipsr, Kodak say's it's for revamping their production facilities. Like last November, they've shut down their facilities for upgrades. And their annual earnings is available for viewing.
I´ve been shooting Ilford films for some time and I rediscovered Fomapan from Czech Republic to use some alternative developing receipts ... so, it doesn´t bother me so much.
I want Kodak to be successful. I want them to make a profit and be able to invest in a stable level of production in a variety of film types. I would also like it if they didn't raise prices so high that people turn to digital to keep the cost of their photography at a reasonable price. I hope they get the balance right. The future of (colour) film rests on their shoulders.
Lol, i don't buy Kodak anymore for years. Price is getting a joke for color film. I live on my stock and will stop shooting anything other than Harman Kentmere and HP5. Kodak is for rich people now.
I just keep telling myself, “it takes a lot of rolls of film to equal the price of a mirrorless camera that I may or may not like and I like the film results.”
Some won't be into it, but I've been bulk rolling B/W film, specifically fomapan 400 for a few years now and love it. It's not as clean as HP5 but it's got a slightly gritty look I can stand by AND it's got a price, when broken down, that can be nice on the pocket book. It' breaks down to about $5 a roll. Kentmere 400 bulk rolled will get you down to about $4.25/roll and at this point, I'm just firing off frames like I'm ioe greer. There is a bit of overhead, you'll need a bulk roll loader and some re-usable canisters, but the whole act of spooling your own rolls gives me the same satisfaction as shooting film in the first place. B/W is great with everyday documentation, you can use it in doors and outdoors without having to worry about light temperature and if you get into the weeds of it, developing it yourself is easy and effective with the bottom line. I think everyone should try it!
I think these price increases are going to drive innovation in little digital point and shoots that give “film-like” photos. For example, the camp snap camera. For $65 you get 3 different film looks to choose from and take 500 photos per charge. I haven’t used it, but while these types of cameras might never be the same as real film, I can see more casual film shooters going that route. When you add development costs to some film stock prices, it’s just too expensive for the average person to shoot regularly.
Will try to avoid buying anything made in USA the next 4 years, but will never give up film. B&W by Fomapan, but color film is a problem, hope Harman will improve the Phoenix. Otherwise Santa's respooled Kodak Aerocolor is the best option at the moment.
Any news on the report that Kodak will only supply cinema bulk rolls (500t,250d) to film productions from January 2025 so respoolers for still photography will no longer be able to purchase 400ft rolls to respool.
I've been shooting Harman Phoenix since many months, with their 120, now even more. If I'm gonna be spending that kind of money, at least I'm doing it on a company that invests into film instead of Kodak's rip off.
In Europe, a roll of Portra 400 incl. development sets you back 30 US$ at the moment (scanning not included)! That's pretty steep! Any price increase is a real pain. I shot 70 rolls in 2024; obviously, not all were Portra. However, I could easily buy a brand new Nikon Zf or a whole DSLR setup including a bunch of great lenses (if I wouldn't own it already) on the used market for the money I've spent on film and development. I don't think further price increases will cause the market to grow and get more people into film photography. They will rather set them off.
Eastman Kodak shut down in November for upgrades to the production line, or something like that. Wonder if they are up yet. Does the price track with demand as analog becomes more popular? would be interesting to see the correlation. edit, I shoot gold a lot so this sucks, will be buying more lomo instead
Lomo is way more expensive than Gold or Ultra Max, at least where I live. A 3-pack of Ultra Max is now around 30€, Lomo 400 Color is 47€… Once upon a time, Lomo was worth it over Kodak but nowadays, meh…
@@thomasa.243 You're right, I was thinking of ColourPlus 200. Plus and Lomo 400 36exp are about the same where I am so the increase might flip the value for me on these. Looks like Gold 200 will replace the current Plus price point and still be a bit cheaper.
I came from digital and it’s true the look is hard to replicate. But I’m building up a little archive of shots to refer to for when I decide that it’s not worth it anymore. People will figure out how to replicate these looks and that is partly my goal. Might be more work but it will be way cheaper. Price of film + dev is pretty insane if you really think about it, and if you like to shoot a lot like I do.
It has already been figured out. Even movies can now be quite easily edited to the point of being indistinguishable from film. See e.g. Digistock or RNI profiles.
If you read the news last month, Kodak ceased production in their Rochester, NY film facility in order to completely overhaul and renovate the facility. Now we know how they will be paying for it. Directly from our pockets! Kodak dug their own grave not foreseeing the move to digital, now they are on their way to digging it again, for a second time! Boutique film stocks here we come, and we will put our $$ into Ilford
I just hope they put the money back into the factory and workers. Some innovations. They’ve been working on machines now that could be called Antiques. So I hope it’s that. Also, silver has been having a price hike at the moment. There’s that.
I believe Kodak is not “price gouging”. It’s reacting to market prices for materials thanks to policies of our current administration that boosted inflation. If you want Kodak to retool and continue to produce film, they have to set prices to stay in business. As inflation settles down over the next few months with better economic policies, we may see price reductions in 2026. Meanwhile, shoot film that has better prices. Tri-X (400 TX) and Ektar 100 are excellent films. Try them in 2025 with the expected price reductions! You can still do the film photography you love. ❤️
Where I live a 35mm roll of kodak gold 200 already cost 11 usd and now is going to cost 12 and is the cheapest color film i can find, if the price keep rising i will just stop shooting film or maybe shoot a roll or two per year in a special ocasion since I don't enjoy shooting BW.
It is a hobby for wealthy folks nowadays. For the price of 503 Blad and stock of film for a year of light shooting i can buy brand new 50SII with lens and have some spare cash for gasoline. I freaking love shooting film but at least for me the price anxiety killed medium format.
This recent news of an increase had me researching (very unscientifically) the prices of film over the years. If you were to purchase a roll of Kodak TriX in 2005 the retail was $3.69. Accounting for inflation, that same roll should cost $5.96. Actual cost today is $8.99 (B&H). If you were to purchase a roll of Ilford HP5 in 2005 the retail was $2.99. Accounting for inflation, that same roll should cost $4.83. Actual cost today is $8.95 (B&H). I chose these two films for their longevity and relatively unchanged emulsions. The film infrastructure was weakened heavily with the onset of digital, most shooter never came back. Since then factories have closed, machinery obsolete or destroyed, cost for chemicals increased, and the employees who operated them have left the field, retired, or passed away. So, while we are paying more for film, isn't that to be expected given all those events? If there a continued demand for film, could prices level out a bit? I really don't know, I'm just asking the question. Personally, I'll continue to shoot film because I enjoy camera collecting and the process of shooting film. Thoughts??
But you are comparing film prices to when it was the cheapest. Try comparing the prices in the '70s, '80s and '90s, adjusting for inflation the price of a roll would be $10-$30. So really not far off from what a roll of film would cost nowadays, we are just used to see the fire-sale prices of the 2010's
This is why I've only bought like 4 rolls of kodak total since I started shooting in 2018. I've stuck mostly to ilford. 25 shots of 4x5 instead of 10 for yet a lower price. Basically making kodak 2 and a half times more expensive. The film is not that good. I promise you.
04:10 “ … so there’s a little money grabbing going on … “ Ya think? Kodak’s demise when the digital era took over was a beautiful example of karma. They still haven’t learnt their lesson but at least they are now small fry - exactly where they belong. In the early eighties I was a sizeable customer for their slide films. One of their greedy little managers decided it would be a hit to buy up a large percentage of the world’s silver stocks on the quiet. Then, oh, quelle surprise, they announced that as there was a shortage of silver, that they were forced to increase the price of film, developers, and anything else that used silver. As an example, a roll of Kodachrome 25 almost doubled over night. Then, part two of the plan was to float all that hoarded silver back on the market - for a profit, of course - and then somehow “forget” to drop their prices. The rest is very satisfying history …
"The film resurgence-" isnt real. I hate to be the wet blanket, but this sudden interest in film photography in the last decade is a small bump on a downward trajectory. It just isnt profitable for Kodak in the way that it once was. Yes, the price has gone up by 20%, compared to the """"8%"""" inflation. Used to buy a roll of film for $4? Well, at that time, a Big Mac was $2.50.
Remember a few years ago when the first hikes happened and yt was all about how it’s was great news because the raise was to fund more film and cheaper in the future? Haha Kodak is now investment fund owned. It’s all about max profits. Colour film is dead.
I've sold all my film stuff over the past few months ($20k+ worth of gear). Whatever the reason for the price increases over the past 5 years, they've priced it well outside my middle class budget. I have believed for a while now Kodak is just milking us for all they can and when it won't sell within the ridiculous profit margin they want they will just close up shop. I think they time is near.
I'm personally optimistic. If it's between price hike and reduction I'd pick hike. it means the business is on an upswing and they're comfortable charging more knowing the market can digest it. Ultimately, buying film in a digital era can't really be rationalized by sheer value proposition. Better that they hone in on the real dedicated shooters (like myself and the motion picture market) who will go to the ends of the earth to prop up film demand than for the market to devolve into a price war that ultimately could only leave everyone empty handed.
No, its due to Kodak Alaris being a corporate entity only beholden to getting shareholders more profit. Now supposedly the price hikes come with some price drops too so they are at least trying to remain competitive rather than just going full profit extraction mode. Kodak Eastman supposedly had some major maintenance so I wouldn't be surprised if its them passing on maintenance cost to Alaris and them passing it on to consumers. This is alright so long as prices drop once the maintenance cost is recouped. 20 USD for a roll of Portra, Ektar, ect. either 120 or 135 is far from the value film had in the late 90s early 2ks but it is actually about what film cost adjusted for inflation in the 70s and 80s. Just remember that Kodak Alaris exists to turn profit for its shareholders by extracting money from you the consumer so long as the market supports the price hikes they will continue.
Can’t really agree with you. Dedicated shooters aren’t just people with money, narrowing the base of people to being high end big ballers can only drive away more and more people from discovering film and using it for projects and pieces. I have never even heard of a price war giving people nothing in a market, price wars and making these items cheaper with healthy competition led to people trying to make film better and develop new film as well to have a different selling point other than price that shooters would be willing to buy. It’s never been purely about value or else everyone would have been bulk loading and self developing as a standard it’s a large mash of things like convenience, chemistry, format, accessibility, quality. There has been dedicated to shooters to Polaroid who were more than willing to pay however, spectra is dead, 4x5 peel apart is dead, 8x10 is stocked only ever so rarely and if those aren’t dedicated shooters idk what to tell you man these price hikes help no one but the people at the top
i straight up refuse to pay more for $15 a roll for CN, about $20 for glorious fuji slides (RIP)... usually just get slightly 'expired' film on ebay :) i did buy 5 boxes of brand new harmann phoenix though to support an actual film company trying to help the scene
i feel like the demand for film has exploded but the manufacturing and infrastructure for film production and processing hasn't caught up yet. i really, really hope they expand their factories and ramp up production again.
Well, Kodak closed thier factory in November 2024 to modernize the equipment and catch the demand for film. Hopefully we won't have shortages in the future.
A role of Kodak Ultramax was around $7 in Thailand in 2019. Now it's around 17.5!
So don’t buy film in Thailand when I go shortly?
Wasn't buying from the right source then lol
1-2 years ago, Kodak had problem making135 cassettes, so they loaded all the Gold 200 film stock into 120 fromat. They made way too many Gold200-120, so they reduced the price. It seems they have sold all of them, so they raise the price now.
I have significantly slowed down my film photography recently after getting back into it in late 2015/ early 2016. The price increases are bad but it’s the development costs that are too much to make it worth the cost. At least here in Vancouver, BC.
One of the reasons film has been going up ahead of inflation is a disproportionate increase in the price of silver
The price of silver was down from 2011 until 2020 and even by then, the increase from 2020 until 2024 was roughly 60 to 65% to the median of 2011 to 2020. We didn’t even hit the 2010 price of silver yet (and that it all without adjustment to inflation).
Ektar going down is crazy, I hope they're not discontinuing it.
Time to stock up, that stuff can be outright amazing.
@@BetamaxFlippy i never understood the hate behind that stock
@@slipknotserge cause it doesn't look washed out vintage 80's crap vibes? Idk
Quite literally my favorite film stock. Say what you will about its exposure latitude and saturation, I've gotten some of my sharpest and most color-accurate photos on that filmstock. I switched to ProImage because of prices (huge compromise in quality), but prices going down means we're back in business.
tbh I've never shot it, I gotta fix that lol
Effectively I stopped shooting film or at least it's been a couple of years since I shot my last roll. My fridge is still packed with rolls but these prices take away the fun of it.
Please send me the film you don’t want.
@@RickMahoney2013 Where he said he does not want the film?
How does it make any sense to not shoot what you already own for 2 years?
@@Alexius1Komnenos Well it's a flow thing I guess, it started getting more and more expensive so I would shoot less and less often, until I'm finally saving for something special. Some of them are Fuji Pro400H that I'm not just gonna shoot for anything since they don't make them anymore. And a lot of them are 120 which requires more of me in terms of a project to shoot.
I'm stocked up on 120 for years, but because of this video I did jump on amazon and buy a couple 10-packs of GOLD 200 in 135 before the prices increase. I was able to get them for 10.70 per roll after tax and shipping. Lets see how this comment made today (2024-12-08) ages.
When cigarette prices skyrocketed, I thought only rich people would be able to afford to smoke. But the rabble still continue, finding a way to support their habit, and so it will be with film and darkroom.
Thanks for sharing your insight. What a bummer to see the price hikes especially when the film is getting more popular than ever. Kodak Gold 200 is my favorite to use with my Rolleiflex!
I don't really care about the price of film.
What worries me is the price of lab products, paper, the disappearing lab techs (retiring) and most importantly the lack of decent scanners on the market
Yea, I mean, how long until the last fuji frontier scanner be viabe to be repaired?
@@houghwhite411 glad I'm not the only one to be worried. It seems that no company wants to make scanners anymore. I would pay a good price for a good, versatile, automatic film scanner
With Kodak making it harder to buy bulk film while raising prices again I feel very jaded. I love the challenge of film photography, although it does sometimes feel like the hobby itself is alive and hates us lmao.
I’m excited for newer companies like Harman making new color film, and maybe Lucky too. I find myself annoyed with Kodak more often than not.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
I spent a career in the graphic arts as a color scientist working on the transition from the magic in the darkroom to digital cameras and printers. I am fortunate to have a few of the recent Olympus Digital Cameras. However, I find the complexity, with literally a computer in my hand called a camera, that I often miss the point of capturing that special image. Last year, I had my Olympus OM-4 T refurbished and make a point of taking it out to remind myself that photography with film requires finding the right subject, finding the right time of day but mostly concentrating on the composition, meaning get the shot in camera. This helps me when I go back to my digital cameras. So, I will continue to use film cameras as a way to keep my “photographic eye” honed but the cost means it is only a teaching tool for me now.
Who did you send your OM-4T to? I sent my OM-4TI to John Hermanson this week. Heard good things for him.
For some of us, it’s not a „hobby“. It’s how I earn money. Film has a look, and there are those willing to pay for that look, always will be.
I remember Tri-X (the formulation before the current coating machines were installed) costing 99¢ per roll.
Also remember 4x5 25sheets HP5+ costing $4.99. Films I was shooting just 15 years ago are gone.
But I’ve been shooting since 1979 with film, and I’m going to continue to.
I bought a lot of film just before the last big price increase and have at least 50 rolls in my freezer. I won’t be doing that this time. Unfortunately I shoot mostly medium format but I’m now looking into breaking my Nikon F’s out again and bulk rolling 135 to use in those.
With the digital photos bein so much cheaper, you would think Kodak would try and keep the prices lower to keep individuals interested in buying films.
Film prices are going up faster than inflation because the price of silver has increased faster than inflation (and silver is one of the major materials in film).
It seems the color stocks will be going up. I do not shoot color 35mm anymore. For 35mm, I shoot black and white. For medium format, it’s black and white and color, and for 4x5 it’s strictly black and white. I was able to buy about 10 boxes of Kodak Gold 120 last year at 38.00 a box. Going to have to make some decisions on what I will be shooting. Unfortunately, alot of people may find it becoming too expensive to shoot film and just shoot digital.
This is a rich man’s sport. Back to my Fuji film Simulations.
By another RUclipsr, Kodak say's it's for revamping their production facilities. Like last November, they've shut down their facilities for upgrades. And their annual earnings is available for viewing.
I´ve been shooting Ilford films for some time and I rediscovered Fomapan from Czech Republic to use some alternative developing receipts ... so, it doesn´t bother me so much.
With the price of silver having gone up, almost doubled, in the last few years, this is to be expected.
Tri-X 35 going down is great news (for me). That's my go-to stock.
I want Kodak to be successful. I want them to make a profit and be able to invest in a stable level of production in a variety of film types. I would also like it if they didn't raise prices so high that people turn to digital to keep the cost of their photography at a reasonable price.
I hope they get the balance right. The future of (colour) film rests on their shoulders.
I’ll never forget what they did to tri-x prices. I moved to Ilford out of spite.
I’m pretty stocked up on Kodak for next year or two hopefully 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I shoot film selectively and mostly rely on digital
Lol, i don't buy Kodak anymore for years. Price is getting a joke for color film. I live on my stock and will stop shooting anything other than Harman Kentmere and HP5. Kodak is for rich people now.
Shooting paper negative is a great alternative. You have to use a view camera, but it's $0.30 per frame 🙂👍
I’ll sit back and see what happens with retail prices - I really don’t mind if I make HP5 my go-to stock, just to spite Kodak.
I just keep telling myself, “it takes a lot of rolls of film to equal the price of a mirrorless camera that I may or may not like and I like the film results.”
Very true. Though the cost of (lab or home) development, which has to be included, adds up pretty quickly too.
Some won't be into it, but I've been bulk rolling B/W film, specifically fomapan 400 for a few years now and love it. It's not as clean as HP5 but it's got a slightly gritty look I can stand by AND it's got a price, when broken down, that can be nice on the pocket book. It' breaks down to about $5 a roll. Kentmere 400 bulk rolled will get you down to about $4.25/roll and at this point, I'm just firing off frames like I'm ioe greer. There is a bit of overhead, you'll need a bulk roll loader and some re-usable canisters, but the whole act of spooling your own rolls gives me the same satisfaction as shooting film in the first place. B/W is great with everyday documentation, you can use it in doors and outdoors without having to worry about light temperature and if you get into the weeds of it, developing it yourself is easy and effective with the bottom line. I think everyone should try it!
I just shot a roll ok ektar 100 yesterday that’s great news for some
I think these price increases are going to drive innovation in little digital point and shoots that give “film-like” photos. For example, the camp snap camera. For $65 you get 3 different film looks to choose from and take 500 photos per charge. I haven’t used it, but while these types of cameras might never be the same as real film, I can see more casual film shooters going that route. When you add development costs to some film stock prices, it’s just too expensive for the average person to shoot regularly.
Will try to avoid buying anything made in USA the next 4 years, but will never give up film. B&W by Fomapan, but color film is a problem, hope Harman will improve the Phoenix. Otherwise Santa's respooled Kodak Aerocolor is the best option at the moment.
Don't sleep on Orwo ;)
@ sorry, forgot that!
Any news on the report that Kodak will only supply cinema bulk rolls (500t,250d) to film productions from January 2025 so respoolers for still photography will no longer be able to purchase 400ft rolls to respool.
I've been shooting Harman Phoenix since many months, with their 120, now even more. If I'm gonna be spending that kind of money, at least I'm doing it on a company that invests into film instead of Kodak's rip off.
Ektar is my favorite film stock!
In Europe, a roll of Portra 400 incl. development sets you back 30 US$ at the moment (scanning not included)! That's pretty steep! Any price increase is a real pain. I shot 70 rolls in 2024; obviously, not all were Portra. However, I could easily buy a brand new Nikon Zf or a whole DSLR setup including a bunch of great lenses (if I wouldn't own it already) on the used market for the money I've spent on film and development.
I don't think further price increases will cause the market to grow and get more people into film photography. They will rather set them off.
Eastman Kodak shut down in November for upgrades to the production line, or something like that. Wonder if they are up yet. Does the price track with demand as analog becomes more popular? would be interesting to see the correlation. edit, I shoot gold a lot so this sucks, will be buying more lomo instead
Lomo is way more expensive than Gold or Ultra Max, at least where I live. A 3-pack of Ultra Max is now around 30€, Lomo 400 Color is 47€… Once upon a time, Lomo was worth it over Kodak but nowadays, meh…
@@thomasa.243 You're right, I was thinking of ColourPlus 200. Plus and Lomo 400 36exp are about the same where I am so the increase might flip the value for me on these. Looks like Gold 200 will replace the current Plus price point and still be a bit cheaper.
Looks like im going to have to start liking fomapan
I came from digital and it’s true the look is hard to replicate. But I’m building up a little archive of shots to refer to for when I decide that it’s not worth it anymore. People will figure out how to replicate these looks and that is partly my goal. Might be more work but it will be way cheaper. Price of film + dev is pretty insane if you really think about it, and if you like to shoot a lot like I do.
It has already been figured out. Even movies can now be quite easily edited to the point of being indistinguishable from film. See e.g. Digistock or RNI profiles.
If you read the news last month, Kodak ceased production in their Rochester, NY film facility in order to completely overhaul and renovate the facility. Now we know how they will be paying for it. Directly from our pockets! Kodak dug their own grave not foreseeing the move to digital, now they are on their way to digging it again, for a second time!
Boutique film stocks here we come, and we will put our $$ into Ilford
Ektar is the bees knees! Just shift the white balance to be way cooler than you think it should be and desaturate red by like 20% when scanning.
I just hope they put the money back into the factory and workers.
Some innovations.
They’ve been working on machines now that could be called Antiques.
So I hope it’s that.
Also, silver has been having a price hike at the moment. There’s that.
It's sad but, I completely agree with you.
I believe Kodak is not “price gouging”. It’s reacting to market prices for materials thanks to policies of our current administration that boosted inflation. If you want Kodak to retool and continue to produce film, they have to set prices to stay in business. As inflation settles down over the next few months with better economic policies, we may see price reductions in 2026. Meanwhile, shoot film that has better prices. Tri-X (400 TX) and Ektar 100 are excellent films. Try them in 2025 with the expected price reductions! You can still do the film photography you love. ❤️
Where I live a 35mm roll of kodak gold 200 already cost 11 usd and now is going to cost 12 and is the cheapest color film i can find, if the price keep rising i will just stop shooting film or maybe shoot a roll or two per year in a special ocasion since I don't enjoy shooting BW.
Sadly all this means is I’ll be spending slightly more money. Sucks I just got into medium format
It is a hobby for wealthy folks nowadays. For the price of 503 Blad and stock of film for a year of light shooting i can buy brand new 50SII with lens and have some spare cash for gasoline. I freaking love shooting film but at least for me the price anxiety killed medium format.
I'm still using film, but much less of it. Prices are going crazy. TMAX 400 is almost $5.00 a sheet in 4x5.
These companies need to chill.
Why do corporations raise prices? Because they can.
If only they weren’t cracking down on Kodak Vision 3 respoolers 🥹
This recent news of an increase had me researching (very unscientifically) the prices of film over the years. If you were to purchase a roll of Kodak TriX in 2005 the retail was $3.69. Accounting for inflation, that same roll should cost $5.96. Actual cost today is $8.99 (B&H). If you were to purchase a roll of Ilford HP5 in 2005 the retail was $2.99. Accounting for inflation, that same roll should cost $4.83. Actual cost today is $8.95 (B&H). I chose these two films for their longevity and relatively unchanged emulsions. The film infrastructure was weakened heavily with the onset of digital, most shooter never came back. Since then factories have closed, machinery obsolete or destroyed, cost for chemicals increased, and the employees who operated them have left the field, retired, or passed away. So, while we are paying more for film, isn't that to be expected given all those events? If there a continued demand for film, could prices level out a bit? I really don't know, I'm just asking the question. Personally, I'll continue to shoot film because I enjoy camera collecting and the process of shooting film. Thoughts??
But you are comparing film prices to when it was the cheapest. Try comparing the prices in the '70s, '80s and '90s, adjusting for inflation the price of a roll would be $10-$30. So really not far off from what a roll of film would cost nowadays, we are just used to see the fire-sale prices of the 2010's
This is why I've only bought like 4 rolls of kodak total since I started shooting in 2018. I've stuck mostly to ilford. 25 shots of 4x5 instead of 10 for yet a lower price. Basically making kodak 2 and a half times more expensive. The film is not that good. I promise you.
I stopped touching Kodak a long time ago. B&W Ilford colour digital
Well that sucks.
I'd tolerate Kodak price increases...
...if they'd just bring back Aerochrome
04:10 “ … so there’s a little money grabbing going on … “ Ya think? Kodak’s demise when the digital era took over was a beautiful example of karma. They still haven’t learnt their lesson but at least they are now small fry - exactly where they belong. In the early eighties I was a sizeable customer for their slide films. One of their greedy little managers decided it would be a hit to buy up a large percentage of the world’s silver stocks on the quiet. Then, oh, quelle surprise, they announced that as there was a shortage of silver, that they were forced to increase the price of film, developers, and anything else that used silver. As an example, a roll of Kodachrome 25 almost doubled over night. Then, part two of the plan was to float all that hoarded silver back on the market - for a profit, of course - and then somehow “forget” to drop their prices. The rest is very satisfying history …
oh no, this film by that manufacturer shot up in price, anyways imma need expired kodak gold bc its a bit cheaper XD
"The film resurgence-" isnt real. I hate to be the wet blanket, but this sudden interest in film photography in the last decade is a small bump on a downward trajectory. It just isnt profitable for Kodak in the way that it once was. Yes, the price has gone up by 20%, compared to the """"8%"""" inflation. Used to buy a roll of film for $4? Well, at that time, a Big Mac was $2.50.
Ektarb - the B is for bargain!
Let's be honest. People don't mind paying high price for the film, and this shows. Otherwise it would be different.
Remember a few years ago when the first hikes happened and yt was all about how it’s was great news because the raise was to fund more film and cheaper in the future? Haha Kodak is now investment fund owned. It’s all about max profits. Colour film is dead.
ah shit here we go again
I've sold all my film stuff over the past few months ($20k+ worth of gear). Whatever the reason for the price increases over the past 5 years, they've priced it well outside my middle class budget.
I have believed for a while now Kodak is just milking us for all they can and when it won't sell within the ridiculous profit margin they want they will just close up shop. I think they time is near.
Kodak's 6.9% profit margin last quarter is not what anybody would consider 'ridiculous'
This is what happens when there is a monopoly
Tariff boy wants to make it even worse.
I'm personally optimistic. If it's between price hike and reduction I'd pick hike. it means the business is on an upswing and they're comfortable charging more knowing the market can digest it. Ultimately, buying film in a digital era can't really be rationalized by sheer value proposition. Better that they hone in on the real dedicated shooters (like myself and the motion picture market) who will go to the ends of the earth to prop up film demand than for the market to devolve into a price war that ultimately could only leave everyone empty handed.
The weirdest justification for a large company charging more for a product
No, its due to Kodak Alaris being a corporate entity only beholden to getting shareholders more profit. Now supposedly the price hikes come with some price drops too so they are at least trying to remain competitive rather than just going full profit extraction mode. Kodak Eastman supposedly had some major maintenance so I wouldn't be surprised if its them passing on maintenance cost to Alaris and them passing it on to consumers. This is alright so long as prices drop once the maintenance cost is recouped. 20 USD for a roll of Portra, Ektar, ect. either 120 or 135 is far from the value film had in the late 90s early 2ks but it is actually about what film cost adjusted for inflation in the 70s and 80s. Just remember that Kodak Alaris exists to turn profit for its shareholders by extracting money from you the consumer so long as the market supports the price hikes they will continue.
Can’t really agree with you.
Dedicated shooters aren’t just people with money, narrowing the base of people to being high end big ballers can only drive away more and more people from discovering film and using it for projects and pieces. I have never even heard of a price war giving people nothing in a market, price wars and making these items cheaper with healthy competition led to people trying to make film better and develop new film as well to have a different selling point other than price that shooters would be willing to buy.
It’s never been purely about value or else everyone would have been bulk loading and self developing as a standard it’s a large mash of things like convenience, chemistry, format, accessibility, quality.
There has been dedicated to shooters to Polaroid who were more than willing to pay however, spectra is dead, 4x5 peel apart is dead, 8x10 is stocked only ever so rarely and if those aren’t dedicated shooters idk what to tell you man these price hikes help no one but the people at the top
That's not a good news, that's a rip off
Goood news?
🤣
@@nicholasdavidsmith plot twist: I'm an Kodak co-op
Drug dealer? Was that a Freudian slip? 😂
No flying cars but we hey, Kodak’s hot again. I’m curious about the clientele and the photography that will result from it.
The only reason we shoot on gold is because it was cheap. Otherwise its not a great stock
Ugh…
Whining baby
You good?
Drug dealer 😆
they are rug pulling everyone again
i straight up refuse to pay more for $15 a roll for CN, about $20 for glorious fuji slides (RIP)... usually just get slightly 'expired' film on ebay :)
i did buy 5 boxes of brand new harmann phoenix though to support an actual film company trying to help the scene