Informal Self-Processing Cost Survery

[Xia_Ke]

We do have a 5% sales tax in Maine. This particular lab is just across the border in New Hampshire where there is no sales tax. I just order all of my stuff online though. It's cheaper, there's a better selection, and less hassle.

[photophorous]

First, let me say that I'm not processing my own B&W film to save money. I'm doing it because I like it. I'm sure that's true with most of us, but I just wanted to say that for any lurkers who are considering trying it for financial reasons. It's not about the money. It's FUN!:thumbsup:

I've recently started experimenting with different films, developers, and dilutions, which makes calculations very difficult. So, for the purpose of this discussion, we'll just say I use D76, Kodak Fixer, Kodak Hypo-Clear, and TriX. I use a water stop bath.

It costs me $10 to mix up a liter batch of each of the above chemicals. I run out of D76 first, but due to my slow pace, I usually ditch the others and mix a fresh batch of everything at once. I end up developing 8 rolls of 35mm TriX with about $10 of chemicals.

A roll of TriX costs about $4, and I get 38 shots from that.

So that comes out to $1.25 per roll for chemicals.
Total per roll cost is $5.25.
Per shot cost is just under 14 cents.

A good reel (I'm a snob for Kinderman or Hewes reels) costs about $25. A tank will be about $10. Thermometer is $8. Graduated cylinder is $6. Hmm...is that it? I think that's all you need to get started. Oh yeah, I have a bottle of Photo-flo that I paid $5 for, two years ago, and it still works fine and is over half full. So, I'll consider that "equipment." Total is $44.

I'm trying to think of how many rolls I shoot per year, and I really have no idea. My guess is about 44. Convenient, huh?

So that comes out to about another $1 per roll, for the equipment costs stretched out over a year. That equipment has lasted me longer than a year, but I've also bought more equipment to increase my productivity and also for convenience.

So, I'd say it costs me about $6.25 for every roll of B&W film I shoot
At that rate, I spend about $275 per year on B&W film and processing.

Time? It takes me a total of about 2 hours to set up the water bath, develop, wash, and dry a roll of film. Throw in scanning and it's another 2 hours. I probably do this 3-4 times per month, which makes a total of 12-16 hours. I often do more than one roll at a time, which has no effect on processing time, but obviously doubles scanning time.

At this point, I never loose a single frame due to processing errors. I do often look at the results and think, "that could have gone a little longer," or "I shouldn't have diluted the developer so much," but it's been a really long time since I ruined a roll of film. My errors are on the capture end.

Local pro lab prices for developed, unmounted, uncut, 35mm film with no prints:
(exposure count doesn't matter)
C-41 = $4
E6 = $6.50

Interesting thread.

Paul

[Xia_Ke]

First, let me say that I'm not processing my own B&W film to save money. I'm doing it because I like it. I'm sure that's true with most of us, but I just wanted to say that for any lurkers who are considering trying it for financial reasons. It's not about the money. It's FUN!:thumbsup:

VERY good point Paul! Another thing worth mentioning is that by processing you own film you have total control over your film. Light a little flat or really harsh? You can adjust your developing to compensate. When having a lab do it, they just develop for the standard times. If you need any push/pull processing, it'll cost you even more.

I forgot about the time part of this question A full batch of chemicals takes about 15 minutes to mix up. Depending on the film and dilution I use, developing takes about 15 - 20 minutes, then a couple hours for drying. Scanning time varies depending on number of frames worth doing a full scan on and resolution of scanning but, on average it's about 2 minutes per frame of 35mm at 2400dpi.