I want an extra role of film to take on holiday (Trieste and Venice in May) and in the spirit of buying local went to Campkins, Cambridge’s independent photo shop. They wanted £12 for a 36 exposure cassette of FP4, which, stiking to my principles, I paid reluctantly. Back home I checked the alternatives: Wex Cambridge branch £6.70; Wex on-line £6.70 (plus £2.99 pp); Harman/Ilford on-line £6.89 (plus £2.95 pp).
Analog is expensive, principles even more so!
Certainly pays to check alternatives before setting out, Campkins always were expensive! But look at it this way, if you were a 120 user like me, then a roll of Tri-X is £11 (AnalogueWonderland.co.uk) for 8 exposure 6×9. That’s £1.38 each time I press the shutter, whereas you’re only paying 33p!
Yes, I need to be a more savvy shopper – and you are right about Campkins. Whether 35mm or 120 analogue is an expensive medium compared with the virtually zero cost per shot of digital. Does it encourage a more considered, slow, photography? I hope so, or at least I shall think about that as I use my precious cassette of FP4.