In 2024, the average price of film decreased by 5-10%. It was the perfect opportunity to buy in bulk. I trust you took advantage of it, as current prices are significantly higher. Since 2018, I have been tracking and documenting film prices for over 30 popular film stocks across ten prominent analogue photography retailers in the US, EU, UK, and Asia. This data is compiled in the Film Price Trends app, which serves as the most thorough record of the current film market. Today, I have included a new data point.
In this article: Best deals, Worst deals, How your home currency may influence film prices, Film Price Reports, and how to support this blog with GOLD memberships for premium features.
Determining film prices is intricate: there are more than 200 types from various brands globally, each with unique distribution and marketing methods. When you factor in taxes, tariffs, shipping rates, and currency exchange fluctuations, it complicates things further, often leaving film photographers to shop aimlessly for familiar products without a clear understanding of what constitutes a financially sound decision.
Indeed, shooting on film can be a luxury, and we should relish this remarkable creative journey. While our choices don't always need to be financially logical, being aware of which brands and retailers offer the best deals, and recognizing that many black-and-white photographs cannot be easily differentiated by grain or contrast, can greatly help in affording more film.
Yes, film prices have risen, reflecting a broader increase in costs. However, these price changes are not consistent: for instance, films like Fujichrome Velvia 50 and Fujichrome Provia 100F have increased by five dollars in just five months, while others, such as Tri-X, have remained steady at 2024 levels.
In this article, I will provide the latest insights on the most cost-effective films, identify several emulsions to steer clear of, and share expectations regarding film costs in 2025 and beyond.
**Best Deals:** Occasionally, companies offer significant discounts on their films. CineStill had a promotion last month that lasted only a few hours due to quick sales. However, certain films have simply become more affordable and have maintained that pricing across all retailers. One such film is Kodak Tri-X.
Tri-X, an eighty-five-year-old formula, is among the most recognized films, utilized by renowned photographers over the years. It's unlikely it was ever perceived as inexpensive; I don't recall anyone providing discounts on it (even when bought in bulk, the price remained constant).
However, something changed at Kodak in 2023/2024 during its price peak, leading to a decrease from the average price of $14.56 to $10.82 within a few months. Despite a slight increase of 50¢ per box this year, it is still the fourth-cheapest film on the list, following Kodak ColorPlus, Kosmo Foto Mono, and Fomapan Classic 100.
Kodak Tri-X possesses strong contrast and a clear base, allowing it to be developed as slides and making it easy to scan. If you use a tool like Film Q that can invert all your negatives with a single button press, there will be no further adjustments needed afterward.
The average price of Kodak Portra 160 only increased by 11 cents this year, remaining a popular emulsion. Please note, Kodak does not sell this film individually, so calculations are based on splitting packs (with several stores offering this service at reasonable prices).
Additionally, Lomography's special films, Lomochrome Purple and Lomochrome Metropolis, have seen a price increase of around twenty cents, which is significantly less than most other films.
**Worst Deals:** Fujifilm films have become much more expensive this year. One of the company’s lower-priced films, Fujifilm 400 (likely produced by Kodak), increased by over a dollar within six months, while its higher-end slide films surged by $5 per roll since February 2025.
All Ilford films, including Harman Phoenix, are pricier now than they were six months ago. Fortunately, the price changes here are not as drastic as those for Fujifilm. Both Kodak and Harman have announced significant investments in their film production lines recently; however, Kodak has specifically enhanced production efficiency, potentially leading to better pricing on certain films.
✪ Note: Black-and-white Ilford films and Harman Phoenix 200 are produced by the same manufacturer.
**Home Currency Impact on Film Prices:** Film Price Trends offers its data in six currencies and links film prices to historical exchange rates. However, as these rates fluctuate, the purchasing power of any currency can vary, impacting film costs.
For instance, the US dollar is weaker compared to February 2025 when previous price assessments were made. A Canadian consumer might be able to buy slightly more film from the US for the same amount
In this article, I will discuss the most affordable films, mention some emulsions to steer clear of, and offer insights into the expenses associated with shooting film in 2025 and beyond.