Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nathan wrote: >I do not know your financial situation and it is none of my business, but when >I read your initial post, my initial thought was also something along the >lines, "If he can afford a Leica then he should be able to afford film too". I think I understand where you're coming from, John. It isn't always about whether you can afford something or not. If you can get something cheaper (and better quality all at the same time), then you'll be that much closer to your *next* Leica lens if you save your money now. Being frugal isn't the same as being cheap or not being able to afford film. Buying an off brand lens that doesn't give you the same quality as a Leica isn't frugal. Going to your local photo place and paying a couple bucks a roll isn't frugal if they scratch your negatives. On the other hand, if they don't scratch your negatives for that price, souping your own isn't necessarily frugal. :) Getting set up to do your own developing isn't without expense. After having quality issues with cheap no name 35mm reels, I broke down and bought Hewes...at $20 a pop for 4 of 'em. That would have paid for quite a bit of development. I bought a scanner for another $700 (but minus $200 rebate! :). I picked up a cubitainer of Rapidfix for another $70. Pretty soon, we're talking real money. Amortized over the how many rolls I can develop with the chemicals I have now, I figure that development costs me about 10 cents a roll. Not including the Hewes reels or scanner or any of the non-perishables like the thermometer or tank. Or the $100 to join a nonprofit darkroom for a year + $7/day for access & chemicals for when I want to make "real" prints. But...now I have the bulk of the expense paid for. I buy film in bricks for less than $4 a roll. Have I thanked you lately for all of your advice, Mark? I wouldn't be where I'm at today if not for the kindness of one of our knowledgeable luggers. Through all of this, my wife has been fantastic. She doesn't complain when I take over the kitchen to develop. She hasn't pointed out that my cost per roll is still far more at this point than if I were paying somebody else to do it. Eric - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html