Film and digital both have plenty of pros and cons on their sides. However, for many of us, cost can be the deciding factor. So let's take a look at initial start-up costs and the costs of shooting for one year with comparable film and digital cameras. All numbers are rounded for ease of comparison.
With these examples, you can see that digital is about double the initial price of film. However, if you look at second year costs we see a different picture. This is because the camera equipment does not have to be replaced but film is a consumable commodity.
To make up the cost difference from film to digital it will take about three and a half years. However, this is assuming that the number of images shot and printed remain the same. Most people find they shoot more with digital but only print a fraction of what they did with film. This brings the cost of digital down even further.
To decide which option is more cost effective for you, you will have to consider if you can afford the initial cost of digital. You will also need to decide if the continued savings of digital in following years is substantial to you, based on your shooting habits. Whatever you decide, make it the right choice for you.
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- Film
- Camera - Canon EOS Rebel T2 with kit lens (Compare Prices) - $250
- Batteries - CR2 Lithium Batteries (Compare Prices) (4 @ $7 ea) - $28
- Film - ISO 100 24 exposure (Compare Prices) (52 rolls @ $2 ea) - $104
- Developing - developing and 4x6 prints (York Photo) (52 rolls @ $2 ea) - $104
- Total cost - $486
- Digital
- Camera - Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTI with kit lens (Compare Prices) - $715
- Batteries - Rechargeable, included with camera - $0
- Film - Memory card (Compare Prices) - $50
- Developing - 4x6 prints (York Photo) (1,248 prints @ $.10 ea) - $125
- Total cost - $890
With these examples, you can see that digital is about double the initial price of film. However, if you look at second year costs we see a different picture. This is because the camera equipment does not have to be replaced but film is a consumable commodity.
- Film
- Batteries - CR2 Lithium Batteries (Compare Prices) (4 @ $7 ea) - $28
- Film - ISO 100 24 exposure (Compare Prices) (52 rolls @ $2 ea) - $104
- Developing - developing and 4x6 prints (York Photo) (52 rolls @ $2 ea) - $104
- Total cost - $236
- Digital
- Developing - 4x6 prints (York Photo) (1,248 prints @ $.10 ea) - $125
- Total cost - $125
To make up the cost difference from film to digital it will take about three and a half years. However, this is assuming that the number of images shot and printed remain the same. Most people find they shoot more with digital but only print a fraction of what they did with film. This brings the cost of digital down even further.
To decide which option is more cost effective for you, you will have to consider if you can afford the initial cost of digital. You will also need to decide if the continued savings of digital in following years is substantial to you, based on your shooting habits. Whatever you decide, make it the right choice for you.
