Film cost calculator
What does each shot really cost? Change any number to match your film and your lab.
What film photography costs
How much does it cost to shoot a roll of film?
In the UK in 2026 a roll of 35mm colour film is roughly £9 to £20 (consumer stocks at the low end, Portra and Ektar at the top), and developing plus scanning is around £10 to £18 at a lab. So a 36-exposure roll costs about £20 to £35 all in, or 55p to £1 a shot.
Is 120 film more expensive per shot?
Yes. A roll of 120 gives 8 to 16 shots depending on the camera (6x9 to 6x4.5), so even though the film and developing cost about the same as 35mm, each frame costs two to four times as much.
Is half frame cheaper?
Per shot, yes: a half frame camera fits 72 pictures on a 36-exposure roll, so every frame costs about half as much. The negatives are smaller, so scans and prints are a little less sharp.
How can I make film cheaper?
Shoot black and white and develop it at home (a tank, chemicals and a changing bag cost about £60 to start), scan with a digital camera, and buy film in bulk or as bulk rolls you load yourself.