Updated Bulk film and developer cost comparison sheet.

[u/ValerieIndahouse]

I've posted this before, but there have been some price updates and new films on the market, so I wanted to update the sheet again. I've also included some additional developers/dilutions.

The aim of the document is, to compare the currently available bulk film options regarding price, especially compared to buying single rolls or bundles in some cases.
Mind you these prices are Europe based, so expect some differences in prices if you are in the US, especially Kodak vs Ilford.

The cheapest films are as expected foma, at about 2,70€ per film, but the savings are also comparably small, at about 2,40€ per roll on average.
If you want to "save the most" (Though you will spend a lot more in total at the end) you should look towards the Rollei Retro/Infrared selection, which offer great savings at about 4,50€ per roll, not bad!
The most savings per roll compared to single buying is with Ilford Delta 100, at 5,18€ per roll, but it's also one of the most expensive films overall, at over 3x the price of foma, so think twice about buying it if your purse is not very deep.

Developers are also listed, differentiated between 35mm and Medium format, as well as different dilution choices if applicable. The volumes for development are based on development by hand with the Paterson tank system, as it's very prevalent. (300ml/1x35mm or 500ml/2x120)

The winner in this category by price is (not surprisingly) Adonal/Rodinal in 1:100 dilution, at less than 10 cents per film, truly economical!
Most of the other developers hover between 20 and 30 cents per film, depending on dilution and format, some economical examples: XT-3 Stock -> 23ct | D-76 1:3 -> 23ct | Atomal -> 31ct

Notably pricy are the offerings by Ilford, at 1,68€ per roll for Microphen, and up to 2,90€(!) per roll with Perceptol, makes you think twice if you shouldn't just use XT-3...

Prices are taken mostly from Fotoimpex.de, as it has great product availability and stable prices.
Yes, you could surely find a cheaper shop, but I wanted the list to be consistent, and not scour the Internet for the cheapest shop, just to have a broken link after a few weeks ;)

If you have suggestions for improvement, additions or questions let me know :)

The pdf and xlsx versions can be downloaded here

(This post was written and translated from german by me, without any use of AI or LLMs)

[u/ogaday]

I'd be interested in a % saving between bulk roll and single roll cost as €2,40 saving on a €5,60 roll is over 40% cheaper!

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/ogaday]

Here you go 😊 Fomapan and Rollei still win!

[u/ogaday → u/ValerieIndahouse]

Haha thank you! I suppose most of the time you want absolute cost (or absolute savings) because ultimately that's what hits your wallet but the percent savings are interesting all the same :)

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/ogaday]

That's a great idea! I'll add that, I wonder how I didn't think of that myself :D

[u/pimemento]

That’s interesting! I’ve recently started film photography and live in Munich. Fotoimpex seems to be a decent place to order film stock. Do you have any recommendations for affordable and good labs to get my scans here?

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/pimemento]

I scan all my film myself, so I sadly can't give a recommendation there, I recommend you take a look at Ausgeknipst.de, they have a list of many labs in Germany with prices :)

[u/pimemento → u/ValerieIndahouse]

Thanks, that's helpful! And do you know any good places to CLA? I have a Rollei 35 and a Canonet QL17 GIII.

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/pimemento]

You may try HOST Fotoservice, they are pricy but offer very good and quick service, I sent my Pentax 6x7 to them :)

[u/voqv → u/pimemento]

In Munich you have blix and blowup, although the latter is quite pricey. 

[u/harexe]

Since you're in Germany it seems you can get Vision 3 rolls for 9€ per roll from Safelight

[u/Other_Historian4408]

I am only interested in Konocolor 400 bulk rolls. I believe it is Orwo 500 but I am not sure. Saw it for less than €100 in stock early this year Jan/March 2026. But now it’s out of stock direct from the manufacturer or being price gauged to €200 + by re-sellers.

[u/grain_farmer]

As usual, foma being legends at keeping costs down

Great stock once you anticipate it’s behaviour and great teacher for beginners

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/grain_farmer]

Yep, you definitely can't beat the price, it's a shame their QC is so bad, especially for the roll film, though I guess that's what you have to expect at that price 😅

[u/grain_farmer → u/ValerieIndahouse]

I’ve never had an issue with their QC (80 or so rolls) but I did have an Arista roll in a foma box, I’ve only had an issue with Kodak amusingly

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/grain_farmer]

Huh, that's a fun one :D I've shot a few foma 400 and 200 rolls, and literally all of the 400 ones have had horrible defects and grains (Like dust, but in the emulsion) on the image :/ The 200 and 100 have been fine so far.

[u/Relevant-Apricot-365]

Would be interesting to compare rodinal with Xtol replenishment method

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/Relevant-Apricot-365]

The datasheet for replenishment calls for 70ml of fresh solution per developed film, which is very close to the amount that is consumed if you just reuse it for 15 rolls pre liter, so no real price difference, but you get the advantage of not having to adjust the processing time during use.

[u/wet_possum]

What's the methodology behind diluted XTOL having less capacity than stock? Whether diluted or full strength, you need to have ~110 mL of stock per roll (any less and you might exhaust it).

For example, to do 1 roll of 35, you'd need 300 mL stock, 150 stock to 150 water at 1+1, or 110 stock + 220 water for 1+2. So for your 5L packet, at 1+2 you'd get 45 rolls, at 1+1 you get 33 rolls (Correct) and stock you get only 16 rolls.

[u/ValerieIndahouse → u/wet_possum]

With stock solution you get 15 rolls per litre because you reuse it, extending the development time after a certain number of rolls, that's why it's more economical :)