Isn't the price of film quite high?
As someone who loves film, even within the cizucu editorial team, it's a personal concern. Every time I press the shutter, it feels like my wallet is getting lighter. When did the shutter sound start to resemble the sound of coins dropping? I have been convincing myself that it's a small price to pay for art and passion. Now, let's delve into the reasons for the price hike.
Image by sentimental_jong
Inflation and Economic Instability
The discussion on film prices started with the pandemic. As the coronavirus spread, supply chains were disrupted, causing logistical issues. For those who have developed film at home, it's easy to imagine; film is a medium that relies on chemical reactions. Delays in the supply of chemicals and materials needed for film production have contributed to the price increase.
Post-COVID, there have been significant changes in industrial and social structures, with inflation and economic instability being particularly noticeable. For example, in the United States, inflation has reached levels not seen in 40 years. In such a situation, companies like Kodak, based in the US, were forced to raise film prices. The more components involved in the manufacturing process, like film production, the greater the impact.
Pre-Investment for Stable Supply
On the other hand, the reason for the price increase is not limited to the rise in raw material costs. There is also the perspective of investment to enhance production capacity. With the global increase in film demand over the past few years, Kodak's film sales reached record levels in 2020. Kodak faced issues of production supply not keeping up with the rising demand. Anticipating further demand increases, they began strengthening their production lines.
Not limited to Kodak, on September 6, 2023, Fujifilm announced an investment of 4.5 billion yen to meet the expanding demand for 'Instax' film, indicating that continuous financial investment is necessary. As part of this, they also decided to increase sales prices.
Strategies for Building Communities
Beyond production costs, companies may also be adjusting film production volumes to build communities through film. Film manufacturers like Kodak, ILFORD, FUJIFILM, and Lomography are implementing marketing strategies tailored to film enthusiasts who support them. They focus on the experience of visiting stores to find rare rolls of film, encountering a variety of films, and purchasing them. This branding strategy gives using specific films a fashion-like meaning, ensuring scarcity is maintained through price and production volume.
The price surge is a necessary part of maintaining communities and responding to demand by film companies. Just as painters buy paints, it's a price to pay for creating works, though it is a harsh reality for impoverished photographers. For professional photographers, choosing film is becoming increasingly difficult.
That's why the people behind the cizucu app are committed to contributing to creating a system that can support photographers and visual artists.
