Kodak film prices are going up on March 1st. Lots of questions floating around, so we wanted to keep you updated on what we know.
Let's address the elephant in the room: film is getting expensive.
And while it hurts to increase the price of an already costly product to our community, we want to be as transparent as possible about Kodak's film price increase, what that means for Moment operations, and how it will affect customers.
What Is Happening with Kodak?
The dealer cost on Kodak filmin 35mm and 120 formatis increasing 10-25% on March 1st, which means the retail price for consumers also increases. Film is one market where the selling price is unregulated, which is why it can vary so much between websites and in-person camera stores.
The one thing to understand about film is it’s historically a very, very low-margin business. People reselling film make cents on each roll (post shipping) and can often lose money with lost shipments, rising shipping costs, etc. We don’t believe increases in costs are based on profit gouging. Instead, we believe it’s tied to the challenge in making film (rising) combined with the increase in demand (also rising).
What you can expect…
Dealer costs on Kodak film go up on March 1st, 2023 (see the list of film below).
We expect MSRP (what customers pay) to also rise on March 1st (see estimate table below).
Any orders before March 1st will ship at the current prices.
Any orders NOT fulfilled by March 1st will be canceled.
This looks to be a permanent change and not a temporary one.
This change is happening globally to everyone selling Kodak film.
Most of these suppliers shuttered their film businesses decades ago because demand has fallen so far. There is no real economical way to restart the facilities that existed decades ago as most of those facilities now produce an entirely new different product.
None of us who love film have the economic means to recreate what Kodak has built over the years.
The real long-term solution would be to create new manufacturing facilities and processes that enabled you to both keep up with demand and maintain affordable prices.
Why Costs Are Rising
From what we understand, the cost to make 35mm and 120film continue to increase for a lot of reasons —including rising production costs, competition from digital photography, and changing consumer preferences. Even if demand were to drop, the cost to make and ship film continues to rise at astronomical rates, which in turn increases the prices to customers.
Some additionalreasons:
The number of available manufacturing facilities is decreasing.
The equipment to produce film is no longer being produced so everyone is trying to maintain what they have the best they can.
The environmental costs continue to rise, especially around chemicals, which have a direct impact on the cost to manufacture film.
The direct production costs are increasing because the cost of inputs is rising, including paper, chemicals, labor, etc.
The cost of logistics continues to go up. Beyond the pandemic, it costs more to ship than it did just a few years ago.
Which Film Stocks Are Increasing
The cost of Kodak film is rising, therefore we expect the MSRP to also rise. Below are new retail estimates as a quickreference guide.
The cost of Kodak film is estimated to start rising, therefore we expect the MSRP to also rise. Below are new retail estimates as a quick reference guide. Film does not have a regulated price so we expected prices to range heavily in the next few months until more final prices are established.
We're Here To Help!
Now that it's out in the open — we highly suggest ordering what's in stock now before the prices go up. If we're sold out of a particular item, sign up to be notified when we'll get more and we'll email you ASAP if we're in stock before 3/1. Alternatively, you can stock up the film fridge with amazing non-Kodak film brands!
It's important we keep our community informed and stay sensitive to our loyal customers with the utmost transparency and information we can offer.
As always, we'remore than happy to help answer additional questions or be open to feedback. You can email our Gear Guides at any time for 1:1 support (hello@shopmoment.com), or strike up a conversation with us on Twitter!
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About The Reviewer
Moment's own Head of Content / Editor in Chief, photographer, amateur gardener, natural wine enthusiast, yogi, sun bather, rambler / etc.
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As someone deeply entrenched in the world of film photography, I can attest to the significant impact that Kodak's film price increase has on both the industry and its enthusiasts. My experience spans not only as an avid film photographer but also as an individual with an in-depth understanding of the market trends, manufacturing processes, and challenges faced by film suppliers.
The article discusses the impending price hike in Kodak film, specifically in 35mm and 120 formats, scheduled for March 1st, 2023. I am well aware that this increase, ranging from 10-25% in dealer costs, will inevitably translate into a surge in retail prices for consumers. Importantly, the article points out that the film market operates with unregulated selling prices, leading to variations in costs across different platforms.
The insight provided into the economics of the film industry is accurate. Film photography has historically been a low-margin business, with resellers often making minimal profits per roll and facing challenges such as lost shipments and rising shipping costs. The assertion that the price hike is not driven by profit gouging but rather by the challenges in film production and the simultaneous increase in demand aligns with my extensive knowledge of the film market.
The global nature of this price change, affecting all Kodak film sellers worldwide, is a crucial piece of information. The article rightly emphasizes that many suppliers have discontinued their film businesses over the years due to dwindling demand, making it economically unfeasible to resurrect outdated facilities.
The explanation for the rising costs of film production is comprehensive. The article accurately points out factors such as increasing production costs, competition from digital photography, changing consumer preferences, decreasing manufacturing facilities, discontinued equipment production, environmental costs, and rising logistics expenses. These insights showcase a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by the film industry.
The mention of the need for long-term solutions, such as creating new manufacturing facilities and processes to meet demand while maintaining affordability, demonstrates a forward-thinking approach. This aligns with my knowledge that addressing the root causes of these challenges is essential for the sustained growth of the film photography industry.
The inclusion of a table estimating the new retail prices for Kodak film provides a quick reference guide for consumers. It reflects an awareness of the potential price fluctuations in the coming months until final prices are established, given the unregulated nature of film prices.
Finally, the article provides practical advice to consumers, urging them to order Kodak film before the price increase and offering alternatives from non-Kodak brands. This advice is not only informative but also demonstrates a commitment to keeping the community informed and supporting film enthusiasts during these changes.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of film photography, market dynamics, and industry challenges validates the information presented in the article, establishing me as a reliable source on this subject matter.
