The almanac
What stands out · 77 rolls · 161 frames logged · 875 scans
- Film waits longest waiting to send: a median 6 days (usually 0–12, over 4 rolls).
- Olympus AF-1 comes back thin. On the same film, its scans’ black point sits 0.06 higher than your other cameras’ (32% flat, over 2 rolls).
- The Ricoh XR-M gives you the most keepers: 58% of its scans against 35% overall (71 scans).
- $1095.83 on film and developing this year; at this pace, about $1315 by December.
- 1 roll in the fridge will pass its date before you reach it at your pace, starting with R-049 (Fujifilm 200, Feb 28, 2027).
The life of a roll
Where does film wait?
From loading to filing takes about 9 days. The longest stretch is waiting to send: a median 6 days, usually 0–12 (4 rolls).
- In the camera0d
- Waiting to send6d
- At the lab3d
Is anything piling up?
At the busiest, 2 rolls sat between the camera and the binder at once.
Waiting to sendAt a labScans in, not filed
Exposure
- Olympus AF-1 comes back thin
On the same film, its scans’ black point sits 0.06 higher than your other cameras’ (32% flat, over 2 rolls). Its meter or flash probably underexposes: keep it for bright light, or use the flash in shade.
- Nikon One Touch makes your densest negatives
On the same film its scans’ black point sits 0.04 lower than your other cameras’: cleaner shadows, denser negatives (28% flat). Every roll from it went to Bellows, so that lab’s scanning may be part of it.
- Lucky C400 scans flat
Median black point 0.18 against 0.09 for your film overall, 70% of 74 scans. That’s often the film’s own character; rating it a stop slower gives denser negatives.
- Kodak Portra 400 scans flat
Median black point 0.16 against 0.09 for your film overall, 56% of 36 scans. That’s often the film’s own character; rating it a stop slower gives denser negatives.
- Southeastern Camera Carrboro scans flatter
On the same film, its scans’ black point sits 0.04 higher than your other labs’. Worth knowing before blaming the film.
Which light gives you thin negatives?
Log frames in shooting mode; once their scans line up, each lands here by its light and density.
Cameras, on the same film
Each camera’s scans against the same film shot in your other cameras: right of centre is thinner (flatter), left denser.
Labs, on the same film
Each lab’s scans against the same film developed elsewhere.
Film for the light
Am I loading the right speed?
Log aperture and shutter in shooting mode (on a camera you set by hand) and the light you shoot in shows here, film speed by film speed.
Keepers
What gives me keepers?
35% of your scans are keepers (309 of 875). The Ricoh XR-M leads at 58% (likely 46%–69%).
…by film
…by where it falls on the roll
The first frames on a roll are often throwaways; the last can be rushed.
…by lab
Rhythm
When do I shoot?
Most of your frames are taken 2 pm–4 pm, most often on a Sat.
…by day of the week
What do I load?
Fujifilm 400 most of all: 6 rolls of 33.
Rolls, month by month
Kit
Is each camera earning its keep?
The Minolta X-700 does most of the work (9 rolls).
| Camera | Rolls | Frames back | Lost a roll | Empty for | A roll costs | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minolta X-700 | 9 | 330 | 0 | 1 d | $46.84 | +0.01 |
| Ricoh XR-M | 6 | 121 | 1 | 2 d | $38.94 | ±0.00 |
| Olympus Infinity Jr | 5 | 185 | 0 | — | $50.59 | +0.01 |
| Ricoh AF-40 | 5 | 190 | 0 | 6 d | $47.39 | +0.02 |
| Nikon One Touch | 4 | 100 | 2 | — | $46.69 | −0.04 dense |
| Olympus AF-1 | 2 | 73 | 0 | — | $45.50 | +0.06 thin |
| Olympus Infinity Twin● | 2 | 37 | 0 | loaded | $49.22 | −0.03 dense |
Labs
Which lab, and when will scans arrive?
Bellows is quickest: a median 3 days (3 rolls). Sent today, scans would be back around Nov 18.
- Bellows3d
Money
What does it cost, month by month?
Film counts the month you bought it, the lab the month you sent it.
FilmLab
What a frame costs, by film
Shelf life
Will I use the fridge in time?
About 4 months of film at 11.2 rolls a month. 1 roll will pass its date before you reach it.
- R-044Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400expired
- R-052Fujifilm 200Feb 28
- R-051Fujifilm 200Feb 28
- R-050Fujifilm 200Feb 28
- R-049Fujifilm 200Feb 28 · too late
- R-032Kodak ProImage 100Jan 31
- R-031Kodak ProImage 100Jan 31
- R-057CineStill 800TFeb 29
- R-028Kodak Kodacolor 200Feb 29
- R-060Lucky C200May 31
- R-042Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400Jul 31
- R-037Kodak Gold 200Jul 31
- R-036Kodak Gold 200Jul 31
- R-035Kodak Gold 200Jul 31
- R-034Kodak Gold 200Jul 31
- R-061Lucky C400Aug 31
- R-053Ilford Delta 400 Collector's EditionSep 30
- R-048Fujifilm 400Sep 30
- R-047Fujifilm 400Sep 30
- R-046Fujifilm 400Sep 30
- R-045Fujifilm 400Sep 30
- R-041Kodak UltraMax 400Oct 31
- R-040Kodak UltraMax 400Oct 31
- R-039Kodak UltraMax 400Oct 31
- R-038Kodak UltraMax 400Oct 31
- R-043Same Same But Different! 400Jan 31
- R-054Ilford HP5 Plus 400May 31