Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/07/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Fortunately the cost of film vs. digital for Leica users can be settled with a sharp pencil and a pocket calculator. Everyone is right. It pays for the pros to switch, it is marginal for the advanced amateur, and a poor bargain for everyone else. Film cost of each frame including developing (approximate, based on Freestyle catalog): Category 1: B&W, bulk loaded, self processed = $.05 Category 2: B&W, 36 exp. purchased rolls, commercially processed = $.20 Category 3: Color, 36 exp. rolls, commercially processed = $.30 Professional photographer: Has first class film equipment and lenses. Buys new digital body. Shoots 200 frames a day, 40,000 frames per working year. Cost of new Leica or Canon body $7000. Category 1 - Digital break even point in 700 working days (10 years). Category 2 - Break even point in 175 days (about 6 months). Category 3 - Break even point in 117 days (about 4 months). Advanced amateur photographer (Typical LUG member) Has Leica M camera, several lenses. Buys M9 body. Shoots 30 frames a day, 9000 per year. Category 1: Break even point, 15.5 years. Category 2: Break even point, 3.9 years. Category 3: Break even point, 2.6 years. Casual Leica shooter, M body, some lenses, shoots 10 frames a day, 3000 per year. Category 1: Break even point, 47 years. Category 2: Break even point, 12 years. Category 3: Break even point, 7.8 years. Typical weekend photographer, uses camera on vacations, birthdays and holidays, shoots 300 pictures a year. FUGGEDABOUDIT - you won't live long enough to break even on a digital Leica. Stick to film. If you are not a pro or a compulsive shooter and you MUST have a digital Leica, buy a used M8 or wait to buy your used M9 until after the M10 is introduced. Incidentally the cost of a $7000 loan to buy a new camera is $420/year at a bank, $1120/year if charged to your credit card. Larry Z