[Leica] Digital vs film cost

[Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com (Frank Dernie)]

It makes sense for a professional photographer to make an economic argument 
for a choice, since it is their livelihood. For an amateur the financial 
aspect is only a question of can-you-afford-what-you-want?
If I took -any- decisions on any of my hobbies based on a financial analysis 
more complicated than "can I afford it?" it would stop being a hobby and 
become a chore.
FD

On 18 Jul, 2011, at 22:03, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote:

> 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
> 
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