A $25 dollar camera, a $32 dollar lens, a $6 dollar roll of film and the Frugal Film Project
Yes indeed, as the blog title states, a $25.00 camera, a $32.00 lens and 12 rolls of $6.00 black and white film and I'm ready to go for the Frugal Film Project 2025. So you may ask, what is the Frugal Film Project? Well for those film and none film photographers out there in internet land who are not familiar with this project, it is a group project on Facebook promoting film photography. The rules are pretty simple. Photographers are to use a maximum $75 USD or less camera kit and cheap film. Film cost is not part of the $75 kit budget, only the camera gear. You then shoot one roll of that film per month and post results to the group's Facebook page for each month. Their are quite a few photographers already aware and participating in the group. This is my second year with the group and I have to say it is quite an enjoyable experience.
 
My $57 Praktica MTL3 w/55mm f/2 SMC Takumar for 2025. |
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| My $6 per roll film choice for 2025. |
It is truly interesting to see the many different camera and film combinations that each photographer comes up with, as well as the results that they are obtaining with their frugal budget minded gear. There are all sorts of cameras being used, from the old box Brownie cameras to the most advanced adjustable and automatic cameras. All kinds of inexpensive plastic cameras as well, like the Holga 120 medium format camera or the fixed aperture, fixed focus type of cameras, similar to the one I used last year like the Ilford Sprite II. Either way, it doesn't matter what type of camera you choose just as long is it cost $75.00 or less. You can shoot color or black and white, it doesn't matter, only that you must use that same film choice for the entire length of that years project - 12 rolls total if you start at the beginning of the year. People do join in at all times of the year though, the group seems to be just fine with that. They're always happy to see new members join in on the adventure.
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| Last years camera choice the $25 Ilford Sprite II. |
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| Last years film choice a 100 ft roll of RPX 400 - average cost $4.75 per 36 exp. roll. |
Whether you develop and scan your own film or you send it out to a photo lab, it makes no difference, its simply about sharing and keeping the art and experience of film photography alive and thriving, as well as possibly turning people on to film photography who may have not yet experienced the joy and satisfaction of capturing images on film. For it is truly a special experience shooting film. And who knows! For all you treasure hunters out there, the challenge and excitement of searching and finding that special or interesting camera kit while still keeping to the budget of $75 USD or less. As for myself, I enjoyed shooting with the Ilford Sprite very much last year and captured some wonderful photos but I wanted to search for something a bit more versatile for this years project and I did so in finding that Praktica camera body and Pentax lens. Combined $57 seemed pretty frugal, so far so good.
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| Photo from the 2025 Project - Praktica MTL3 - Arista EDU 200 |
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| Photo from the 2024 Project - Ilford Sprite II - Rollei RPX 400 |
As I have written in previous blogs, sometimes we just need a little incentive to get out there and take some photos. There's nothing better than that little push from getting involved in or starting some kind of photo project. A sure fire way to spark a bit of inspiration and enthusiasm. This group has certainly fit that bill. It's fun, informative and it helps to keep me motivated. It's also awesome to see the contributions of the the other group members. It's a very nice project and it helps keep the film movement going forward. Bravo FFP!!!
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| Photo from the 2025 Project - Praktica MTL3 - Arista EDU 200 |
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| Photo from the 2024 Project - Ilford Sprite II - Rollei RPX 400 |
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| Photo from the 2025 Project - Praktica MTL3 - Arista EDU 200 |
If anyone would like to visit the groups Facebook Page I'll put the link below as well as the link to my latest YouTube Video pertaining to the Fugal Film Project and a reminder to anyone who might have interest, people seem to be jumping on board at all times of the year so check it out and maybe join in. Please note the group is private so only members can see who's in the group and what they post. Once again thanks for viewing my blog :-)
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| My YouTube channel |