Please tell me if you think this is close to accurate. Purchasing a P45 approx 34K USD.
At 8.5% for 60 months = $ 690/month (excluding tax) (I know this part is correct)
purchasing and processing approx 20 rolls of 35mm at 36 exposures is approx $ 11 per roll? I think this is close. This should be about $ 220 per job. Therefore the break even is approx 3 weddings per month or 36 jobs per year.
Total cost is somewhere around $ 7900 for film and processing vs. $ 8,300 for digital.
The major sticking point is this. Digital becomes a fixed cost vs film which is variable.
Any thoughts on my numbers for digital negative vs film would be greatly appreciated.
Well George,
there are few things to consider:
1. P45 is a medium format back, so you should be using the prices of 120/220 film here, not the 35mm. Which means that you must multiply your film costs at least by 2... at least!
** add $7900 per year to the film budget
2. These $34k will give you about $1300 in interests yearly, if you keep them in the bank. So you must add this number to the price of ownership of P45, since you won't be able to collect them anymore. Same thing if you'll use a loan to purchase the P45.
** add $1300-$1600 per year to the digital budget
3. Price of digital workflow includes a storage and archival expenses. Don't forget to add them up.
** add $1000 per year to the digital budget
All of the above are just simple examlples, they are not precise and have the sole purpose to show you some minor flaws in your calculations.
p.s.
You must be a very famous wedding photographer if you plan to use P45 ONLY for 3 days of shooting monthly! Actually most of the P45 owners are using them daily, for all kinds of jobs, thus making their investment worthy.
As far as the image quality goes - the number of "keepers" form 35mm digital, is much higher than from a digital back. You just cant't shoot a MF camera with such ease as you can with 35mm. Even if you're an experienced MF photographer.