Kodak Gold 200
Gold, Zoloto, 金, kulta, guld, or, 금, the wonderful precious metal has many words across the globe. Associated with scarcity, fortune, power, and in my case, affordable film photography.
Kodak's film stock offers warm colours, specially for those sunny summer days. Lately the price hikes have hit Gold as well, a roll going for 10-14 € in Finland, so along UltraMax 400, it is one of the go-to options for the price aware consumer.
Kodak Gold has been in production since 1986, a stock that dates back all the way to 1940s, the Kodacolor. This lineage reached its final stages in 1980s, when Kodacolor VR-G 200 was introduced. Subsequent name changes has led into what we know as Kodak Gold today.
Cost to shoot (2024)
Price per developed and scanned roll (in Finland):
- 10-14 € (roll) + 9-13 € (dev) + 7-11 € (scan)
- Total of 26 € to 38 € per roll or 0.72 to 1.05€ per image
How to drive cost down
There are few options to consider, while not taking in account the cost of your personal time.
Scan yourself:
- 0.53 - 0.75 € per image (-26% to -28%)*
- Epson V850 Pro flatbed scanner requires 80-115 rolls to become on par with scanning service – by this time you have also appeased the film spirits with 800 to 1600 €
- DSLR scanning with Valoi 360 Enthusiast kit with existing gear (tripod and macro lens) requires 14-20 rolls to become on par with scanning service - by now your what seemed fun first but is now a painstakingly expensive hobby has already taken you aback by 140 to 280 €
- *Assuming no additional costs from hardware + software (e.g. local public library or school)
Develop yourself (ADOX C-Tec C-41):
- 0.34 - 0.47 € per image / 12.31 - 17.08 € per roll (-35% to -37%)*
- *Assuming +2.31 to +3.08 € per roll (37 € per kit - 12 to 16 uses)
- *Assuming no costs from existing gear (developer tank and temperature control device)
Develop yourself (CineStill Cs41):
- 0.32 - 0.43 € per image / 11.49 € - 15.49€ per roll (-39% to -43%)*
- *Assuming +1.49 € per roll (35.67 € per kit - 24 uses)
- *Assuming no costs from existing gear (developer tank and temperature control device)
Total cost saving breakdown:
- Dev + Scan yourself:
- Per roll: -8,92 EUR (-34%) to -26.51 EUR (-70%)
- Per image: -0.25 EUR to -0.74 EUR
- 0.32 to 0.47 EUR per image / 11.40 to 17.08 EUR per roll
Examples
Let's throw in some examples of Kodak Gold.
Gold is not really purposed for overcast days or shooting film inside, colours tend to head for the yellow-greenish tint when indoors. It is not the sharpest of the lot nor the most vibrant.
Should you overlook Kodak Gold, due to its nature as a budget option, I'd argue that definitely not. Just buy a few rolls already.
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