"Just another reason why I'm content to go into the dark to make my prints -- much cheaper..."
Really?
If I go into the darkroom (I actually have one) to make a gelatin silver print on, say, Ilford MGIV fb paper, it costs me about $3.50 to set up the tray line - that covers developer, stop, fixer, wash aid. I'll ignore the cost of wash water.
Each sheet of 11x14 paper I use costs me 1.25, more or less. If I burn four sheets getting the print right (hopelessly optimistic for a print of any complexity) and make six keepers when I've got it right, the session cost me 16 bucks amortized across 6 prints, for a total of 2.60 for each print.
In contrast, my cost of goods for a print, same size, on Epson Enhanced Matte, is $1.35, including ink and paper.
Prices on inkjet materials are falling. Prices on gelatin silver paper and the chemicals to process it are rising.
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