Frugal Film Project 2025

Happy 2025! Not only is it a new year, but it is also the start of a new Frugal Film Project. I found out about this cool project last year on Facebook. What is the Frugal Film Project? I’m so glad you asked.

What is the Frugal Film Project?

The Frugal Film Project was created in January 2019 by a group of photographers. The photographers were Aragon Etzel, Matt Melcher, Dale Rogers, Graham Binns, Dan Marinelli, Monette Cruz, Sherry Christensen, Nelson Mullis, Kate Johnson, Marius Voicu, Nick Orloff, Matt Murray, and Sam Warner. The goal of the project at the time was to use a camera that cost $50 or less (including any shipping) and the cheapest film they could find locally. They also committed to using the same camera and film stock for three months and then they could switch to another cheap camera if they wanted. (To learn more about the original project, click here.)

Now, the new cost limit is $75 for your entire kit. This means your camera and lens(es) and any filters, flashes, tripods, etc. There is no price limit for the film, but you have to keep with the nature of the project and keep the film inexpensive as well. You also have to shoot with the same camera and film stock for the entire year (unless your camera breaks or your film goes out of stock). There is also an awesome Facebook group where people can participate in the project, share their work, and ask any questions they may have. Click here to join the Facebook group.

What’s My Experience with the Frugal Film Project?

This will be my second year attempting the project. I started it last year and was able to complete about four months worth, but then work got in the way and I fell off. Last year, I attempted the project with my Instax SQ6 and square format film. Click here if you want to see my YouTube playlist about the project.

What am I shooting with this year?

This year I’m going to shoot with an actual film camera. This will be my first time attempting to shoot film (not including the film disposable cameras). I’ll be shooting with a Minolta X-9, 50mm lens, and 80-200mm lens. My film stock of choice will be the Kodak Gold 200. Each roll comes with 24 exposures.

Minolta X-9, 50mm lens, 80-200mm lens, and 12 rolls of Kodak Gold 200.

I initially got a Minolta X-9 off Facebook Marketplace and the two lenses for $65. The kit also came with a flash, camera strap, camera bag, and instruction manual. I took the camera home, added some film, and I couldn’t get it to work. The lever wouldn’t catch the film properly and the shutter wouldn’t released. I switched the batteries out, looked on YouTube, but just couldn’t get it to work. After further research, I’m pretty sure it’s the capacitor that needs to be replaced. As this was my first film camera, I didn’t really know what to look for as far as making sure the camera worked…and I didn’t do my due diligence to make sure I knew what I was looking for. I’m trying to find a capacitor so I can attempt to replace it and see if I can get the camera to work. The capacitor has been harder to find than I thought it would.

Enter Minolta X-9 the Second. I found one of eBay for about $70 (including shipping) that came with a 50mm. They said it worked and that they would take it back if it didn’t work. So I pulled the trigger and got it like a week later. Put in some batteries, loaded the film, and boom…it worked!

What’s my plan for this year?

Last year, I asked ChatGPT to give me 12 themes to shoot for a film project. This year, I was going to do the same, but I saw someone post in the Facebook group that they are going to take photos in a new city each month in the state they are in. I think that is the route I’m going to go this year.

At the time of me writing this, I’ve already shot my first roll of film so it won’t be a new city for me, but I did shoot in a city so it’ll still fit the theme of cities. Also, I’ll be moving to a different state this year, but I can still shoot in a city I haven’t visited in that state.

I would also like to try my hand at developing my own film. I sent my first roll off at Walmart and just got it back. It’s not horrible or anything, but I would like a bit more creative control over my film. I’ll tell y’all more about that experience with an upcoming blog post.

Anyone else doing the Frugal Film Project this year? If so, tell me about in the comments below. I’d love to follow everyone’s journey!