How can I minimize the cost of developing Medium format film?

[haring]

I just love my old cameras. I am just wondering what are the tricks to minimize the cost of developing medium format film? I would like to have professional quality.

1. I guess the first is to buy expired film? (Which is the best source to get the film, ebay?)
2. I guess I need to develop my own film on my own.
3. I need to scan the negatives with my own scanner.

Which is the best scanner to scan medium format film? Do you use one or you send it away to scan it?
BUT probably the most important question: Is it worth it to develop and scan your own film?

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by haring

1. I guess the first is to buy expired film? (Which is the best source to get the film, ebay?)
2. I guess I need to develop my own film on my own.
3. I need to scan the negatives with my own scanner.

Which is the best scanner to scan medium format film? Do you use one or you send it away to scan it?
BUT probably the most important question: Is it worth it to develop and scan your own film?

You're so far off.

1: Why expired? Unless you live in a very small town, most (proper) camera shops still stock 120. If not, you can always get new from B&H or Adorama (or others) and just have it shipped.

2: Again, not necessarily. If you know of anywhere that used to process 35mm, their machines (if they still have them) will likely also do colour 120. If it's black and white, most have outlab services that can be done as well.

3: Again, not necessarily, but a good idea. I use an Epson V500 and get fantastic (~35-40MP) results. If youre looking for your own scanner, find one that is designed for negatives. The Epson V700 is very highly regarded in that respect.

Is it worth developing? 35mm: probably not. It's simply been eclipsed in terms of quality and ease by digital. For 120, though, it still is. Especially if you start with good film, have good lenses, and can expose properly.

[LeeR]

You may want to look on eBay for your film. There are some good deals there provided you check on the expiration date. I am not a fan of using outdated film (I don't want to be the guy who shoots the fireman giving mouth-to-mouth to a baby, only to find my outdated film has crazed.) I have read on some of the film blogs that those who use outdated film find very little loss in quality for the first year after the date.
Developing your own film can be very rewarding if you are doing black and white. (Especially if you know a bit about the Zone System.) But I don't know that I would go into developing color film myself. Color film processing requires numerous chemicals that have to be kept at precise temperatures.(+or - 1/2 degree) Not worth the effort in my opinion. Black and white only requires three chemicals and only the developer needs to be manage for temperature. (+or- 10 degrees. I say only the developer needs to be managed, but the other chemicals and water bath need to be close. There is an interesting effect you can get when one of the chemicals is at a very different temperature. We used to pour ice water in after the developer to get an effect called "reticulation." Much easier to do in post now.)

[zona5101]

why would you want to buy expired film? Just for dinking around?
Developing your own and getting a suitable scanner will depend on how much you plan on shooting. At some point it is cheaper to outsource than do it yourself.