This year, I’m jumping into something I’ve wanted to try for a long time: the Frugal Film Project. It’s a wonderfully down to earth global community of film lovers who agree on one thing: you don’t need fancy gear or an unlimited film stash to make meaningful photos. The rule is simple; use a setup that costs under US $75, and shoot one roll of film each month for a whole year. Slow, intentional, and beautifully imperfect.
For my setup, I’m dusting off a Canon EOS 1000QD,one of those 90s plastic SLRs that just refuses to die. It’s lightweight, reliable, and somehow still charming in its own quirky way. I’ve paired it with a Canon 50mm f/1.4 that came to me with a generous serving of fungus inside. Most people would run away from a fungus-filled lens, but honestly, that’s what made it cheap enough to qualify… and a little character never hurt anyone.
My film of choice is Fomapan 200, probably the most budget friendly black and white film you can still find without fighting through shortages or out-of-stock notices. It’s a bit grainy, a bit old school, and exactly the kind of look I love. Shooting the same film for 12 months feels like a great way to really understand it, its quirks, its strengths, and all the little surprises it throws my way.
I’m excited for the slower pace, for learning this setup inside out, and for sharing the journey month by month. Here’s to a year of frugal photography, creative limitations, and seeing the world in black and white, one roll at a time.
Find the Frugal Film Project 2026 on Facebook through this link.