According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for film and photographic supplies are 26.48% higher in 2016 versus 1998 (a $26.48 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2016: Photography supplies experienced an average inflation rate of 1.31% per year. In other words, photography supplies costing $100 in the year 1998 would cost $126.48 in 2016 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.17% during this same period, inflation for photography supplies was lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 0.22%, which is below the average yearly change for photography supplies during the 1998-2016 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for photography supplies was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photography supplies, over time, for $100 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $100.00 | 0.22% |
| 1999 | $98.59 | -1.41% |
| 2000 | $96.88 | -1.74% |
| 2001 | $96.32 | -0.58% |
| 2002 | $94.07 | -2.33% |
| 2003 | $91.20 | -3.05% |
| 2004 | $88.32 | -3.16% |
| 2005 | $88.19 | -0.15% |
| 2006 | $85.71 | -2.81% |
| 2007 | $85.59 | -0.14% |
| 2008 | $86.78 | 1.40% |
| 2009 | $88.48 | 1.96% |
| 2010 | $89.45 | 1.10% |
| 2011 | $91.12 | 1.87% |
| 2012 | $98.22 | 7.78% |
| 2013 | $101.40 | 3.24% |
| 2014 | $124.65 | 22.93% |
| 2015 | $125.56 | 0.73% |
| 2016 | $126.48 | 0.74%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Film and photographic supplies:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.215 | 98.800 | 97.085 | 96.523 | 94.277 | 91.400 | 88.508 | 88.377 | 85.892 | 85.770 | 86.968 | 88.671 | 89.644 | 91.319 | 98.428 | 101.620 | 124.919 | 125.830 | 126.756 |