According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for film and photographic supplies are 28.78% higher in 2016 versus 2012 (a $28.78 difference in value).
Between 2012 and 2016: Photography supplies experienced an average inflation rate of 6.53% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, photography supplies costing $100 in the year 2012 would cost $128.78 in 2016 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.12% during this same period, inflation for photography supplies was significantly higher.
In the year 2012: Pricing changed by 7.78%, which is above the average yearly change for photography supplies during the 2012-2016 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2012 (2.07%), inflation for photography supplies was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photography supplies, over time, for $100 beginning in 2012. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $100.00 | 7.78% |
| 2013 | $103.24 | 3.24% |
| 2014 | $126.91 | 22.93% |
| 2015 | $127.84 | 0.73% |
| 2016 | $128.78 | 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 |