Complete Project Cost Breakdown¶
Date: April 2026 Basis: Ranges given where source documents provide them; midpoints used for totals. Costs marked † are from detailed procurement research in supporting documents; others are estimates.
Related: Master Shopping List (per-item procurement with suppliers and URLs) · Funding Proposal (grant-ready summary at three funding levels)
Summary — Total Project Cost¶
| Category | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Container purchase & delivery | $2,300 | $3,300 | $4,300 |
| 2. Interior conversion | $950 | $1,138 | $1,350 |
| 3. Optics — pinhole plate | $110 | $185 | $265 |
| 4. Film plane mechanism (4-corner Option A, incl. wall-seat saddles + cross-slides) | $3,454 | $3,684 | $3,914 |
| 5. Processing water system (incl. tray, spray bar, IBC stacking frame) | $4,612 | $5,804 | $6,990 |
| 5a. Power & electrical system (solar · 1× LiFePO4 · MPPT · distribution · lighting · protection · master pump switch) | $2,144 | $2,384 | $2,694 |
| 5b. Ventilation & cooling system (2 fans · evap cooler + 12V→120V inverter · light-safe baffle-duct fab · shade canopy) | $824 | $884 | $974 |
| 6. Housed revolving-door light lock (plastic-skin custom fabrication) | $1,385 | $1,728 | $2,070 |
| 6a. Perimeter walkway (4 sections + drum-exit punch-out) | $2,000 | $2,488 | $2,975 |
| 6b. Panel swing pivot + fixed door frame (Ø89 post + bearings + cage + wall stays + rail saddles) | $855 | $1,143 | $1,430 |
| 6c. Hinged panel structure (stepped frame + PP skins + Al core + EPDM + cam latches + B2 bay + pull handle) | $1,124 | $1,408 | $1,691 |
| 6d. Chemistry prep shelf (fold-down phenolic board + steel frame + hinge/stays + TAP-01 trunk extension) | $203 | $203 | $203 |
| 7. Printmaking — 50 prints (cyanotype; Low=Lean, Mid=Standard, High=Rich tier) | $1,210 | $1,650 | $2,980 |
| 8. Transportation (per deployment) | $300 | $750 | $2,000 |
| 9. Licenses & permits | $220 | $790 | $1,620 |
| TOTAL (excl. own transport, CDL, lens) | $21,691 | $27,539 | $35,456 |
Line 7 (cyanotype printmaking) is now re-summed into the TOTAL on the Mike Ware AmFe chemistry + corrected ~$300 substrate: Low = Lean ⅓-Ware ($1,210), Mid = Standard ½-Ware ($1,650), High = Rich full-Ware ($2,980) — matching §7.1 and the master shopping list §9. The tier is pinned by the Sensitizer Trials.
Optional additions that may apply — see individual sections:
| Optional item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lens (Rodenstock / Nikkor, used) | $400 | $800 | $1,500 |
| CDL training + DOT medical + DMV fees | $2,345 | $4,570 | $6,870 |
| Own transport vehicle (QuickLoadz trailer) | $30,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
1. Container Purchase & Delivery¶
Source document: container-report.md
The 20 ft standard container is the camera body. Minimum acceptable grade is Wind & Watertight (WWT); Cargo Worthy (CW) is recommended.
| Item | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft container — CW grade | $2,000 | $2,750 | $3,500 | From containermgt.com |
| Delivery — short haul (<50 miles) | $300 | $550 | $800 | Commercial tilt-bed hire |
| Section total | $2,300 | $3,300 | $4,300 |
Grade comparison:
| Grade | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WWT (minimum viable) | $1,500–$3,000 | No holes; may need extensive light-sealing |
| Cargo Worthy (recommended) | $2,000–$3,500 | CSC-certified; fewest surprises |
| One-Trip (premium) | $3,500–$5,000 | Near-new condition; easiest light-sealing |
If a long-distance delivery is required (100–300 miles, semi flatbed): add $1,200–$2,500.
2. Interior Conversion¶
Source document: container-report.md
Converting the container interior from cargo hold to pinhole camera. Includes light-sealing, interior painting, flat image-plane backing, door upgrades, and ventilation.
2.1 Light-sealing materials¶
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-profile foam weatherstripping, 1"×⅜" | 50 ft | $0.50/ft | $25 | Door perimeter seals |
| Black silicone sealant (11 oz cartridges) | 5 | $8 | $40 | Weld seam gaps, corner posts |
| 6-mil black polyethylene sheeting (10'×100') | 1 roll | $65† | $65 | Interior lining over persistent seams |
| 2" black Gorilla Tape (35 yd rolls) | 4 | $12† | $48 | Secondary sealing |
| Light-seal subtotal | $178 |
2.2 Interior paint¶
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat black latex paint (zero sheen) | 3 gal | $25 | $75 | Two long walls, two short walls, ceiling (~755 sq ft) |
| Primer (if bare steel) | 1 gal | $30 | $30 | One coat on new welds/repairs |
| Rollers, brushes, trays | 1 kit | $25 | $25 | |
| Paint subtotal | $130 |
2.3 Image-plane flat backing¶
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dibond ACM 4mm panel (4'×8' sheets) | 6 | $85† | $510 | Grimco, City of Industry CA — flat backing surface |
| Through-bolts + hardware | 1 lot | $40 | $40 | Into structural ribs every 18" |
| Backing subtotal | $550 |
2.4 Ventilation¶
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" inline duct fan (reversible) | 2 | $35 | $70 | One intake / one exhaust, short walls |
| 4" light-trap baffle (steel angle, DIY) | 2 | $15 | $30 | Blocks direct light while allowing airflow |
| Ventilation subtotal | $100 |
2.5 Door & access upgrades¶
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh door gasket set | 1 | $45 | $45 | OEM-style rubber seal for container doors |
| Red LED safelight (battery) | 1 | $25 | $25 | Loading operations |
| Door subtotal | $70 |
2.6 Miscellaneous conversion hardware¶
| Item | Est. total |
|---|---|
| Fasteners, angles, misc. steel | $60 |
| Black spray paint for touchup | $20 |
| Weld repair (if needed, DIY) | $30 |
| Misc. subtotal | $110 |
Section total¶
| Category | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light-sealing | $150 | $178 | $210 |
| Interior paint | $100 | $130 | $160 |
| Image-plane backing | $490 | $550 | $620 |
| Ventilation | $80 | $100 | $130 |
| Door & access | $50 | $70 | $100 |
| Misc. hardware | $80 | $110 | $130 |
| Interior conversion total | $950 | $1,138 | $1,350 |
3. Optics — Pinhole Plate¶
Source document: container-report.md, pinhole-optics-report.md
The precision aperture is the optical heart of the camera. Optimal diameter for this focal length: 2.17mm (Rayleigh formula, λ = 550 nm).
3.1 Pinhole plate¶
| Item | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom laser-drilled pinhole, SS-302/304 shim, 3"×3" | $50 | $100 | $150 | Lenox Laser, lenoxlaser.com — ±0.025mm tolerance, SEM-verified |
| Steel backing plate 6"×6"×⅛", welded frame | $20 | $30 | $40 | Houses the precision insert |
| Shutter plate (⅛" steel, 10"×8") + slide channel | $25 | $35 | $50 | Simple sliding shutter, operated from outside |
| Disc retaining ring (Al 6061-T6, M52×0.75 thread) | $15 | $20 | $25 | Screws into the plate counterbore; clamps the disc flat; unscrews for swap/clean |
| Pinhole plate total | $110 | $185 | $265 |
3.2 Optional lens (alternative to or supplement with pinhole)¶
Source document: lens-options.md
The pinhole plate is interchangeable. A lens plate can be swapped in for portrait or shorter-exposure work.
| Lens | f | Image circle | Used price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodenstock Apo-Ronar 1,200mm | f/14 | ~400mm | $400–$1,200 | Primary recommendation — excellent on flat field |
| Nikkor T 1,200mm f/11 | f/11 | ~450mm | $600–$1,500 | One stop faster than Rodenstock |
| Schneider Apo-Symmar 800mm | f/14 | ~500mm | $300–$800 | Shorter focal length; needs separate focus board |
| Acrylic Fresnel 600×600mm @ 1,400mm | f/2.3 | ~600mm | $40–$120 | Cheap artistic option; significant aberrations |
Lens is an optional upgrade — not required for pinhole operation. Not included in base total.
4. Film Plane Mechanism (4-Corner Independent)¶
Source document: film-plane-mechanism-report.md
View-camera-style moveable film plane (Option A — a fixed-size rigid plane on floating-corner cross-slides) with four independently actuated corners (TL, TR, BL, BR), enabling tilt (±40°), swing (±28°), and limited compound movements.
4.1 Structural & rails¶
| Item | Spec | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear guide rail HGR20 | 2,200mm | 4 | $45† | $180 |
| Rail carriage HGH20CA | Flanged block | 8 | $18† | $144 |
| Acme leadscrew ¾"-6 | 8 ft length | 4 | $95† | $380 |
| Acme nut bronze ¾"-6 | — | 4 | $12† | $48 |
| Handwheel 8" dia | ¾" bore, cast alum. | 4 | $35† | $140 |
| Locking collar SS316 | ¾" bore | 4 | $12† | $48 |
| Corner bracket L-plate | ¼" alum., 6"×8" | 4 | $20† | $80 |
| Cross-slide rail HGR15 (Option A) | 300mm, X-Z stage | 8 | $25† | $200 |
| Cross-slide carriage HGH15CA (Option A) | Flanged block | 8 | $12† | $96 |
| Cross-slide intermediate plate (Option A) | ¼" alum. | 4 | $15† | $60 |
| Rod-end spherical bearing | GIR25-DO, 25mm | 8 | $22† | $176 |
| Pivot pin SS316 | Ø25mm × 200mm | 8 | $8† | $64 |
4.2 Film plane frame & backing¶
| Item | Spec | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum angle 2"×2"×3/16" | 8 ft lengths | 10 | $22† | $220 |
| Dibond ACM panel 4mm | 4'×8' sheets | 6 | $85† | $510 |
| Black EPDM foam tape | 1"×½", 50 ft rolls | 3 | $28† | $84 |
| Rosco Duvetyne (light seal) | 60" wide, 10 yd | 1 | $95† | $95 |
| Dibond ACM backing — single rigid panel (Option A: no folding hinge) | included above | — | — | — |
| 6-mil black poly sheeting | 10'×100' roll | 1 | $65† | $65 |
| 2" black Gorilla Tape | 35 yd rolls | 6 | $12† | $72 |
| Cam-lever spring clamps (muslin) | Over-center cam, neoprene jaw | 92 | $3-8† | $276-736 |
| M5×16 SS bolts + Nylock nuts | Clamp mounting (2 per clamp) | 184+184 | — | $55 |
| Neoprene strip 60A | Jaw pads, 35mm×6mm, 10m roll | 1 | $15† | $15 |
4.3 Wall-seat saddles (rev 11 — replaces the brace cage)¶
The demountable brace cage is retired. Each of the 8 rail ends instead anchors to the container — 6 with a standalone wall-seat saddle (back-plate + seat + gusset), through-bolted with a 4-bolt pattern to an exterior wall plate — the container shell carries the rigidity. The 2 bottom-right (BR) ends share a combined corner plate with the right walkway (rev 12 — costed in §6a / the walkway BoM, not here). The right rails are permanently bolted; the left rails drop into their saddles on knurled thumb screws so they lift out for the drum swing.
| Item | ICP # | Spec | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8mm steel plate — back-plate + exterior plate + seat + gusset, laser/plasma cut + welded | ICP-11 | 8 saddles (~28 kg total) | 8 saddles | ~$53 est. | ~$425 |
| M12×90mm through-bolt + nut + washers, SS | ICP-12 | 4 per saddle × 8 = 32 + 4 spare | 36 | ~$2.50 est. | ~$90 |
| M8×25mm knurled thumbscrew DIN 464 SS | ICP-13 | left-rail drop-in: 2 × 4 saddles = 8 + 4 spare | 12 | ~$3 est. | ~$36 |
| M8 rail fixing bolt + nut, SS | ICP-14 | right-rail fixing: 2 × 4 saddles = 8 + spare | 12 | ~$2 est. | ~$24 |
| Wall-seat saddle subtotal | ~$575 |
Roughly cost-neutral with the retired brace cage (~$575). All costs are estimates — confirm at procurement (Metal Supermarkets, McMaster-Carr, Amazon).
4.4 Optional electric actuation¶
Not included in any standard build — Scenarios A–C are all manual handwheel actuation. This is a documented upgrade only (the Cost Analysis drops it from the recommended build to save ~$827): it replaces the four handwheels with PA-14 actuators for entry-free repositioning. See the Film Plane Mechanism Report §electric actuation.
| Item | Spec | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-14 linear actuator | 12V, 20" stroke, 150 lb | 4 | $185† | $740 |
| 12V 30A power supply | Enclosed | 1 | $55† | $55 |
| DPDT momentary rocker | Panel-mount, 20A | 4 | $8† | $32 |
Section total¶
Line items (Option A, manual handwheel actuation) — generated from costing.py; do not hand-edit the numbers:
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear guide rails HGR20 2,200mm (×4) + carriages HGH20CA (×8) | $324 | $324 | $324 |
| Acme leadscrews ¾"-6 8 ft (×4) + bronze nuts (×4) | $428 | $428 | $428 |
| Handwheels 8" (×4) + locking collars SS316 (×4) | $188 | $188 | $188 |
| Corner bracket L-plates, ¼" alum 6×8 (×4) | $80 | $80 | $80 |
| Option-A cross-slides — HGR15 rails (×8) + HGH15CA (×8) + intermediate plates (×4) | $356 | $356 | $356 |
| Rod-end spherical bearings GIR25-DO (×8) + pivot pins SS316 (×8) | $240 | $240 | $240 |
| Aluminum angle 2×2×3/16 8 ft (×10) | $220 | $220 | $220 |
| Dibond ACM 4mm 4×8 sheets (×6) — single rigid plane | $510 | $510 | $510 |
| Light-seal set — EPDM tape (×3) + Rosco Duvetyne + 6-mil poly + Gorilla tape (×6) | $316 | $316 | $316 |
| Cam-lever spring clamps, muslin (×92) | $276 | $506 | $736 |
| Clamp mounting — M5×16 SS bolts/Nylocks (×184+184) + neoprene jaw strip | $76 | $76 | $76 |
| Wall-seat saddles ×8 — 8mm steel plate, cut + welded (ICP-11) | $318 | $318 | $318 |
| Saddle fasteners — M12 through-bolts (×36) + M8 thumbscrews (×12) + M8 rail bolts (×12) | $122 | $122 | $122 |
| Section total — film plane mechanism (manual, incl. saddles + cross-slides) | $3,454 | $3,684 | $3,914 |
Electric actuation (optional add-on, not in any standard build): +$827 — see §4.4.
Includes $330–790 for muslin clamp system (92 cam-lever clamps). Range reflects generic vs Destaco-equivalent quality.
5. Processing Water System¶
Source document: water-system-report.md
Self-contained three-circuit water system for remote/off-grid cyanotype processing. Provides ~14 full-size prints (~116 sq ft each) between water resupply runs, with Brown wash-2 recycling (~8–10 on fresh Blue alone).
| Category | Low† | High† |
|---|---|---|
| Water storage (4× IBC totes, 3× bulkhead fittings, X1 fill tee) | $395 | $720 |
| IBC stacking frame (50×50×3mm RHS restraint deep 4-leg box + 4 floor feet + 50×20 front retaining bars + wall joist hangers through-bolted to exterior backing plates + fabrication, per Stacking §9.1) | $1,000 | $1,540 |
| Pumps and accumulator (P-01, P-02, P-04 manifold + P-03, P-05 IBC corridor) | $390 | $420 |
| Corridor plumbing panel structure (18mm marine-ply backing board + drain-riser spine, 25mm pump-mount shirt, mount brackets + fasteners) | $215 | $380 |
| Under-walkway pipe-ribbon supports (4× welded cross-braces + 16 pipe clips) | $24 | $48 |
| Filter skid (3× Big Blue housings + cartridges) | $286 | $485 |
| Valves and fittings (incl. S60×6 adapters, check valve CV-1 (pumps have integral checks)) | $357 | $615 |
| Pipe (HDPE, spray bar) | $80 | $114 |
| Processing tray (304 SS, fabricated, 2 panels) | $1,300 | $2,015 |
| Spray bar assembly (gantry: beam, LDPE pipe, 26 nozzles, manifold + 7 feed tubes, 4 wheels, ball joint, arm, hose) | $287 | $375 |
| Electrical (wiring only — fuse block in Electrical Report) | $37 | $37 |
| Processing consumables (6-mil poly, pH meter, citric acid) | $241 | $241 |
| Water system total | $4,612 | $6,990 |
Used IBC totes (available locally, ~$80–$150 each from Container Exchanger CA) drive significant savings vs. new.
6. Housed Revolving-Door Light Lock — Custom Fabrication¶
Source document: light-trap-selection.md
Personnel access during operation is via a Ø900 fixed housing + single-opening C-shell drum built into the hinged cargo-door panel — light-tight by geometry (two 80° housing openings 180° apart; the drum opening can never bridge both). The drum rotates on two SKF 6215 bearings. The drum and housing from a hybrid plastic skin — 5mm UV-HDPE housing + 4mm PP drum. Custom fabrication remains preferred over commercial darkroom doors (~$2,500–$4,500) — those are not weatherproof, transport-rated, or adaptable to a removable panel.
| Item | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5mm UV-stabilized HDPE — Ø900 housing shell (~7 m²) | $180 | $230 | $280 | rolled + extrusion-welded; TAP / Online Metals |
| 4mm PP — Ø864 drum shell + top/bottom caps (~7 m²) | $150 | $195 | $240 | TAP / Curbell |
| SKF 6215-2RS1 sealed bearing (×2) | $90 | $110 | $130 | Bearing World / Applied |
| 75mm Ø × 150mm steel stub shafts (×2) | $30 | $40 | $50 | steel service center |
| Felt/brush wiper + 12mm neoprene (drum↔housing seal) | $40 | $50 | $60 | McMaster-Carr |
| Silicone bead sealant (bearing housing) | $10 | $13 | $15 | McMaster-Carr |
| 100mm Ø SS grab rail (400mm cut) | $15 | $20 | $25 | McMaster-Carr |
| Matte-black interior finish | $40 | $55 | $70 | scuff + flat-black touch-in |
| Stainless fasteners + nylon isolation washers (no galvanic couple) | $30 | $40 | $50 | McMaster-Carr |
| Plastic fabrication — roll + weld 2 cylinders, fit (16–22 hrs) | $800 | $975 | $1,150 | Local plastic fab |
| Housing + drum total | $1,385 | $1,728 | $2,070 |
Note: the hinged panel that the housing mounts into (50×50mm RHS frame, 4mm PP plastic skins (18mm-ply Fan-B mount band), EPDM perimeter gasket) is part of the interior conversion covered in Section 2. Still below the $2,500–$4,500 commercial darkroom-door range, and weatherproof + transport-rated.
6a. Perimeter Walkway¶
Source documents: engineering-diagrams.md §14, generate_walkway_diagram.py
Four removable grated walkway sections around all 4 sides of the processing tray. Near walkway widens to 500mm at EP/battery/slit zone. 130mm deck height to clear the processing tray and spray bar. No tray contact on any section — entire tray interior completely clear for film loading.
Near/far walkways: wall-cantilevered brackets bolted to corrugated wall ribs (14 standard 8mm + 4 widened 10mm).
Right walkway: cantilever rectangle — a closed 40×40 SHS frame on 2 center arms off the IBC corridor uprights, left corners on wall cleats, right corners on combined corner plates shared with the bottom film rail.
Left walkway: removable lift-out grate on 5 floor-leg cantilever brackets bolted to bare floor outside the tray. Arms are extened in the middle punch out section to ease operator egress. Grate lifts out for transport. Butt joints at all corners.
| Item | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molded GRP (fiberglass) grating, 15mm (vinyl-ester, grit top) | $970 | $1,115 | $1,260 | ~4.5 m² (incl. 1474×500mm near walkway bump-out); McNichols / Grating Pacific — corrosion-proof, −62 kg vs steel |
| Standard wall brackets, 8mm steel plate (×14) | $112 | $143 | $175 | Near/far walls; 150mm vert × 300mm arm |
| Widened wall brackets, 10mm steel plate (×4) | $72 | $90 | $112 | EP/battery/slit zone; 200mm vert × 500mm arm |
| Reinforcing plates, std 100×180×6mm (×14) + wide 120×220×6mm (×4) | $47 | $60 | $73 | Welded to wall exterior behind each bracket |
| M12×60mm hex bolts + nuts + washers (×58) | $57 | $72 | $87 | 3 per std bracket (42) + 4 per widened (16) |
| Transition bearing plates, 40×500×5mm flat bar (×2) | $5 | $8 | $10 | Welded to arm top at width transitions |
| Right walkway cantilever frame, 40×40×3mm SHS (8m) | $28 | $34 | $40 | rev12: closed rectangle (2× 2,362mm long + 2× 300mm end beams) + 2× 405mm center arms |
| Right walkway wall cleats, 8mm steel (×2) | $20 | $28 | $35 | Left corners — back-plate + exterior plate + shelf, through-bolted to the wall |
| Combined corner plates, 10mm steel (×2) | $50 | $65 | $80 | Right corners — shared with the bottom film rail (replaces the BR rail saddle); interior + exterior plate + 2 seats |
| M12 through-bolts + nuts/washers (~24) | $30 | $40 | $50 | Wall cleats + combined plates + 2 center-arm U-clamps to the IBC uprights |
| 316 SS hold-down clips (FRP M/G-clip, ×20) | $25 | $32 | $40 | Near/far/right walkway GRP grating retention |
| Drum-exit punch-out — extra GRP grating (~0.23 m²) | $50 | $57 | $65 | 600mm-deep landing at the light-lock exit; carried by the 3 extended bracket arms (no separate bearer/leg) |
| Left floor-leg cantilever brackets (×5) | $55 | $75 | $95 | 50×50×3 SHS posts (~115mm) + 40×40×3 SHS arms (2 std to X470, 3 extended to X770) + 128×60×8 foot plates; bolted to bare floor outside the tray, arms 15mm over the spray bar |
| M10 wedge floor anchors (×20) | $25 | $35 | $45 | 4 per foot plate; sealed penetrations into the container floor |
| Fabrication (brackets, cantilever frame, install) | $454 | $634 | $808 | 14 std + 4 widened wall brackets, fabricate + fit the right walkway cantilever frame (clamp arms to IBC uprights, bolt cleats + combined plates), fit 5 left floor-leg cantilever brackets + drill/seal floor anchors, install |
| Perimeter walkway total | $2,000 | $2,488 | $2,975 | GRP grating swap: +$720/+$799/+$880 vs galvanized steel |
6b. Panel Swing Pivot¶
Source documents: equipment-layout-report.md §6.1, hinged-panel-report.md §4–5
The panel + drum SWING ~56° about a vertical Ø89×8mm CHS pivot post, carrying the punch-out bay inboard of the door plane so the cargo doors close. See the rotation-hardware detail in master-shopping-list.md §7a.
| Item | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø89×8 CHS pivot post + machined hub / thrust collar | $180 | $240 | $300 | carries ~3.6 kN·m swing cantilever; Metal Supermarkets / local fab |
| Turntable thrust bearing, 12″ (Ø305) 1000 lb | $40 | $50 | $60 | VXB |
| Flanged sleeve (journal) bearings, Ø90 bore (×2) | $60 | $85 | $110 | McMaster SAE 841 |
| Drum support cage, 40×40×3mm SHS | $70 | $95 | $120 | Local fab |
| Top + bottom wall stays + 4-bolt anchor plates | $90 | $125 | $160 | turnbuckles + rods + plates |
| Drop-in rail saddles + tapered dowels (×4, removable left film rails) | $80 | $105 | $130 | Local fab / McMaster |
| Fixed door frame — 50×50×3 RHS members (×3) | $90 | $105 | $120 | Metal Supermarkets |
| Fixed door frame — top/bottom seal lips (3mm steel ~110×4m) | $45 | $63 | $80 | seal paths #3–#4 |
| Fixed door frame — welding/fabrication + wall attachment | $200 | $275 | $350 | Local fab |
| Panel swing pivot + door frame total | $855 | $1,143 | $1,430 |
7. Printmaking — 50 Prints (Cyanotype)¶
Source document: chemistry-shopping-list.md
Cyanotype is the chosen process: no silver, no DEA registration, no hazmat shipping, processing in plain water. Cost is lowest of all processes evaluated at this scale.
7.1 Chemistry and substrate (50 prints)¶
⚠ Chemistry is now a RANGE — pending Sensitizer Trials. Corrected to the Mike Ware New Cyanotype formula: ammonium iron(III) oxalate (AmFe — not the old ferric ammonium citrate), 3:1 AmFe:ferricyanide ratio, and two wet-on-wet coats over the 10.74 m² active plane. Per-print AmFe is 260–780 g by concentration tier (Lean ⅓-Ware / Standard ½-Ware / Rich full-Ware — operating-manual §0.2), so the chemistry cost spans a wide band until a tier is trialled. Standard (½-Ware) is the working default.
| Item (50 prints) | Lean (⅓-Ware) | Standard (½-Ware) — default | Rich (full-Ware) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium iron(III) oxalate (AmFe) | 13 kg / ~$780 | 19.5 kg / ~$1,170 | 39 kg / ~$2,340 | Photographers' Formulary (~$60/kg) |
| Potassium ferricyanide (3:1 ratio) | 4.3 kg / ~$104 | 6.5 kg / ~$158 | 13 kg / ~$316 | Bostick & Sullivan ($24.29/kg) |
| Ammonium dichromate (contrast, 0.1–0.4%) | ~$25 | ~$25 | ~$25 | Photographers' Formulary |
| Unbleached cotton muslin, 60″ — 3 × 150-yd rolls (~445 yd) | ~$300 | ~$300 | ~$300 | Fabric Direct (~$100/roll) |
| Cyanotype total — 50 prints | ~$1,210 | ~$1,650 | ~$2,980 |
Note: development requires only plain cold water — no darkroom chemistry. The §5 water system provides all wash water.
Muslin reconciled (2026-06-18): the earlier $1,100 / $900 / $43-per-print figures all over-counted the fabric ~3×. The shopping list derived 6,670 sq ft ÷ 60″(5 ft) wide = "1,340 linear yards," but 6,670 ÷ 5 = 1,334 linear feet ≈ 445 yd — feet were labelled yards. Three 60″ strips cover the 4,499 mm width (×2,388 mm tall = ~23.5 ft/print); 50 prints + 15% waste = ~450 yd = 3 × 150-yd rolls ≈ $300 (~$6/print). §7.1 and §7.2 now agree on this figure.
7.2 Per-print cost (cyanotype — Standard ½-Ware tier; range locked by trial)¶
| Component | Cost per print (Standard) |
|---|---|
| Ammonium iron(III) oxalate (AmFe, Part A) | ~$23 |
| Potassium ferricyanide (Part B) | ~$3 |
| Ammonium dichromate (contrast) | ~$0.50 |
| Muslin substrate (~116 sq ft = ~9 yd of 60″ + 15% waste) | ~$6 |
| Water & consumables (6-mil liner, gloves) | ~$3 |
| Total per print (Standard) | ~$36 |
Across tiers, chemistry moves the per-print total to ~$27 (Lean) – ~$63 (Rich); the Sensitizer Trials lock the tier. Muslin is now ~$6/print (see §7.1 reconciliation), so the §7.1 totals = this per-print × 50 (± the $3/print consumables that §7.1 excludes).
7.3 Alternative process cost comparison¶
| Process | 50-print total† | Per print | Key constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanotype | ~$1,350–3,150 (Std ~$1,800)‡ | ~$27–63 (Std ~$36)‡ | None — easiest |
| Gum bichromate | ~$5,150 | ~$103 | Hazmat shipping (dichromate) |
| Van Dyke Brown | ~$11,000 | ~$220 | DEA form; AgNO₃ price volatility |
| Ilford RC paper | ~$20,500 | ~$410 | Paper rolls very expensive at this size |
| Liquid Light on muslin | ~$21,800 | ~$436 | Contact Rockland for bulk pricing |
| Salt print | ~$26,900 | ~$538 | 3× more silver than Van Dyke — not recommended |
Silver nitrate is the cost driver for Van Dyke, salt print, and Liquid Light. Cyanotype and gum bichromate are the only processes under $5,000 for a 50-print run.
‡ Cyanotype chemistry is a range pending Sensitizer Trials — the corrected Ware-3:1 / two-coat figures swing the per-print AmFe (and the 50-print chemistry cost) by up to ~4.6×. Muslin (~$300 / ~$6 per print) is now reconciled and fixed (§7.1). The Standard (½-Ware) tier is the working default.
8. Transportation¶
Source document: container-transport-options.md
Costs are per deployment (one move). The container requires no oversize/overweight permit when empty on Interstate highways.
8.1 Commercial hire (no CDL required)¶
| Move type | Option | Per-move cost |
|---|---|---|
| Local (<30 miles) | Tilt-bed delivery truck | $300–$500† |
| Short haul (30–100 miles) | Tilt-bed delivery truck | $500–$1,200† |
| Long distance (100–300 miles) | Semi flatbed | $1,200–$2,500† |
| Cross-country (>1,000 miles) | Semi flatbed | $3,500–$6,000† |
If no forklift at destination: add $200–$1,200 for crane truck or forklift rental.
8.2 Self-haul (capital investment, requires CDL)¶
| Equipment | Purchase cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| QuickLoadz 20k trailer (self-loading, no crane needed) | $30,000–$40,000† | F-250+ pickup required |
| Container chassis 20 ft (used gooseneck) | $5,000–$15,000† | Requires crane/forklift at destination |
| Used Class 7 tilt-bed truck | $65,000–$100,000† | Class B CDL required |
Self-haul only makes economic sense if the container will be moved 60–80+ times (break-even vs. hire at ~$600/move).
8.3 Chassis + semi rental (frequent repositioning, CDL required)¶
| Item | Day rate† | Week rate† |
|---|---|---|
| Container chassis (FlexiVan FlexiDay) | $30–$60 | $175–$350 |
| Semi tractor (Penske/Ryder) | $200–$400 | $1,000–$1,800 |
| Combined | $230–$460/day | $1,175–$2,150/wk |
9. Licenses & Permits¶
Source document: container-transport-options.md; location permit costs are estimates not covered by existing research.
9.1 CDL (if self-hauling)¶
| Item | Cost† |
|---|---|
| DOT medical examination | $75–$150 |
| DMV fees (CLP + CDL + tests) | $170–$220 |
| CDL training — budget private school (Class A) | $2,000–$3,000 |
| CDL training — mid-range / community college (Class A) | $4,000–$6,200 |
| CDL all-in (mid-range + medical + DMV) | ~$4,345–$6,570 |
CDL Class A is recommended — covers both tilt-bed truck operation (Class B) and semi tractor operation (Class A). El Camino College Torrance: $5,995 all-inclusive including DMV fees. WIOA funding may cover full tuition for eligible applicants.
CDL is only required if self-hauling. Commercial hire (Sections 7.1) requires no license from the customer.
9.2 Location / filming permits¶
Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction. Estimates below are based on general knowledge — no specific research document covers this.
| Location type | Permit | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public road / street (California) | City/county film permit | $0–$500/day | Many small cities waive fees for non-commercial art |
| LA County parks | Parks filming permit | $250–$500/day | Recreation & Parks Dept |
| California State Parks | State filming permit | $200–$500/day | CDPR Film Office |
| Private land | Negotiated with landowner | $0–$2,000/day | Most affordable for rural locations |
| Federal land (BLM, Forest Service) | Special Use Permit | $50–$150 processing fee + $150–$1,500/day | Site-specific |
| Commercial operation (selling prints) | Business license | $50–$200/year | City of operation |
For a non-commercial art/documentary deployment at a single location: budget $0–$500 for permit costs. For regular commercial touring: budget $500–$2,000/deployment.
9.3 Permits summary (per deployment, non-commercial art use)¶
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location permit | $0 | $200 | $500 |
| Business license (annual, prorated) | $10 | $25 | $50 |
| Misc. (insurance certificate, site access) | $0 | $75 | $200 |
| Licenses & permits per deployment | $10 | $300 | $750 |
CDL costs are one-time and listed separately above. If CDL is obtained, add $4,345–$6,570 to the project total.
10. Ongoing Operating Costs (After Build)¶
Per print (cyanotype, after initial capital spent)¶
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Muslin substrate | ~$43 |
| Sensitizer chemistry | ~$21 |
| Water (32 gal Blue circuit) | ~$0.35 (if resupplied by tanker at ~$0.01/gal) |
| Containment poly & consumables | ~$2 |
| Filter cartridge amortized (4.5×20; replace every ~40–60 prints) | ~$5 |
| Per-print running cost | ~$71 |
Per deployment¶
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transport (short haul, commercial hire) | $300–$800 |
| Water resupply (~420 gal / 1,800L Blue ≈ 14 prints) | $25–$50 |
| Location permit | $0–$500 |
| Per-deployment overhead | ~$325–$1,350 |
11. Complete Budget Scenarios¶
Scenario A — Minimum viable build, local use, commercial hire transport¶
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Container (WWT) + delivery | $1,800 |
| Interior conversion (minimal) | $950 |
| Pinhole plate | $110 |
| Film plane mechanism (manual Option A, incl. wall-seat saddles + cross-slides) | $3,454 |
| Water system (incl. processing tray, spray bar, IBC stacking frame) | $4,612 |
| Power & electrical system (solar · 1× LiFePO4 · distribution · lighting · protection · master pump switch) | $2,144 |
| Ventilation & cooling system (2 fans · evap cooler + inverter · light-safe baffle-duct fab · shade canopy) | $824 |
| Revolving drum light trap (plastic-skin custom fabrication) | $1,385 |
| Perimeter walkway (4 sections, removable, GRP grating) | $2,000 |
| Panel swing pivot + fixed door frame (Ø89 pivot + bearings + cage + wall stays + saddles + door frame) | $855 |
| Hinged panel structure (stepped frame + PP skins + Al core + EPDM + latches + B2 bay + handle) | $1,124 |
| Chemistry prep shelf (fold-down board + tap trunk extension) | $203 |
| Cyanotype chemistry + substrate (50 prints) | $1,210 |
| Transport per deployment (local) | $400 |
| Permits (minimal) | $50 |
| Scenario A total | ~$21,121 |
Scenario B — Recommended build, regional deployment¶
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Container (CW) + delivery | $3,150 |
| Interior conversion (full) | $1,138 |
| Pinhole plate | $185 |
| Film plane mechanism (manual Option A + wall-seat saddles + cross-slides) | $3,684 |
| Water system (incl. processing tray, spray bar, IBC stacking frame) | $5,804 |
| Power & electrical system (solar · 1× LiFePO4 · distribution · lighting · protection · master pump switch) | $2,384 |
| Ventilation & cooling system (2 fans · evap cooler + inverter · light-safe baffle-duct fab · shade canopy) | $884 |
| Revolving drum light trap (plastic-skin custom fabrication) | $1,728 |
| Perimeter walkway (4 sections, removable, GRP grating) | $2,488 |
| Panel swing pivot + fixed door frame (Ø89 pivot + bearings + cage + wall stays + saddles + door frame) | $1,143 |
| Hinged panel structure (stepped frame + PP skins + Al core + EPDM + latches + B2 bay + handle) | $1,408 |
| Chemistry prep shelf (fold-down board + tap trunk extension) | $203 |
| Cyanotype chemistry + substrate (50 prints) | $1,650 |
| Rodenstock Apo-Ronar 1,200mm lens | $800 |
| Transport per deployment (50–100 miles) | $900 |
| Permits (typical public land) | $300 |
| Scenario B total (excl. CDL) | ~$27,849 |
Scenario C — Full production, own transport, CDL¶
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Scenario B build (less the $900 commercial transport, replaced here by owned transport) | $26,949 |
| CDL Class A training + medical + DMV | $4,500 |
| QuickLoadz self-loading trailer | $35,000 |
| Ford F-350+ pickup (if needed) | $50,000–$80,000 (new) |
| Scenario C total | ~$116,449–$146,449 |
Own transport only makes sense if the camera will be deployed frequently. For fewer than 60 moves, commercial hire is cheaper.
12. Research Gaps & Cost Verification Required¶
The following costs are not covered by existing research documents and should be verified before committing:
| Item | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-seat saddle plate steel (ICP-11) | Estimated ~$3–5/kg | Confirm at Metal Supermarkets SoCal (walk-in) or Online Metals for 8mm mild-steel plate; ~28 kg needed (8 saddles, laser/plasma cut) |
| Saddle clamps for 50mm RHS (ICP-12) | Estimated ~$10 ea. | Confirm at McMaster-Carr (steel tube clamps category) — verify fit for 50×50mm square section |
| M8 thumbscrews DIN 464 SS (ICP-13) | Estimated ~$2–5 ea. | Amazon multi-packs typical; Maedler NA PN 65499225 confirmed at ~$15–17 ea. (May 2026) |
| Ball-lock pins Ø10mm SS (ICP-14) | Estimated ~$6–10 ea. | Confirm at McMaster-Carr ball lock pins category; verify 50mm usable length fits joint |
| Lenox Laser pinhole fabrication price | Estimated | Request quote at lenoxlaser.com — specify 2.17mm ±0.025mm in SS-302 shim, 75mm × 75mm |
| Grimco ACM panel pricing | Listed at ~$85† | Confirm current price; Grimco City of Industry: 626-912-9600 |
| Rockland Liquid Light bulk pricing | Unconfirmed | Contact rockaloid.com before committing to that process |
| Silver nitrate bulk pricing | Volatile | Get quote within 2 weeks of ordering — AgNO₃ price can shift 20–30%/month |
| Location permit fees | Estimated | Check specific jurisdiction's film permit office before site selection |
| Commercial photography insurance | Not researched | General liability + inland marine for equipment; estimate $800–$2,000/year |
| Site preparation (levelling, power, fencing) | Not researched | Highly site-specific; budget $0–$5,000 depending on location |