The ongoing mystery: how long will 35mm film be available?

[lachou]

<p>I presume all of those who wrote a comment or two in this thread have already bought digital replacements to their beloved film camera. Therefore, they are not afraid of anything. It sounds more like: "I will stick to that girl till she is fed up with me and quits, and in the meantime I will be laying ground for "replacement" relationship. Stupid Asses. Film manufacturers are already fed up with you. It is a question of months now when you come home and read a parting note.</p>

[wblynch]

<p>Well Oleg, you are wrong on my account. I made comments yet still use film.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, I am not afraid of anything so in that regard you are correct.</p>

<p>In the meantime, there is more to worry about in this life than the availability of photographic film.</p>

<p>At least Hamburgers and Pizza still exist.</p>

 

[lachou]

<p>I may have spoke too harsh, sorry. That's because I only recently realized that nobody is actually want film to stay now. Or, more precisely put, manufacturers can not be that flexible and run production lines for several thousands people around the globe who want to live in both camps.<br>

Well, from one hand there is a fast approaching possibility to Buy an F5 or RTS-III for $100 or even less, but what's it for if no one can tell how much a box of ANY film will cost then and what's the point to shoot ANY film with Zeiss lenses I can't figure out.</p>

[david_henderson]

<blockquote> What are current, informed opinions or facts</blockquote>

<p>And there lies your problem. There aren't any. Just speculation. If you think that manufacturers know the answer to this question and simply don't tell people you are likely much mistaken. Neither will they have a series of immutable trigger points that when activated will cause the decision to be made. Its much more subjective and random than that . You have a choice that no-one can help you with. Either keep using slide film till you can't get it (or processing) affordably and conveniently any more. Or hedge your bets and prepare for a digital future. Some people choose one and some the other. </p>

[steve m smith]

<blockquote>

<p>I presume all of those who wrote a comment or two in this thread have already bought digital replacements to their beloved film camera.</p>

</blockquote>

<p><br /><br />Then your presumption would be incorrect.</p>

[lachou]

<p>Actually, we do not chose anything. Even Fuji can't chose now, whether to produce film or to stop producing it. They are subject to market situation and are flowing with the current, apparently, this is what Mr. <a href="../photodb/user?user_id=17200">David Henderson</a>'s comment implies. I see only one workaround, though I wouldn't stake anything on it. If the prices for used film equipment dropped dramatically today, this might (theoretically) result in an artificially stimulated increase in the film consumption for a year or two. There are people who run the greatest risk nowadays. I mean professional film camera dealers and Ebay power sellers. You know what I mean. If the worst scenario happens, they will lose everything which is not a collectible item.</p>

[philosli]

<p>"Prediction is hard, in particular about the future." So I'll just avoid arguing and follow Larry's advice going out and shooting with my films and enjoy them. <br /> By the way, I don't have digital cameras. I sold mine a few months ago. I go back to all films now. What a liberation :-)</p>

[steve m smith]

<p>The ongoing mystery: How long before we give up discussing this?</p>

[francisco_salaquanda]

<p>At the moment we are seeing the market for film stabilizing, if not firming again. This is because film lives in a niche now. Fuji reports their sales globally have showed a slight improvement this year and its profitable. The real issue is the availability of development.<br>

I have a foot in both film and digital. If I could get a decent scanner at a good price or find someone who will develop and scan for a decent fee I'll persevere. </p>

[Dave Luttmann]

<blockquote>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=7361773">Oleg Andriyenko</a>, Dec 09, 2012; 04:42 a.m.</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I presume all of those who wrote a comment or two in this thread have already bought digital replacements to their beloved film camera. Therefore, they are not afraid of anything. It sounds more like: "I will stick to that girl till she is fed up with me and quits, and in the meantime I will be laying ground for "replacement" relationship. Stupid Asses. Film manufacturers are already fed up with you. It is a question of months now when you come home and read a parting note.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Wow, that's got to be one of the most rude and condescending posts I've seen in a while. Months? Really? I'll only have Ilford B&W film for a few months before they close? Care to put money on that?</p>

 

[larrydressler]

<p>Lex paging Lex.</p>

[benny_spinoza]

<p>It doesn't matter. The world as we know it will end 21 December 2012.</p>

[lachou]

<p>I apologize for rudeness. I am as guilty as anyone else. I am one of those "undeserving poor" living in a third-world country, who were hit by the film prices coming up to the point to almost stop photographing at all after 20 years of it. I never tried to keep a foot in both camps. I think it will be months.<br>

I also have a question.<br>

Who ever cared about the B&W? What can (or ever could) B&W change in the big game? When Fuji folds, Ilford and Fotokemika and the rest of the gang can continue to produce B&W film and paper to fill the demand of Fine Art Gallery Goers forever. But it is really not the same thing the F5 and, say, 600mm f/4 were made for. (Luckily, the 600mm is a sure value, whatever happens). You see, some people still have MANY MODERN film cameras for sale. And these are not so obsolete to be called collectibles. And all these will become deadweight the next morning Fuji phases out the last professional film. </p>

[wblynch]

<p>Well if anyone has been tracking used film equipment sales over the past 6 or 7 years they know the prices have steadily crept up.</p>

<p>Some items have gone crazy in their pricing. Of course, this is mostly lenses that can be double purposed to work on digital cameras.</p>

<p>But even darkroom equipment has gone up. And so have high quality film scanners.</p>

<p>Also to consider is there has been a major economic recession that hit at the same time as the digital flood and drove people away from film. As economies improve, they are finding their way back.</p>

<p>Throughout the world, and even rural areas in high-cost countries, film and supplies have become difficult and more expensive to source. But using the internet, people most anywhere should be able to supply all their needs and desires for better prices than we have enjoyed for years. One only needs to plan ahead and make a volume purchase to offset the shipping costs.</p>

<p>Certainly film is now in the niche market for hobbyists and fine art enthusiasts but there are dozens of millions of people that prefer the film experience in photography.</p>

 

[donbright]

<p>Of all the threads on this issue, this is the one that affirms my confidence that film will be around for a long time.</p>

[lachou]

<p>Yes, it may be AROUND, dozens of millions of people using it may also be an existential experience. I feel myself like a player in the casino among other players, who want to continue playing all night. But there is some guy in a suit, who comes and says: "The game is over for today, gentlemen".<br>

Now you see, who makes decisions. </p>

[allancobb]

<p>I know it's late in the game but for anyone who might not have seen this post in another category, there's a link to a recent <em>Washington Post</em> article on Kodak's fate, possible plans and how they can learn from the Polaroid experience.<br>

http://www.photo.net/casual-conversations-forum/00b7S9</p>

<p>Cheers, Allan</p>

[jeff_sudduth]

<blockquote>

<p>My crystal ball shows a photographer in the future shooting film.<br>

<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5466272016_cd1395e533_z.jpg" alt="" width="392" height="640" /></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Damn, Larry... all I have to say is damn. Nice shot.</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>Thanks Jeff.</p>

[brian_m.1]

<p>Don't forget that a lot of people shoot film not because they prefer film over digital but because they like their film cameras. The weak link is not film anyway. It is the local labs. For me, it is the end if I can't get film processed(very) locally.</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>I love not like my cameras and the media that is in strips in it.... :-) I love a day at times with my Mir 26 without a hood on my Arax 60,</p>

 

[d_f11]

<p>OLEG, The guy in the suit making the decisions is very real - he in known as the "Tech Giants". He wants a world completely digital and will work his crafty corporate ways to make sure film-based imaging is thwarted. Another name for the guy in the suit is "Big Oil". He makes sure electric-powered cars never happen. Very simple Business 101.</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>Film base is made from oil.</p>

[d_f11]

<p>...and I allways thought it was gelatin</p>

[larrydressler]

<p>Only the coating that holds the silver...</p>