sam_s6

<blockquote>"I see film as a nonissue, pretty much," owner Richard Rowe said. "The prices continue to escalate. At a certain point in time, even the purists are going to say this is way too much of an investment."</blockquote>

<p>I'm already there - Ok, maybe a couple rolls here and there. But at $18 per 36 exp. roll for film and processing, Yikes! it ads up! $0.50 a shot with film (that's with a free camera) whereas a Mark III (300,000 clicks per body @ $8,000) is $0.03 a shot. And the Mark III has better IQ!</p>

<p>I disagree that it was poor management that killed film. Film is dieing because a better technology came. That's been the story in photography since its inception.<br>

Even in the early days of digital when film was still superior in regards to IQ, many photographers went to digital so that they wouldn't have to use film anymore. Digital's work flow is so much faster and easier than film. (No need to send film out to a lab and wait for results; instant feedback; much lower cost - no matter how you slice it; etc...) . And with today's digital sensors, you have to shoot at least 4x5 to get better IQ. Also, lab techs are getting worse and worse. This past year I had to deal with more lab screw ups than what I had to deal with in the last 10 years.<br>

Digital is so much easier to travel with, especially if you're flying. Not all security people are nice about hand searching film and just the hassle of having to keep track of how many times my film has gone through the carry-on x-ray scanners makes it not worth traveling with.<br>

With a $30 memory card I can hold the equivalent of 100 rolls of film on something that fits into my shirt pocket. An $8,000 digital back can shoot 300,000 shots (under 3 cents a shot as apposed to 55 cents for a 35mm shot - that's assuming a FREE 35mm camera which is completely reasonable these days).<br>

I tell you, I'm really happy not to have to deal with film anymore. As far as I'm concerned, film is dead and good riddance.</p>

<p>Your typical amature camera body has 150,000 'clicks' - all for whatever the amount they sell. A roll of 36 exp film costs $7 and prcessing $8 for a total of $15 per roll. Do the math. Digital is soooo much cheaper than film - without the hassles - bent negatives, old chems, scratches, etc.... and all with superior results.<br>

film is dead Fred and with good reason.</p>

<p>Sorry, but I like new technolgy. As someone here once asked , How many of you are still shooting wet glass plates?</p>

<p>If I may, as someone who has to deal with folks who have been victims of people who take the money and run, I'd like to add this - it is nothing personal.<br>

I can create a LLC or corporation with a phone call in less than a day for a couple of hundred dollars. That still won't prevent me from taking the money and running.<br>

A contract doesn't guaranty anything. It's just a written agreement to use in court for grounds to sue - that's assuming you can actually find and serve the guy. And even then, it is no guarantee. Ask a member of your state's BAR for more information.<br>

Insurance? What kind? General Liability means nothing if you don't deliver. That is for hurting someone on the job or if someone gets hurt in your studio. Do you have Errors and Omissions insurance and the proof? That's what I would want to see. And even then, the insurance company may refuse to pay anything.<br>

References. Those can be faked too - up to a point. And a bad reputation will not be known by an out of towner. And even then, many folks are so afraid of being sued, they won't give an honest reference; therefore, I take references with a grain of salt. I've been burned by them before myself.<br>

Even then, when times get tough, some folks trade in their good name and start ripping folks off. Meaning, after years of doing business legitimately, times get rough for whatever reason, and to make a quick buck, these people start ripping off their customers. This usually happens with alcoholics, drug or gambling addicts.<br>

One of the biggest scams in home improvement and other businesses is that contractor demands 50% up front for materials. Then they disappear without doing a thing.<br>

Having benchmarks for payment is something that is done quite frequently in business. Software projects are done like this all the time. The same for building contracts.<br>

It is, of course, up to you - it is your business. I just wanted to give the other side to show that they may not be wanting to rip anyone off either.</p>

<p>My local retailer is selling less and less film. They sell Ilford paper because of the local University has photography classes.<br /> It is sad but that is technology for you. Film is dead for me too. My little $99 POS camera that I got on sale has racked up over a thousand dollars (by film cost) worth of shots. Film is indeed dead, Fred.<br>

<br /> P.S. I can't believe Photo.net is keeping this thread alive so long....they must be desperate for ad revenue.</p>