Are you anxious about the demise of film?

[Paddy C]

I'm not anxious because it's a hobby for me one that goes in fits and starts even now.

Would be sad though.

 

[finguanzo]

I think I might be more concerned about developers..

 

[htimsdj]

If folks spent as much time buying film and shooting it as they do posting on the web, I'm sure there would be less to talk about.

 

[randomm]

I think I might be more concerned about developers..

Standardise for Caffenol, problem solved.

 

[finguanzo]

But then what will I drink..? 🙂

 

[randomm]

But then what will I drink..? 🙂

🙂

... I wouldn't drink the cheapo instant coffee I use for my developer, I would recommend: something else!

 

[jsrockit]

If folks spent as much time buying film and shooting it as they do posting on the web, I'm sure there would be less to talk about.

Because we all photograph 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 🙄

 

[Colin Corneau]

If folks spent as much time buying film and shooting it as they do posting on the web, I'm sure there would be less to talk about.

Bingo.

If Kodak could have a dime for every wanking, "whither..?" type of post here, they'd be richer than Apple.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I'm not worried. If Kodak goes into Chapter 11, the senior management team will be replaced and some divisions that don't make sense and are a drag on the company will be shed. The film and the sensor business are profit areas for Big Yellow Father so you know they will sill survive in one form or another.

 

[Chinasaur]

"What, Me worry?"

 

[Robin Harrison]

We can take heart from The Impossible Project. If Kodak does go under, some enterprising folk will buy up the film production factory, and sell sub-standard low-contrast lo-fi film in limited edition batches with creative packaging at a bargain $36 per roll.

(Sorry for the tone. I actually applaud what those guys have done. It was a brave move, and I'm glad it seems to be working for them. It's just expensive!)

 

[Tompas]

Should Kodak stop making BW400CN I'll switch to Ilford XP2, which I already (have to) use in 120 format (since there is no BW400CN in 120). Should Kodak collapse altogether or drop out of film I guess that would be good for Ilford (and Fuji and whoever else still makes film).

So, no, I'm not worried. There will be film makers for years, most likely for decades. There may, no, there will be less and less choice, but what's left will be good. And the very last film that will be made will be a black and white film. And on that day digital will finally be good, too.

 

[claacct]

I'd only worry if I had a collection of pricy film cameras that no one would buy.

 

[jan normandale]

There seems to be another wave of anxiety about the future of film and photography in general going on at RFF - what with the greatly exaggerated rumours about the death of Kodak, anxiety about life after Tri-X, possible replacements for Kodak's Leica M9 sensors, questions about anticipated price drops for used M9s after the supposedly-imminent disappearance of colour film and processing, affirmative videos about the future of film, announcements of end of production of some Fuji films and resulting anxiety about other Fuji films, and so on.

Personally I don't think all those people are really all that worried as they make it out to be. Maybe the end of film is just the topic du jour once more, after the X100 or the crazy prices on the Leica market or the Nikon mirrorless have been exhausted. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think there is a lot of armchair anxiety going on, the same you see in political discussions where the end of the world and civilization as we know it is expected around the corner every few years. The world keeps ticking along happily, people adapt, new topics inevitably come about, and the circus moves on.

So, are you guys really that afraid about the demise of film and whatever impact you fear it'll have in your life and hobby?

@rxmd... I genuinely respect you here on RFF so I'm a little surprised by this thread you've started. I'm also equally surprised at the number of people who are concerned based on this poll.

Sometimes I wish "film was dead" then I wouldn't hear this stuff any longer. Then I'd pick up some printing supplies and brushes. Maybe even start sculpting. FWIW I voted in the lowest responding group. That may tell me something, I just have to figure out what it means.

 

[rogerzilla]

I'm worried because I can't afford Leica with digital. I can afford Leica with film. I think colour film might go in 35mm; b/w is going to be around for the long run.

 

[Bob Michaels]

FWIW I voted in the lowest responding group. That may tell me something, I just have to figure out what it means.

I should have been in your group. I glanced at the poll, saw the simple "no" and looked no further.

 

[perudo]

Vinyl in 2000 was a niche market, in 2007 was a niche market, and still is niche market.

http://jasonkeath.com/vinyl-album-sales-are-up-25-in-2011/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/vinyl-sales-increase-despite-industry-slump-20110106


quite off-topic, I know, but could this happen to film (lomography already converted lots of young people to analog photography)

 

[Mcary]

Vote no for a few reasons, most of which have been touched on by other people already. Including believing that film will be around, including the most popular Kodak emulsions for a good number of years to come. While I currently enjoy shooting film switch back to digital wouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[tunalegs]

http://jasonkeath.com/vinyl-album-sales-are-up-25-in-2011/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/vinyl-sales-increase-despite-industry-slump-20110106


quite off-topic, I know, but could this happen to film (lomography already converted lots of young people to analog photography)

Maybe, if the film industry released brand new emulsions every year, and re-released old ones every now and then...

How about a remastered Super-XX, Kodak? Or a re-release of Verichome Pan?

If only...

 

[hudsong]

If people have ready money to buy something, there will be someone to make it... Look at the impossible project!

By the way, I'm 23, and most of my peers shoot film.. : ) People still love it!