Sonnar Brian
Established
I've used developer that was 25 years past it's expiration date, paper that was 30 years past it's date, and Kodachrome that was 20 years out of date.
Doomsday Planning --> "End of the Film World" Scenario
- Thread starter Mr_Toad
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adeir
Member
Why go out with a whimper, when you can do down in a blaze of glory!? 😀
I suggest getting together a solid crew, putting all of our developer into a pool, stringing up a massive piece of FB paper in an abandoned airplane hanger, punching a hole in the hanger door with a gun of choice, then begin exposing film's demise (and our's) through the pinhole as the zombies attack!
It's been done before, sans zombies -
http://www.petapixel.com/2011/05/20/worlds-largest-camera-big-enough-to-hold-an-airplane/
The only problem will be developing, etc. in all that chaos, but I can only assume that us dedicated film buffs will replace the well known zombie call to action, "brains!" with, "fixer!". Plus, the falling of bodies - both dead and undead - on the paper will provide adequate agitation, though probably with unrepeatable results.
Who's with me?
I suggest getting together a solid crew, putting all of our developer into a pool, stringing up a massive piece of FB paper in an abandoned airplane hanger, punching a hole in the hanger door with a gun of choice, then begin exposing film's demise (and our's) through the pinhole as the zombies attack!
It's been done before, sans zombies -
http://www.petapixel.com/2011/05/20/worlds-largest-camera-big-enough-to-hold-an-airplane/
The only problem will be developing, etc. in all that chaos, but I can only assume that us dedicated film buffs will replace the well known zombie call to action, "brains!" with, "fixer!". Plus, the falling of bodies - both dead and undead - on the paper will provide adequate agitation, though probably with unrepeatable results.
Who's with me?
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
You'll need a crank-driven power generator to get that right light going, not to mention the enlarger.
Since tungsten light bulbs are being phased out (OMG! somebody open another doom thread!), you'll need to stock up on light bulbs for the enlarger.
Stock up on water. Distilled water would be better, because the current political climate calling for the dismantling of the EPA means that outlaw water will mean very streaky negatives.
Since the dSLR zombies will want to get some of your power, you're gonna want to board yourself up. Given that, you should probably get a nice supply of chocolate bars. And the way political instability is around in Africa, the cocoa supplies will be low, so the death of chocolate is near.
Now, copper futures are going up, so you'll need to get a nice supply of copper wire, for those times you need to fix those cables.
Silver is going up, also, so if you have any old Tri-X stock, it may be a very profitable collectible. Stock that and don't use until the very end.
We also know that oil supplies will be gone in about 50 years. The film base and the wire insulation doesn't come from thin air. You need a few barrels reserved.
For all of this you're going to need a big big house, and for that you'll need a bank loan. Oh, wait: banks are going belly-up.
This is very depressing. I'll shoot digital.
Oh, right: rare earths are cornered by China, oil supplies done soon, and tablets are spelling the "irreverence" of desktop computers.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhhhhhhh!
Since tungsten light bulbs are being phased out (OMG! somebody open another doom thread!), you'll need to stock up on light bulbs for the enlarger.
Stock up on water. Distilled water would be better, because the current political climate calling for the dismantling of the EPA means that outlaw water will mean very streaky negatives.
Since the dSLR zombies will want to get some of your power, you're gonna want to board yourself up. Given that, you should probably get a nice supply of chocolate bars. And the way political instability is around in Africa, the cocoa supplies will be low, so the death of chocolate is near.
Now, copper futures are going up, so you'll need to get a nice supply of copper wire, for those times you need to fix those cables.
Silver is going up, also, so if you have any old Tri-X stock, it may be a very profitable collectible. Stock that and don't use until the very end.
We also know that oil supplies will be gone in about 50 years. The film base and the wire insulation doesn't come from thin air. You need a few barrels reserved.
For all of this you're going to need a big big house, and for that you'll need a bank loan. Oh, wait: banks are going belly-up.
This is very depressing. I'll shoot digital.
Oh, right: rare earths are cornered by China, oil supplies done soon, and tablets are spelling the "irreverence" of desktop computers.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhhhhhhh!
willie_901
Veteran
1. Get a freezer instead.
2. Place film/paper in decent quality sealable plastic bags.
3. Because of cosmic ray fogging, every so often run a standardized test that will help you modify your development/printing procedures to compensate for the inevitable, but slight, loss of contrast. Keep detailed records of the changes. By the way, nothing stops cosmic rays so forget about shielding the film/paper.
2. Place film/paper in decent quality sealable plastic bags.
3. Because of cosmic ray fogging, every so often run a standardized test that will help you modify your development/printing procedures to compensate for the inevitable, but slight, loss of contrast. Keep detailed records of the changes. By the way, nothing stops cosmic rays so forget about shielding the film/paper.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Buy film in bulk, not in individual rolls. It stores a lot more compactly that way, and it's less expensive.
Two 100' cannisters go in a 1 quart Ziplock with a packet of silica gel. I have about 1100 feet of Legacy Pro (ACROS) and 2TMY stored in the freezer this way.
I shoot the older film first, and replenish the stocks as needed.
I also have more than enough XTOL powder to process all of it; even if I didn't, the necessary chemicals to mix a reasonable substitute are readily available and not expensive (I prefer pre-mixed powder for convenience and consistency). Same goes for the other needed chemistry.
On film you lose speed as it ages. I'm more concerned about the continued availability of good papers at something like a reasonable price.
For the zombies an SKS is okay, but I've always preferred a flame thrower. Works on squirrels, too.
Two 100' cannisters go in a 1 quart Ziplock with a packet of silica gel. I have about 1100 feet of Legacy Pro (ACROS) and 2TMY stored in the freezer this way.
I shoot the older film first, and replenish the stocks as needed.
I also have more than enough XTOL powder to process all of it; even if I didn't, the necessary chemicals to mix a reasonable substitute are readily available and not expensive (I prefer pre-mixed powder for convenience and consistency). Same goes for the other needed chemistry.
On film you lose speed as it ages. I'm more concerned about the continued availability of good papers at something like a reasonable price.
For the zombies an SKS is okay, but I've always preferred a flame thrower. Works on squirrels, too.
iandiam
Member
I still laugh at this stuff, I realize that this is largely tongue-in-cheek
Beer. OH, SURE, you could make your own, but...well...
I'm new here, so I'm still going into the archives, so I'm sure that lots of this has been said before...Do lots of people REALLY think that film will ever entirely die? I know some who do, but, while they are stockpiling their flamethrowers (need processed fuel of some kind, maybe homebrew methanol?) and canned beans...
Well, said, but I think there is something more herein: Even though the big guys will start thinning their stocks and retail offerings, there will still be people practicing this "doomed" (read quotes as mild sarcasm) art form.
Maybe there are some people out there who believe they'll one day find one of eight or ten 1943 copper Wheat Pennies, maybe someone will find the last of 400 Inverted Jenny stamps. Nonetheless, there are loads of products produced for numismatics and philately, largely for the hobbyist. We'll become a cottage industry. People still operate and make parts and supplies for manual printing presses (it is a VERY small niche).
Lithography will still be around. Screen printing, digital prints, glass etching, many use chemical photographic process to some extent. I've never seen a non-emulsion based screening setup? For art sake, anything has a market. This is our contribution to Rule 34 (for the hipsters reading).
Anyone want to go in on some process machinery when the mfg plants go down "for good?" I have $58.32 towards a 35mm stripping and perf-ing machine!
That's what Impossible did - bought up the machinery. I share your lack of impressed-ness with impossible's effort. Maybe it's timing for them...for me, it smacks of the amusement park booths here int he US where you can dress in period costume with dummy muskets and your wife in shackles for a portrait session at (guessing) $40? But still, I buy Fuji FP once in a while for my polaroids, for kicks, for a party, just to get a little attention...
And what do you use to record images in strong radio fields that can interfere with the FCC part 15 rules regarding harmful interference? Those without the $$ for non-consumer imaging equipment will go back to the plastic fantastic (the kids are calling them 'LOMO' now)
Beer. OH, SURE, you could make your own, but...well...
I'm new here, so I'm still going into the archives, so I'm sure that lots of this has been said before...Do lots of people REALLY think that film will ever entirely die? I know some who do, but, while they are stockpiling their flamethrowers (need processed fuel of some kind, maybe homebrew methanol?) and canned beans...
Well, said, but I think there is something more herein: Even though the big guys will start thinning their stocks and retail offerings, there will still be people practicing this "doomed" (read quotes as mild sarcasm) art form.
Maybe there are some people out there who believe they'll one day find one of eight or ten 1943 copper Wheat Pennies, maybe someone will find the last of 400 Inverted Jenny stamps. Nonetheless, there are loads of products produced for numismatics and philately, largely for the hobbyist. We'll become a cottage industry. People still operate and make parts and supplies for manual printing presses (it is a VERY small niche).
Lithography will still be around. Screen printing, digital prints, glass etching, many use chemical photographic process to some extent. I've never seen a non-emulsion based screening setup? For art sake, anything has a market. This is our contribution to Rule 34 (for the hipsters reading).
Anyone want to go in on some process machinery when the mfg plants go down "for good?" I have $58.32 towards a 35mm stripping and perf-ing machine!
That's what Impossible did - bought up the machinery. I share your lack of impressed-ness with impossible's effort. Maybe it's timing for them...for me, it smacks of the amusement park booths here int he US where you can dress in period costume with dummy muskets and your wife in shackles for a portrait session at (guessing) $40? But still, I buy Fuji FP once in a while for my polaroids, for kicks, for a party, just to get a little attention...
And what do you use to record images in strong radio fields that can interfere with the FCC part 15 rules regarding harmful interference? Those without the $$ for non-consumer imaging equipment will go back to the plastic fantastic (the kids are calling them 'LOMO' now)
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sanmich
Veteran
Compared to what I see here, I understand my plan is kind of crazy, and maybe a result of my deep paranoia, but when film is gone, I thought of using digital.
Till then....
Till then....
Fotohuis
Well-known
What a pity. I am just busy with organizing a new medium speed B&W film with Russian Tasma production in Kazan. I do not hope the Silver will be also finished in Siberia overthere.
Hopefully the prices will come down a bit more quickly for the coming months.
Greetz,
Robert
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Wait, time-out!
Are you dropping hints that we'll see a new B&W film player?
I know of Svema, never heard of Tasma before.
Fotohuis
Well-known
Svema went in bankruptcy already some year ago. BTW this was an Ukranian company, not Russian. The last years they put Fomapan (Czech) films in their packages. 😎
Fotohuis will try to get a good emulsion type, iso 125-200 in 35mm, 120 roll film (Efke Croatia assy) and maybe some sheet film.
Something like this:
http://www.tasma.ru/upload/pdf/aerophotoplenka_TIP_108K.pdf
Areal film like Rollei Superpan 200 from Agfa Gevaert, Belgium. But then with Siberian Silver in it 😀
Fotohuis will try to get a good emulsion type, iso 125-200 in 35mm, 120 roll film (Efke Croatia assy) and maybe some sheet film.
Something like this:
http://www.tasma.ru/upload/pdf/aerophotoplenka_TIP_108K.pdf
Areal film like Rollei Superpan 200 from Agfa Gevaert, Belgium. But then with Siberian Silver in it 😀
dct
perpetual amateur
...I'm having flashbacks to a funny youtube video 😕
It was about guys playing infantery combats with photography equipment like big zoom SLR on continous fire (machine gun) or throwing flashguns (hand grenade).
It was great fun and appriopriate to this serious thread 🙄
Who still knows that link?
Mr_Toad
Fluffy Marsupial
...
PKR sez: "If you dig a hole (I don't know the exact depth) in the earth - down below 3 or 4 feet, the Temp. becomes cool and stable. It's not likely to freeze in the winter or get very warm in the summer.. The hole must be covered with earth or a suitable material."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Would it be suitable material to use all the Zombies I will whack with my RB67 on a stick?
PKR sez: "If you dig a hole (I don't know the exact depth) in the earth - down below 3 or 4 feet, the Temp. becomes cool and stable. It's not likely to freeze in the winter or get very warm in the summer.. The hole must be covered with earth or a suitable material."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Would it be suitable material to use all the Zombies I will whack with my RB67 on a stick?
rogerzilla
Well-known
Get Leica to make a digital conversion kit for the M3.
thegman
Veteran
I don't think film is going away any time soon, especially B&W. In the event that Kodak stopped making B&W film, and Fujifilm too, then Ilford sales would surely skyrocket. They seem to be at least making ends meet now, so if Kodak and Fujifilm went away, only good things happen for Ilford.
Film I think has a good life expectancy, longer than most of us. If it does go away entirely, then you move to digital, accept that things change (not always for the better), but they do change and sometimes we need to accept that.
When I find myself worrying about the demise of film I always remember, that as much as I like film photography, it simply does not matter in the grand scheme of things.
Film I think has a good life expectancy, longer than most of us. If it does go away entirely, then you move to digital, accept that things change (not always for the better), but they do change and sometimes we need to accept that.
When I find myself worrying about the demise of film I always remember, that as much as I like film photography, it simply does not matter in the grand scheme of things.
Mr_Toad
Fluffy Marsupial
.
thegman sez: "When I find myself worrying about the demise of film I always remember, that as much as I like film photography, it simply does not matter in the grand scheme of things."
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BLASPHEMER!!!!
thegman sez: "When I find myself worrying about the demise of film I always remember, that as much as I like film photography, it simply does not matter in the grand scheme of things."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BLASPHEMER!!!!
Steve M.
Veteran
It's tough. You may want to dig a big hole in your backyard if that happens, and bury all your film gear. Then spend $150 on LOTS of paper and pencils/charcoals/pastels, and take a course or two in drawing.
You can make 100% rag paper at home from linen, and burn sticks for charcoal. Get a few candles and matches for light and you're set for the end of a lot of things.
You can make 100% rag paper at home from linen, and burn sticks for charcoal. Get a few candles and matches for light and you're set for the end of a lot of things.
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Chinasaur
Well-known
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
An important accessory for stockpiling film is a mountain cave. That's right. Cosmic radiation is the enemy of film. You thought heat was the main enemy? Don't forget cosmic radiation. It comes from outer space, and penetrates a refrigerator like it wasn't even there. Lining the fridge with lead won't help much. Unless you have an awful lot of lead.
No. You need about 30 feet of solid rock over top of that fridge. Just like scientists who need to perform experiments that can only be done in the absence of cosmic rays, you must invest in a cave that is underneath a mountain. In order to make sure there are enough rocks to provide adequate cosmic ration attenuation, I recommend you buy a mountain in the Rocky mountains. Colorado. I wouldn't mess around with one cave. I would go ahead and buy the mountain.
This may be an expensive proposition. How about a joint venture? I'll go in with you! Maybe we can get Tom A. (well he probably already has enough Tri-X), Joe, and a few others in with us. We will need an electric wind farm to run the refrigerators. Oh and I will need a home nearby for my wife and I. I'm thinking of the area around Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Ridgway.
What do you think?
No. You need about 30 feet of solid rock over top of that fridge. Just like scientists who need to perform experiments that can only be done in the absence of cosmic rays, you must invest in a cave that is underneath a mountain. In order to make sure there are enough rocks to provide adequate cosmic ration attenuation, I recommend you buy a mountain in the Rocky mountains. Colorado. I wouldn't mess around with one cave. I would go ahead and buy the mountain.
This may be an expensive proposition. How about a joint venture? I'll go in with you! Maybe we can get Tom A. (well he probably already has enough Tri-X), Joe, and a few others in with us. We will need an electric wind farm to run the refrigerators. Oh and I will need a home nearby for my wife and I. I'm thinking of the area around Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Ridgway.
What do you think?
segedi
RFicianado
It's Battle at F-stop Ridge, from the Camera Store, it's where I shop here in Calgary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awq90APEVgw
Thomas-Paris
Member
Glass plates!
Glass plates!
If they stop making film ... I will practice my evil laugh, to use on lost 35mm photographers! Your precious Leica is of no use now, but my glass plates don't look so crazy now, do they?!?!?!
Actually, I'd be quite sad if my 35mm gear was rendered useless, and I had to content myself with my not very good homemade emulsions (although I suppose I'd get better). But I would head bravely into the future, making my own tools as needed, not hovering over a precious, decaying, dwindling stock of wonderful, wonderful panchromatic film 🙂
Glass plates!
If they stop making film ... I will practice my evil laugh, to use on lost 35mm photographers! Your precious Leica is of no use now, but my glass plates don't look so crazy now, do they?!?!?!
Actually, I'd be quite sad if my 35mm gear was rendered useless, and I had to content myself with my not very good homemade emulsions (although I suppose I'd get better). But I would head bravely into the future, making my own tools as needed, not hovering over a precious, decaying, dwindling stock of wonderful, wonderful panchromatic film 🙂
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