Enough Wallowing about Film

Photographers are weird. We mourn the loss of an ISO 100 film, then complain about noise in a ISO 6400 digi file.
 
I'm not in mourning but I don't agree with the OP. Plus X was one of my favorite B&W films. I am not as upset about it being gone as some are, since it's been a long time since I have even used it, however what is next? Tri-X, Tmax?

I think it's more about the future of film in general...

I am upset with the end of Kodachrome.
 
dave lackey said:
Folks, just buy film and shoot it! Mainstream? I have never been mainstream in my life and the day I do will be the day I am dead but I suspect it won't be digital based, just simple analogue.;)
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Mainstream in regards to resurgence not in regards to usage. My point was that while film is alive and doing ok, there is no resurgence (that would be film in every deli, drug store, department store, not just photo stores / new film cameras every month in best buy, etc). There doesn't need to be a resurgence at all. It's just that many here seem to think that there is a resurgence and base it on a few people they know. Now, if you work at a corporate job with mainstream individuals, you know that film is not making a come back... most think it is already dead and not available (unless their kid is taking a photo class).
 
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I can't make up my mind if I should wallow about the demise of film, the Euro debt crisis, the unemployment numbers, the economic stagnation, the raise in cost of living, the shrinking middle class, the rich and poor gap, the warming of climate, the water shortage in some places in the world and the frequency of natural disasters etc. ... But as a typical photographer who is out of touch with reality I'd rather wallow about film because it makes me feel sentimental and nostalgic rather than the anxiety of facing real issues that actually threaten my existence among with others.

Sentimentally > anxiety.

Oh Woe! Film, I shall miss you...
 
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Now that certain individuals have entered this thread, I can see it going where all the film-digital threads go.....

But nice post Wil! For me, BW film and Portra does what I want it to, so I'll just use it till I can't.

And digital is so trendy.
 
There may be a better way to view the current low monetary value of film cameras. I can remember a time when the local used car lot had a Ford Model A on sale for $130.00. A few years later Dad's '55 Chevy was just another embarrassingly old car. Today I cannot afford either of them.

Keith
 
Keith Fleming said:
There may be a better way to view the current low monetary value of film cameras. I can remember a time when the local used car lot had a Ford Model A on sale for $130.00. A few years later Dad's '55 Chevy was just another embarrassingly old car. Today I cannot afford either of them.

Keith
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They all run on gas (or some variation still available). Once gas is gone or no longer THE fuel to power cars, then... who knows?
 
I develop and scan/print my film, and I don't understand if doing/not doing so have anything to do with me mourning Fuji discontinuing Neopan 1600.
 
shadowfox said:
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Enough of this mourning about your favorite film being discontinued.
Enough of this complaining about the cost of developing/scanning/etc.
Enough of this worrying about whether we'll have film or not and extrapolating statistics from ebay used camera sales while pontificating about collecting vs using.

Today is a good day for us who love to shoot with film to show that we actually care about film's future. We still have plenty of choices and plenty of film. It is up to us to keep film available, and enjoy it while doing so. I don't know about you, but I have the full intention to let my daughter shoot film when she grew up if she chose to.

If your favorite film disappeared from the market, it's time to try out other emulsions and coming up with a new method to achieve the images you like. Miss Plus-X? Try FP4+, or Adox CHS 100, or the new APX 100. Be creative!

If developing in the labs are expensive with unsatisfactory results, develop yourself at home. It's safe, cheap, and fun. Be daring!

If scanning is expensive when outsourced, get a scanner. Plustek has several new models available, don't sweat the quality differences, get to know your tools and make the best of it. That's how masterpieces came to be. Be resourceful!

If film is expensive in your area, band together like-minded souls in your town/city and order bulk, from USA, from Germany, from Japan, whatever it takes. Be enterprising!

Let's roll!

* forgot to put up a soapbox first. oh well...
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Thank you, yes, I couldn't agree more. I have so often felt like asking the initiators of so many of the on line discussions of the type you mention, how much film they have used, today; this week; this month; etc. Without thinking of anyone in particular, I do think some people should put up or shut up because it certainly seems to me as though complaining about the demise of brand X/type Y is more important than actually loading it in a camera and exposing it. I generally tend to bite my tongue in deference to the many older, smarter or wiser members of RFF whose opinions I value, however you've expressed sentiments I share far more eloquently than I could.

Phantomas said:
The only thing I worry about is that I have enough time to dump my analogue cameras before they loose all their value. I couldn't give two ****s about film. It's the pictures that matter to me, good pictures, regardless of the medium used. Film dead? Good riddance! Photography's still alive and that's what matters.
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Without wanting to appear argumentative (I am actually much more shy than many more forthright members of this wonderful community) I have to confess, I wonder why you made this post. Clearly, the starter of the discussion cares about capturing images on film. Clearly, all who responded prior to you, care about film. And nearly all who have responded subsequent. Obviously, you don't. I have no problem with your point of view—but I do wonder why you might think anyone else in this conversation would care, that you don't care—and what you've contributed to the discussion, and why you posted? No one is trying to force you to use film, but equally, those of us who prefer it, aren't hurting anyone, either...Live and let live, right?
Regards,
Brett
 
Video killed the radio star... oh wait that did not happen.

Cd's are going to be the end of Vinyl.... nope wrong again .

Automobiles will see the end of horse and carriage ... yup ! that one was true.

Win a few loose a few right? The same people who predicted the last real estate bubble predicted the 10 before it that did not happen.

I'm sticking with the half full glass on film. :D
 
Phantomas said:
The only thing I worry about is that I have enough time to dump my analogue cameras before they loose all their value. I couldn't give two ****s about film. It's the pictures that matter to me, good pictures, regardless of the medium used. Film dead? Good riddance! Photography's still alive and that's what matters.
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Dump 'em now and save yourself the worry :D
 
I'm more concerned about running out of time, than running out of film. Mainly, because it's certain to happen with time. I don't think it will with film, on the other hand. :)
 
I'm worried that the film manufacturers will eventually stop offering 100ft rolls of their common emulsions. I've always rolled my own cigarettes and the day that option disappears I'll stop smoking because I've seen the price of tailor mades! :eek:

I really enjoy loading my own casettes ... it's a simple pleasure and probably won't damage my lungs!

I've just read my post and it doesn't actually make a lot of sense ... but I'm sure you know what I mean. :D
 
Keith said:
I'm worried that the film manufacturers will eventually stop offering 100ft rolls of their common emulsions. I've always rolled my own cigarettes and the day that option disappears I'll stop smoking because I've seen the price of tailor mades! :eek:

I really enjoy loading my own casettes ... it's a simple pleasure and probably won't damage my lungs!

I've just read my post and it doesn't actually make a lot of sense ... but I'm sure you know what I mean. :D
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I totally agree with you ! :D
 
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