For you non digital types: what would you do if film went dead?

[Rayt]

I just bought a new 8x10 camera from Japan so I believe at least b/w film will be available if not from Kodak, then Ilford, Adox, Foma, and even
Shanghai. Worse come to worse I am sure a Phase One back would not be a disappointment. For tiny format any off the shelf digicam will do.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

So the Impossible Project will expand to non-instant film.

It's 19th century technology. Just not that hard to do. If someone wants to buy it, someone will make it.

 

[tic]

BW film of some sort will be arround for a long time, but maybe you will have to buy it in an art supply store along with the canvas and oil paint. I will be sad when E6 and C41 goes, but I do believe b&w will be available, even if it might be more expensive and harder to find. I'll use digital for color and filmfor b&w and be happy.

 

[semilog]

Go for a long bike ride, and take a long nap. Maybe print some of my thousands of unprinted negatives.

It's years off, in any case. If film ceased to be purchasable tomorrow, I could probably stretch my existing stocks for three years or more, if I were judicious. And chemistry simply is not an issue.

 

[ChrisN]

Actually that raises my real fear - the availability of paper for wet printing. It does not keep well in storage the way film keeps.

 

[rxmd]

Actually that raises my real fear - the availability of paper for wet printing. It does not keep well in storage the way film keeps.

There shouldn't be much of a problem if you freeze your paper. Avoid fastish RC papers with built-in developer substances; basically if you can use it for lith prints, you can also freeze it. Remember to put it in a plastic ziploc bag to avoid condensation, preferably with a bag of desiccant, too.

 

[tapesonthefloor]

I would do the same thing HCB did. Stock up on charcoal and paper.

 

[J. Borger]

Dust off my M8 and use that camera again.

 

[gshybrid]

I'd get the new holographic xray camera that will be coming out just about then.... the one that shoots into the future.

 

[j_newy]

I'd get the new holographic xray camera that will be coming out just about then.... the one that shoots into the future.

Hahaha I like that!!!!!!!

Also I would write a novel, cause I would have 30+ paperweights 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That is just silly. XRays cannot see into the future.

You need a Tachyon sensitive film for that.

 

[rxmd]

That is just silly. XRays cannot see into the future.

You need a Tachyon sensitive film for that.

Sounds like a job for the Road Runner.

 

[johannielscom]

a brewery, bee keeping...

nah.

I'll pick up grooming lamas or alpacas. Always thought these guys look kinda naked without some dreads and hair clips on them! 😛

But there's film in my freezer and there will be for a long time to come. The lamas will have to wait.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I still have 75ft of Kodachrome in the fridge in double-8 that I can use in my Minolta-16. Develop it as ASA 10 B&W. I will not have to worry about color shift. It is from 1957.

 

[berlincontemporary]

Obviously you would migrate 100% to digital or go live in a cave. So what digital rig would you go for? I probably would stay with the Sony NEX line just to continue using my lenses, but an R-D1 would probably still give me "the feeling" or would you mortgage your house again for an M9?:angel:

Trash all the old gear, stop whining and get a decent full frame EOS with native EF lenses.

 

[nksdks]

seppuku, probably 🙂

 

[calebk]

seppuku, probably 🙂

Samurai honor.

 

[sper]

Content is king not the medium. I pfrefer film, but if it goes away (which I don't believe it will, think records), I'd carry own.

 

[feenej]

Quit photography and take ocasional snaps with my cell phone camera like most everybody else.

 

[shadowfox]

film production wont end, *ever* ! 🙂

as others commented, small makers like Adox can continue making short production runs, even when Kodak, Ilford and Fuji have to stop their bigger machines.

but if impossible happens, some then-available Nikon/Leica FF-body.

I think Adox is *counting* on Kodak and Fuji to quit (Ilford as well).
As I mentioned before, at least one company will do very well to support the film production need for the whole world.

That's bad for our wallet, though. We need at least two competing companies. Three is best.