How Can Analog Photography Be Saved?

[xayraa33]

I sort of like the synopsis of the future of film photography in this article at link at the bottom, but I suspect that predicting the future is nigh impossible.

https://cameraventures.com/help

 

[seany65]

I suspect analogue won't be saved by start-up/gofundme (or whatever they're called) expensive cameras which aren't any better specified than second-hand cameras that were made by companies who knew what they were doing.

 

[aizan]

i tend to agree. it's not as sexy as starting a company to make new cameras, but repair is the real key to make sure that there are film cameras to use.

if that means wrangling legal deals with camera companies to make new electronics and spare parts, so be it!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

At this point he runs it as business. And from this POV it is marketing histeria. Like buy gold and silver Saturday programs on AM radio.

The title of article is incorrect.
Everything which is not digital is analog. It means here is nothing really to save.
Ground glass - self making - check.
Bellows - made by small company per individual order - check.
Lenses - Here is one guy in USA who makes his own - check.
Camera - some cabinet makers will do it, carpenters - check.
Negative holders - same as above - check.
Negative - it is just glass - check
Emulsion - self made - check.
Paper for contact prints - self made - check.

You don't need to save analog photography. It is just as saving Sun.
Film photography, which is part of analog photography is different story.
Brownie and simple 135 film format P&S could be easily made on primitive factory.
Emulsion, again self made is possible. But if film base is not made anymore, film photography is pooped. It is not those clumsy startOops manufacturing level.

 

[xayraa33]

"But if film base is not made anymore, film photography is pooped. It is not those clumsy startOops manufacturing level."

All good points that you mentioned, maybe film base will not be needed if we continue with the other points that you suggested and use glass plates just like the inventor of dry plates did (Richard Leach Maddox) which George Eastman of the later Kodak fame first emulated.

 

[Steve M.]

Or, The Sky Is Falling, Part VIII.

 

[charjohncarter]

I hope it is saved like the Stones said, 'there's something about her (analog photography), I don't really know. She make me cry and I don't know the reason why.'

I got the quote wrong but here it is: ode to analog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJmyIIFW6I

 

[Ko.Fe.]

"But if film base is not made anymore, film photography is pooped. It is not those clumsy startOops manufacturing level."

All good points that you mentioned, maybe film base will not be needed if we continue with the other points that you suggested and use glass plates just like the inventor of dry plates did (Richard Leach Maddox) which George Eastman of the later Kodak fame first emulated.

I recall one RFF user who claimed to make good money on cameras like these and he showed how he used glass plate in Barnack camera.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153876

 

[maigo]

It will be saved by letting it continue to evolve.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HHPhoto]

I sort of like the synopsis of the future of film photography in this article at link at the bottom, but I suspect that predicting the future is nigh impossible.

https://cameraventures.com/help

Please forget this article. Because it is old and meanwhile even out-of-date because the film photography scene has evolved much and in a positive way in the last 18 months.
The author Juho was heavily critised especially by film related companies which are investing and have a positive outlook on the future of film.
Interestingly Juho now has also this positive outlook and has recently heavily invested in his company - the "Camera Rescue Center": Have a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAGwOsgkq-A

Under one roof there is
- a photo lab doing C41, E6 and BW
- a camera repair center with several older and very experienced repair experts and several young repair experts; also including electronic expertise
- a used camera (online and brick and mortar) shop
- rooms to held workshops.

As he now knows that there are enough manufacturers committed to film, photo chemistry, photo paper, photo lab gear etc. he has now focussed his business on camera repairs and selling used cameras.
And transferring unused "shelf-queens" back in the hands of real film shooters (there are millions of film cameras sitting unused in cupboards out there).
And I think that is absolutely the right strategy.
Juho will be at Photokina fair this September on the Fotoimpex / Adox booth (CineStill and Washi film will also be there on that booth). I hope to meet him there and have a talk.

Cheers, Jan

 

[HHPhoto]

"But if film base is not made anymore, film photography is pooped. It is not those clumsy startOops manufacturing level."

All good points that you mentioned, maybe film base will not be needed if we continue with the other points that you suggested and use glass plates just like the inventor of dry plates did (Richard Leach Maddox) which George Eastman of the later Kodak fame first emulated.

There is no problem in manufacturing film base. That is one of the numerous FUD myths of the "film is dead" propagandists.
Forget it.

Cheers, Jan

 

[johannielscom]

Wet plate and other historic processes will not go away. They are used by artists who create their own cameras, plates and chemicals. https://www.cengage.co.uk/books/9781285089317/ There's good camera building groups on Facebook, and a load of links on Jon Grepstad's site who used to be a poster here. It's not hard, even I could complete a 4x5 camera with a bought old lens and a Cambo back and simple wood work.

20180124_DSC01333 by Johan Niels Kuiper, on Flickr​

If you were looking for something else when you said 'analog photography' or 'saved', I misunderstood you (quite purposely I admit 😀)

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I often wonder why we say "analogue", it wasn't needed until digital came along. It would be sensible to say "camera" when we mean a film camera as that is what they were called for decades and then add "digital" for the obvious...

We've managed to cope with this idea when we say "telephone" and "mobile telephone" and so why not? Or should we say "analogue landline telephone" and then "analogue print" and so on?

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

And another thing...

And another thing...

It would make a lot of sense to buy a lot of old cameras; all the same make and model. Strip them down and test and measure as you go and then start reassembling the best bits to make a few "as new" ones. There was a firm or two that did it with classic cars, proper Jaguars and the Morris minor/1000 come to mind...


Regards, David

 

[css9450]

Hi,

I often wonder why we say "analogue", it wasn't needed until digital came along. It would be sensible to say "camera" when we mean a film camera as that is what they were called for decades and then add "digital" for the obvious

I'm with you. I always cringe when I hear or read "analogue" (or analog).

I suppose someday when self-driving cars become commonplace, the old-timers who still drive themselves will be driving "analog cars".

 

[David Hughes]

I'm with you. I always cringe when I hear or read "analogue" (or analog).

I suppose someday when self-driving cars become commonplace, the old-timers who still drive themselves will be driving "analog cars".

whether they like it or not because these stupid words are forced on us.

And, I guess they will be wearing analogue clothes but what do you call a print because the process of making it is neither here nor there; I guess solid or conrete as in "Musique concrète".

Regards, David

 

[xayraa33]

Please forget this article. Because it is old and meanwhile even out-of-date because the film photography scene has evolved much and in a positive way in the last 18 months.
The author Juho was heavily critised especially by film related companies which are investing and have a positive outlook on the future of film.
Interestingly Juho now has also this positive outlook and has recently heavily invested in his company - the "Camera Rescue Center": Have a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAGwOsgkq-A

Under one roof there is
- a photo lab doing C41, E6 and BW
- a camera repair center with several older and very experienced repair experts and several young repair experts; also including electronic expertise
- a used camera (online and brick and mortar) shop
- rooms to held workshops.

As he now knows that there are enough manufacturers committed to film, photo chemistry, photo paper, photo lab gear etc. he has now focussed his business on camera repairs and selling used cameras.
And transferring unused "shelf-queens" back in the hands of real film shooters (there are millions of film cameras sitting unused in cupboards out there).
And I think that is absolutely the right strategy.
Juho will be at Photokina fair this September on the Fotoimpex / Adox booth (CineStill and Washi film will also be there on that booth). I hope to meet him there and have a talk.

Cheers, Jan

Ah, That is interesting information.
Thanks for the update.

Please let us know how your talk went with Juho after your meeting at Photokina this coming month.

 

[JP Owens]

The future of film photography is written in a demographic. What percentage of folks younger than 30 years are shooting film. Watch that demographic. Those of us who spent most of our lives with film are dying fast. Nostalgia and inertia won't save film beyond our lifetimes.

 

[willie_901]

People and companies will offer goods and services as long as there's a demand for pure analog or hybrid analog/digital photography (film scanning and printing). Theres's profit opportunities in all niche markets.

The price of those goods and services will reach equilibrium. A negative feedback loop (demand decreases so prices increase) will not result in a death spiral. Instead new equilibrium points will be set. The significant impact will be a reduction in options for the niche consumers.

I don't see the demand dropping much lower and I certainly don't think the rate of decrease in demand will increase.

All will be well as long as people continue to accept the increased costs. Fortunately the hardware side cameras, lenses, etc) generally benefits from an excess in supply.

 

[HHPhoto]

Ah, That is interesting information.
Thanks for the update.

You're welcome.

Please let us know how your talk went with Juho after your meeting at Photokina this coming month.

I will do if I meet him. Photokina is always a lot of stress, time pressure and meeting people isn't as easy as you wish, because all want to talk in a short time frame to dozens, sometimes hundreds of people. Photokina is mainly a B2B fair, not a consumer fair. But I will try my very best 🙂.

Cheers, Jan