There will always be film and it may even get better. Whether Kodak will keep a token portion of the market remains to be seen. They are still setting up new photo labs throughout Thailand and I wonder how they plan to support them in the future when they have more less abandoned film from what I and others see. When you think about it, How much would it cost Kodak to hire some kids to run a fantastic Black and White film website and sponsor some events seperate of their new found direction? I believe they somehow view their roots as embarrising and tend to hope the new generation of consumers somehow forget that Kodak would not be **** if it were not for simple film cameras using black and white films. Like some have pointed out, when you go to their website it is plain as day that black and white film is their red headed step child.
Like I was saying, there will always be film but it is hard to predict the future. Im looking to the smaller companies in France, Germany, formerly Russia, India and China. Illford seems to already be well established but we just watched the downfall of Forte which was a big player in black and white. If you like you could even call Forte a part of Kodak since it was established by George in 1922. I just dont see any new chemical related film business being built up in the United States and who knows what the bill is going to be for Kodak when they try and shut down their old chemical plants as they are now doing. It could well become some kind of environmental nightmare or superfund site with a big bill.
I recently found some Kodak film that is marked made in USA and packaged in Mexico. Its a plain and simple box that is export only, not for sale in the US from what I understand. I will give it a go and I just had used some Kodak service to scan a few rolls of film for me in the last 24 hours so Im supporting them for now, I plan to buy up a few hundred bucks worth of Forte paper and 4x5 sheet film the next time im in Bangkok. I will also track down some Lucky black and white film, Who knows I may get Lucky in Bangkok😀
I will be keeping all options open concerning film, Im well beyond the worry of corperations doing what is in their best intrests. If they make somthing I want and of a qaulity that I can use I will buy it. If Kodak gives me a free t-shirt I will wear it but that goes for any flm maker. If they all go down the tubes I will use glass in 8x10 and mix my own chemistry.
