'Kodak Survey Shows that Professional Photographers Remain Ardent Users of Film'

[goo0h]

http://www.photonewstoday.com/?p=7903

More Than Three-Quarters of Photographers Surveyed Will Continue to Use Film, Even as Some Embrace Digital Technology, “It’s An ‘And’ World Where Digital and Film Co-exist and Complement Each Other”

 

[iceman]

cool. in some parts of the world, film really is dying.

 

[Michael I.]

people also forget that single use cameras still sell well

 

[Bike Tourist]

The survey was only among pros, a small segment of the market. It's still nice to hear.

 

[Nikon Bob]

that is likely why they imploded another building at Kodak last week that was used to make film.

Bob

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I know two wedding photographers who went digital, and put their old Hasselblads and stuff in the shop window for display only: they never use them any more.

 

[giovatony]

Yeah , Other than one time use cameras just who is buying all that 35mm film?
One only needs to check the counters at Wal Mart and Ritz to view the full display of digital cameras and the few blister packaged $19 film ones.

Regardless , limited film sales will endure yet for years but it`s not what it once was and it won`t ever be again.

 

[Al Patterson]

I still use film, but I'm not a professional. It will be interesting to see the results here. Over on dpreview.com, the anti-film folks are at it again. I'd expect a bit more level headedness over here, as only 2 digital rangefinders exist.

 

[rxmd]

Was that the same Internet-based Kodak survey that was posted here some time ago, when basically anybody could enter whatever they pleased? In that case I wonder how many of those 9000 "pros" were simply random Web forum users.

 

[giovatony]

I still use film, but I'm not a professional. It will be interesting to see the results here. Over on dpreview.com, the anti-film folks are at it again. I'd expect a bit more level headedness over here, as only 2 digital rangefinders exist.

Could the reason why only 2 digital rangefinders exist is simply because no one wants them anymore?

And why label them anti film?
Do you actually believe 35mm film cameras and film sales are not on in a serious state of declinet?
The reality simply cannot be ignored regardless of any love and affection for your RF`s.
John

 

[Michael I.]

I think film(BW at least) would be made for some yeras to come. I will use it as long as it is available - when it's not(if such a thing occurs) I will go digital.

 

[sirius]

Long live film! I love film because I love my film cameras.

Unfortunately I notice that all the new photo labs that are being built in my town only handle digital.

 

[ibcrewin]

Long live film! I love film because I love my film cameras.

Unfortunately I notice that all the new photo labs that are being built in my town only handle digital.

That's pretty whack.

 

[BigSteveG]

Present company excepted....I think there's a lot of lip service being paid to the use of film. Most pros and photo instructors talk about it....but probably use the digital more than anything else. Digital makes more sense for most types of professional photography. That's for sure. Now, back to my cheap, plastic reels, old changing bag and that powdered D76 for class......one day I'll pull that dusty ol' D200 back off the shelf!!!

 

[mtbbrian]

The survey was only among pros, a small segment of the market. It's still nice to hear.

I am not so sure about that.
I filled it out and I am sure that a lot of us here did too.
Kodak, my think that all of the people that participated were prosor are reporting as such, but I know of a lot of photographers pro and not that filled this out.
Brian

 

[Pherdinand]

I don't care much about the medium.
But i can't stand the concept, build and handling of most digital cameras.
Man, -they suck!!

 

[mascarenhas]

Film is pretty much dead in Brazil, I fear, it's too expensive for regular folks because everything must be imported (film, chemicals, minilabs) with outrageous duties and taxes... a roll of Superia 400 is usually $5, and processing it and getting 4x6 prints costs another $10-15. For the cost of ten rolls + processing and prints you can get a digital P&S, as there's a big black market on electronics where the taxes don't hit as hard, so everyone that could afford to shoot film with any regularity has moved to digital already, including all the pros.

I think the only ones left using film around here are the poor that only shoot a couple rolls a year and the film enthusiasts like me.

 

[peter_n]

I know two wedding photographers who went digital, and put their old Hasselblads and stuff in the shop window for display only: they never use them any more.

I know one wedding photographer who has resolutely stayed with film and is still using her Hasselblad & Mamiya and whatever else. And she is doing OK!

 

[giovatony]

I know one wedding photographer who has resolutely stayed with film and is still using her Hasselblad & Mamiya and whatever else. And she is doing OK!

And why not?
It`s gonna be pretty hard to beat film run thru cameras of that caliber for wedding photography.
Just cause film has been taking a back seat to digital in recent years doesn`t mean it`s a cause to run out and switch immediately.
Only when and if repairs , replacements , and mat`l shortages get difficult should it be a cause for alarm.
No film isn`t dead yet. It`s fading away but so am I.
John

 

[rovnguy]

I shoot digital for my projects at work because it is the only way I can edit the images and get them out in the email within three hours of the final exposure. I shoot 50 to 200 images a day and send out 20 to 50 of them after editing. On the plus side, it is the only way I can get a camera into the very special locations where I work. When the work day is over, the batteries for the digital camera(s) go on the charger and the film comes out. I gather 2 or 3 of my favorite cameras and out I go for a couple of hours. The styles I use for each are quite different. With film I feel much more relaxed and can spend time composing and trying different techniques for each exposure. I send my color print work to a lab every two weeks or so and my Kodachrome goes to our friends in Kansas. Once a week I break out the Rodinal and develop what ever B&W I shot that week. If you have to gripe about the smell, then you've never been into the bowels of a ship.