Which Ones?

[Bill Pierce]

Several times Harry Lime has pointed out that one of the strongest blows to the continuation of film cameras is the reduced production of film itself. No film - no one makes film cameras. Remember, the first 35-mm cameras used respooled movie film. But now, even 35mm bulk loaders are threatened by digital movies.

When that apocalyptic day comes to pass, which cameras will you miss the most? And why? I'm going to miss M3's, M2's, M6's, Rollei TLR's, all relatively unique cameras.

 

[pesphoto]

When that day comes I wont miss any cameras because I'll be too busy jumping off a tall building to be concerned about that.

 

[John Lawrence]

Several times Harry Lime has pointed out that one of the strongest blows to the continuation of film cameras is the reduced production of film itself. No film - no one makes film cameras. Remember, the first 35-mm cameras used respooled movie film. But now, even 35mm bulk loaders are threatened by digital movies.

When that apocalyptic day comes to pass, which cameras will you miss the most? And why? I'm going to miss M3's, M2's, M6's, Rollei TLR's, all relatively unique cameras.

How do you know that day will come to pass?

 

[oftheherd]

Well, I certainly expect and hope that it will be long after I pass. But if it is while I am still around, for me it would be my Fujica ST 901 and my Mamiya Super Press 23. At one time both were like extensions of my brain and hands. They were just second nature to have and use.

The 901 was unique in that it was the first SLR with led readouts of the shutter speed in the viewfinder. It was aperture preferred auto-exposure as well, which fit well with the way I liked to photograph both personally and professionaly.

The Super Press 23 was a system camera, MF but 35mm like in handling (at least to me), and RF. RF wasn't why I bought it, but I found it was easy to use, and I loved that large negative.

I love my film cameras. I especially like my folders, and will miss using them too. But really, I suspect if a time ever comes when film is no longer easily and cheaply available, digital will probably so closely approximate film that is won't be a difficult transition for us old foggies.

 

[pesphoto]

I'm not really that attatched to cameras...it's the film and darkroom printing that Im attatched to.

 

[bmattock]

How do you know that day will come to pass?

"And though my lack of education hasn't hurt me none,
I can read the writing on the walls." - Kodachrome, by Paul Simon

 

[bmattock]

But really, I suspect if a time ever comes when film is no longer easily and cheaply available, digital will probably so closely approximate film that is won't be a difficult transition for us old foggies.

It seems to be going that way. And although I still firmly believe that no digital representation looks like B&W film, the choice may not be mine to make.

For what it may be worth, when I read through my collection of old photography/camera magazines from the 1900's to the 1950's, the arguments and lamentations were the same. They were against the move from glass plates to film. They were against the move from TLR to SLR. They were against the move from MF to 35mm, and they were against the newer formats that didn't make it, like 110, APS, and so on. Each one was going to 'kill photography as an art'. None of them did. So there you go.

As you know, I believe color film will be leaving us sooner rather than later, but I do have hope that B&W will last somewhat longer. I have no idea how long, but I think the end will come for film in my lifetime, easily. Photography will go on.

And if miniaturization and lower price points continue, as it seems logical to assume they will, we may well see - at some point - a low-cost 35mm digital film insert. I doubt we'll see it soon, but the technology may get to the point where a small run of such devices for craggy old die-hards like us might be economical. Then everybody will be happy. Or not.

 

[photogdave]

Since we're just having fun, I'll say i would miss my Leica rangefinders the most. Having a simple mechanical device that is always on and ready to shoot cannot be replaced by anything electronic, digital or otherwise.

 

[John Lawrence]

"And though my lack of education hasn't hurt me none,
I can read the writing on the walls." - Kodachrome, by Paul Simon

Que sera sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera

 

[Dogman]

I can't imagine film will ever really disappear from existence. Of course, I also can't imagine Chrysler, Ford & GM disappearing either. But...

If it did, I would certainly miss using my Leica M6's the most.

 

[Ronald_H]

I don't like to think about that. And that from a 37 year old guy who only this year developed his first roll!

But I'd surely miss my beloved Nikon FM. It's not perfect, but damn close to an ideal camera. If there is a camera with a simpler, better user interface I have yet to find it. The M2 would be second. It lacks the built in meter, but is smaller and has no mirror slap. Can mount a 'cron though.

 

[nikon_sam]

"And though my lack of education hasn't hurt me none,
I can read the writing on the walls." - Kodachrome, by Paul Simon

"Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away...." Paul Simon...Prophet...😎

 

[nikon_sam]

Getting back to the original question...I would miss the sound of my Nikon F5's mirror slap, shutter tripping and motor driving the next frame into position...

I would next set-up the 4x5 View Camera in our living room as decoration artwork...

 

[rodgersfoto]

Would miss R2A, R4A and Leica M6. While I have way too much film frozen, the ability to purchase more would be nice!

 

[shadowfox]

Now, now, what is this fatalistic views? 🙂

Film is still widely available. I and most of you will still be purchasing film and shooting film for the time to come.

We'll reminisce about this when all has been proven, before that, hope is *not* all we've got 😉

I will not miss my OM-1, Mamiya C330, and Speed Graphics, because I'll still be using them until I can't anymore.

 

[MCTuomey]

i have 3 film cameras: an M2, an EOS 3, and a field 4x5. i think i'd miss the M2 most, although i'd likely be grieving the others, too. but really i'd just miss being able to use film. that's the point, for me.

 

[aad]

If film disappeared, it's photography I would miss.

I don't think I'll be missing anything anytime soon.

 

[migtex]

My Nikon's! All of them.. I know someone will keep creating film...
Now if I have enough resources ($$$) to buy it.. that will be a different story...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Bill, I'm going to miss my Leica M2-R the most I suppose, but the other M's about the same. B&W film and paper is going to hang around about forever as a niche market for art photographers. The price of silver is about as low as it's been in over a century, correcting for inflation. It's no longer used for x-rays or in the printing trade, and what little silver there is in today's color films is mostly all reclaimed in the processing.

Bill, you're old enough to remember when the Hunt brothers started buying up all the silver they could get their hands on, futures contracts and all. The prices soared. Some people got rich, on paper at least. First Ilford then Kodak introduced chromagenic B&W films using a dye image and color processing. Digital technology got a kick start to replace silver.

Color film now sells for a fraction of what it cost in 1980, pre-Hunt brothers. B&W film isn't quite as cheap, but a 36 exp. roll of Tri-X listed for $1.25 in the early 60's and was rarely discounted. According to inflation calculators it should be at least $8.00 a roll today. It's not. B&W film is cheap.

Kodak, Ilford, and Fuji are constantly upgrading their products, offering entire new lines of tabular grain films like T-Max while retaining production of the old style films. Color negative films come in both amateur and pro varieties, and a range of speeds from 100 to 800. You get a choice of natural color or high saturation color as well. Eastman Kodak now makes a line of motion picture films tailored to being scanned and printed via digital technology. Fuji likely does the same.

That kind of research and development investment by major corporations shows me an adaptation to changing markets, not a headlong rush into bankruptcy. Film is still viable.

 

[Ken Ford]

Never going to happen. Film may pass from common usage, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that it will remain as an art product like oil paint or colored pencils. I wouldn't be surprised to see only two or three emulsions being made, however.