Would you give it up?

[Dave Wilkinson]

The regular film v. digital arguments get pointless and tedious (IMO) to say the least! - and I would not wish to start another. I just sometimes wonder how many of you die-hard film adherents would actually give up the hobby ( or profession ) if film were to shortly disappear completely - but I don't want more views on when this may, or may not happen!.
For me the situation is simple, for as a hobbyist ( retired semi-pro ) being out and about in town, countryside, and indeed other countries and towns, is an integral and important part of the hobby, and I have nice images (IMO) taken using both mediums. So, if film goes in whats left of my life, although with a few regrets, I shall, God willing! - happily continue with digital, and be thankful that I can!. How about you? - will you succumb, or take up fishing etc.
Cheers, Dave.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I'd mourn the retirement of my favourite cameras, and then wear out my dSLR while saving up for a Leica M9.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I like digital, so it would be no problem for me. I'd miss film a lot, though.

I think the end of film is a long, long way off, though.

 

[Michael Markey]

I have thought about this one, Dave. My only digital is Lumix FX3 point and shoot. It was that which took me back to film .
I still use it sometimes but always regret doing so. So based on that experience ,yes I would give up.
However I`m hoping that cameras such as the M8 may be different. I intend to give it a try.

 

[helen.HH]

When the Day comes and I have to...
I will EMBRACE digi wholeheartedly

As long as I can keep shooting FILM then thats ALL little me needs
A Film Junkie till I can't afford the Luxury
or
Until there's NO more Film

Cheers to ALL- H 🙂

 

[sepiareverb]

I'll buy another freezer and not run out of film. If I had no other option digital might replace color film for me, but I think I'd shoot much less color.

 

[Keith]

The thing I'd have trouble dealing with would be having a cupboard full of cameras I was unable to use.

I'd accept having to use digital but it would severely dent my enthusiasm for photography and I would possibly drift away into another interest in the future.

 

[Keith]

its the same question as, if they stop making computers would you stop using your digital camera 😉

if film were suddenly gone then I have no choice but to give up many forms of photography

Haven't you noticed ... you don't need a computer!

These digitals show you the picture on the back of the camera on a special little screen. 😉

😀

 

[newspaperguy]

Right on, Keith.

I was about to ditto your first post when I read this one.

 

[Macpod]

We will get decades of warnings and buyouts before this happens. There is a huge and young film hobbiest market in China and Japan. This market will probably keep atleast one major player in business for a while.

Alas, i will be happy with an E-P1 and a couple lenses. I'll haveba fridgeful of about to be expired film to keep me happy for atleast a decade after the death of film.

 

[BillBingham2]

Nope.

B2 (;->

 

[wgerrard]

... being out and about in town, countryside, and indeed other countries and towns, is an integral and important part of the hobby, and I have nice images (IMO) taken using both mediums. So, if film goes in whats left of my life, although with a few regrets, I shall, God willing! - happily continue with digital, and be thankful that I can!.

Very much the same here, Dave. Going out with a camera is at least as rewarding as the eventual photos, often more so.

I'm not a diehard about film. Actually, I bought an enlarger and the related gear a few months back. But, I haven't been motivated to actually try to use the thing. I suppose that's indicative of something. And the initial and recurring costs of an inkjet are equally off putting.

I'm pretty sure that when someone releases a digital that presses my buttons, I'll pop for it and sell off some of my current toys, with no regrets.

 

[wjlapier]

I'll buy another freezer and not run out of film. If I had no other option digital might replace color film for me, but I think I'd shoot much less color.

When I sense the end is near, I will too stock up on film and chems--even color developing chems--so I can shoot film even after the last roll is sold and the last lab closes it's door. That is a sad thought.

 

[telemetre]

I would probably give up photography, as I already spend too much time in front of the computer screen already, darkroom is like a refuge for me.

 

[sevo]

The regular film v. digital arguments get pointless and tedious (IMO) to say the least! - and I would not wish to start another. I just sometimes wonder how many of you die-hard film adherents would actually give up the hobby ( or profession ) if film were to shortly disappear completely

Professionally, I have been a very early digital adopter, with 14 years in photography (Phaseone scanning back, Agfa Studiocam) and close to twenty in video to my back. When I need to create still or motion recordings for further processing or electronic reproduction, I prefer digital (analogue video sucked big time, really!). But the ability to actually create a immediate material image is a amazing feature of film which digital cannot replicate, and I'd probably miss it so much that I'd start to make my own if all other sources of film vanish...

Would I stop painting if all brushes were abolished in favour of Adobe and Epson products?

Sevo

 

[bmattock]

I notice several refuse to play the game. Take it as a given that film will no longer be available. The question then is whether or not you will continue to make photographs once that has occurred, however unlikely you feel it may be. It's a 'what if' scenario, not a 'what would you do to prevent it' scenario.

For myself, I have been moving away from film for years now, although I still prefer to use black and white film over digital for 35mm, and of course I still shoot medium format, which digital does not come close to matching in several important ways. If, however, film were to vanish tomorrow, I would continue on with what is available.

I am a photographer, not a 'film' photographer. I didn't quit writing when manual typewriters were no longer in vogue.

For what it may be worth, the huge stock of vintage photography magazines that I just recently disposed of because no one wanted them had many 'Letters to the Editor' and 'Opinion' pieces in which various photographers proclaimed that if X went away, they'd have snapped their last photo. Replace 'X' with dry plates, continental-sized plates, etc, etc. It's all very dramatic, but in reality, few photographers stop photographing because their favorite toy has been taken away.

 

[bmattock]

I'd probably miss it so much that I'd start to make my own if all other sources of film vanish...

One of my predictions for 2010, actually. And to complete my prediction, let's check back and see if you actually make any film. Let me know when would be a good timeframe.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

In my OP I mentioned the subject of 'if and when' - re film demise, for what it's worth, I believe and hope that film will be around for the rest of my life ( I'm mid sixties ) but this has been speculated many, many times!. I was just curious that if it came to the imaginary 'crunch', and those freezers full of Tri-x and Velvia were not available, would you 'bite the bullet'.
Dave.

 

[Stephen S. Mack]

I'd probably switch to digital (I'm already looking at an advanced point-n-shoot) but it would be a point-n-shoot, not a DSLR. I've begun to branch out into the visual arts by teaching myself to draw and I've taken up pastels...🙂

With best regards.

Stephen

 

[chris000]

I'd carry on by switching to digital. I prefer film but if it's not around any more I would would still wish to continue making images.