I'm less sure that the 21st Century market economics are as simple as they are sometimes described, although I tend to broadly agree that product will cease to be made if too few people buy it.
Only slightly tangentially, where is all the TSF and Xray film being coated? If in the same plants as the mainstream photographic films, then to some minor extent that may also support photo film (in the sense that it will contribute to volume production that makes the plants viable; the flaw in this argument is rather obvious, of course, but there might be a grain of truth)
I think much of this has to do with the "Walmartization" of society these days. Instead of buying something of quality that is more expensive initially, most people would rather buy several cheap quality knockoffs because it makes them feel like they are saving money. It's difficult to place blame but I believe part of it has to do with the influx of products in our market. Many manufacturers have moved overseas and quality has suffered in some cases. Now do not get me wrong, I believe there are some VERY high quality products that come from places like China.
Another example I can throw into the mix is with aftermarket car products. In the Japanese car scene, many people go with "knockoff" products such as wheels instead of supporting the big names like Work, RAYS Engineering, Weddsport, Enkei, etc. Many claim they are doing it because they are on a budget, but imo they are ruining the scene because the big name companies actually carry out R&D on their products and are ISO9000/9001 certified. In many cases people have had knockoff wheels crack and come apart but continue buying new sets because they are "cheap."
Everyone who bemoans the loss of a favorite product should read John Galsworthy's short story Quality. I read it in high school and it made a lasting impression on me. Whenever you use a cheap substitute you are helping to kill off the quality product. There are many examples; x-ray film instead of LF film, cheap surveillance film instead of regular film, etc. In today's market you may not only be killing off the quality product but all products of that particular type.
Truth is I'm just not that "artistic" of a photographer. I'm not sure any picture I take is wort $5-10 on a sheet of film. X-Ray film is 30 cents a sheet, and my pictures probably are not even worthy of that.
No, not that rare at all.
I have to do things like X-ray film. I never recovered from the 2008 crash. Still struggle desperately to keep my head above water. I agree totally, but gotta do something.
How many of you buy Japanese cameras and lenses ?, because I'm old enough to remember a time when all the same sort of thing people are now saying about Chinese manufactured goods were been said about Japanese products when in fact they could make them better,cheaper, more reliable, and they swept the World with them. The great irony is the biggest communist country in the World is out- capitalisting the capitalists, patriotism is one thing but you can't ignore the facts.
So true. And it should be pointed out that the Chinese can and do make world-class products, when they want to. It comes down to what the buyer wants, specify crap and that's what they'll deliver.
Quality as a discipline began in Asia (Japan) post WWII (ie Juran/Demming)
As the Japanese did in the past the Chinese are only getting their foot in the door at the moment in the cheap end of the market, but they aren't going to be satisfied with that for long they will soon be after the quality and luxury end of the market.So true. And it should be pointed out that the Chinese can and do make world-class products, when they want to. It comes down to what the buyer wants, specify crap and that's what they'll deliver.
People buying x-ray film of those are actually helping to support the photographic film division of Foma.
What about if the Chinese product is better more reliable and half the price what would the public do then ?, because I have never seen a Chinese product in recent years that I can say in all honesty that at an equivalent price to a Western made one that it was inferior. The Chinese are doing what the Japanese did after WW11 to getting their foot in the door of Western markets by going for the cheap end of the market first, but they won't be satisfied with that for long, because they are capable of manufacturing high quality goods, and while people console themselves that their home grown products are superior, unfortunately the public are voting with their wallets.In my own job I stress the the difference between this product being American made and costing a little more and that same specification product being Chinese produced and costing less. I am happy to remark that many will buy the American made product when it is promoted to support American jobs, and many of those buying it are people who have fought in our war's from Vietnam to present day. Those who buy the Chinese made product are generally those not born in the U.S. or where there is no onshore American made product.
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