Demographics of film Vs digital

[awty]

Youd have to ask Canon and Epson about that. They each target serious amateurs with 3 or 4 inkjet photo printers that cost less than serious amateurs often spend on enlargers.

Sadly I don't think too many photographers these days are interested in making there own prints. Maybe a 1/3 of film photographer I know either are making there own prints or are in the process of acquiring the bits to do it. I dont know of any digital armature photographers who actively make there own prints, usually if they do its with a third party. Im sure there are plenty who do use a inject printer but I would think the ratio would be far less.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

What nonsense.

+1

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

On the Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship between NYC to the Bahamas and FLorida, I was on last week, they were selling Fujifilm one-time use film loaded cameras for underwater use and others for land use. Of course, they sell digital camera products as well.. The people cruising include lots of Americans, but also, French Canadians (it was Spring break last week), Chinese, and others from around the world. I didn't ask, but I'm curious how many of these film cameras they sell.

 

[Down Under]

Can someone tell me what this thread is about? I'm walking in darkness ... View attachment 219326

Also me. Especially the part about "changing partners"- I'm so out of it, I took "swinging" to mean changing formats, like from 35mm to 120.

This thread gives the term"demographics"an entirely new meaning. Things will liven up around here and, I suspect many a chemist/drug store/pharmacy has sold out of smelling salts after this post - the more darkroom-savvy can revive their shocked senses by sniffing undiluted stop bath.

Now if the OP or someone could please explain to at least two of us, what this thread has to do with (or it doing in) a photo web site...

I have a sneaking suspicion the OP is ship-stirring us (a game he seems to enjoy and I think, is rather good at playing, and why not?) - but he roped in at least 50 of us so far (including me), with many more likely more to come.

Good one, jtk!!

 

[Chan Tran]

Sadly I don't think too many photographers these days are interested in making there own prints. Maybe a 1/3 of film photographer I know either are making there own prints or are in the process of acquiring the bits to do it. I dont know of any digital armature photographers who actively make there own prints, usually if they do its with a third party. Im sure there are plenty who do use a inject printer but I would think the ratio would be far less.

People like me don't make my digital prints while I did make my own prints from film because we don't have enough volume. I can make a few prints in the darkroom now and then but not digital prints. If I don't use the inkjet printer for sometimes chances are that I would have to buy a new one.

 

[warden]

I have a sneaking suspicion the OP is ship-stirring us (a game he seems to enjoy and I think, is rather good at playing, and why not?) - but he roped in at least 50 of us so far (including me), with many more likely more to come.

Well, the "why not" is for each of us to decide. My question is "why?". It's a familiar, pernicious and easy formula (I mean the enjoyment of divisiveness and goading people into a put-down level of discourse). Not meaning to single out anyone because it's not just one person or one web site but this is just so common. See if any of this sounds familiar - It seems to be everywhere:

That thing you do, the thing that brings you joy? Everyone agrees you're doing it wrong. Please share your thoughts.

You're a member of a sorry group that does things the old and inferior way, and it's been superseded. Let's talk about it.

If you're young and exciting and connected to the future then you do this thing just like me. Maybe you should join my club.

Those tools and techniques you use are suitable for high schoolers mainly, on their way to better things. Just sayin'.

That accomplished artist or philosopher that inspires you? A well known hack to those with any ability to read. What do you think?

Oh, you have an opinion on something? Share your work and be judged.

Here's my superior, learned opinion, which I will share after reminding you of my every credential for the hundredth time.

Oh, well that's okay for you but it's not how the pros do it.

And so on.

 

[macfred]

Also me. Especially the part about "changing partners"- I'm so out of it, I took "swinging" to mean changing formats, like from 35mm to 120.

This thread gives the term"demographics"an entirely new meaning. Things will liven up around here and, I suspect many a chemist/drug store/pharmacy has sold out of smelling salts after this post - the more darkroom-savvy can revive their shocked senses by sniffing undiluted stop bath.

Now if the OP or someone could please explain to at least two of us, what this thread has to do with (or it doing in) a photo web site...

I have a sneaking suspicion the OP is ship-stirring us (a game he seems to enjoy and I think, is rather good at playing, and why not?) - but he roped in at least 50 of us so far (including me), with many more likely more to come.

Good one, jtk!!

Thank you for the endorsement - that's exactly my problem.

Have you tried reading the OT?

Thank you for your kind advice.
I did several times and I didn't understand. Though I'm not a native speaker I understand 99% of our threads here on Photrio.
Play on your game - I'm out.

 

[BradS]

Well, the "why not" is for each of us to decide. My question is "why?". It's a familiar, pernicious and easy formula (I mean the enjoyment of divisiveness and goading people into a put-down level of discourse). Not meaning to single out anyone because it's not just one person or one web site but this is just so common. See if any of this sounds familiar - It seems to be everywhere:

That thing you do, the thing that brings you joy? Everyone agrees you're doing it wrong. Please share your thoughts.

You're a member of a sorry group that does things the old and inferior way, and it's been superseded. Let's talk about it.

If you're young and exciting and connected to the future then you do this thing just like me. Maybe you should join my club.

Those tools and techniques you use are suitable for high schoolers mainly, on their way to better things. Just sayin'.

That accomplished artist or philosopher that inspires you? A well known hack to those with any ability to read. What do you think?

Oh, you have an opinion on something? Share your work and be judged.

Here's my superior, learned opinion, which I will share after reminding you of my every credential for the hundredth time.

Oh, well that's okay for you but it's not how the pros do it.

And so on.

Insightful and interesting...and someting to think about. Thanks.

 

[jtk]

Sadly I don't think too many photographers these days are interested in making there own prints. Maybe a 1/3 of film photographer I know either are making there own prints or are in the process of acquiring the bits to do it. I dont know of any digital armature photographers who actively make there own prints, usually if they do its with a third party. Im sure there are plenty who do use a inject printer but I would think the ratio would be far less.

I'd bet that more inkjet photo printers have been sold each year for the past decade than enlargers... Not to mention Nikon, Canon, pentax dslr vs film cameras
Perhaps that's relevant.

 

[RPC]

I'd bet that more inkjet photo printers have been sold each year for the past decade than enlargers... Not to mention Nikon, Canon, pentax dslr vs film cameras
Perhaps that's relevant.

As everyone knows analog use is down. On the other hand many may already have enlargers from buying them before the days of inkjet, so no need to buy. The same with film cameras. So naturally sales of these will be less.

 

[jamesaz]

I'd bet that more inkjet photo printers have been sold each year for the past decade than enlargers... Not to mention Nikon, Canon, pentax dslr vs film cameras
Perhaps that's relevant.

You only buy an enlarger once. Inkjet printers need to be replaced more often, either from obsolescence or duty cycle. At least that's been my experience.
Demographically, I'm now old enough for senior discounts, settled and using film, digital, inkjet and optical printing and digital negatives for van dykes.
It's only photography.

 

[Chan Tran]

You only buy an enlarger once. Inkjet printers need to be replaced more often, either from obsolescence or duty cycle. At least that's been my experience.
Demographically, I'm now old enough for senior discounts, settled and using film, digital, inkjet and optical printing and digital negatives for van dykes.
It's only photography.

When I used inkjet for photos I had to buy a printer about every time I want to print.

 

[Ces1um]

Well, the "why not" is for each of us to decide. My question is "why?". It's a familiar, pernicious and easy formula (I mean the enjoyment of divisiveness and goading people into a put-down level of discourse). Not meaning to single out anyone because it's not just one person or one web site but this is just so common. See if any of this sounds familiar - It seems to be everywhere:

That thing you do, the thing that brings you joy? Everyone agrees you're doing it wrong. Please share your thoughts.

You're a member of a sorry group that does things the old and inferior way, and it's been superseded. Let's talk about it.

If you're young and exciting and connected to the future then you do this thing just like me. Maybe you should join my club.

Those tools and techniques you use are suitable for high schoolers mainly, on their way to better things. Just sayin'.

That accomplished artist or philosopher that inspires you? A well known hack to those with any ability to read. What do you think?

Oh, you have an opinion on something? Share your work and be judged.

Here's my superior, learned opinion, which I will share after reminding you of my every credential for the hundredth time.

Oh, well that's okay for you but it's not how the pros do it.

And so on.

That's also pretty much describes every single youtube video out there. Don't believe me? Just watch my video on 10 easy pro hacks to take your photography to the next level using these top 10 camera settings you're using wrong and why your camera may be holding you back and check out this camera that will replace your dead micro 4/3 sensor.

 

[Vincent Peri]

To quote the OP:

"What are your thoughts/prejudices/experiences?"

Well, I'm 68 and retired, married with 3 grown children. I shoot film exclusively. I'm currently looking to buy a home with an extra bedroom that I can convert into a darkroom.

I started shooting film with an SLR on Nov. 4, 1974, and I've been doing so most of the time. Not too often, I'd quit for a year at a time, according to my circumstances..

If they ever quit making film, I'll give up photography before I'd go digital.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

I am old but not retired. I have grown up kids and the whole catastrophe.

My experience as a community builder tells me that older and "more stable" folk are the ones who show up to enjoin each other's skills and desires for common goals. The exception is when you start involving someones's kids or it is a dating site, so to speak. Younger folk, say kids under 40, tend to be too busy with the mating dance or taking care of their families to give up their free time. I cannot blame them; it may be the best part of life.

As a young single man in the early 70s I shot film and had a darkroom. It was my salvation amidst incredibly intense and bewildering verbal reality of working in a Psychiatric institution. But film was all that was available at the time.

At the core was the vision, managing the capture, and refining the process of development and production. With a fair science and mechanical education this was in my natural wheelhouse. But I had to be able to afford it; down that path was compromise and commerce. Commerce means costs in time and money. Film now loses in that balance. In my case those factors still direct me and I see very few able to make a living with film.

I also see very few people who have the free time and resources for film. Statistically, last year at my Collage, digital classes out-enrolled film classes by 215% but bring more people to the finish line by 566%. Presently, due to budget cuts, we lost a digital entry-level class. It still drew 28, compared to the 2 Entry- and Intermediate-level film classes which drew a total of 28. As of today a total of 14 students attend the 2 film classes and 25 the 1 digital class.

That said, I see people who can barely fit photo in their lives. Only the driven...

 

[jtk]

When I used inkjet for photos I had to buy a printer about every time I want to print.

Takes skill and dedication to do right with inkjet, same as darkroom.

 

[jtk]

As everyone knows analog use is down. On the other hand many may already have enlargers from buying them before the days of inkjet, so no need to buy. The same with film cameras. So naturally sales of these will be less.

Yes, of course. And "naturally" enlargers fall into disuse. My only local photo shop makes most of its money selling film cameras online. Mountains of beautiful enlargers take up a lot of space in his huge junk room...some customers do want parts, but rarely enlargers. I replaced my Leica enlarger with Epson 2200 and never looked back. I was lucky to have started with the first Epson that did non-fading B&W...maybe 1995.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Takes skill and dedication to do right with inkjet, same as darkroom.

I am chagrined to say that not wanting to invest the time and energy in such printing is the main reason I have invested very little into it. I have respect for what it takes to create quality work in ANY discipline and don't believe in shortcuts.

 

[Chan Tran]

Takes skill and dedication to do right with inkjet, same as darkroom.

Not about skill. I don't use it often and every time I use it the head clogged. I have to buy a new printer. For darkroom I just need to buy fresh paper and chemicals. I do only RA-4 I don't do B&W.

 

[RPC]

I replaced my Leica enlarger with Epson 2200 and never looked back.

I have never looked back either because I am one who bought a color enlarger long ago, so no need to buy another one and unlike others never switched to inkjet and never will. Not really easier, no better quality. I stick with what works. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[jtk]

Not about skill. I don't use it often and every time I use it the head clogged. I have to buy a new printer. For darkroom I just need to buy fresh paper and chemicals. I do only RA-4 I don't do B&W.

Respectfullly, you're proving my point.

 

[KN4SMF]

Demographic studies in the US today is a depressing thought. We've got 2 generations under our belt now that have been completely zombie-ized.

 

[John51]

Jim, Interesting... I'm aware of two clubs here. The huge one has excellent presentations by nationally well-known photographers but is technically judgemental and seems Photoshop obsessed. The small one is an exclusively film photo club that is more interested in film cameras than prints.....or even imagery.

I could go for that. Over the last 2 years, I have bought more cameras that I've shot rolls of film. Not my fault! They turned up cheap enough for me to be unable to resist.

Film cameras are a bit like handguns. Can appreciate the engineering even if there is nobody you want to shoot.

 

[silveror0]

...What are your thoughts/prejudices/experiences?

What do you plan to do with the information, once collected? Or is you objective to just generate chatter?

 

[Berkeley Mike]

One of the directions I see people take is to try to move things to a point when the actual function is one of discussion.