Is there really a strong interest in film photography?

[VinceInMT]

I just found a community college in Golden, CO that teaches darkroom. Actually, I found the instructor, who was selling some paper online, and he told me about it. They have a dozen Beseler 23Cs and 2 4x5s. After retiring next spring, I'm going back to college at 66!

That’s great. I highly recommend returning to college. I returned at 63, 3 years after I retired, initially to take a drawing class, but got sucked in and graduated last May with a BFA. Luckily, in my state, Vietnam Era veterans get a full tuition waiver so I figured why not?

 

[Agulliver]

Right now, approachong 50, I still think I am done with college....I burned out in the final year of my BSc course. But I'd appreciate more in-person instruction on making B&W prints, if they were to offer that as a standalone course.


And yay to those going back to college in their 60s. Maybe I'll end up doing the same?

 

[Film-Niko]

To answer the question of the original poster:
Yes, there is definitely a really strong interest and increasing demand for film.
During the last years I have travelled much (because of my job and also for private reasons), to different countrys and continents.
And at my destinations I have always looked for local labs and (used) camera shops. Talked to the staff there and discussed the situation.
And in all cases (with no exceptions), on all locations around the world, the staff in the labs and shops reported a strong film revival and increasing demand.

 

[pbromaghin]

Right now, approachong 50, I still think I am done with college....I burned out in the final year of my BSc course. But I'd appreciate more in-person instruction on making B&W prints, if they were to offer that as a standalone course.


And yay to those going back to college in their 60s. Maybe I'll end up doing the same?

I'm a LOT closer to your thinking about going back to college than Vince. This is the only class I plan to take, unless they have another more advance class after that.

My mother started teaching one-room country school houses at 19 and took 30 years to get her BS and MA, so college professors were the top of her heap. She wanted me to be one, but that was a non-starter once I discovered the high concentration of arrogant pricks in that profession.

 

[Henning Serger]

My local university brought back film photography and darkroom techniques last year.

And that has been a trend in many countries!
Manufacturers of darkroom equipment have reported that during the last years.
I've also seen it directly in 2019 when I was in China: We did film workshops there, and our workshop participants / students have been enthusiast photographers, professionals and.........photography professors from universities: As they started teaching film photography again because of increasing interest and demand.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Huss]

Typewriters are back big-time, so I wouldn’t I think it’s impossible. Especially for creative writing. I think it’s impossible
Watch the Tom Hanks documentary from a few years ago.
Carbon paper is pretty easy to make too.
In fact, last I checked, they still made it.
I still have a pack of it somewhere. It can come in pretty handy for other stuff than typing.
Rubbing transfers is one example.

Carbon paper is excellent. I like to put a piece on my pressure plate behind my film so I have a back up copy of my pic.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Carbon paper is excellent. I like to put a piece on my pressure plate behind my film so I have a back up copy of my pic.

Duplicate or triplicate copies of your image.

 

[Helge]

Typewriters are back big-time, so I wouldn’t I think it’s impossible. Especially for creative writing. I think it’s impossible
Watch the Tom Hanks documentary from a few years ago.

That’s some creative writing right there. How did that slip?

Carbon paper is excellent. I like to put a piece on my pressure plate behind my film so I have a back up copy of my pic.

Would actually not be a bad idea to check how pressure is applied to the film.

 

[Craig]

I'm not sure if it's a revival, but I can walk into my local camera store (The Camera Store) and buy Ilford 4x5 and 8x10 film off the shelf, along with a range of various chemicals, including stuff from the Formulary. I think that's a good thing.

 

[Pieter12]

I just read this in The Atlantic newsletter:

”Video may be the future of social media, but Gen Z recently brought back a retro tool for shooting stills: digital cameras. Young people are getting their hands on cameras from the early 2000s and posting the photos online, including on TikTok…”

IMO, the current resurgence of 35mm color negative film is a similar nostalgic fad and will not last.

 

[Agulliver]

I just read this in The Atlantic newsletter:

”Video may be the future of social media, but Gen Z recently brought back a retro tool for shooting stills: digital cameras. Young people are getting their hands on cameras from the early 2000s and posting the photos online, including on TikTok…”

IMO, the current resurgence of 35mm color negative film is a similar nostalgic fad and will not last.

the evidence points to the resurgence beginning circa 2017 and thus far showing no signs of slowing down.

In my opinion you are going to be proved wrong.

 

[Anon Ymous]

I just read this in The Atlantic newsletter:

”Video may be the future of social media, but Gen Z recently brought back a retro tool for shooting stills: digital cameras. Young people are getting their hands on cameras from the early 2000s and posting the photos online, including on TikTok…”

IMO, the current resurgence of 35mm color negative film is a similar nostalgic fad and will not last.

Uh, so digital cameras are now considered retro tools?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Uh, so digital cameras are now considered retro tools?

Now I know I'm getting old.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Now I know I'm getting old.

What is this "getting" crap?!? You are old. And so are most of the rest of us.

 

[Agulliver]

To a teenager, 20 year old tech is ancient. Even to someone in their mid twenties, it's "vintage".

When I think back to my own childhood and teen years, the mono reel to reel tape recorder I was given aged 10 seemed almost ancient but it was just 25 years old. I imagine an early digital camera or pretty much any cassette deck feels that way to a 10-14 year old now.

I have recently acquired a 21 year old friend who is into photography and to her even my 1990s film cameras are "vintage". Apparently her main friends circle are quite in awe of her knowing someone who owns a SInclair Spectrum computer.....they're considered the stuff of legend....

None of which remotely suggests that film is a passing fad.

Worth noting I can now go into a larger branch of WH Smiths and buy the Crash 2023 annual (Sinclair Spetcrum magazine which first appeared in 1984 and originally ceased publication in 1992).

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

To a teenager, 20 year old tech is ancient. Even to someone in their mid twenties, it's "vintage".

When I think back to my own childhood and teen years, the mono reel to reel tape recorder I was given aged 10 seemed almost ancient but it was just 25 years old. I imagine an early digital camera or pretty much any cassette deck feels that way to a 10-14 year old now.

I have recently acquired a 21 year old friend who is into photography and to her even my 1990s film cameras are "vintage". Apparently her main friends circle are quite in awe of her knowing someone who owns a SInclair Spectrum computer.....they're considered the stuff of legend....

None of which remotely suggests that film is a passing fad.

Worth noting I can now go into a larger branch of WH Smiths and buy the Crash 2023 annual (Sinclair Spetcrum magazine which first appeared in 1984 and originally ceased publication in 1992).

I remember when monofilament fishing line came out around 1960. Now everyone is using it but braided line is still popular, just like film.

 

[kal800]

To a teenager, 20 year old tech is ancient

Well it depends, in case of mainstream tech definitely, but if you are serious into anything you are not reasoning like that. My son is 13 yo and he shoots on Nikon FM2/T and his dream gear is not Z9, but... Contax 645

What struck me in the past couple of weeks, that there are so many start-ups and projects related to film photography nowadays. Upgrade kits for JOBO processors, LED sources for enlargers, densitometers, f-stop meters, film processors, you name it, many of those run by young people, which is really important - it is not out of nostalgia for equipment they used in the old times, because they started their activity in the digital era.

 

[Pieter12]

Well it depends, in case of mainstream tech definitely, but if you are serious into anything you are not reasoning like that. My son is 13 yo and he shoots on Nikon FM2/T and his dream gear is not Z9, but... Contax 645

What struck me in the past couple of weeks, that there are so many start-ups and projects related to film photography nowadays. Upgrade kits for JOBO processors, LED sources for enlargers, densitometers, f-stop meters, film processors, you name it, many of those run by young people, which is really important - it is not out of nostalgia for equipment they used in the old times, because they started their activity in the digital era.

It does depend. When my daughter was in middle school, she became interested in film photoography. However, the results disappointed her and she did not pursue it any further. The ease of digital and the omnipresence of smart phones will make a large-scale return of film beyond a niche market pretty difficult, especially considering most people never print their photos and there is no real expense involved in digital/phone photography beyond the initial cost of the equipment. In the case of the smart phone, that expense is sometimes picked up by the carrier or just considered a necessity for life in today's world.

As far as start-ups are concerned, with sites like GoFundMe, IndieGogo and KickStarter, money can be raised for specialty items related to film photography. Add in computer-driven 3D printing and CNC machines and low-volume production becomes more viable. I have purchased items from such start-ups who don't seem to want or need to make more equipment than the initial run, no widespread availability or even the possibility of future support or improvements. You cite LED enlarger lights, I am only aware of 2 available: the Intrepid LED head (not cheap, and available either as part of a kit or for the De Vere) and the insanely expensive ones from Heiland Electronics. And only two f-stop timers (I assume that's what you meant, most meters will read f-stops) that I know of either.

 

[kal800]

beyond a niche market pretty difficult

It will never go beyond the niche market, full stop. But the thing is, that it should be strong and stable niche market being one of the serious choices for any art photographer, both amateur and pro.

You cite LED enlarger lights

Exactly - we've had insanely expensive Heiland and tada! Here comes the Intrepid with reasonably priced alternative. As a matter of fact, I've received a quote from Heiland some days ago being quite better than the prices on their webpage, and Intrepid plans to add more enlarger choices. That's how market works and in that case I can feel some fresh air. Intrepid is the best example - if they are rolling out new products having quite a product base already, it means that the demand is strong.

And only two f-stop timers

We've got RH Designs which is being run by SDH these days, as the product creator has retired. But, look at this - https://www.dektronics.com/printalyzer-enlarging-timer - it looks like the clone of the device I've mentioned before, but with some improvements.

 

[VinceInMT]

Much of the talk about a resurgence of interest in film photography looks at Generations X, Y, Z or whatever group passes for “young” as a source of that interest. I wonder how much is driven by oldsters who are now retired and have more time and disposable income to to devote to this endeavor, something they’ve always had a curiosity about.

(And, on a tangent, personally, I don’t identify as a certain age just like others don’t identify as a particular gender. I read a recent piece where those eschewing the baggage that comes with age-identification refer to themselves at Perennials. I sort of like that as I never reacted positively to the admonition to “Act your age.” To many people I know in my calendar age group (I was born when Harry Truman was US. President) are sedentary and boring. They have long abandoned curiosity as a reason to learn something new.)

Ilford does try to research the demographics: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/ilford-photo-global-film-users-survey-the-results-are-in/

Apparently, the age spread of responders was: <44 = 60%, 45> = 40%

 

[AnselMortensen]

I don't know how to act my age...
I've never been this old before!

 

[kal800]

resurgence beginning circa 2017

IMHO earlier. It has all started with Lomography being popular early 2010s as part of hipster culture.

 

[Pieter12]

Much of the talk about a resurgence of interest in film photography looks at Generations X, Y, Z or whatever group passes for “young” as a source of that interest. I wonder how much is driven by oldsters who are now retired and have more time and disposable income to to devote to this endeavor, something they’ve always had a curiosity about.

(And, on a tangent, personally, I don’t identify as a certain age just like others don’t identify as a particular gender. I read a recent piece where those eschewing the baggage that comes with age-identification refer to themselves at Perennials. I sort of like that as I never reacted positively to the admonition to “Act your age.” To many people I know in my calendar age group (I was born when Harry Truman was US. President) are sedentary and boring. They have long abandoned curiosity as a reason to learn something new.)

Ilford does try to research the demographics: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/ilford-photo-global-film-users-survey-the-results-are-in/

Apparently, the age spread of responders was: <44 = 60%, 45> = 40%

Not a solid base to build a growing market on.

 

[Helge]

Not a solid base to build a growing market on.

You know Pieter I might have to block you soon if you continue with that kind of doom posting.
It’s rare that I use the block option, because I find it pretty silly.
But it’s getting tiresome. Which is a shame, because you otherwise post some good stuff.
You just seem to be stuck in a grove, with some kind of strange agenda.

I’m writing this not so much to make myself special (why would you care really?) but to inform you that banning and restrictions is apparently partly based on how many people block you (not a good thing if you ask me).
I can’t be the only one with an itchy finger.

 

[MattKing]

Not a solid base to build a growing market on.

The pharmaceutical and retirement living and cruise ship industries would beg to differ.
After all, it is a group that is growing, and constantly being replenished.

I read a recent piece where those eschewing the baggage that comes with age-identification refer to themselves at Perennials.

I refuse to think of myself as a garden plant!