My local camera shop, business booming. Anyone else?

[Agulliver]

Does 'Luton Camera Repairs' sell cine equipment or are they using it for window dressing? Would be interesting to know how many Steenbeck editors etc. are left in the UK. I know City College in Norwich had one over 15 years ago...

The 16mm projectors in the window are - at present - not for sale. Though they've had offers. They do rent out a Sankyo dual 8mm projector and will order in cine flm on request. I don't think they have any cine equipment in stock, certainly no Steenbeck editors that I am aware of. Basically the previous owner retired in 2018 and the new owners are still finding interesting items stored in the basement. They're selling off over 100 15 exposure rolls of the genuine Agfa Vista colour film which they've checked and is still working fine, pretty much as new. They have cans of Ilford 35mm motion picture film in 200 and 400 foot lengths.And a few slide projectors, Rollei and Leica brands.

One interesting thing is that they're attracting business not by filling their shop window with the latest digital gizmos but by filling it with cine projectors, slide projectors, 90s compact 35mm cameras and a sign below saying "bring your films here".

 

[foc]

a sign below saying "bring your films here"

That says it all. Great to see film thriving and enthusiastic people selling it and providing the service and in a bricks and mortar shop.
The only way it up

 

[Henning Serger]

My local scene here looks like this:
1. Local professional lab:
Some years ago about 10% of their business was film based, and 90% digital.
Meanwhile about 60% of their business is again film photography (film processing C41, E6, BW; film sales, RA-4 silver halide prints, photo books) and digital based business (RA-4 silver-halide prints from digital files, photo books and big inkjet prints) has shrunk to 40%.
The trend to film at their lab has recently accelerated. Lots of young film users, too, including lots of photography students from the local photography college (where the basic education is on film).

2. Local camera store:
Offers film from Fujifilm, Kodak, Ilford, Polaroid. Prof. film cold stored in a fridge. 35mm and 120 always in stock, LF can be ordered. Attractive price level.
They are selling about 2,000 instant instax film packs every month.
Used film cameras on offer, and new instant cameras.The whole Leica camera line including the film cameras.

3. Public darkroom:
Increasing user numbers for about 2 years now.

4. Film photographer meetings:
I am organising such meetings regularly for more than a decade now. Interest and member numbers are increasing.
In addition further local groups have popped up recently, too.

So I can definitely see here locally what is also happening globally: A film revival which is becoming stronger.

Best regards,
Henning

I have to update my posting, because I've just recently have had another detailed talk with the owner of my preferred local professional lab (see above):
In 2019 he had an increase in film processing business of 550% (!). Yes, 550%. It is not a typo.
He also reported increasing difficulties in buying enough of certain very popular film types for his customers. The wholesalers are often sold out. The big online distributors have the same problem: Demand is surpassing supply significantly, huge film backorders, sold out film types. Kodak and Fujifilm have both severe problems to produce enough film, especially CN film. Converting capacities have to be increased. That process takes time.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[jtk]

Neither Kodak nor Fuji have trouble producing products that are actually wanted by significant market. Freestyle is selling rare and/or govt surplus products hoping to hook remaining film shooters..imo...see their ads. Congratulations to them, and good that they've become a vendor for inkjet.

 

[Henning Serger]

Neither Kodak nor Fuji have trouble producing products that are actually wanted by significant market.

Sorry, that is completely wrong and has nothing to do with reality. You don't have any insight in market data.
But I have. That is part of my daily job.
We currently have global backorders for film (mainly CN film) in the double digit million volume. Demand is surpassing supply for several film types.Fujifilm, and especially Kodak, have meanwhile severe problems to keep up with demand and keep up with production = film converting.
That is the reason, why e.g. Kodak now massively invest in new converting capabilities to further increase production.They are already running 35mm converting in 3-shifts per day operation.
That is all official:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...rong-increasing-demand-new-investment.171280/
Fujifilm is running their instax converting alraedy for years in 3-shifts per day operation.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[jtk]

Sorry, that is completely wrong and has nothing to do with reality. You don't have any insight in market data.
But I have. That is part of my daily job.
We currently have global backorders for film (mainly CN film) in the double digit million volume. Demand is surpassing supply for several film types.Fujifilm, and especially Kodak, have meanwhile severe problems to keep up with demand and keep up with production = film converting.
That is the reason, why e.g. Kodak now massively invest in new converting capabilities to further increase production.They are already running 35mm converting in 3-shifts per day operation.
That is all official:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...rong-increasing-demand-new-investment.171280/
Fujifilm is running their instax converting alraedy for years in 3-shifts per day operation.

Best regards,
Henning

We're quibbling about semantics. As well, in the real world when demand exceeds supply, prices go up to the point when people stop buying. .

If Kodak wanted to sell more film they'd advertise more effectively. On the other hand, Kodak, whoever that is this week, has vanished from significant advertising media. I buy a lot of photo stuff online and never see Kodak ads.

Instax was a brilliant idea...I receive Instax photos from Navajo children who live remotely.

 

[jtk]

I have to update my posting, because I've just recently have had another detailed talk with the owner of my preferred local professional lab (see above):
In 2019 he had an increase in film processing business of 550% (!). Yes, 550%. It is not a typo.
He also reported increasing difficulties in buying enough of certain very popular film types for his customers. The wholesalers are often sold out. The big online distributors have the same problem: Demand is surpassing supply significantly, huge film backorders, sold out film types. Kodak and Fujifilm have both severe problems to produce enough film, especially CN film. Converting capacities have to be increased. That process takes time.

Best regards,
Henning

"Professional labs" don't buy much film...there remain very few professional labs. FWIW I sold a LOT of processing machinery for Colenta in its largest, richest market (California). Professional labs have virtually all vanished (a handful remain, using vintage dip/dunk processors because big clients demanded dip/dunk quality. ,

 

[Henning Serger]

If Kodak wanted to sell more film they'd advertise more effectively. On the other hand, Kodak, whoever that is this week, has vanished from significant advertising media. I buy a lot of photo stuff online and never see Kodak ads.

Sorry, again completely wrong and without knowledge of the current market reality. Kodak fortunately is not so stupid to waste its limited advertizing capital on traditional ads. These are expensive and have very little effect. Kodak knows that it is much more efficient (much cheaper and you get in direct contact with much more potential customers) to use social media like facebook, twitter, instagram and youtube.There are their customers, especially all the new and young ones, who are a major force of the current film resurgence.
Kodak has been very active on these channels, have increased their activity recently and has been extremely successful. For example they already have more than 629,000 followers on instagram, and they get about 1,000 (!) new ones every day:
https://www.instagram.com/kodak/
https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional/
https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional_europe/

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

"Professional labs" don't buy much film...there remain very few professional labs.

Sorry, again both statements completely wrong:
1. Most current labs have extended their programme and service. And that means not only processing and making prints, but also care for your customer in a broader way by selling films as well is today a standard service for most professional labs. I am in permanent contact to lots of professional labs around the world (part of my job), and for all selling films is important, and is getting more important from year to year. And they sell lots of film, just last week a lab in my neighbour city has just ordered another 4,000 rolls. One of several orders per quarter.
2. For about three years now the number of professional labs is increasing worldwide. Just one example: In Bangkok the number of labs has doubled in the last 24 months. Currently 18 labs in that city.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Sirius Glass]

We're quibbling about semantics. As well, in the real world when demand exceeds supply, prices go up to the point when people stop buying. .

If Kodak wanted to sell more film they'd advertise more effectively. On the other hand, Kodak, whoever that is this week, has vanished from significant advertising media. I buy a lot of photo stuff online and never see Kodak ads.

Instax was a brilliant idea...I receive Instax photos from Navajo children who live remotely.

Kodak stopped advertising during the lead up to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics because their research showed that film advertising did not effect sales. Prior to that Kodak was an outstanding Olympics advertiser.

 

[jtk]

All the best to Kodak, whoever that is

 

[BradS]

San Francisco and "The East Bay" have some well noted community rooms.
When i moved from there to a much smaller city, those things disappeared.
....

seems like Photo Central in Hayward is still thriving???
http://www.photocentral.org/

 

[Agulliver]

"if Kodak wanted to sell more film"......Kodak is currently selling more film than they can manufacture. Reaching potential customers via advertising is not one of their problems in 2020. Kodak and Ilford especially are using social media to inform young and new shooters about their products. There is no point living in 1995. Spending money on print, radio, TV or billboard ads would not be wise for Kodak, Fuji or any other film manufacturer.

 

[Luckless]

"if Kodak wanted to sell more film"......Kodak is currently selling more film than they can manufacture. Reaching potential customers via advertising is not one of their problems in 2020. Kodak and Ilford especially are using social media to inform young and new shooters about their products. There is no point living in 1995. Spending money on print, radio, TV or billboard ads would not be wise for Kodak, Fuji or any other film manufacturer.

Footing the bill for a few pilot episodes on stuff headed for one of the TV Streaming Services where the main character happens to use film in a modern setting would probably net them better return for reminding people that "Film isn't dead..." than any magazine ad campaign could.

 

[AgX]

There is no point living in 1995.

How dare you pulling me out of the 90's? Luckily I am living in the 60's/70's...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I've posted before in other threads but I thought I'd post a dedicated thread. Does anyone else have good news from their local camera shop or local scene?

I live in Luton, UK which is fortunate enough to still have a proper camera shop "Luton Camera Repair Centre". It's been in business about 50 years I believe, and last December the owner decided to retire. Thankfully one of his younger staff members and the lady who operates a film processing business on the premises took it on. I always used the shop occasionally but have to admit I found I didn't really feel at ease. The new owners seem to ease my anxiety.

It's a proper bricks and mortar shop on the edge of the town centre retail area, indeed you can see it from the rail station from where it is maybe three minutes walk. It's the kind of shop where you can buy the latest digital camera, or a used film camera, even a NOS film camera....they still have a "wall of film", darkroom supplies, a cabinet of used lenses of various flavours....in-house 24 hour film process/print/scan for several film formats operated by a lady who can remember the switch to C41 from C22....they even have a 8mm projector for rent so people can watch old cine films. As their name suggests they also repair cameras and are still an authorised Olympus repair agent and spares stockist.

I've changed from a mail order lab to the shop as they are cheaper *and* better then the well known lab I was using. So I visit quite often and ask about business. For example last week in one day they sold three Olympus film cameras and got slide projectors from the basement storage onto shelves because of requests from customers. Today I learned they SOLD OUT of Kodak colour film last week and had to get emergency supplies, and on Friday alone they processed 54 rolls of film. They are certainly reporting an upswing in film photography, and corresponding sales of gear, film and services.

This is just one shop, in a town that does have a university offering film photography in it's photography courses....so this particular bubble is likely to be more positive than the national/worldwide picture....but they seem to have so much business they can barely cope.

I've added pictures, you may have seen some before as I've mentioned this shop elsewhere. I'm now going to keep any talking about them to this thread rather than banging on about them all over.

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my local shop closed end of last year; the other one doesn't sell film of any kind.

 

[Dave Ludwig]

Granted the days of walking into just about any camera shop and buying a brick of 120 are over. Recently was in a shop talking film with the guy behind the counter when he advised that the university was now making film mandatory for photography majors. Of course I have so many questions regarding why it hasn't been part of the program when we were taught alternative methods back in the day and had a great time. Hopefully now that is mandatory at this university some will cross over. Camera shops will never be the way they were, their purpose is to make money and cater to the majority of the market. How many shops in the 80's carried plates or chemicals to make tintypes? Not Many. Camera shops don't close just because of no film.

 

[jtk]

"if Kodak wanted to sell more film"......Kodak is currently selling more film than they can manufacture. Reaching potential customers via advertising is not one of their problems in 2020. Kodak and Ilford especially are using social media to inform young and new shooters about their products. There is no point living in 1995. Spending money on print, radio, TV or billboard ads would not be wise for Kodak, Fuji or any other film manufacturer.

Following your logic, we should remember that "social media" market views everything on a phone (rarely laptop)...which shoots stills and video with sound...and they see that every day on all "television."

I don't think Kodak or Fuji do any significant advertising anywhere...if you think otherwise it would be easy for you to share right here, on Photrio.

"Kodak" and Fuji are simply making a little money while backing quietly away from film.

 

[darkosaric]

The power of Instagram can been seen in the price of Contax T2.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

The power of Instagram can been seen in the price of Contax T2.

How so?

 

[darkosaric]

How so?

Kendall Jenner and Chris Hemsworth put some pictures on Instagram and wrote I am using T2, and days after Contax T2 was rocketing from 100-200€ to 600€, 800€ and more. Also those two people jumped film sales more than any commercial on TV. World is changing.

 

[AgX]

"Kendall Jenner and Chris Hemsworth"... never heard these names before, but that is why I am on Apug.

 

[darkosaric]

"Kendall Jenner and Chris Hemsworth"... never heard these names before, but that is why I am on Apug.

First one has 122 million followers, second one around 40 million. In another words: Kendall is in the Kardashian clan, and Chris plays Thor, God of thunder .

 

[AgX]

Well, I could drop names likely none of these 160 million followers ever heard either...

 

[jtk]

Footing the bill for a few pilot episodes on stuff headed for one of the TV Streaming Services where the main character happens to use film in a modern setting would probably net them better return for reminding people that "Film isn't dead..." than any magazine ad campaign could.

Yes, but they're not doing that...are they? Their financial managers don 't want more film business.