They "dying world of chemical photography"

[Tony-S]

The "dying world of chemical photography"

Don't be drinking anything while reading this, or you might spew all over your computer when you get to the end.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...s_imaging_patent_claim_against_apple_rim.html

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I sure hate to see that happening.

Jeff

 

[jacarape]

There were some interesting comments to the post. I don't think film is dying as asserted in the article, I think Kodak film is dying.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I think the motion picture industry determines a lot of the revenue Kodak has from film in general. Since much of that market is migrating to digital as well, it's just a matter of time before they have to stop doing what they're doing.
Companies like Ilford and Foma don't have a dependency (direct anyway, other than maybe film base material etc) on the motion picture industry. They serve photographers in general, so they are better poised to tackle the future.
I just hope that materials used to manufacture the products we use (and Ilford/Foma/Efke etc make) won't become so scarce that they become impossible for vendors to manufacture profitably, if Kodak and Fuji stopped altogether.

- Thomas

 

[dr5chrome]

..its called 'downsizing'. We all have to do it. A company that can not survive on 7.9 billion a year, I don't feel sorry for. Kodak needs to leave the traditional photography market and give it to someone who cares about it.

dw

 

[Christopher Walrath]

At least it's moving closer to when and further from if.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

...and a terribly sad thing to watch as well. And saddest of all, I don't honestly believe it had to happen.

Ken

 

[RalphLambrecht]

When is the last time you bought film?

 

[tessar]

Today.

 

[2F/2F]

I would call the statement accurate, though a bit poetic for a news article.

I've always held the same belief as Thomas about the motion picture films' affect on Kodak's ability to continue still film production with the way they are currently set up.

 

[Mick Fagan]

As a matter of fact Ralph, last night I ordered 300 4x5 sheets of Ilford FP4+ from Badger in the USA.

I purchased from there because that business offers this film in 100 sheet boxes, and the film is sharply priced.

Mick.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

To add to the previous posts, Ralph, I have an order ready to submit for bulk 35mm, 4x5, and 8x10. It's presently on hold pending soon-to-come information from Louise Kessler at Voltarc (Aristo) regarding the pricing of the new manufacturing run of VCL4500 and VCL8100 replacement grid lamps. Getting new lamps for my enlarger head is a priority for me right now.

Once I see the lamp cost, I'll scale my film order accordingly.

What I meant was that Kodak film's demise did not have to happen this way. Regarding film in general - at least b&w film - I remain very optimistic. That's why I'm investing in new Aristo lamps. And why my film order is destined for Ilford.

Ken

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Today.

Very good, you all did your part!

But, how many have bought and refrigerated tons of their favorite films and papers in fear of them not being available in the future? What does that do to current film and paper sales and the companies who depend on it?

I fear, by the time their fridges are empty, the manufacturers we depend on are out of business, and ironically, these people partially caused it!

 

[removed account4]

hey ralph

last i bought new film was 2 months ago ..
4 50 sheet boxes of 4x5 tmy from b/h ..

unfortunately it was more than more than 2x what i paid the last time ...
and it looks like i won't be able to afford it again

that's ok, i kind of like the look of expired film and paper anyways ...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

jnanian

I know the feeling! It helps to realize that photography never was the hobby of the poor. It has always been a danger to my wallet!

 

[Moopheus]

But, how many have bought and refrigerated tons of their favorite films and papers

For b&w 35mm, I have enough now and on order to last me several years. It's easy to store bulk cans. For sheet film, at least two. 120 I could use more. Probably more Fuji Acros and 400H in 120. Color I don't stockpile so much. It's partly a price issue as well as an availability issue. I just bought a pile of 4x5 FP4+ because I could get a good deal and the price is going up soon. But yes, the retail supply chain prefers that we buy continuously rather than occasionally in bulk.

 

[brucemuir]

Very good, you all did your part!

But, how many have bought and refrigerated tons of their favorite films and papers in fear of them not being available in the future? What does that do to current film and paper sales and the companies who depend on it?

Well I'm not going to snooze when I know of an impending discontinuance.
I buy remaining stock while I can.

Sorry... but this behavior cant be blamed for the sad state of things these days.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

But, how many have bought and refrigerated tons of their favorite films and papers in fear of them not being available in the future? What does that do to current film and paper sales and the companies who depend on it?

I fear, by the time their fridges are empty, the manufacturers we depend on are out of business, and ironically, these people partially caused it!

I don't do that.

It's bad for those industry players who actually are trying hard to survive as film manufacturers. And I need them to survive.

If they don't, my brand new Aristo tubes will be no more than a pretty aquamarine-colored mood light in a very strange-looking table lamp...

Posted by me on the subject of price-hoarding from (there was a url link here which no longer exists) thread:

"And the [Ilford] price increase? Not a problem. In fact, I'm not even going to alter my purchasing cycles to try to "beat" it. I will simply continue to purchase what I need, when it's needed, at whatever price helps to provide for its continued availability.

"To do otherwise would be, I believe, both short-sighted AND truly shooting myself in the foot..."​

Ken

 

[2F/2F]

I regularly spend more money in Freestyle than I should. It doesn't seem to be helping the film companies much.

 

[Mick Fagan]

As an aside, I'm in the current postcard exchange and I received one yesterday with some interesting information on the back.

It was a picture taken at a professional American Football (NFL) game.

The author went on:- "that the NFL Films shoots 16mm film at every game. They shoot about 23 miles of film every week during the football season. They are the largest purchasers of Kodak film in the world".

That's 37 kilometres of film every week, which is a fair bit.

Any comments on that information?

Mick.

 

[MattKing]

I don't think anyone would complain if the story had used the phrase "the shrinking world of chemical photography"

 

[Sean]

Other things which are "dying": Vinyl records and high end analog audio equipment thanks to MP3s, drawing and painting by hand since the arrival of the digitablet, classic cars are history now that the Volt has arrived, sculpting by hand is no more with the arrival of 3D printers, Home brewing of Beer now that canned beer has arrived, Chefs have gone the way of the dinosaur after frozen dinners introduced, fly fishing has died since factory fish farms have come on the scene. I could go on...

 

[mike c]

I got the same card Mick,and could not believe it till I happen to mention it to a fella involved in that business and he confirmed it .

Mike

 

[toro_mike]

Ah, thanks for this thread... I'm going to buy some film right now

Mike

 

[michaelbsc]

When is the last time you bought film?

Friday.