[dougjgreen]

I think it's safe to say that the evolution of FILM CAMERAS is over. For the past couple of years, nobody other than Nikon with the F6, has even come out with a BETTER (as opposed to cheaper) film camera in 35mm format. But the fact is, there is a vast used market for film cameras, and this is a reality that all camera manufacturers had to deal with. For example, A Used, but near mint Nikon F100 can easily be found for under $400, and a used but near mint Olympus OM-4 can be found for under $300. It's not possible to build NEW cameras that are better than these outstanding older models, for anything CLOSE to those prices and still be profitable. In Medium Format, it's even worse, as the supply of great pro-caliber used gear available for 10 cents on the dollar vs. new equipment exceeds the supply.

I can buy a top notch, complete Mamiya RZ67, or Hasselblad 503 system in pristine shape for under a grand used, with ease. Those are systems that have to sell NEW for more than three times that, or the manufacturer loses money.

The fact that there are already more, and better, film cameras in existence than will ever be needed again, in the advent of digital, simply means that the market for used gear is where it will be at from now on. But, that is entirely different from there not being a market for film. There will be a market for film for a LONG TIME. Like decades. Now, in the next few years, it will shrink, but as a niche market, it will exist for at least another couple of decades.