Is film finally dead?

[M. Worthington]

A recent poll run on this message board revealed that previous few of us even think about film any longer, much less use it. Seems the big companies are starting to follow suit. Kodak is no longer producing film cameras, right? How about Nikon and Canon? If they still are, it's likely sales are way down.

What do you think? Is film now officially dead? Or does it have a place? And if so, for how long?

[cyclohexane]

Canon has stopped development of film cameras, but I don't know about production.* Nikon only produces the FM10 (licensed Cosina body) and the F6 (shares lines with the D2-bodies), along with a select few manual focus AIS lenses.

Film is "dead" in quite a few of the regions of the world that visit the forum, but it's still going in underdeveloped areas.* Third-world countries don't use a lot of digital, not because of the cost of the cameras, but the computing hardware and expertise needed.

Also, two words: Art School.* Film is the accepted medium here; I've been told my work "isn't real" because I used digital capture.

[Blinky]

Film is not dead any more than swords are dead. It has an asthetic that digital lacks, it requires commitment and patience... film is cool.

While I don't miss processing E6... I still have my B&W darkroom kit and will set it back up one day and teach my kids the pleasure of taking a film image from the cannister to the dried print.

When I shoot 4x5, which isn't all that often anymore, I shoot film.

I'm a true convert to digital, I love digital and all the good stuff that goes with it... but I don't want film to disappear.

Chip

[Narsuitus]

I also do not want film to disappear. Even though I use digital, I primarily shoot film.* I still shoot and process black & white 4x5 and 8x10 inch sheet film. When I can find 5-liter E6 chemistry, I still shoot and process color slide film. Since low-cost color print film is much easier to find, I have recently been shooting more of it.

Blinky, as an owner of three swords (1 working sword and 2 display swords), I loved your sword analogy.

[brian.austin]

I'd like to get into 4x5 format photography and can only do this on film without giving up something else (like the opportunity for a plane or selling off tools in my shop). Until digital comes down in price outside the 35mm market, film will still be around for medium- and large-format photography.

Of course, supply will probably start shrinking up and costs will increase for that stuff, too. :P

[Waleed]

For medium and large formats, film is still the affordable way to go..
Digital backs for these formats is way too expensive..

Just as what's been said here

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Also, two words: Art School. Film is the accepted medium here; I've been told my work "isn't real" because I used digital capture.

...then I would say: Art School, Fart School...

...*my* €0.02 worth...

Max@Home

[cyclohexane]

LOL

Don't worry, if everyone thought like that, I wouldn't be here.

We actually have a large digital lab with software packages available, and are required to take lower division courses in working with "New Genres" of art, which include many forms of digital work. Upper division, I don't think we have to take all of the courses, but can choose from the same set of disciplines found in lower division work, along with some other courses not offered to underclassmen.

That comment was from another entering freshman, and she was mainly joking (and jealous) of my skill with working digital compared to hers.* We both work in digital, and are friends.* She just shares the qualms of some that the removal of the physical media- film- is somehow taking away from the process.* Hey, whatever floats their boat... I work with digital because I like using it, and they use film because that's what they like using.

[photojazz]

Hi...new guy here! I sure hope not!! I am still using my Mamiya RB67 and Bronica ETRSI. But film does go away, I still have my digital Nikon's.

[badpickev]

film will never die. cause i still buy it to sniff the fumes

[aam1234]

Hi Photojazz, welcome to the forum.

I still get the urge to shoot film from time to time, at least to try out my EOS 650 (first EOS model).

[photojazz]

Thanks AAm...topic makes me want to go out and shoot a few rolls!

[Athena]

Originally Posted by B

Film is not dead any more than swords are dead. It has an asthetic that digital lacks, it requires commitment and patience... film is cool.

Interesting analogy... I think we have more swords in the house than film.

[bircher]

Film is DEAD! Just as the Apple GUI system killed MS-DOS, digital had now replaced film and all those messy chemical dark rooms.

[aam1234]

.

[WyneM]

Originally Posted by bircher

Film is DEAD! Just as the Apple GUI system killed MS-DOS, digital had now replaced film and all those messy chemical dark rooms.

I must respectably disagree, first film still rains supreme in the larger formats, and even in the 'point and shoot' category film is still strong considering the number of disposable cameras, almost all of which use film, that are sold. yes in the 35mm category film has a very strong competition from digital sensors. I also see the time in the future where digital will rain supreme i all formats, but not now.

WayneM

[bircher]

Yes, in the medium to large format film is still supreme --- for now. But look at it this way, what monumental changes have there been in 5, 10, 20 years in film photography? It has remain the same more or less while advances in digital changes every day! I remember when I bought the first Canon Digital Rebel for $1000. A digital SLR for that price was unheard of. 35mm is completely digital and other formats will soon take place. I think I won't be waiting long for that $1000 digital medium format camera to come out soon.