Does film have a future?

[CGW]

Yes but don't trust the present to provide many clues about the future. So far, Ilford is the surest bet for b&w. C-41 is the problem with MP materials' longevity the great unknown. E-6 materials are nearly dead. What's certain as it gets is that what survives will be pricier and less widely available than before. The demise of cheap C-41 35mm dev/print service in N. America said it all about color film consumption. But there is a future and it won't be totally awful--just very different than where many of us stand now.

[rich815]

I've been on photo.net since 1999 and on this site since 2003. Around 6-7 years ago people were saying on photo.net and photosig and a few other places I barely visit anymore that film would be really hard to get in 3 years and virtually gone within 5. They were very wrong.

Can I get 120 or B&W 35mm at the local druggist anymore? no. Can I get it at anywhere from at least a dozen places around the SF bay area? yes. Can I get it mail order from hundreds of places? Yes.

It's not leaving us any time soon if ever. And I suspect its use has bottomed and might be going up in many circles. Especially since more and more people are realizing that digital sucks. HA!

[macandal]

Can I get 120 or B&W 35mm [...] anywhere from at least a dozen places around the SF bay area? yes. Can I get it mail order from hundreds of places? Yes.

So true. I've gotten BW and color in MF, LF, and 35 mm. You have quite a few places to get it processed too, and a few other places that allow you to process your BW film.

[BMbikerider]

Digital has all the benefits and few of the drawbacks of film photography with the added bonus of almost instant viewing. However there is nothing like exposing a film, developing it yourself and making prints from it. Sheer magic which digital will never equal. My ex wife came up with a good analogy for the two mediums :- Digital photographs do not have a soul!

[JBrunner]

We still have three pro labs in town doing everything. Plus one hour c41 at some of the boxes, send out at others, with Fuji starting to dominate the hangars. Sounds like one market may not be all markets, and/or vice versa.

Personally, I find pessimism to be a self fulfilling prophecy. Tomorrow never comes, so bloviating about it, particularly with a full bladder, is decidedly boorish IMO.

If ya got it, stop whining and shoot it.

[zsas]

Yep. Deadest horse on the site.

[Prof_Pixel]

I think there are actually two questions:

1. Does film have a future?

2. Does AgX photography have a future?

The answer to question 1. depends on the future demand for film. If at some time the demand for film products drop below a critical level (and none of us know what that is), film is gone.

The answer to question 2. is only a function of the interests of present and future experimental minded photographers. As long as people care enough to experiment and make their own emulsions, AgX photography will survive.

[rich815]

Digital has........the added bonus of almost instant viewing.

Personally I find that aspect a huge detriment and distraction to my photography.

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

When the 60 megapixel camera could be found from thrift shop for 1 dollar , I will never use film again

[rich815]

I am happy for this thread because I learned about the word "Bloviate".