Does film have a future?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

I buy my crystal balls from the same outlet as everyone else, but the above is spot-on and inarguable. My personal opinion for #1 is that commercial film is going to be around for a long, long time. It may get rather expensive, but that will only serve to increase its desirability. People will talk with envy of the day when they 'can shoot film'. Same for the framed 2-dimensional analog print. Anyone just getting started now who thinks they want a longterm career in photography would be very smart to nail down chemical work just as much as bit chomping.

#2 is totally out of the theoretical closet. Superb materials can be made -- are being made-- and for a pittance of the cost of commercial. That differential is only likely to increase. Silver gelatin photography is never, ever going away.

Doomsdaying the future of film is a very strange hobby. Three cheers for all the sane, affirmative voices that keep repeating the joys of film. Thanks!

Society is and has been vulnerable to 'herd mentality' It may or may not be worse today but because of the speed of social media it often looks or may be as such. That said there in almost any endeavour are those in society who run against the herd or if not against at least not on the exact same tack while going in the same general direction the herd is.

Film shooting is no different than many other examples. Niche's in life have and always will exist. Some grow large, some remain small, others ebb and flow the with the times and mood of society. We should stop predicting the death of film and much other stuff and just go out and shoot it, for film, use it experience it and enjoy it, whatever it may be film or other things in life and or that interest each of us. Being apart of the herd at times has its place but life often is much more rewarding when we each run off in our own directions and ways at times too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dwross

Doomsdaying the future of film is a very strange hobby. Three cheers for all the sane, affirmative voices that keep repeating the joys of film. Thanks!

---

And a big thank you for telling it like it really is!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prof_Pixel

Sigh..... that may have been true in the '90s, but it's not true today.

---

YouTube: D800 vs Medium Format with Roth and Ramberg

I read some comments that all of the sensors need calibration, and sensors vary from batch to batch. It really does make me wonder how well the digital sensors compare to film. I've seen test results showing that color fidelity in digital sensors drops significantly, in some cases to nearly B&W, as the ISO increases.

As for a direct comparison of digital and film, may I present Twin Lens Life: Nikon D300 vs Fuji GS645, and Canon 5D MkII vs 35mm Kodak.

Since I shoot MF and LF, of course I still view digital as not measuring up, not by a long shot, not even at 80Mp.

< Does film have a future? >

Yes, if you buy enough!

I'm about 45,000 clicks into my DeeAteHundred, I find it to be absolutely spectacular even up to 6,400, easily on par with scanned 6x6 color film when printed up to 40" wide. That said, except for the NYT assignment I did with it on Friday, it has sat idle since the first week of August and will until around Thanksgiving....:-)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PKM-25

I'm about 45,000 clicks into my DeeAteHundred, I find it to be absolutely spectacular even up to 6,400, easily on par with scanned 6x6 color film when printed up to 40" wide. That said, except for the NYT assignment I did with it on Friday, it has sat idle since the first week of August and will until around Thanksgiving....:-)

---

My medium format film camera gives spectacular results too, and cost under $200. What did your D800 cost?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PKM-25

I'm about 45,000 clicks into my DeeAteHundred...

---

That's a number that—like Wilt Chamberlin's 20,000—immediately goes begging for a calculator. Wanna' know the difference in definitions between "vocation" and "avocation?" Combined, I don't think I've released a camera shutter that many times in my entire life...

:p

Ken

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PKM-25

I'm about 45,000 clicks into my DeeAteHundred, I find it to be absolutely spectacular even up to 6,400, easily on par with scanned 6x6 color film when printed up to 40" wide. That said, except for the NYT assignment I did with it on Friday, it has sat idle since the first week of August and will until around Thanksgiving....:-)

---

What's this got to do with the thread here?
Besides which, the figure of 45,000 would seem highly improbable...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ken Nadvornick

That's a number that—like Wilt Chamberlin's 20,000—immediately goes begging for a calculator. Wanna' know the difference in definitions between "vocation" and "avocation?" Combined, I don't think I've released a camera shutter that many times in my entire life...

:p

Ken

---

No doubt. I have maybe 45,000 clicks on ALL my cameras over ALL my time in the hobby. It boggles the mind that one could fire off so many shots in just the few short months the D800 has been around.

I dont think I could sustain interest in photography with so many images.