randymoe

Of course Leica film cameras seem to go up in valuation yearly, but what of lesser cameras. Most are now worth less. Yes, many were produced, but every year many are lost to attrition. What will be the turning point? Will film products altogether disappear in a few decades, due to sales volume and environmental concerns? Will large format cameras survive best as they are particularly adaptable to home brew processes? Will smaller formats be abandoned as too costly?

Just a morning thought. I do hope film survives my life span. My daughter, a former Hasselblad Pro, has given up on film. Kristi is a busy mother!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

There will always be film fans out here. Just as the diehard View Camera users are still alive after auto-everything took over. So long as someone is still making silver emulsion film, someone will be shooting it. When the manufacturers cannot find enough customers? Well that would ring the death bell once and for all I think.

modest genius Loc: joshua tree park CA

Seems to me the numbers of fans are actually growing. Check out Lomo site. Seem to be putting the fun back in funtoghraphy. My main difficulty is forgetting that each shutter click costs to print. On the beach in Brighton last year I ran through a roll of 35mm B&W (36) in about two minutes! Had to wait until I got back home to process but was still very pleased with three of them. Even though a kindle is convenient there is still a magic in a real book. Same goes for film. If every one who owns a film camera shot just one roll a year they would keep making the films. Try one today. quote=randymoe]Of course Leica film cameras seem to go up in valuation yearly, but what of lesser cameras. Most are now worth less. Yes, many were produced, but every year many are lost to attrition. What will be the turning point? Will film products altogether disappear in a few decades, due to sales volume and environmental concerns? Will large format cameras survive best as they are particularly adaptable to home brew processes? Will smaller formats be abandoned as too costly?

Just a morning thought. I do hope film survives my life span. My daughter, a former Hasselblad Pro, has given up on film. Kristi is a busy mother![/quote]

rufus1 Loc: Winter Haven, Florida

I would love to stand behind a Deardorff just say I took that shot.

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

I use a Phase One P25 digital back on my 4x5 Toyo camera. I use this all the time in the studio and can alsoattach the back to my Mamiya 645 AFD body. I will always be working with large format, although I did sell my 8x10 Toyo camera.

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

I think you'll probably see less and less film cameras as digital keeps getting better. I for one don't miss the chemicals and stumbling in the dark. I do think that some of the medium format cameras will hold their value simply because you can switch out the back with a digital back. That truly would be the best of both worlds. One camera that can shoot both.

randymoe

When I shoot film, particularly with my Voigtlander Perkeo II, I take my time and try to make each shot a success and something different. 12 captures over 3 days. Now, my Mamiya RB67 SD is devouring Fuji Instant as I try to get a handle on studio flash. A little different learning curve than ITTL with a D7000 and SB 800.



[/quote]

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

More and more young people are taking may darkroom classes.

Sales of used cameras at my local store are up , (for years, they wouldn't even give up any counter space for film cameras).

Of course film will never be king again, but it isn't dead yet, either.

anotherview Loc: California

My morning opinion: Digital photography has incorporated the legacy of film photography in part because the engineers measure the results of digital photography in terms of film photography. Further, computer software now can emulate the look and feel of selected films of old. As well, the photographic papers available for printing digital images enables the digital photographer to achieve fine results. The practice of film photography may decline but its craft and tradition will endure simply because both image mediums share similar techniques for producing worthy photographs.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

When I went digital,After every time I made up my mind about what new one I was going to get. They would come out with a newer one. I finaly bought one, Of corse by the time I got it home they already had a new one out. They wouldn't take any of my old stuff in trade. A few years later an outfit came to town, set up in the store I bought my camera from, to buy used cameras. So I packed up all my film cameras and got in line at the store. They gave me $490 for a few thousand dollars worth of equp. One 35mm nikon with 3 lens, Two twin len with 3 lens two strobes. I took it. Thought it was better than nothing. Now I dont know if I did the rignt thing or not.

anotherview Loc: California

You could've kept the outdated gear as conversation pieces.