Camera market has collapsed 84% since 2010
Feb 15, 2019 08:25:40 #
ggab wrote:
I just finished reading an article in "Digita... (show quote)
I don't think much of the article. It looks at a very short time period relative to the history of photography and camera sales. Eight years just is not very long and it starts at the high point of sales historically. The market has not collapsed, it is simply returning to the norm. There was a huge spike driven by accessible digital technology. Now the accessibility has moved to smartphones. Smartphones now have the spot that was occupied by instant and disposable film cameras in the 70's 80's and 90's. High end cameras have not lost their core audience.
The spike did make it possible for manufacturers to fund a whole lot of R&D over the last decade. And we are enjoying the benefits (including relatively low prices for new technology) that this produced. Over the next few years some of the R&D may start to go away, or not. Much of the R&D done for smartphones will probably transfer to great improvements in higher end cameras. Like computational photography.
As Douglass Adams said "Don't Panic"
Feb 15, 2019 08:40:48 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Technology will eventually change the way we do things in all facets of photography. I try to embrace change because I find it interesting. I don't have any regrets at having to get the film developed or having to buy flashbulbs. Again, the past was incredible but tomorrow will make today the past.
Feb 15, 2019 13:01:53 #
Is it really any surprise that the sale of cameras is dropping sharply?
It seems to me the sale of horse saddles and buggy whips are also down sharply compared to the mid 1800's. :)
The reason is the same. The method of transportation changed, making them obsolete and so too the method of picture taking is changing making the classic camera obsolete.
I would not surprise me, if by the end of the 21st century some 80 years from now, the DSLR will be fondly remembered a the bridge between film and whatever personal communication devise is popular by then.
Over all it simply makes little difference. There are folks today still making genuine birch bark canoes and horse drawn buggies, horse back rides and rodeo are still with us. You can still buy a model T Ford, and film still has a following. New technology replaces old technology but it does not eradicate it.
Film is still available, though not a plentiful as it used to be, However, I can go on eBay and buy the camera I once dreamed of owning, for a fraction of the price.
A child born a mere decade from now, will will one day be asking his teen aged buddy "Why do you want to mess the those old DSLR relics with all those buttons and menus?" The reply will be the same as today; they are interesting and fun. He will also probably say something about DSRLs taking better picture. :)
It seems to me the sale of horse saddles and buggy whips are also down sharply compared to the mid 1800's. :)
The reason is the same. The method of transportation changed, making them obsolete and so too the method of picture taking is changing making the classic camera obsolete.
I would not surprise me, if by the end of the 21st century some 80 years from now, the DSLR will be fondly remembered a the bridge between film and whatever personal communication devise is popular by then.
Over all it simply makes little difference. There are folks today still making genuine birch bark canoes and horse drawn buggies, horse back rides and rodeo are still with us. You can still buy a model T Ford, and film still has a following. New technology replaces old technology but it does not eradicate it.
Film is still available, though not a plentiful as it used to be, However, I can go on eBay and buy the camera I once dreamed of owning, for a fraction of the price.
A child born a mere decade from now, will will one day be asking his teen aged buddy "Why do you want to mess the those old DSLR relics with all those buttons and menus?" The reply will be the same as today; they are interesting and fun. He will also probably say something about DSRLs taking better picture. :)
Feb 15, 2019 16:00:57 #
Grandpa Ron wrote:
.............
A child born a mere decade from now, will will one day
be asking his teen aged buddy "Why do you want to
mess the those old DSLR relics with all those buttons
and menus?" ................
A child born a mere decade from now, will will one day
be asking his teen aged buddy "Why do you want to
mess the those old DSLR relics with all those buttons
and menus?" ................
While that's a syruppy sweet projection, reality is
that for a lack of any still alive proprietary battery
packs, it is highly unlikely to happen.
As someone around here has already said, "The
future ain't what it used to be". Which is normal,
cuz the past never was what it used to be, either.
.
Feb 15, 2019 17:02:21 #
"Who need batteries" will be the advertising buzz words of the future. You just chuck in your mini fuel cells or your solar charged capacitor bank and off you go.
Sounds far fetched? My dad was born six years after the Wright brothers first flight. He was 60 when men were walking on the moon. When he was in his 30's they were experimenting with television.
No one really knows what the future holds of course, fortunately you can choose the level of change you are comfortable with. Not everyone wants or need the latest model smart phone, bass boat, golf clubs or camera etc. As I mentioned, the Amish still use horse and buggies.
I like digital cameras because you can shoot, experiment and shoot some more. I also like my 4x5 view camera, my wood and canvas canoe, my telegraph code key for Ham radio communication and a host of other old fashion things. But, that does not keep me from enjoying the fruits of modern technology.
To the OPs point, the tradition camera market may be replaced by the next new cell phone but all that means is photographic improvements will take place in a difference camera shape.
We live in exciting times.
Sounds far fetched? My dad was born six years after the Wright brothers first flight. He was 60 when men were walking on the moon. When he was in his 30's they were experimenting with television.
No one really knows what the future holds of course, fortunately you can choose the level of change you are comfortable with. Not everyone wants or need the latest model smart phone, bass boat, golf clubs or camera etc. As I mentioned, the Amish still use horse and buggies.
I like digital cameras because you can shoot, experiment and shoot some more. I also like my 4x5 view camera, my wood and canvas canoe, my telegraph code key for Ham radio communication and a host of other old fashion things. But, that does not keep me from enjoying the fruits of modern technology.
To the OPs point, the tradition camera market may be replaced by the next new cell phone but all that means is photographic improvements will take place in a difference camera shape.
We live in exciting times.
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