I've seen lots of old folks getting their digital pictures developed at Wal-Mart already. So it's not like the technology is too technical for the older generation, which is the generation I would call most likely to continue using film as you also seemed to imply.
-Shawn -----Original Message----- From: Tom C [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:56 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Future Practicality of Film Shel I understand your point of view, but probably disagree a bit. I can't see film going through a slump and then returning to some appreciable level like the stock market. I think it will just slump and slump until it's off the radar of all but the most diehard users. If fun was the only criteria, I'd be driving a Porsche Boxster up the 3 miles of dirt road to my house, beating the heck out it on the washboard roads, and laughing all the way. Practicality dictates it's not the proper vehicle. An 18-wheel semi wouldn't work either, regardless of how much it can carry. I wouldn't be surprised about an ominous announcement though. The only thing the industry in general has to gain from discontinuing fim is more sales. I doubt 'they' even care about the millions of point & shoot film cameras out there. Stop making film, stop processing film, and everyone has to go digital whether they like it or not, and digital camera sales will go through the roof and into orbit. No one will care that 'grandma's camera doesn't work anymore' and 'grandma will get a new camera'. Grandma just knows she takes it in and gets her pictures back. I bet single use film cameras are on their way out too. Stick in a very small sensor, a little bit of memory... same thing as a plastic lens and cheap film. Tom C. From: "Shel Belinkoff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Future Practicality of Film Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 08:00:18 -0700 Y'know, for me, photography isn't about resolution, it's about trying to get a certain look and feel to the photos I produce. Sometimes an older lens and an old style film will provide the desired results, sometimes a very sharp lens and very high resolution or acutance film is more suitable. Sometimes 35mm is appropriate, sometimes Med Format. And sometimes a digital camera offers the best choice. Is film going away? In pundit mode, I'd suggest not, although it will probably go into a severe slump, and its use will stabilize after a while, and then start a small, but significant return. Now, is it practical to buy new camera gear? Indeed it is. Unless you're a professional, or on a very limited budget, the idea here is to have fun making photographs. So, buy the camera you want, shoot film until it goes out of production. If you like some emulsions and you're concerned they may disappear, freeze a few hundred rolls. Worried about getting the film processed? learn how to do it yourself.. Become an artisan instead of being dependent on computer technology and local labs. There's room for both, but will both survive? Hard to say in the long run. Perhaps the sun will explode before film disappears, or perhaps there will be an ominous announcement tomorrow putting to rest all this speculation. Shel Belinkoff > [Original Message] > From: Antonio Aparicio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 5/18/2004 6:33:02 AM > Subject: Re: Future Practicality of Film > > I have found Norman Korens site most illuminating on this subject: > > http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF7.html > > According to which, only the 11 megapixel full frame sensor based > cameras exceeded 35mm resolution.
