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Film Fading to Black


Agent M10

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Of course, the people have to live with plastics spare parts then, since this technique obviously can't be used with brass... ;)

 

Well, it can but it would be more expensive. Direct CNC is one way, lost-wax casting is another.

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Probably huge interest if they knew they could have Kodaks share of the market!

 

There have been several "reports" ,err rumors, claiming that Kodak has been trying to sell or spin off its film business for several years now. Of course the buyers would get Kodak's share of the market. Even if Kodak had 100% of this declining market,I can't say if it would be a smart business venture even at fire sale pricing. What indication do you have that this interest would be huge?

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There have been several "reports" ,err rumors, claiming that Kodak has been trying to sell or spin off its film business for several years now. Of course the buyers would get Kodak's share of the market. Even if Kodak had 100% of this declining market,I can't say if it would be a smart business venture even at fire sale pricing. What indication do you have that this interest would be huge?

 

I doubt a Kodak label would be a huge influence in the larger marketplace.

 

I worked in Higher Ed for about 30 years so I've seen the same age group as they went through changes. Really, I don't think the Kodak label impresses them as it impressed those of us who grew up with it. The latest generation of college students want to be stunned. A new label can be more important than a substantive change or tradition.

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Gee whiz, and I just bought an M3.

 

Film Fading to Black - Creative COW

 

I wouldn't worry too much. I just purchased an M7 à la carte and don't regret it at all.

 

Sure they may not be producing the number of new film cameras anymore, but just think about all the film cameras still out there and in use. Film may fade to a niche market, but won't go away for a while.

 

The hardest part for most film users in the next few years will be learning to adapt to different films as the market shrinks and their favorite film goes away. Honestly, if Kodak stops making film (which I hope they don't because I really like T-Max), I could pretty easily live with Fuji slide film and Ilford B&W film.

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Ain't that the truth. My mission is to have enough film to last me until I can't be trusted to develop it. Must go pick up that new freezer waiting for at Sears. I'm going to paint "Film Only" on the door.

 

Chris

 

Before buying that Sears freezer, I'd check with Consumer Reports. Some of them do not even reach zero degrees.

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The quality of vinyl records (not the music, but the actual record) is better today than before music went digital. Same with turntables. Of course the cost is now dramatically higher, but the niche market continues (even at the lower end). I wouldn't be surprised at a similar fate for b/w film and related products for some time to come.

 

Color? Color darkrooms pretty much disappeared soon after digital quality caught up. Too much trouble (and cost) for not much improvement. And some products like Kodachrome required outside processing. Not the same for b/w. That niche is comprised of many people who don't like to outsource, and who enjoy the craft, not just the end product. Color products, on the other hand, don't have the same niche customer group to drive longer term survival IMO.

 

Jeff

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The interesting thing is that colour film has strongly improved as well over the last years. Until recently, I used film for black-and-white and digital for colour. After the wedding photographers were raving about the new Portra, I gave it a try and found it gives me the look I want out of the box.

 

Since I enjoy extensive post processing less than photography, I use Portra film for colour out of convenience reasons. A slight white balance adjustment, very little (if all) tweaking with the shadows and highlights and I'm done. Assuming I'm not alone in this, I would expect C41 colour film to survive as well.

 

Stefan

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Before buying that Sears freezer, I'd check with Consumer Reports. Some of them do not even reach zero degrees.

 

Thanks - it seems to be cold enough. Freezes a glass of water solid very quickly. I assume the colder the better in terms of chemical changes is a truism, but anything frozen is better than just being in a fridge. I understand I may have stocked up on Plus-X just in time as rumour has it discontinued in all forms. Currently I have the following frozen:

 

35mm

Plus-X x 36 135 rolls

Tri-X x 36 175 rolls

FP4 x 36 59 rolls

Delta 3200 x 36 8 rolls

TMax 100 x 36 15 rolls

TMax 400 x 36 24 rolls

Ektar x 36 8 rolls

Freestyle Legacy Pro 100 x 300ft

Freestyle Legacy Pro 400 x 300ft

Freestyle Arista 400 x 600ft

 

120

Tri-X x 25 rolls

HP5+ x 73 rolls

Pan F x 24 rolls

Delta 3200 x 7 rolls

TMax 100 x 19 rolls

Velvia x 9 rolls

Ektar x 25 rolls

 

There is some more on the way as bulk 100ft rolls from Freestyle.

 

Here it all is, with lots of room to spare.....

 

6zty5kx

 

Chris

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Thanks - it seems to be cold enough. Freezes a glass of water solid very quickly. I assume the colder the better in terms of chemical changes is a truism, but anything frozen is better than just being in a fridge. I understand I may have stocked up on Plus-X just in time as rumour has it discontinued in all forms. Currently I have the following frozen:

 

35mm

Plus-X x 36 135 rolls

Tri-X x 36 175 rolls

FP4 x 36 59 rolls

Delta 3200 x 36 8 rolls

TMax 100 x 36 15 rolls

TMax 400 x 36 24 rolls

Ektar x 36 8 rolls

Freestyle Legacy Pro 100 x 300ft

Freestyle Legacy Pro 400 x 300ft

Freestyle Arista 400 x 600ft

 

120

Tri-X x 25 rolls

HP5+ x 73 rolls

Pan F x 24 rolls

Delta 3200 x 7 rolls

TMax 100 x 19 rolls

Velvia x 9 rolls

Ektar x 25 rolls

 

There is some more on the way as bulk 100ft rolls from Freestyle.

 

Here it all is, with lots of room to spare.....

 

6zty5kx

 

Chris

 

 

:rolleyes: It looks as though it's time for you to stock up again. ... :)

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As an aging one-time user of 16mm movie film, I obviously find it sad that the cameras are no longer being made. But, as is the case with many of the still cameras around (not only Leica) even if there were no more made, these quality machines will be going for a long time.

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I wouldn't count on any E6 film being around for much longer, but black and white films will probably outlive us all.

 

You're probably right, but it will be a sad day. Anyway, I was reading an old issue of British Photography the other day, and someone predicted (it was I think March 2010) that E6 would not last more than a few months... So let us be optimistic!

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Making several standard developers from raw chemicals is no problem. there are books available on the subject.

 

Caffenol is an alternative that I have been using some this year, made from instant coffee, ascorbic acid, washing soda and a pinch of potassium bromide (works without it too). So easy to use, 60-70 minutes semi stand (temp dependent) regardless of film type. I even soup c41 films in it with good to excellent results)

 

Haven't looked into making fixer from scratch, but it can't be any more difficult. We might not be able to make rapid fixers, but something that works will do.

 

Carl

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So long as people make black and white film, someone will make chemicals to develop and fix it, even if it's a tiny little company working out of a small shed. It's not difficult.

 

We might not be able to get all of the dozens of different formula chemistry that we can now, but there will still be a wide choice.

 

Chemicals and film will die together, embraced in a halo of silver.

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