P3D Re: Slide film popularity

[emdesher <emdesher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 25 Nov 1997, John W Roberts wrote:

<snip> 

> I think it would be fair to say that at present, slides are the dominant
> technology among the 3D "community", but that in the consumer photography
> business, negatives/prints are far more prevalent than slides. At a rough 
> estimate, the 3D "community" (both slides and prints) may consist of 2000-20000
> people, while the "print community" (both 2D and 3D) is probably in the upper 
> hundreds of millions worldwide. The negative film/print business is driven by 
> this huge consumer base, and those who use this medium for 3D can "piggyback" 
> on its widespread popularity. The slide users among the 3D community are not 
> sufficiently numerous to have much effect on the film companies' decision on 
> whether or not to make slide film - the continued availability of their needed
> material is dependent on the continued interest in several relatively small
> markets - amateur 2D photographers who prefer slides to prints, and
> professional photographers (who still generally prefer slides, last time
> I saw something on that topic).

<snip>

Your analysis is correct-corporations simply cannot afford to produce 
products for such a tiny market.  3D photographers are indeed "piggybacking"
on items intended for other markets.
 
> Does anyone know the relative slide film consumption rates among amateurs
> and professionals? 

<snip> 

The sales ratio overall is about 90% print to 10% slide film.  Ask any 
camera store, they will confirm this.  I don't know the amateur versus pro
ratio-but pro sales seem to be getting weaker lately.  Kodak is planning 
to trim their product line-not a good sign.  Kodak abandoned the 35mm 
planar glass/alumnium mounted slide serveral years ago.  EMDE followed 
suit three years later.

> But by keeping the mindset of stereo slides as unique, handcrafted items,
> we make it more difficult to build up the number of people involved in 3D
> slides to sufficient levels (i.e. millions) where they could exert some
> significant market weight in the evolution of film/imaging formats.

<snip>

I have often thought about this point: the input required by the nature 
of the 3D slide really precludes it becoming a mass market item.  In the 
1950's and '60's when stereo was a major seller, people were willing to 
spend the time on a hobby.  But times are different today, few are.  And 
demand is falling, not inceasing, so it's very doubtfull that supplies 
will continue to be available for much longer.  The only product likely 
to continue is the paper PIC mount because that's where most 3D'ers put 
their money.  Prints would seem to be the best bet for the long term, or 
paper mounted slides in hand viewers.  I really don't see any way to make 
a classic glass mounted slide, properly adjusted for window effects, an 
automatic or mass market item.  EMDE's masks had prealigned mask film 
holders to faclitate mounting, and during the earlier 3D boom, it was a 
good seller.  But the few people who still mount in glass today were not 
interested so I had to discontinue the entire line. 

My thoughts and opinions.  Dennis Sherwood   emdesher@xxxxxxxxxxxx


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