P3D The future (digital vs. film)

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Related to this topic, here is an interesting point of view from the
latest issue of "Shutterbug".  There is a new column "Q&A For Digital
Photography".  Someone, after saying how impressed he was to see his
father bring a digital camera in a family reunion and have a slide 
show right at the spot with pictures he just took ("while everything 
was very fresh and interesting") he concludes:

"I became fairly convinced that despite the quality compromise, 
digital will replace conventional photography just as home videos have
replaced home movie cameras, cassettes have replaced reel to reel.  In
10 years, maybe 15, surely 20... as the cost goes down and quality
goes up, digital will be every man's standard.  Conventional 
photography will be the realm of the hobbyists and professionals."

The response was:

"I quite agree with everything you said but with one exception.  I
don't think it will take as long as you suggest.  This Fall's releases
of new digital cameras models are characterized by the same quality/
price inversion as is true of most of the computer products in the
market.  The resolution limitation that you noted is no longer,
and the prices are comparable to film cameras with similar features.

At the current sales' rate worldwide, combined with the growth rate
of digital cameras are enjoying (last year 102%), they will have
far outstripped the sales of film cameras in just about every 
category by this time next year, especially if holiday shopping
is good in '99 and the (US) economy remains bullish."

How about that???

I think it would be a mistake for the stereo community not to embrace
digital technology.  On the other hand, I am fairly convinced that I
will be shooting film for as long as it is available in the market.
"Conventional photography will be the realm of hobbyists"... After
all, that's what most of us are, hobbyists!

George Themelis