Re: [photo-3d] Re: Digital & the demise of film

["John A. Rupkalvis" <stereoscope@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Reynolds" <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: [photo-3d] Re: Digital & the demise of film


> At the most recent PMA Kodak introduced the new single sheet Tmax 100
> Readyload packets.  Not only a film product, but a 4x5 film product.

Not according to the trades.  If they did, it was certainly hidden, not
noticed by the reviewers.  In this month's issue of one of the major graphic
arts industry magazines, there was a feature editorial about the lack of
film products at PMA in which it was specifically pointed out that Kodak had
no film products there, only digital imaging equipment.  I wish now that I
had saved the issue, so that I could quote directly word-for-word.  I get so
many such publications that I usually discard them as soon as I have read
them.

It should be pointed out that as a graphic arts oriented magazine, they were
mostly interested in products for the printing industry, and not those that
serve photography in general.  However, as written, they did not make that
distinction, using general terms such as "there were no film products
there", not limiting the statements to specific things such as "there were
no graphic arts film products there".

Also, I do not want to give the impression that I personally feel that the
demise of film is imminent.   Only that it will soon be much less convenient
to buy certain film products, and to a certain extent already is.  Last
year, I could walk into the corner pharmacy or grocery store and buy
Kodachrome, Ektachrome and Fujichrome.  Now I must go to a major camera
store (or mail order) to do so; they now only carry negative film at the
drugstore.  Even that is more limited.  Whereas last year I could get 36
exposure and even 12 exposure cassettes there, now they only handle 24
exposure.  Not a big deal, perhaps, but a sign that volume is down.

I went into a local Ritz camera store (a large chain of mainly small
boutique style shopping mall stores).  They had only two film speeds there:
200 and 800 E.I.  Not too good for the Nimslo.  I pointed out to the clerk
that they showed 100 and 400 E.I. films in their counter catalog.  She said
that they could get them, but that it would be special order, and I would
have to wait about two weeks.

She also said that she thought that she could get Ektachrome and Fujichrome
(they featured Fujicolor negative in their somewhat faded window banner).
But, she said that those would take much longer, possibly six weeks, and I
would have to leave a deposit before she would order them.  I asked how much
of a deposit I would have to leave, and she said that she had no idea, I
would have to come back some time "next week, after I ask the manager".  She
then added: "I really don't know much about film.  We mainly sell digital
cameras here".   They did have several film cameras too, but they were
relegated to less accessible spots behind the counter.  The counter display
cards all featured digital cameras, which were prominently displayed in the
front counter itself.

As I turned to leave, she recommended that I go to Samy's (a large camera
store in a neighboring city), where I might be able to find the "specialty
niche items" I was looking for...

On the way out, I saw a display rack with disposable cameras.  One of these
was a three lens disposable stereo camera for lenticular prints.  I couldn't
help turning back and asking her what she knew about it.  Her answer was
almost predictable.  She said "Oh yeah.  Isn't that cute.  It has three
lenses so that if your fingers cover one or two you will still get a
picture."   Nice to know that there are such knowledgeable people selling
cameras these days.

JR



 

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