If film isn't dead, why are so many people selling their film cameras now?

As the header says,

Is film dead? If it survives, what form do you think it will take?

Personally, I think that far less expensive digital backs will become
available for all the Hasselblad owners, Linhof owners and owners of
cameras with a grafloc back. Otherwise, it will be death to the 35mm
camera, except possibly for high end transparency film.

Thoughts?

Probably, eventually, there will be an end to film as we know it, but don't
expect it soon. Kodak says it will shortly cease production of film cameras
(but not, you will notice, the film itself). There are still too many people
(myself included) who prefer wet processes to digital (and large format to
small or medium), so if it comes down to it and film disappears, I'll go back
to wet collodion as a medium and make my own. Digital's great for instant
happy snaps, insurance adjustors, and the artsy-fartsy crowd, but I have no use
for it for serious photography. As for your camera observations, I see no
great difference in the number of people selling and buying film cameras. I
still sell film cameras as easily as I always have, which means people are
still buying them. I think you might be jumping the gun a little on
everything.

Michael Cleveland
Michael Cleveland
Past Reflections
A Collection of Historical Photographica

(LuvAntique) wrote in message ...
Probably, eventually, there will be an end to film as we know it, but don't
expect it soon.
As for your camera observations, I see no
great difference in the number of people selling and buying film cameras.

Several years ago, when Mamiya stopped production of TLR's, I took my
beloved, but no longer used, C220 and two lenses to a camera show to
see what I could get for them. While several "buyers" were lavish in
their praise for the condition of the set, their offers were, well,
disappointing.

I decided to wait and see which of the two alternatives I would have
predicted would come true:
1) prices would rise, and I could sell for more.
2) prices would drop, and I could buy more and use the system again.

Prices have remained pretty steady. I have managed to snag some
bargains, however.

I've said all of this to illustrate my observation that prices for
used camera equipment do not indicate the end of film. A lot of
sellers on Ebay, for instance, state that they are "going digital",
but still want $150 or more for their 20 year old Minolta X700. And
they get it! (Please, no flames from Minolta sellers, it's just an
example)

If film was dead, I should be able to buy one of these up for next to
nothing.

Just my opinion ...

Cheers!

The latest issue of Shutterbug has mentioned that Kodak has brought back a
new and improved Tri-X B&W film in 35mm for the US market.

"LuvAntique" wrote in message
...
Probably, eventually, there will be an end to film as we know it, but
don't
expect it soon. Kodak says it will shortly cease production of film
cameras
(but not, you will notice, the film itself). There are still too many
people
(myself included) who prefer wet processes to digital (and large format to
small or medium), so if it comes down to it and film disappears, I'll go
back
to wet collodion as a medium and make my own. Digital's great for
instant
happy snaps, insurance adjustors, and the artsy-fartsy crowd, but I have
no use
for it for serious photography. As for your camera observations, I see no
great difference in the number of people selling and buying film cameras.
I
still sell film cameras as easily as I always have, which means people are
still buying them. I think you might be jumping the gun a little on
everything.

Michael Cleveland
Michael Cleveland
Past Reflections
A Collection of Historical Photographica

"LuvAntique" wrote in message
...
Probably, eventually, there will be an end to film as we know it, but
don't expect it soon. Kodak says it will shortly cease production of
film
cameras (but not, you will notice, the film itself).

The announcement from Kodak was that they would stop making non-disposable
film cameras.
Big News. Can anyone name a Kodak Film Camera? Can anyone name the last
time that Kodak made a film camera period?

Threadwise you responded to someone else's statement by replying to my
message and clipping out my response...kinda makes things confusing for
people who weren't following the entire thread. But, Kodak getting out of
non-disposable film cameras is no big deal (the last model I can think of by
name is the "Instamatic"). Someone was just predicting the demise of film
and I merely mentioned a new (old) film back from Kodak...

"mark" wrote in message
...

"LuvAntique" wrote in message
...
Probably, eventually, there will be an end to film as we know it, but
don't expect it soon. Kodak says it will shortly cease production of
film
cameras (but not, you will notice, the film itself).

The announcement from Kodak was that they would stop making non-disposable
film cameras.
Big News. Can anyone name a Kodak Film Camera? Can anyone name the last
time that Kodak made a film camera period?