Is The Film Bubble About to Burst?

[@metalfingersfilm]

The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/metalfingers12241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!

[@DGworksIvan]

that smartflexcamera is made in china, they just stayed in japan, not made in japan

[@Simalacrum]

Photography student here, currently studying an MA at Royal College of Art, studied a BA in photography before that. Fully half of the students on the course were shooting exclusively on film - on the side of the academia/arts of photography, film is very much alive and kicking.

[@artistjoh]

Lomography need more recognition for their pivotal role in reviving old film formats and sparking interest in creative approaches to film stocks. Sure, some of the big mainstream film lines have struggled, but arty films are booming and it was Lomogrgraphy that lead the way in that new direction. Lomography brought the fun side of amateur photography back from life support. The big players had forgotten that fun used to be an essential component of film photography. Lomography remembered.

[@MrConna6]

Ig they are bringing interesting things to market but I cant say I think they have done too much due to them being rather pricey and often not available

[@artistjoh]

@ They single handedly resurrected the Zenith camera factory, started the modern film respooling industry, demonstrated that film can be fun for the younger generation, and thereby stopped the decline in film sales, made instant photography cool again thereby resurrecting that industry, made simple sprocket hole cameras that made that style of photography accessible to everyone, developed reproductions of lenses from the beginnings of photography like the Petzval, brought 110 format back from the dead, and have manufactured more new film camera models than all other film camera manufacturers combined during the last 15 years. So you are right, apart from those few things, they have done bupkis. It is also true that the popularity of their products means that they are often sold out of some lines, and their business model of negotiating batch manufacturing deals with suppliers means they are slow to restock. However, Lomography was never started by venture capitalists, it was started by a bunch of art students who were interested in the low quality quirkiness of Soviet cameras, and the organisation is owned and run by by the Lomography Society and exists purely to encourage and develop interest in creative photography. That inevitably leads to frustrations with light leaks and other flaws that Lomography regards as a feature, not a bug, and intermittent availability is likewise regarded as a feature, forcing users to try new things. Considering it pioneered the new business model of a community driven organization with the goal of putting fun and creativity ahead of profits, they have done remarkably well at going from a small group of Austrian art students negotiating a deal with the mayor of St Petersburg to keep the Zenit factory open, to now being the largest supplier of film and film camera products outside of the giant corporations.

[@robertworkman7135]

No. Hollywood and the fashion industry are using more film now than they did 10 years ago, and the growth is projected to continue. A bunch of bros on Instagram saying they can't afford film anymore so they're switching back to digital is a drop in the bucket.

[@MarcoRoepers]

I shoot Ilford FP4 Plus and buy ilford multifgrade paper for the dark room. I support Harman Ilford because I think this company is really important for the future of film. And I upload some of my photographs to Wikimedia commons making it very clear in the description and categories these pictures are shot on film.

[@CD-kc5op]

Yep! I am all in on ilford too!!!

[@MountainsBreath]

I love tri-x but can’t afford it anymore. I switched to hp5 and it hasn’t let me down

[@bobbleczar]

No way man. I shot more film in 2024 than the last decade altogether.

[@dewydddrieux1393]

same here!

[@LuisGrolez]

Same

[@chrisw443]

Film died in 2012. The fact it came back, means it'll be fine.

[@wildmano1965]

Dude, film died in 1996

[@JLHBio]

Fujifilm is actually shifting their 35mm production to china. Their new color film is being made now by lucky film or yes!star. This was done to covert the existing factories in japan to instax production(they actually make a lot of money from instax). And, the continued 35mm film is more of an after thought of legacy. Kodak on the other hand, is still tied to pension payments. They are contractual obligated to sell their products and chemicals to Kodak Alaris, an umbrella company for paying old kodak pensions. This was created during the infamous chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. Kodak(not kodak alaris) makes very little profit, as they don't inhairent the proceds by Kodak Alaris. Kodak Alaris net profit's goes to the old kodak pensioners. This not going away anytime soon, unfortunately.

[@masanthar]

Unfortunately?

[@JLHBio]

@@masanthar at the end of the day.. Kodak, has about 30 or 40 million net profit a year. Which, leaves very little breathing room in terms of investment for materials and new products for next year fiscal. They are currently trying to spin off the us pension for extra income. But, the europe pensions still remains pretty sizable.

[@masanthar]

@@JLHBio Yeah but pensions go away one way, thus "unfortunately" may raise a few eyebrows

[@JLHBio]

​@@masanthar no, it doesn't go away. Employees contribution goes into a manage portofilo on the stock market, while their company match a certain percantge. The profits goes to the pensioners. While over time, the pensions gets adjusted with the cost living. The company contribution helps with this. In Kodak Eastman (Kodak US), the pension is at a point where it's over funded. This not case with Kodak Alaris or the European side.

[@masanthar]

@@JLHBio Hmm maybe things' ll get better on that regard with the help of tech and the need for less hands. Anyway thanks for taking the time to explain.

[@matias.alejandro]

The "Film Bubble" you mention is just an illusion created by hyped influencers on social media. Film has always been around. Ive been shooting for yeeeears man and the film industry is more alive than ever now. Maybe the hype is declining due to prices, but as long as there are people who really choose film as a medium for their art, film will be out there.

[@Focal_Paradox]

Ilford are experimenting with iterations of colour film production. The future should be stable. It's going to be niche, but the market is adjusting to demand.

[@OttosTheName]

Agreed. The fact that big companies like Pentax are investing in new camera's also makes me think they are foreseeing this to last at least some years. And I'm sure they've done their research.

[@Focal_Paradox]

@@OttosTheName I believe they have looked at the vinyl record market and have recognised that a significant (but currently still small) portion of the population are losing interest in 'easy access' photography and hanker for the intimate and tangible. Unfortunately, AI is about to make digital photography on a commercial level pretty much obsolete. Reportage and the pure 'art' of photography is all we will have left. When that happens, digital photography will be seen as too 'AI' adjacent, so "real" photography will seek something else. Film, slide, polaroid and the like - these things feel real, even if in reality they can be duplicated by an AI digitally. It may be a massive swing, or it may turn into a long lasting niche equivalent of oil and water colour paintings. Time will tell.

[@LeeAllen337]

Digital film emulation is not the same. I'm sick of knock off solutions. You just can't create what actual film produces in real life. I don't want recreations, I want the real thing.

[@gianmarcobulla223]

Except the grain structure and the halation almost everything can be replicated perfectly. What a lot of people refer to when talking about "film feel" or "film look" is actually the scanner colour science. I get you, I also love film, but a pro mist filter does the job pretty well.

[@Tardsmat]

Yeah but can you afford it

[@josephpbrown]

Sims have come a long way since even 6 years ago. X-Trans III (of which I own, and my XH1 is the closest I'll come to taking a digital camera to the grave) really sucks at simulating film with the in-camera JPEGs. Comparing them to RAW images edited clean just looks like you tweaked the colour settings. Hardly any of the sample photos I see for X-Trans3, not even the ones on Fuji X Weekly, come close to looking filmic. The XT4 came close, but finally with the XT5 and X100VI are we finally getting the slightest bit of filmic realism to the in-camera JPEGs. I haven't used many film sim packs, but even then, stuff like HaldCLUT (as much as i love it) can't hold a candle to what's out there now.

[@kenariaaa4373]

Cool, now tell the difference

[@timothy7112]

@@josephpbrown have you ever shot a portrait with an xtrans III sensor with a studio strobe? The final image is better than what my GFX can produce.

[@CREATIVEreviews]

It already did. It’s priced out the casual fan where they won’t pick it up again

[@kentfaithwendyzeng]

This video really got me thinking about the future of film photography. It's a bit worrying to see the challenges like rising costs and limited availability, but it's also exciting to hear about new cameras and films coming out. I love the comparison to vinyl's resurgence-maybe film will find its niche too. Looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings for film enthusiasts!

[@carlitosodell]

A roll of kodak kodacolor 135 36 exposure color film without developing was $5.00 in 1975. That would be $29.32 in today's dollars. A five pack of Portra 400 at b and h photo is $75.95 today. $15.95 a roll. Film prices in 2005 hit an all time low in 2005 before rising again, a roll of portra nc in 2005 cost 9.19 in today's dollars. Depending on the year that you would like to compare film is generally less expensive today than in the past.

[@oldusfarticus588]

I shot plenty of slide film in those days. Velvia was $4.59 a roll in 135. I bought it in 20-roll bricks.

[@tomsun3159]

An easy electronics calculator cost around 200DM in the beginning of the seventies, and today its thrown behind you as an advertizing gift. Yes you can calculate EVERYTHING regarding inflation so an easy calulator doing +-*/ and SQRT hast to cost several thousands of dollars, but the reality it costs around one dollar if any. The simple calculation of every price by inflation neglects the technical innovation. The simple math is getting film and shooting and printing the pictures, cannot be several times more expensive than shooting it digitally and printing the pictures at a self service station. Of course the production costs are a function relating to the quantity, but the greed of the companies kills the film market as a trend in 35mm, a different story ist Medium Format and Large format where is no real digital competitor.

[@MrDwightsimon]

I was buying Superia 400 24 exposures for 99c back in the early 2000's! I have 150 exposed rolls of it that has been in my fridge for the last 20 years 😂

[@a-7302]

I‘ve been shooting film for the past 20 years and since around 2019/20, I’ve had multiple bouts of “it’s too expensive, I can’t afford it anymore”. I cut down on other costs to enable me to keep on pursuing my hobby. Well, I’ve reached a breaking point and now opted for the x100vi (still waiting, like others) not because of the TikTok/YT hype about it but because of the way it reminds me of how I shoot film. I can justify the high price easily with how much I would spend on film over a year. I used to scan the film myself but also loved supporting smaller labs. It honestly breaks my heart because I love how tactile film is but I just don’t have the money for it anymore. I love seeing people find their way to film and there are so many photographers whose work I really like. Of course, a certain hype about film (no criticism in this, it’s just the way the world works) also leads to an increase in prices for products that were high in demand before a hype. Nowadays, I shoot medium format film on an old Chinese TLR for special occasions to keep at least some of my old workflow alive.

[@miniatureswede]

Kodak Gold is basically sold out everywhere. People either picked it up instantly when prices were announced, or places are holding it back.

[@montycraig5659]

I would love to see Nikon come back out with either an F3HP, or one of the later bodies like the F4, F5, or F6. Even the F100 was a great camera.

[@flyingo]

This is going to be the year for film. Cost be damned, there is no substitute for the tactile experience of creating photos with the technology that started it all. The hundreds of working cameras that I have will all be available for much less than current prices because I want to help those new to analog magic.

[@masanthar]

Lets hope you are right and we'll continue to have film for reasonable prices cause right now I think kodak at least is charging what the market will tolerate. It would be a pity for this artform to be lost

[@HR-wd6cw]

Unfortunately I think cost will be a determining factor. If the masses start to buy less film over the next few years for whatever reason, that will cause the companies to produce less obviously as result, but this is because it seems that everyting relating to film (not just the film itself but development) is increasing every few years and fewer labs are doing film processing it seems too. Some are starting to bring it back, but it seems that there aren't a ton of options for good film labs as most would rather sell you a digital camera (camera stores that is) because there is probably more profit in digital gear than there is in just film.

[@rtr0spct210]

Great video! Harman Pheonix absolutely slaps btw, it oozes style... I'd love to see more people experimenting with what it can do.

[@raphaelbarreda7615]

I started my actual photography journey on film back in 2018 and recently only got a Fujifilm xt30ii this year! I thought it would be the death of my analog journey but I find that there's nothing quite like the process and joy of shooting film.

[@dcdylife3082]

On my side having worked in a lot of factories I m pretty confident for the future, we can see that in a lot of factories when you want to enhance you production tools, you plan a technical stop to perform your improvement. So I prefer to be optimistic for 2025

[@keithwalsh1882]

I have numerous film cameras from varied brands and was a regular film shooter until about 2 years ago. Film prices have just gone crazy, availability has become spotty and I struggle to find a development lab. Not only that but development prices are also nuts. I've parked my film cameras for the time being as it makes no economic sense to shoot film right now.

[@sesa2984]

I can’t be the only one who bsolutely refuses to click on or watch video thumbnails with obviously clickbait…sorry, I realized halfway I’m bing a dick and this is not your fault, but I’m really completely sick of what the youtube algorithm does to content. So much so that i just wish there was an alternate platform to go to. Capitalism uins everything it touches….the promise of competition creating better choice is obviousy untenable, but neither is there a soluion yet. The only thing close is when a society chooses to allocate funds (ie. public or user supported television or radio) I just find everything on youtube withthe same two song types and “OH MY GOD” thumbnail faces unlickable at this point. So when a title about a topic even a little appeals to my fears…it reminds me of every other horrible piece of commercial media that just wants to fear me into a click. Sorry, its not us, its them. Which means it’s us…fuck.

[@iyatemu]

So deep

[@C.I...]

I really miss the days when I could get a 36 exposure roll of AGFA Vista 200 (rebranded Fuji C200) for £1 in poundland. Now you'd struggle to get anything at all for £1 in poundland.

[@kooliecurlz93]

Wow!! When was this? I would have loved to buy film for £1 a roll 😢

[@C.I...]

@ Around 2014, but was still a thing in 2018 or so, but only 24exp by then.

[@WRCzATL]

It's really important that new camera production (and non-Kodak film production) starts selling well. That's how this all stays sustainable.

[@TimothymakeupsDitzler]

Always appreciate the work you put into these vids! 🖤

[@carlitosodell]

You could buy a used nikon f100 with 35mm or 50mm lens and shoot a roll of 400h a week for a year for around $1,100.00, compare that to the cost of a Fuji X100VI with film sims.

[@Biosynchro]

Good point. But I can shoot over 1,000 frames in one evening. And there are many such evenings in a year.

[@slipknotserge]

You could buy blank canvases, paint, and brushes to create a painting once a week for less than the cost of an iPad and Apple Pencil. The point is that, while the method of creating the art may be similar, the medium and the final product are entirely different.

[@carlitosodell]

@@Biosynchro I don't need to make 1000 frames to produce one solid image a day. All I ne3d is an F100 and one roll of film.

[@carlitosodell]

@slipknotserge That is exactly the point, expensive electronics and technology that produce mediocre work has become the substitute for skill, time in mastering your chosen endeavor and experience.

[@Biosynchro]

@@carlitosodell In some cases that will be true. But when you are shooting a play rehearsal or a public event, the dynamics change.

[@OpCrossRoads]

I shoot mainly with box cameras from the 1910's to the 1950s, I use mainly tmax 120 and ilford delta 120, and only get 6 or 8 shots on a roll of film. I am also fortunate enough to have a camera store in my area that sells and develops film as well as another camera store that specializes in repair of film cameras.

[@TheHamNinja]

Thanks for the vid. Well done. I mainly shoot Fujifilm digital but will continue to shoot film on my Nikon FE2 or F3 when it calls for it. I, like others. enjoy shooting film on a manual focus camera because it's a more focused and purposeful experience. As a side effect, it's made me appreciate digital even more, with the ability to change my ISO at any time, auto-focus and tracking, and the lush resolution. But, shooting film is cool because you can crop a little but you pretty much get what you have in the frame unless you want to really give up resolution quickly. Again, thanks for the video.

[@ndanielcastro]

Nice video but where's the link tho?

[@thomassantomartino7337]

I tried to get into film again, but I’ve found the cost prohibitively expensive. Unless you have your own dark room, the film processing is very expensive these days and I have no local establishment’s process film anymore. I had 2 rolls of film go missing. Then I just work with the photos scanned in, so I thought what’s the point? I like the fact that there are new film looks available in digital cameras and in software.

[@KahruSuomiPerkele]

Bruh, that guy in Japan complaining about the prices of film really doesn't know where to look, some store sold Kodak Gold for 8$/roll during a discount week (in september or october). Otherwise Fuji 400 is in the 11-15$ ballpark... I live in Taiwan and yeah, the hipster store will sell Kodak gold for 15$ instead of 8$ and Fuji 400 for 17$ instead of 11$, the cheapest prices aren't at the hipster store, they're at the old labs.

[@anonanon7822]

Black and white is literally never going away because of how easy it is to make. Color may be on it's way out in coming years(esp E6, which is best kind of color film, anyways)

[@InsaneDynamics]

1:59 That's Smith Rock in Oregon! I live close to there!

[@neilpiper9889]

No mention of the older CCD sensor cameras with wonderful colours

[@jlaw8882]

Film was fun, but it made me realise how awesome my digital camera and workflow is.

[@galaxie-sb2kv]

This is one of the more informed videos on this subject. As a film shooter of over 40 years, I believe that film will endure for the reasons why most serious film enthusiasts shoot it; the latitude, look, zen passion of the workflow, and the tactile experience contribute to the appeal of the newer generations of shooters who will determine its future value. Those who see it simply as an anachronistic novelty will drop out at a price point with that impact likely negligible to overall demand. The cost of film in 2014 was similar to the cost in the mid 70s without adjusting for inflation; it was always expensive. Harmon dipping a toe in colour film production is a bright spot for the future, given Kodak's near monopoly on colour emulsions. My understanding is that the majority of Lomo, Cinestill and Fuji branded colour stock is now based on contractual arrangements with Eastman. Further, given that Alaris is enforcing its own exclusive consumer distribution rights of Kodak film with Eastman, The recent "cinema production only" Vision 3 restrictions will likely be permanent, but it is understandable as too many resellers were profiting on unauthorized re-spooling and re branding. That said, It would be wonderful to see some agreement between Alaris and Eastman for limited purchases for consumer only use. It would seem a natural additional profit center for both as Vision 3 is a brilliant film for still photography (the annoyances of remjet removal aside). It would also send a positive message to a market weary of the monopoly.

[@oblivion_007]

In India, one roll of portra or cinestill 800T cost $30!!! Planning to shoot one roll per month. In India there are still young people who love to try film photography, but its just not affordable anymore.For one roll, developing, scanning cost one can pay EMI of decent mirrorless camera

[@imansfoto]

Try Kodak Gold 200 or Ultramax 400 and Kodak Vision 3 500T. Though those are almost double price considering $ conversion factor. Getting a good quality lab another headache. Last month I have shoot with Ultramax, Kodak Double X and Vision 3 250D. Now loaded one roll of ORWO Wolfen NC 500, let's see

[@oblivion_007]

@@imansfoto photo lab india is about to sell Lucky film, china. Will try it if its affordable. Ultramax and gold is also not very cheap ($15-$18)in India unlike in US

[@jerrysoh619]

When a channel posts too many doomsday sensationalist content -- thats when you know its time to un-sub.

[@willinirschl]

@@jerrysoh619 I'm glad someone sees it like me. these clickbait videos are just annoying.

[@MrGibsonguy335]

Bring back Ektachrome! We need a reasonably priced transparence film we can develop at home.

[@P51DFreak25]

Ektachrome came back a few years ago. I’ve got a few rolls that I bought a couple weeks back in my fridge

[@potatofuryy]

My man's stuck in the past lol

[@iainturpie4269]

Ektachrome’s been back for just over 6 years man

[@MrGibsonguy335]

@@iainturpie4269 Thank you for filling me in. Im at the age where you become somewhat of a time traveller and sometimes things vanish from sight only to subsequently return in the most unlikely places.

[@otbvisuals]

Great video bro..Film is alive and well in my opinion

[@O5680]

I think its just getting started. Soon digital inages will be synonymous with AI generated images. There will be no way to tell what is generated and what is real. Therefore, the only real photographs we know are real will be analog.

[@chrisloomis1489]

Okay: I am 64 , and no I am not a Beatnik , I have digital cameras my newest the Leica SL3 , and I like them for fast and dirty , using M and L39 or M42 vintage glass , this was how I got into photography again late in life. This being said , my favorite cameras are my M3 and MA Leica and my beloved and I mean beloved Rollei TLR's. I also have shot 4x5 and have wood and Riteway type film holders for those , and if you shoot 4x5 get a 6x12 cm roll back. Honestly you will love shooting the 6x12 with the field type cameras. My field is an EBONY , about film ... I wish that FUJI would bring back their stocks ( color positive slide film 4x5 ) , I have the 50 count 4x5 frozen since new 5 years ago and then high count in Ilford. Film is beautiful , in the 6x6 Wide Rollei the Distagon images are superb as in the 75mm 10 blade Tessar . I hope Film does not die. Right now I just spent 970.00 on development and High Res digitization of all 28 rolls from my Rollei's. The Leica M 's have done superb work too. Film is beautiful and offers something I believe Digital cannot replace an organic physical feel and the durable record of your work. As an Artist , I might be forced to use the SL3 as the bread winner in my paying work or a Hasselblad , but the film cameras are my joy. The tactile , deliberate and satisfying work flow and being forced to consider , and being free of venues and sub - venues is liberating. That is my thought. If you wonder ... in 1976 , I worked the enlarger and did all of the film development in my High School media including burning the offset press plates , for our Trade School papers in Charleston , South Carolina at CREAOC the trade school for all of the High Schools in that city. for 2 years I worked the film and silver plates. Yes i love darkroom work too.

[@xTheTamingx]

I'm new to film, about a year and a half and I have more and more people friends getting point and shoots. And using film. Still niche I know but I think it's going to be ok for a while longer. I haven't learned to dev my own film, but I want to and should help with cost! I hope at least

[@VictorReynolds]

I’m a hybrid photographer, shooting both film and digital. With film it’s 35mm for my Canon EOS Rebel 2000, and Polaroid for my Polaroid cameras. Film is not going anywhere. I see digital with the film emulation features. However, film is still timeless and is still used by many a photographer.

[@Alexius1Komnenos]

To be fair nothing >sounds bad< about Kodak upgrading their film factory. I dunno where you come up with that

[@metalfingersfilm]

considering Kodak just doubled down on their contract with Cinestill, disallowing respooled cinema film, and their notion has been that film is slowly dying, I think that thought process has a lot of merit to it. Tell me Alexius, do you trust all these megacorportions PR teams that craft a wonderfully positive forward facing public image. As much as I would love to trust Kodak, I am weary.

[@arminbreuer7968]

I had my shoot film phase about 20 years ago, and this year I decided to shoot a few rolls again with my trusty old EOS3 and 24-105f4 and 50f1.8. Yeah, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but scanning the negs, putting in the work to clean the dust - it‘s just a lot of pain in the ass. All for something you can very easily achieve with CC and grain emulation these days. I love the tactility of film, but if film gets even more expensive, it‘s not worth the hassle.

[@masanthar]

Well it is a different experience to digital, more intimate I think, that's what the hustle is about maybe...

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

If you consider the process a “hassle” then it’s clearly just not for you

[@masanthar]

@@mstrshkbrnnn1999 hustle would be more appropriate I guess. Not a native speaker

[@arminbreuer7968]

@@mstrshkbrnnn1999 That's what I've been trying to say actually - it's half for me, half not for me, I guess. I enjoy it, and I've been doing it since I was a child (in the 90s there weren't any digital cameras, and I got to use my dad's Minolta MD SLRs, even back in the 80s), but I'm a dad now, I just don't have the time anymore.

[@devindeleon7321]

Personally, I’ve sold almost all of my film cameras and moved back to shooting digital. I love shooting film and could write an essay about all the things I love about shooting film; unfortunately, I’m at a point in my life where I can’t dedicate the time or resources to shooting film like I once could.

[@nicolasandresalvarezarangua]

I think one of the biggest problems with film is, unfortunately, film photographers and influencers, the majority of new photographers using film try to achieve a certain look because it's like an aesthetic norm. You mentioned, when you talked about Kodak Gold 200 saying that it gets close enough to Portra 400 looks and that's it's not good for film survival. Here in Chile there's not a lot of film available, but I know people who don't like to buy Fuji 200 just because they want the Kodak look, even when for example Kodak Gold 200 it just 24 exposures. I think that the only way to maintain the film industry it's just shoot on whatever not expired film stock you have available so the demand increases, and then you can be a little snob to only shoot on a certain film.

[@randallstewart1224]

Kodak has just been raising prices for 15 years to see how high they can push it before collapsing the market. Fuji's withdrawal from film products has enhanced Kodak's monopoly over color film sales, which has allowed Kodak to pressure the market even harder. Kodak used to claim that there was some undisclosed relationship between its rising production costs and increased film prices, but that was, as is, face-saving bullshit. If past truly is prolong, the next phase of film production will be that some Chinese company will purchase Fuji's film technology and production facilities, then launch into a long term assault on Kodak's business model. They've done this before for domestic sales of cameras, buying up production of discontinued Minolta cameras. My guess? Look to see "Lucky" color negative film shouldering out Kodak shelf space, selling quality film products at 65% of their equivalent Kodak prices.

[@doogster07]

This told me nothing

[@jwbarsby]

Harman are building two new converting machines - the first built since before the millennium. This will mean they can double the amount of film they can produce. Things are looking good for film here in the U.K.

[@mlwadester87]

Sick shirt, man.

[@ManCalledMif]

analogue wonderland seems to have some great discounted film stock

[@qawazauri3422]

Was in a film store buying 2 ilford film and notice a heated discussion between 2 chaps talking about film vs digital. I tend to stay away from this discussion because I notice a trend in the way film snobs always very defensive about film photography. I like both medium they have a place in this world. But film snobs really spoils it for me. 🥴

[@AungTH1]

in 2019 i used to buy kodak colorplus for about usd 5.15 + develop+scan for usd 8 but now the same film going for about usd 12 + usd 12.50 for develop+scan… from $13.15 to $24.50 in 5 years. crazy. plus film cameras are overpriced for something that can’t be repaired and WILL break in few years

[@timo3798]

If it should happen that the film bubble actually bursts I am convinced Fomapan will still be up and running, thriving

[@KahruSuomiPerkele]

adjusted to inflation, Kodak's prices haven't moved that much.

[@eswag153]

Film is cool but it’s too god damn high. To shoot a roll and expect to pay $35 total for 36 photos on medium quality scan from a not so great lab is outrageous.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Honestly, I am not sure why Kodak doesn't sell their motion picture film as photo stock themselves. That will keep motion picture film alive longer and keep prices down, as those respooled film stocks are already much cheaper than even Gold in most countries and people really like the look and dynamic range of VIsion3. It's just too bad Mint dropped the ball on the Rolei 35af and Pentax didn't the camera people were hoping for (despite being actually pretty fun.) I think that the very few new companies trying to make films equipment should either try new methods to make shooting film cheaper or more variations of halfframe.

[@thebedroomshow9010]

just waiting on the moment that i can buy 400 iso film for $8-$10 a roll again

[@Biosynchro]

I suggested to Kodak that they add more layers to their b&w emulsions. The point is to significantly increase latitude. Who knows if that will result in a viable product.

[@Beanboyproductions]

I already switched back to Digital. I shoot film special occasions.

[@youravantgarde]

Ew

[@alexiscastro5055]

@@youravantgarde ewww @ your response

[@larcielist]

@@alexiscastro5055 ew at your response back

[@alexiscastro5055]

@@larcielist eww @ your face

[@AdamAllen]

Same.

[@throtol]

I shoot both digital and film. I do prefer film but must be mindful of the amount of money dedicated to it. I develop my own film and largely spool my own black and white film. I would recommend it as an option to save money and have more money in turn for film and cameras.

[@sally2395]

After years of shooting real film I’ve become addicted to emulating it as the convenience is so great. Currently I’m using the latest Caleb Salvadori V5 film presets that use luminance masks for accurate grain. They are much better than the Fuji sims.

[@eyeofalchemy]

The day film dies is the day actual photographers the world over will mourne. Whether you're a film photographer or a digital photographer that shoots film to change up, the process offers something that can't be replicated. I really hope it will still be around for the future, and that companies will find new innovative ways to make shooting film both more environmentally friendly as well as more affordable.

[@Lex1uth3r]

Film forces you to be a better photographer by slowing down, focusing on the subject, composition and so many factors often overlooked with digital photography. Digital definitely can be better for many subjects like sports and action, but I've shot both for decades and still prefer film for so many reasons. Just look at how many digital cameras strive to mimic what film ones produce organically.

[@cameronwilson8561]

I almost exclusively shoot B&W and try to support Ilford as much as I can, Kodak's prices are getting just a little bit ridiculous and never been a huge fan of Gold or ColorPlus.

[@StepsAndStoness]

Waiting on the Pentax 85 before I throw in the towel!

[@ittotaq]

if kodak shut down production for film so they can renovate to expand the bubble is not going to burst.

[@MrConna6]

Bubble? What bubble? Its not really a bubble as youd have with a new item or a market, this is the reemergence of film after the rise of digital, it may fluctuate in popularity. There is a crap ton of infrastructure investment as well as people making it more accesibke, like valoi for example, or pentax. Most of the points you have mentioned at 2:30 are pretty silly and are more intended to grab attention than having any actual weight behind them

[@metalfingersfilm]

@@MrConna6 excited to see your video about this topic uploaded to your channel, boss!

[@cmichaelanthonyimages2197]

If you are a high volume photographer, you can't afford to use that media as a working pro. Thats great for personal work, but high volume use, price along with professional processing would greatly increase your costs. Ref: If you look at wedding photographers and what I did, having shot them for 19 years on film, today, they could not do what they do today, and make it profitable. Just the upfront film costs would make them seem or feel like amateurs, and as I had with digital, reinventing themselves to a totally new type of shooting technique. What you do in digital volume, you just can't do with film. Ref: In commercial, going from digital back to film, it would be like spears and stone knives. Film is for play, and amateurs and I don't ever see it returning as the medium of choice. Its a luxury like a Porsche or a Ferrari. Working pros at any high volume cannot do their own post. Film companies just don't sell enough to ever lower prices. Film is fun, but not for the working pros of today.

[@samajier2566]

Nice video,,,,,

[@OwainOwine]

If people are interested in film, then film will persist. Where there is a market, someone will provide a product.

[@1989Goodspeed]

Love film. Digital is convenient but no one is looking. Have you been used to nikon Nikonos as intended: scuba diving. Despite what people are saying about digital film always seems to have something more tactile. I really hope that the future of film will be safe. Have noticed that when I hand someone a hand made print their eyes light up because he gets something physical not just the digital file.

[@brettrobertsson9201]

I'm not sure you understand what a bubble means in this context. For there to be a film bubble there'd need to be a ton of new brands producing in the space at an unsustainable rate where inevitable many will fold. Increasing prices on film cameras means demand is outpacing supply. A sign that a bubble was bursting would be prices on expensive film cameras crashing because everybody was moving on from them.

[@metalfingersfilm]

Which is exactly what I’m alluding to here..? If film becomes too expensive for people to shoot, they seek their cameras and thus, the bubble bursts. Did you watch the video, Brett?

[@brettrobertsson9201]

@@metalfingersfilm But you're addressing how a bubble would burst, and I'm saying there isn't really a bubble at all, it's a pretty stable ecosystem. And if demand is way higher than supply it's definitely not a bubble.

[@metalfingersfilm]

@@brettrobertsson9201 Lol what. Go read the comments on this video about how many people are about stop shooting film, sell their cameras, etc. Many people are sick of the increased prices, which just keep inflating; quite literally and figuratively creating a larger bubble. Especially considered film is almost entirely made by Kodak..? I'm not saying the bubble is bursting; but what is the future of film in the next 1-3 years.

[@PhotoTrekr]

Once the novelty wears off, a lot of photographers will go back to digital cameras. I shot film cameras from the early 70's until around 1990. I even had a darkroom. But, once affordable digital cameras came along I went digital and never looked back. But, shoot whatever you like.

[@Zoomfreaky]

I really don't think so. Sure, some will return to digital. But why not both? I went from the darkroom, to digital, to film processed in a good lab. Does it cost a lot of money? Yes! But hey, it drags me away from screens and endless consumption en possibilities. And I think for a lot of people that is the fun of it. The slowing down. The not knowing what you got or did you get it right. The waiting instead of the instant gratification that seems to be the norm these days in all playing fields of life. I think film will stay around. I really hope it does. Because my love for photography was sparked back into existence by film. And I will be grateful for that for a loooooong time.

[@Rumplestiltskin7]

I love film, but it's such a pain in the ass to shoot with it.

[@jameshoward9700]

Film will continue to grow. Kodak will reposition prices and stabilise production. More labs are opening, driving down scanning/dev costs. Crucial will be Pentax's success - if they release a modern GR PAS a new generation of shooters will be set. With success they'll move on to SLR and MF. Their success won't go unnoticed by either OM, Nikon or a new Chinese manufacturer. Leica could release a premium PAS... Film shooters should shoulder responsibility too. We shouldn't blindly support everything but film shooters could give a lot less hate and be more constructive and supportive to manufacturers.

[@SirFunky]

so long as there are hipsters who fall for the "notalgic warmth" and "retro vibes" there will be film to feed them

[@HeapsMad]

The type of dude to complain about global warming but happy to dump toxic chemicals in the water and make more disposable plastic 👍

[@bondgabebond4907]

Best of luck for film photographers, the cellphone defeated you. I'm beginning to believe film photographers are living in a very small bubble, and it is going to get smaller and smaller as people give up on the expense of the entire film experience. We are not living in the 70s or 80s.

[@demonrosario5398]

I just bought my first film camera Spotmatic F

[@AnalogueDiaries]

I'm just hoping that Kodak will continue to sell 100' of Vision3 to regular everyday people and not only to productions. With all these rumors going around I hope if even this is true it won't stick for long at least 🤞🤞🤞 As much as I would like to support other companies coming out with new emulsions, I still prefer Kodak motion picture film because it works for me.

[@nineteenseventy4588]

There also seems to be a new AGFA 400, recently seen in a German drugstore. It says „made in Germay. Maybe by Orwo 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@snappychappy]

Used to shoot quite a lot of Orwo film for home processing. Quite good, I liked it.

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

If Pentax was smart they would release a SLR with auto focus that uses film. Pentax could also release a mirrorless camera just keep the same mount and just use the same lens that are already made. This way you can have film users and DSLR users and people that like the benefits of mirrorless.

[@nikoladimitrijevic8172]

There are already many extremely cheap autofocus SLR cameras on the used market. If they were to release such a model, they would be competing with the used market in a battle they couldn’t win. The only thing that makes sense from a business perspective are categories of cameras that are already expensive or rare.

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

@@nikoladimitrijevic8172 Wrong. Pentax released that crappy point and shoot and there are a lot of those on the market. The reason they would release a new SLR with auto focus is because it would work with all the newer and best lens. Also some film cameras like the Nikon F6 printed the date on part of the film. Pentax could do this and also put in a small number so when scanning in the images software would no what lens profile to add in for correction.

[@nikoladimitrijevic8172]

@@bigrobotnewstoday1436 Please give me a link where I can buy a half-frame camera for 15-50$ that could compete with P17... The P17 wasn’t built like a tank, but it is well-made and features an excellent lens. Considering it’s a half-frame camera, it holds a solid/unique position in the market. In that price range, there are plenty of autofocus SLRs available, complete with lenses. Today, locally in the city where I live, I could buy Pentax MZ-50 + SMC 35-80mm for 18$... Canon Eos 1000F + Canon Zoom 35-80mm for 20$... (just a quick search). These prices also show how much interest people have in that segment. And if we were to talk about the high-end segment, the arguments for an autofocus SLR would only get worse. The idea of using a profile for lens correction isn’t bad, but I think the best we could hope for is a lens profile in Lightroom.

[@edbifner6370]

Definitely. They are smart, they understand that SLRs will only survive through film photography, and they are working on a new SLR. Ricoh is also developing a film GR camera.

[@careypridgeon]

I never have, and likely never will shoot colour film. I just don't enjoy the results, B+W is more satisfying. Kodak killed the stock I'd used for decades in 2011, which I really didn't like as there's no alternative I've found, only different stocks.

[@djtoman6875]

I mostly feel the same way. Except some film stocks with an unusual colour palette like LomoChrome Purple or Cinestill (Kodak Vision 3) 50D can be really beautiful.

[@careypridgeon]

@@djtoman6875 I have thought about using one of those, LomoChrome Purple in particular, but haven't yet. Mostly because I was home developing, but I'm not now, at least for a while, so I may try some in the summer.

[@HR-wd6cw]

I don't think it will any time soon, and if anything it has picked up pace with demand. However I think it will be more gradual though, as the older generation of photogrpahers who grew up with film, and some of those who maybe never stopped shooting, coupled with the film cameras that will slowly disappear as time goes on, then we will see a decline but it will be gradual I think. The one thing that may kill film sooner will be development, if one cannot develop their own film, and even for those who do, it may reach a point where it's too costly (it kind of is, if you shoot a lot).

[@danielho5635]

I shot many hundreds of rolls of film in the 90's and early 2000's on my Canon EOS 3, 5, and 1V. I mostly used every day Fujifilm and Kodak Portra VC and NC for special events. Do I notice the difference in film vs digital? Of course. Would I go back to my 1V over my Fujifilm gear? No way. Digital has superior resolution, ISO, and for me (subjectively) color. Doing film requires a significant investment in time, money and the learning curve is steeper. Does film have a different "look". Yes. Is the film look superior? Hmmm .. not in my opinion .. look is subjective. I really don't understand all this nostalgia over film. It's like being nostalgic over an old Nokia phone.. Let's move on.

[@thevoiceman6192]

I bought a 3 pack today of ultramax 400 24 exposures for $24.99. Flic film is from Canada and Lucky film is from China so when the Trump Tariffs hit it won't be so cheap anymore. The reason I bought my 3 pack of ultramax today. To beat the price increase.

[@alexbonarski1512]

Prices of film cameras rose indeed if you compare them to dirt cheap prices from 15 years ago. Film cameras were dirt cheap and undervalued because of massive transition to digital. Now they gain in value but you can still buy a working film camera for 10-20% of the original price. If you must have a Contax, Leica or trendy p&s then you have to pay more but you if don’t need to show off you can get some nice cameras at the price of a few film rolls. I’ve a bunch of P. Spotmatic bodies that Im selling for next to nothing and nobody wants them because despite of being an excellent and reliable camera, the Spotmatic is very common so it’s not trendy. Shooting digital in film like mode is like converting pictures taken with a cellphone to daguerreotype. The results can be similar but you are missing the whole fun. If the process of shooting film is no fun to you, then you’re best bet is a digital camera which is cheaper and better in almost everything.

[@robertarmero6320]

The ECN-2 bubble is about to burst. I think film will survive but it will be a luxury hobby. It’s way too expensive round trip for film

[@reformedfilmlab]

Stone Cold could probably burst the bubble, but I hear he's a huge fan of film....

[@marioduvernay5840]

If film dies I die. Plain and simple

[@GreatGizmo74]

Yeah same here! I don't want film to die.

[@aroefilms]

there's a bubble?

[@Cunning_Jester]

I think film will continue to grow in the US over the next 4 years since there’s going to be sanctions on imported goods

[@pzkw10]

Don't worry, as long as there are enough rich young hipsters and boomer pensionists around, the film bubble will not burst at all😂

[@edbifner6370]

Love digital and film, but… Digital camera sales have been on the decline since the early 2010s, with only a slight uptick driven by the introduction of high-end mirrorless cameras. Even ignoring sales numbers, digital photography faces an existential threat from “AI”/LLMs that is greater than the one digital posed to film photography. Add to that the fact that, by posting your digital photos/videos/content online, you’re feeding the machine that is destined to bury you (hopefully only creatively and vocationally-speaking), and creatives will be forced to become more and more mindful of how they release, sell, or share their work. Eventually, the digital space itself will die or be rendered useless as a result of all the LLM-created noise. But digital’s still cheaper than film? Digital photography’s price will be at the expense of your creativity and your ability to control your work. In contrast, the future of film photography looks bright, independent of Kodak’s greed (film’s still relatively affordable, adjusted for inflation, compared to previous periods) or the eventual death of electronics in our vintage film cameras.

[@mr.negative_film_store]

🔥🔥🔥

[@davescamera3672]

In 30 years, film could be gone.