Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/11/09

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Subject: [Leica] Summilux vs. Summicron
From: hans.pahlen at telia.com (Hans Pahlen)
Date: Tue Nov 9 14:46:38 2004
References: <200411091552.iA9FnvZJ064801@server1.waverley.reid.org> <Pine.LNX.4.58.0411091221140.10022@mail.2alpha.net>

Yes, isn't it amazing how quickly the photoshops adjust to the digital 
age... Well, adapt is the wrong word, I would rather say that they 
accelerate it. My regular photoshop in Gothenburg (Sweden) no longer has a 
machine for developing films, instead they have a "kiosk" where you insert 
memory cards or CD:s... And the "kiosk" does not accept RAW-files, you will 
have to convert to jpeg at home if you want prints made by them. Clearly the 
whole business is aiming at the low end users... And of course they will 
recommend ordinary people to buy digitals, that's the only way they will be 
able to earn from the new "kiosks".
And their turnaround for analogue gear has come to an almost standstill.

And how quickly things change, I was told that everyone asked for and bought 
Canon 300D last autumn, then during the spring everyone wanted Nikon D70:s, 
the 300D was completely cool. Things go fast these days, my D2H will soon be 
replaced by a D2X. No way that I can afford this tempo... This trend 
encourages cheap digital cameras, that you can afford to upgrade every 
second year. The high end pro gear belongs to the pro:s, who else can afford 
this tempo? Someone said that we should get used to change cameras the same 
way as we change computers...
(I will add that I am very satisfied with my D2H, I will not dump it for 
many years...)

I suppose some specialist pro firms with pro pricing for developing and 
printing will remain, but for me -living on the countryside- maybe it will 
be a good idea to start developing films on my own again, rather than 
sending them by mail and get them back a week or more later. Time will show.
I am keeping my F5 and Leica-M:s, cuz there will still be a dedicated group 
of film users for many years to come. But things will definately not be as 
thet used to be. We will surely be a minority.

/Hans

>
> I agree that the market will shake out, and there will be less film and
> processing available.  The question is how fast will it happen, and how
> much.  Those of us in or near major cities will probably be OK.  Those
> elsewhere may not be.  So far it's happened faster than most of us would
> have believed.  But there might be a plateau rather than a continued
> acceleration to zero.
>
> --Peter
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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In reply to: Message from pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein) ([Leica] Summilux vs. Summicron)