Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/07/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]B.D. In the "other" world of industrial and medical imaging, large quantities of photo-sensitive film products are still being consumed at fairly high rates. Think about all the dentists with their x-ray devices, and the family practice physicians who operate chest machines and three-minute darkroom processors. Those devices were expensive to acquire but are now depreciated, and function very cost-effectively for the specific purposes intended. They are not about to be replaced wholesale for marginal ease-of-use advantages. As making film is process-oriented, keeping the lines running efficiently, regardless of the chemistry permutations, is what good manufacturing in this segment is all about. While the consumer markets' profitability might well recede as quantities diminish, the need to maintain brand positioning will most likely keep the Fuji and Kodak photography film businesses in the game until the digital dust settles enough to allow the strategic planners to assess the changed landscape and place their bets. In the photo biz, consumer photographic film might well be the tail of the industrial-commercial profit dog. As you know, the tail wags the dog only under very unusual circumstances... Len -- -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+ljkapner=cox.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+ljkapner=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of B. D. Colen Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 7:37 AM To: 'Leica Users Group' Subject: RE: [Leica] Reality Check re: Digital vs Film vs Cost Ah, but Karen, if a company such as Kodak is already producing film for all the 35 mm and 120 cameras, and they have the infrastructure to use the same raw materials to churn out whatever amount of 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 film is called for, there's no problem; they may even keep producing it as a loss-leader to show that they are a full-service film manufacturer. But what happens when the 35 mm operation itself is no longer worth their time and investment? I'm not suggesting that that point will come today or tomorrow, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see the number of film choices decline sharply over the next five years. And then what? B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Karen Nakamura Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 10:22 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Reality Check re: Digital vs Film vs Cost >Maybe the % of non-pro photographers that shoot 120 or 220 (or even >35mm) and that take photography seriously (as opposed to >family-holidays-... point and shooters) is a bit too small to keep the >traditonal film factories turning? Considering that 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 sheet film is still available, I don't think we have anything seriously to worry about for the next 5-10 years. Talk about a small market. Karen -- Karen Nakamura http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/ _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information