Film Photography Needs People Buying New Cameras
Too Good to Be True
Imagine there is a new film camera on the market, that does it all:
High-end AF and tracking
Manual focusing with a split screen
Compatibility with one of the largest lens ecosystems on the market
Small form factor
Ultimate battery performance
Professional-grade build quality
Almost inaudible shutter
Compatible with the most advanced flash metering system in the world
10 years of parts availability and service by the manufacturer
Made by a prestigious camera brand and not some Kickstarter campaign
ALL the features a photographer could ever want in a camera EVER
And now imagine it only costs 2.200 Euro brand new with full warranty - at your local camera store.
A few weeks ago, this camera still existed - it was of course the one and only Nikon F6.
The Nikon F6 needs a successor
How Serious Are We About Film Photography?
Imagine a photographer buying a 2.800 mirrorless digital camera (lenses not included) that will only work on this digital camera. It is a camera that does the same thing that his or her previous 36mp digital already did - but this one is a little bit better. Imagine the photographer is taking a few shots with the camera and finds out it just produces the same digital files.
Do you think there will be a realization that the lump of electronics he or she just bought will probably work in 5 years, but he or she won’t be the person with the newest coolest camera anymore?
By not buying a new F6, the photographer missed a lot. He berobbed himself of opportunities regarding socializing with the shop owner when buying film and supporting a local business. Think about all the people the photographer might have met at the camera store.
So the photographer wants to shoot film despite his new digital camera. He goes an online auction site and tries to find a film camera. But he or she only has 200 Euro left for a camera with lens and some expired film.
This Is the Issue
Film shooters have the money, many do. But many are not serious enough about film photography.
It is a novelty, a thing they like doing. A thing they pretend caring about but not willing to fully invest in. If in doubt, they will buy a digital camera instead.
I’ve been like that before I’ve bought the F6 – and it was a mistake. The new F6 was the best thing that happened to me camera-wise. This is a tool to support professional applications and all hobbyist endeavors.
A Bleak Future if We Don’t Change Now
There won’t be any parts for our beloved film cameras. Many circuit boards will have died or will be in need of being reworking costing 500 Euro for a specialist to sit down and attempt the repair – there is no guarantee it will work. Only a few film photographers will make this investment.
The others will just abandon the medium for another film simulation preset pack they just bought for 100 EUR.
There is only one way around it: Stop giving great products a bad name just because you can’t afford it. Save for a newly produced film cameras (now only Leica is still in the game) – Buy yourself a companion, not a circuit board. Buy new film. Shoot film. Buy darkroom paper and print.
Send manufacturers e-mails that you would love to buy a new film camera from them. Don’t wait.
Invite People to Film Photography
Don’t compare it to digital in terms of image quality, but compare it in terms of electronic waste, waste of resources and lack of emotional connection with one’s equipment.
And if there is a new camera on the market, don’t expect it to cost 500 Euro while being the do-it-all camera that will last a lifetime and gets brassy around the edges.
Don’t treat film photography as a novelty, treat it as PHOTOGRAPHY.
