up for discussion I: film is dead, long live film!

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my fears are completely unfounded, i know. well, at least for now. half of my fridge is filled with film, as is half of my freezer — plus there’s that stuff in the boxes in the hall closet. still, i get scared that i’m going to run out.

three years ago i was fortunate to stumble across a pro camera shop that was getting rid of all of their discontinued and expired film. i bought it all. i sourced a stash of medium format agfa rsx-II 100 online that had been collecting dust in the ukraine. i bought that, too. whenever i come across random rolls at thrift shops and charity sales, i scoop them right up. and still, i have The Fear.

while it’s great that interest in analogue photography is picking up, that hasn’t stopped kodak from dropping the axe on yet two more slide emulsions this year (EPP & EPY). i’d hate to be down to just a handful of choices, as i find experimenting with different films a big part of the fun.

labs, too, are becoming an issue in many parts of the world. i live in a city of 1 million people and not one commercial lab will develop black&white any longer. and there’s only one place in town left for 120 colour or slide.

naturally, when something is more niche, it becomes more expensive, so i’ve become very choosy in what i shoot and what films i use. though the holga cfn will always be my first and best love, i just got a diana mini and love the idea of the half-frame and 72 shots per roll of 35mm!

what are you doing to keep your habit going and is film really on the fast-track to a spot on the endangered species list?

written by pamelaklaffke on 2010-12-02

65 Comments

jblaze823 · 2010-12-02 06:17
I have a similar fear pamela, not that the film will run out, but I guess that could and should become one of my fears. My fears with film at the moment is based on the cost of it, which makes me really choosy about the images I actually shoot, especially with 120 film. I live in the Los Angeles area so finding places to process film is fairly easy. My local Target will develop color negative and color slide 35mm for a dollar, which is great and they do an ok job. They even know me by name there now, so not much more I can ask for. 120mm is a bit more expensive about $3 to $5 per roll depending on what film you are processing, which is probably not super expensive in many parts of the world, but for me that means not being able to get film processed straight after I shoot them. Quite often I save the roles of so that I have time to save up some money and process a bunch of rolls all at once. Currently I have more than 10 rolls of 120mm sitting in my drawer waiting to be developed. So I guess what I am getting at is, my fears are a bit more "short term oriented", saving money for rolls I have shot and will shoot to get processed. But now you've got me thinking about where I might get my next roll of film....
If anyone is interested, I get my 120mm film developed at Simi Valley Photo Labs simivalleyphotolabs.com/
If you are in the states you can ship your film to them and they will ship it back to you for free
ahleng90 · 2010-12-02 06:32
all of you still lucky...i'm from Malaysia..we need to pay for the shipping or postage fees which make the films are more expensive...especially slide films...developing?yeah..it is very expesive here especially bnw..
bcartwright · 2010-12-02 06:46
I think that one of the prime concerns of aficionados of any specialized hobby should be monopoly and oligopoly. If any one tier of the system becomes reliant upon a single source than the entire infrastructure collapses. We are only just starting to see the glimmers of hope in the integral film market after Polaroid (monopoly) exited the market. It may be years or never before instant films returns to a price which is practical for SX-70 and Spectra style cameras.

As to film for our 35mm and 120 cameras the answer is market driven and does suck a little. And we all know what it is. Buy film which is new from retailers still committed to carrying the stuff. If we all bargin hunt and only buy remaindered and expired product then that tells the Kodak's of the world that we don't think their product isn't worth retail prices. It'll drive down supply and diversity in the film market. Buy film new and buy it from a diversity of sources. I've bought film from Lomography, Four Corners, Frugal Photographer and local specialty shops.

Developing? Same deal. If you have a local shop develop there if even if mail order is a little cheaper. Alternatively, some developing in the future might start being done more frequently at home. I can see a world where most film nuts do their black and white and home and have someone else do their color and slide.

Cameras? Buy lots and a diversity of formats. If your favorite camera manufacturer(s) have social media then 'like' it and push it hard to your homies. Because dwindling and diminish film and developing resources won't matter if we don't replace customers that die or lose interest or income at faster than a 1:1 ratio.

I'd love to see Lomography get into the 110 film market and maybe introduce a 110 camera. A Diani Extra Mini? There has been large interest in 110 in recent years and I think that supprting that market would net them more overall film buyers. Also, stocking film from Impossible might generate crossover interest in some existing product lines if marketed appropriately.
cherrybomb · 2010-12-02 07:45
I live in South Africa. Film??? If you can get it is usually boring Kodak, and if you are lucky - Fuji.
And there is only one shop in the whole country that stocks Lomography products, and it's 1000 kilometers away from me. Frustrating to say the least. To get film processed here I pay approximately $20. Yes, you read right. So the only answer I have is to keep my Braun Paxette in shape, and make friends with professional photographers that have their own darkroom.
My credit card is maxed.....
bcartwright · 2010-12-02 08:40
Cherry Bomb, here's a daring idea... Be the source! Lo-fi lovers from around the world have turned their habit into their business. Nic Nichols and Mijonju run online specialty shops that cater to their market. Reach out to Lomo and find out how much film you gotta buy to get bulk discounts. Do the same with other film makers too. Start with film makers that already cheap like Shanghai GP-3. Be the source for southern Africa! Imagine being the go to person for cams and film. See a bulk lot of old Vivitars on eBay? Snap them up! Start cruising the Flickr boards to measure interest in Africa.
shoujoai · 2010-12-02 09:30
Here in Germany there are still many shops selling film, but they usually have a very limited offer. I ask around at friends and collegues and search the internet for getting as most slide films in stock as possible! Slide films are the bigger problem than normal negative film. Two days ago, a collegue gave me a bunch of films, containing a slide film ISO 1000, he don't need them any more. I did not know that there's such a high ISO for slide films! And what did they do? They stopped the production some years ago -__-
copefan · 2010-12-02 10:06
I work for Timpson here in the UK and we bought Max Spielmann a high street chain of photo processing shops! We still have a few wet labs in place but we mainly do C-41 35mm stuff but we have a central location for all the other types. Film is far from dead as i'n one of my other post 'Fuji' are producing two new wet labs after pulling out of the market and agreed that they had pulled out of the market too soon and film instead of being in decline had taken a sharp rise in sales, although the amount of film types has come down and that it is mainy due to people getting fed up with the instant fix they have with digital. I love film and i'll do all I can to bring it back to the masses! I'd love to get more stocks into the Max and Klick shops and sell Lomo Cameras! (so if your listining Lomo guy's get in touch and i'll let you have contact details....!) Russ
azzzy · 2010-12-02 12:07
I guess being in singapore, a small country with a strong lomography community here and a lab that will takecare of any film needs, from b&w to scanning spinner pictures i can count myself really lucky. Personally i cant wait to graduate and start work, that way i will be financially independent and wont have to save up before i can go and process a roll or counting my cash before i load a film into my camera. As for films, slide and negatives are easily available but there are some films i wish are available here like kodak EB and Kodak E200. When my favorite film kodak EPR 64 was axe. Felt really lost and had to try plenty of films to find the one thats closes to Kodak EPR 64. I have 1 roll of it in my fridge that im saving for my weeding day which would be another 8 to 10 years time. Ive emailed lomography some time back about a suggestion to have something like the geo tag but for photo labs. Cause the greatest problem for a lomographer is when he moves to a new location or goes on a really long holiday or a new lomographer just starting out. Buying films we can always turn to online shopping but processing and finding a proper lab close to you will take ages with lots of asking around. So the idea of geo tag photo labs will be done by fellow lomographers on lomography themself cause no one knows your own local lab better than yourself. The fellow lomographer will include details of the lab, like the location, how to get there, services it provides, cost, contact number as well opening hours. What do the rest of you think? When i emailed this suggestion to lomography they replied saying that they will take it into consideration. If we can get more people to voice out this idea it might get implemented faster.
adi_totp · 2010-12-02 12:08
yeah me too have The Fear. In Indonesia, Lomography is like.. trending or you may call it "all the teenager use lomographic camera to get the attention of others" . Well I'm not a teenager ;p
What I'm saying is there a big big demand on cameras and of course Films. It's been an important stuff here in Indonesia since everybody is going back to analogue and certainly they're searching for films. There are many shops that is still selling films. Negative films like Fuji,Kodak,Lucky. But the slide films is like so rare here in Indonesia. But on 2010 there is one shop in Bandung that sell expired films. Expired 120/35mm films but they sell them for high price. Yeah talking about the demand and supply theory but I think the demand and supply theory is founding it's very truth in the Indonesian market. There so many online shops that sell films, from negative to slide/ black & white films. Even sometime people sell them on Facebook or Twitter. I must say I love the supply for the films in Indonesia. One thing that is bothering is the price, I know price can't lie but I have to say slide film is expensive and also rare in Indonesia that means HIGH PRICE. A good solution for that is to stock up some slide film everytime I found a slide film in shops everywhere in Bandung or Jakarta even I search some films when I travelled to Yogyakarta or Bali. I have a good alternative for films, simple. Buy a negative film and redscale it. Home made redscale is good alternative if you're bored with the negative films. ;p
cheers
Adi
azzzy · 2010-12-02 12:10
@jblaze823 your info simivalleyphotolabs.com/ is really going to help me. as i be in US for almost 2 months next year. will be in Los angeles too! cant wait to see the great city and visit the lomostore there!
@bcartwright agree with you, we need to buy fresh films to maintain the demand for it.
@ahleng90 man if you come over to singapore stock up on slide films!
adi_totp · 2010-12-02 12:28
@azzzy
send some fresh slide films to Indonesia :)
azzzy · 2010-12-02 12:46
@adi_totp hahah sure! what slide films you need? ebx ebx200, e100vs? i'll send it with a little christmas card!
quaisoir · 2010-12-02 12:52
I guess slide films are pretty hard 2 get elsewhere.me n @azzzy are really lucky 2 be in Singapore. sometimes we get our supply from other lomographers who probably have spare film 2 sell or on some rare occasions r giving up on their hobby. And i'm always on a lookout 4 these great deals coz I love hoarding film.wish I did the same with the polaroids!
nicolas_noir · 2010-12-02 13:00
@bcartwright I couldn't agree with you more! I felt bad buying a negative scanner as it took away money from the companies I was using for prints, but I stick to my two best local processors. I know people on flickr who brag about getting cheap or free cross processing from supermarkets because they think that the colour shifts are a processing error. Little do they realise that they are shooting themselves and others in the foot, because the supermarkets will stop processing film if they carry on making a loss! I'm lucky with my developers and continue to support them as much as I can!
emilios · 2010-12-02 13:27
I agree with everything above! Where I live, I have noticed a dramatic increase in film price over the past 10 years and it doesnt stop there. As a result, the market filtered out all the small labs and it is now dictated by 3-4 big labs , as a form of monopoly, and they charge the most ridiculous prices. I think that is one of the most serious issues here. However, if you develop film ur self, then cutting costs can b very effective.
lomoteddy · 2010-12-02 18:34
one thing is for sure, the prices have been going up, and little by little, some of our favorites will just disappear. Look what happened to Polaroid, it is an endangered species, and not reproducing, it will be extinct, its just a matter of time, despite the amazing efforts of the impossible project. That is hard to imagine considering it was something that Revolutionized photography. Something else has now revolutionized photography, Digital Photography, for or better or worse is a different discussion. I wonder if there were forums where people discussed how horrific polaroid was to photography, that anybody could just take snap shots, the same way many people view digital photography.
Yup, I stock up, and have a stash, and consider its worth, not only in a monetary way. Kodachrome 8mm movie film is only developed by one lab in the united states, and this month is the last month the lab will have the chemicals to develop this film. There are products growing extinct before we have a chance to see their magic. Luckily there are enough people keeping this going, but cost and convenience changes things over time. I don't shoot with a huge wooden box from the 1800's that uses wet plate, but i love Sally Mann. lomo love, thats what its all about :) give and share :)
discodrew · 2010-12-02 19:20
I do worry about the closing down of film labs and film supplies. I can imagine in my darkest nightmares walking down to the corner of the street and asking for a stash of AGFA 200 pro. "How about some Kodak Ektachrome? First one's free" my dealer would reply. However there is something totally irreplaceable about film photography. It can't just be imitated in some synthetic way. It's like farmed salmon, fake fur, faux leather and plastic Christmas trees. Sure they maybe cheaper, more efficiently produced but they're just not as good as the real thing. That's why I think there will always be a place for film.
bccbarbosa · 2010-12-02 20:36
This definetely gotta be our biggest concern. How long is this adventure gonna last? Or how long are we gonna be able to keep it alive? In my case, even though in Barcelona we still have many labs, it is very expensive. I honestly have been doing miracles to economically keep my addiction. The develop is quite expensive and most of the time I use slide film which makes it even more expensive. I tried many labs till I found the one that I really fits my eye which of course ended up being one of the most expensives. I go around the city looking for film and I buy lots online cause it really scares me to run out of it, so I try to always keep plenty in stock. For me this is crucial, so if I have to choose between buying food or paying the rent and buying or developing film I don't hesitate to go for the second one. I support my lab and the companys that make all the tools that help me feed my obsession but I shouldn't feel bad for trying to save money. Still it looks like in the end I'll be out on the street, starving to death but trust me I'll be loaded and happy. =D
stouf · 2010-12-02 21:03
Damn' so you're the one always outbidding me on films on e-bay ? Ahahaha, just kidding... I'm sick too... Every time I see some film I get it... I have to force myself to stay away from e-bay... And I have to get out of bed discreetly during the night to put films in the fridge (my lady said no more)... Sick sick sick : ).... Feels like these gambling addicted people...

And since I started processing my films at home, I got this other addiction... Sometimes I just shoot because I want to process... Ridiculous... But seriously, home processing is an orgasmic activity.
nural · 2010-12-02 21:13
the biggest disappointment i had was in a meeting with my favorite Turkish Photographer, I had the chance to ask him `what do you think of analogue, what are your suggestions to someone who is still into that` where as everyone else was asking about the digital stuff... and he just said `it`ll die soon`... I just could not accept that, I mean, this was the guy talking about how he`d use a TRL and develop his own stuff in hotel bathrooms and that he was in the Magnum and stuff... and he just cut it off so quickly!!!!
most labs only do C41, and don`t even accept the fact that E6 can be cross processed and I end up going to the same lab everytime because they know the language I talk, they understand when I talk about a tipster I red here, and even give me ideas on what to do... I have no idea what I`d do if they shut down...
dyluzo · 2010-12-02 22:02
Well ya what is going to happen ?
Here were I live it's impossible to develop 120 so I send it out to Calgary postage is very expensive here in Canada. $ 30 -$ 40( that's with develepment) bucks later for - 2 rolls of 120 yuck !!!
That's way I sold my Diana and now bought a cute little Diana Mini ! I have yet to develop the first roll!B&W is even more of a horror story !No one want to do it here either .I send 2 rolls of 120 out in Sept. and after day got developed ( somewhere in the USA) they got last in the mail I was so mad .Got my money back thank god!
I guess I will stick to 35mm for now And hope it will stay for a wail.I think we all have to get our Photos seen and out there for people so that they notes that film is not dead !!!
At the supermarket where I get the film developed ,its always busy they got new machines but still get confused by what I shot and do it for free some times because they feel sorry for my bad photography skills so yeah for me .
I would love that the Lomography store would have 110 cameras and film to buy.
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-02 22:47
Wow — all of these responses are fabulous, and there are so many good points, I’m not sure where to begin!

it’s great to have specific lab tips, like jblaze823 provided, and while it’s obvious that most of us are concerned about the future of film, from what ahleng90 & cherrybomb point out, some of us have it better than others in regards to access to film and affordable developing.

one key point I think we should all heed, is bcartwright’s excellent comment about not always buying expired film if we still want the powers-that-be at Kodak & Fuji to keep producing what’s left of our favourite films (like the high iso slide films shoujoai mentioned — I personally loved the Kodak eph 1600; it was wonderful for shooting at night and live performance without flash!). another great point mentioned both by bcartwright and nicolas_noir is to shop local and use local labs where possible (not the big chains), if we want service to continue years down the road.

a bright spot is copefan’s news that there new Fuji wet labs opening in the UK. Hurray — hopefully, this will help turn things around in other parts of the world if they are successful.

geotagging labs is another great suggestion from azzzy, so we can get a good sense of what is available where. Sharing information is crucial, I think, and we all have to work together to find solutions. And it always makes me jealous that Singapore has such a strong lomo community — you and quaisoir and the other Singapore lomographers are so lucky. Oh — and I have a couple of rolls of EPR 64 I would be willing to part with since I have a pretty decent stash! Maybe we could do a trade?

it’s interesting to hear what parts of the world are seeing a real rise in the popularity of analogue, like in Indonesia as adi_totp pointed out. Here, I’ve had a somewhat similar experience in that analogue has become popular lately with the teenagers and early 20-somethings and there’s more demand for film, whereas two years ago it was just me and a handful of other people scouring the backrooms of camera shops and raiding the film freezers of other photographers’ who had gone completely digital. There’s a whole lot more competition now, that’s for sure!

the prices of film have more than doubled where I live, I think, in the past few years, emilios & lomoteddy are being hit hard, too, as are so many others. And that’s terrible news about the 8mm movie film. However, I think that the fact that most theatrically released films (even those originally shot on digital) are still 35mm, so that bodes well for that format sticking around a while for both motion pictures and stills.

discodrew & stouf: ah, yes the all-too familiar tales of the film addict! And I hope you’re right about there always being a place for film, discodrew! As for home process, like stouf champions, I have such limited space, I’m not sure if I’d feel confident doing it (especially colour! B&W I can handle. I think.).

i’ve heard about labs getting all weird about cross-processing, refusing to do it (even though it’s only c-41 chemicals!) or charging outrageous prices, like bccbarbosa & nural both point out. That kind of price gouging always gets my back up. There was a lab here that tried to charge me $3 extra per roll of 120 to cross-process it. Needless to say, I stuck with my old lab which doesn’t do that!

Dyluzo: I’m in Calgary — where are you sending your film? That price is crazy! Maybe I can help. I only pay $0.59/per 120 shot (my lab doesn’t charge for the ones that don’t turn out) and that’s develop AND print. If you only want negs, it’s about $5-6 per roll colour neg or x-processed slilde. Send me a message if you want all the specifics.
fivedayforecast · 2010-12-02 22:55
As lame as it might sound sometimes what keeps me using film in some ways is the attention and my personal attributes.

I'm generally a pretty prideful person. Something that I'm not quite happy with but it's something that I've learned how to use for my own benefits. Since I know I'm not getting rid of my pride, I find stupid little ways to get ahead of the gang. So to the people who consider my film addiction as me just trying to be different, I see it as me getting to the same point a more difficult way and sticking with it. I guess it gives me more of a boost to the quality of my photos when I'm presenting them to remind people that I'm using film and I'm not just going photoshop crazy.

I also work, or I am an employee rather, at a local film lab and that keeps my processing needs met. But really I don't know how I'd survive otherwise.

As for keeping my film plentiful, it's all just luck really. You have to take it when you can get it really.
fivedayforecast · 2010-12-02 22:56
@pamelaklaffke, I've got a few rolls of 1600 eph sitting in my fridge. How do I shoot or process that stuff if I'm looking to xpro it?
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-02 23:06
fivedayforecast: re. eph: it's a "push processing" film (see this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_processing). it's an 800 speed film that's been specifically developed to "push" a stop or two, allowing you to shoot in low-light situations and still get colour. xpro as normal e-6 to c-41, and "push" it one or two stops if you want. or just xpro with no pushing for more saturation. i love this film! let me know how it goes if you shoot it!
adi_totp · 2010-12-03 00:23
@stouf
home processing is an orgasmic activity? I wanna try it but I have to try it first. With your tips for sure! haha
adi_totp · 2010-12-03 00:25
@ pam
hey can I post this on facebook? I want to know other Indonesian Lomographer think of this :)
basho · 2010-12-03 00:29
I can't really speak for all the Spanish territory, but this is what I've learnt about film developing and labs in the last year:

Almost all the shops sell film, but the choice is reduced. Fuji and some Kodak films are easy to find... as far as you don't ask for slide film. If you want something "special" (that is, anything apart of Fuji Superia or Kodak Gold), you have to order it. Orders must be at least 5 rolls. No discounts and you must expect to pay between 6 and 9 Euro per roll. Some shops still offer slide but they let you know that they no longer develop it. My hometown has some good shops, but I always go to the same one, because they get me everything I ask for. However, I know that the lab that develops my rolls is not here, but in a bigger town not very far. I never ask for copies; I just develop the film and ask for a scanning. They do cross process, but they are not able to scan the sprocket holes, so I'm thinking of getting me a scanner and ask them only to develop my films. In the future, I may even consider getting some lab equipment and try developing my own films.

Whenever I pass by a shop, I take a look inside to see what films they've got. That way, I've been able to find some expired Kodak slide film and some new Agfa Vista rolls (but those aren't manufactured by Agfa. Actually someone else manufactures them in Italy with a license from Agfa).

The guy in the shop I usually go to says that the lab can still develop slide film. However, a couple of weeks ago, in a different shop (and in a different town), a woman told me that she no longer sells slide because only one lab in Spain can develop it correctly. It seems that the machine is very expensive to keep and very hard to set. She told me that those labs which still accept slide film no longer give the empty chasis back. so you can't tell if some colours have been correctl developed. I don't know if this is true, because I always cross processed slide film.

Prices vary depending on type of film. I usually pay 7 Euro for 35mm film developing and scanning. B&W and 120mm film are a bit more expensive.

Lomography Spain offers lab services, but they are quite pricey compared to what I usually pay (and you have to pay for the post, unless you live in Madrid or Barcelona). The last time I visited the Lomography shop in London, I picked up a sheet with a list of prices for lab services and I found them outrageously expensive! In fact, they were far more expensive than the same services in Spain.

@stouf I also put new film in my fridge when my wife is not at home!!!! Fortunately, I don't have that much film right now, so she doesn't notice :S LOL
holydarkyfied · 2010-12-03 00:54
Montréal, Québec, Canada, here at my local drug store I've got 3 options: Kodak, Fujifilm and an unknown company. Each films costs about... 3 dollars each? Development not included, that's for sure. But we've got only colour negative 35mm, from 100 iso to 800, than it goes to specialized shops. So I'm shooting anything, a lot of time my animals, trying to capture their movement or I don't know, I like just seeing through the viewfinder (I'm actually using a Kodak Adventix 2ooo, first roll's waiting to get developed). I think maybe it is all about stopping time, you know... Well, I hope you know, because I don't hahaha! Anyway, what makes me continue? I started not long ago, so I'm telling myself it wouldn't be cool to stop now. I like photography and I'd have to pay to get my pictures printed anyway with digital, but the thrill before my films printed wouldn't be there. Maybe it would make me sad. I should try LOL
Have a nice day
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-03 01:07
adi_totp: no problem — feel free to post it on facebook with a link back to the original. and let us know what kind of response you get! thanks, pam
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-03 01:13
basho: that's so strange that so many people in so many places are having the most trouble finding and developing slide film. so far, i haven't encountered that problem yet at all. in fact, black & white is much more of a problem where i live in canada.
holydarkyfied: i know that the thrill and anticipation of analogue can't be matched by the digital experience (at least in my mind). i'm glad you've found somewhere in montreal to buy and develop your film, even if the selection isn't that great. there must be a pro lab there, though, with more selection? and a lot of times if you ask, and fill out a form, they'll give you a "pro account" discount, which at least here in calgary is 15 percent, so it adds up! have a great evening, too!
gnarlyleech · 2010-12-03 02:14
I look for film on ebay. A month ago I bought 65 rolls of fuji sensia 200 for $45. What a steal!! I planned on selling some of it on ebay, but I started to think about how film is getting harder to find. I love my film photography but things can't stay the way they are right now forever. There will come a day when the only place we will be able to buy film is at Lomography's website. There may be a price jump when that happens (I hope not though). Until then I am not gonna worry about it and enjoy what I have. Live in the NOW.
Another problem I have is the price to get film developed. I don't have a scanner yet, so I usually spend 2-6 dollars a roll depending on where I go. I know I will eventually have to start processing my own film and get a scanner, which is not a bad thing. I kinda look forward to that adventure.
If I had the money and the resources, I would become a Lomo-Ambassador and open my own Lomography store with a Lab.
erinwoodgatesphotography · 2010-12-03 03:52
I' so glad i got to read everyone different opinions on this, up until recently I worked in a lab on the east coast of canada which printed the majority of photographers work there from anywhere east of montreal but yet even that wasn't enough to keep the slide processor going. Art schools are even closing down colour labs because they aren't used enough and so are too expensive to run. Just recently i was thinking about buying a scanner because tI have to pay full price for film since i have moved but after reading this i can see that my inability to be able to come up with the cash needed to get a scanner is in favor of the small local lab which still processes b&w, 120 and slide. which is very rare these days.
awesomesther · 2010-12-03 05:02
I am relatively new to this whole idea, art and community of Lomography. I just got my Diana F+ but I am using the 35mm back so the film is not that hard to get, and since I haven't gotten around that many different film to know which is my favorite, I'm not that "Fearful" yet I guess?

But the fact of analogue photography being a niche market and that photo labs are hard to come by and prices going up, it's really hard to avoid. It's probably part of inflation anyways :(

I live in Singapore like @azzzy, and travelling around the entire country (island) isn't that tough and I found the photo lab which is reasonable in pricing for my processing and it ain't really that far from where I stay so I count myself lucky.

But I will probably snoop around and if I come across any interesting/discontinued films clearance, I might buy them all! (as long as I can afford them)
mikeman85 · 2010-12-03 05:15
I have often pondered the notion that one day film may in fact disappear completely. Given how my interest in film has come back with a furry this past year, it is quite an uncomfortable thought to entertain. Seeing how 35mm is probably the most commonly used format has led me to believe that if any format where to go next it would be 120. This indeed scares the heck out of me. After receiving a Holga as a gift about a year ago, I've fallen in love with medium format and reignited my love for film by amassing a growing collection of analog cameras. I'm also considering dabbling in instant film thanks to the amazing work of the Impossible Project. I will also hopefully receive my newly acquire Lomo Lubitel 166+ which I can't wait to burn some 120 film on. My passions for film are constantly being fed.

As such, I do try to make a point to make regular visits to small specialty photography shops in my city even for such widely developed films as 35mm. I'd rather pay a little more knowing that I am helping to keep an ever dwindling niche market alive. If those few businesses in my city were to go under I don't know where I would get my 120 film developed. I would have to send it off I guess.

Ultimately, I do have faith that film will be around for a long while if not for good. More and more people are realizing that sometimes little imperfections make something much more beautiful. There's something much more tactile about film, and as such I can't see it ever disappearing. It must not go away. It can't. It won't. Some examples I can point to: The Vinyl Record. In this digital age of MP3s, CDs and bit torrents, Vinyl Records are still produced. Books, and Magazines are still produces in vast numbers even with the advent of the internet, various e-readers and the iPad. Surely, there are countless other examples of technologies that have gone the way of the Dodo Bird, but I think the examples I stated do show that if there is enough interest (And thanks to Lomo and various other film loving communities online I believe the demand for film is there and growing stronger.) older technologies do hang around for a long time. And in the case of film, I hope its here to stay.
herbert-4 · 2010-12-03 05:19
I think that, for reasons of fine art, film, particularly B&W, is not going away any time soon. The economy of cheap plastic cameras and C-41 colour for quicky photos (think CVS Pharmacy photo kiosks, etc.) will keep colour negative around. Whats going away, soon, is slide film. E-6 processing is going away. Kodachrome and E-25 is gone. This is a shame, because a well focused and exposed Kodachrome 10 35mm slide is the equivalent of 80+ megapixels of image info. A 120 6x9cm slide is 750+. I live near Los Angeles, where there is a Lomography Store, and so, I guess I'm lucky. Also nearby is the Freestyle Photo Store. They supply photo schools, colleges and universities. Check out www.freestylephoto.biz They have everything and are very special. Enjoy.
falsedigital · 2010-12-03 09:51
Holy crap people are writing a lot on this page! I just wanted to say that I still cry inside that Fuji Discontinued Neopan 400 in 120 format :[
panelomo · 2010-12-03 11:30
i have 2 kodachrome rolls left - and i need to shoot these rolls soon. so that i can send it to dwayne's before they stop processing. imagine a regular film and your regular lab ceasing to discontinue possibilities of shooting film. to me, i'd like to enjoy shooting and appreciate my photos - and others. i can worry later.
copefan · 2010-12-03 12:47
one thing that we should do here is find better ways to process are own film as some of the chemicals used will start to be phased out in the next few years due to new laws....... so alternative ways of processing all kinds of film with shop bought stuff has to be the answer.
antibiotyx · 2010-12-03 16:48
If only I had the means to develop my own films, I would. Good thing is it’s not necessary at all. Living in a “third world country” may have some advantages. Film processing is relatively cheap here. There are labs that process film for only 30 pesos (or less than 60 cents) per roll. You can buy a new color film for less than a dollar. There’s also a photo company here that can process and scan 5 rolls of films for only 275 pesos or 6$, including the CD and shipping cost. My only rant is that slide films sold in stores here are way too expensive, and finding 120 films is quite a challenge. Good thing, there’s Ebay, it’s like a treasure box! But it’s a matter of luck. You’ll never know when you’re going to get a steal. Film photography is really a costly hobby, but the satisfaction everyone gets from taking photos is priceless.
bordes · 2010-12-03 17:32
I have some really excellent film stores (Lense and Shutter & Rainbow Photo) in my town... while they can be expensive, they have a huge range of film (both 35mm and 120). I have a fellow lomographer friend in China who visits about once a year. She usually brings me back a boat load of film for about 1/4 of the CDN price.

Because of the huge expense, I like to batch my processing and try to do 15+ rolls at a time. My locally owned developer (Rainbow Photo) will cut me major deals if I do it like this. I usually like to process everything, get it all put on a disc, and then print the ones I love a couple weeks later (i.e. after my next paycheque). In October I got 22 rolls developed and it cost about $230 CDN (including taxes) for processing and scanning. I have now started to scan my own negatives, so the cost to do my next batch should be much less.

This weekend is actually the launch party of my photography being up in a local vintage store. I'm hoping to sell a couple pieces which could then help my film buying habit. All of my friends/family are excited when I show up with my cameras to a party or an event, and therefore buy prints from me of shots they love (I usually charge about $20 for a 11x14).

All in all, it is the best hobby a girl (or boy) could have. And even though it is expensive, the pictures I will have of my life will be completely worth it, so I think it is an pretty great trade off.
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-03 18:59
Gnarlyleech: indeed, there are still deals to be had on ebay, especially I find with colour neg films. Developing seems to be most people’s biggest issue, and like erinwoodgatesphotography and others have pointed out, slide developing in particular is often problematic, which makes me thankful that like awesomesther, my lab still does it and it’s not outrageously expensive.

And like mikeman85, I definitely have a greater fear of 120 disappearing. 35mm seems to be a more stable market, but medium format is certainly my favourite so I try to buy any and all reasonably priced films when I find them. And mikeman85’s analogies re. vinyl, books and magazines are spot-on, which gives me some hope!

herbert-4: thanks for the freestyle link — I had forgotten about that place! If anyone else has online buying tips, let us know!

Falsedigital: I know! It’s great that so many people are contributing. Me, I miss the Agfa RSX-II 50 and 100 speed medium format films most!

Panelomo: it’s a shame about kodachrome for sure. I have a handful of old 126 cartridges that will just be cultural artifacts soon!

copefan & wilfbiffherb: home-processing is great and I really admire people who do it. I simply don’t have the space or the time, but recently a group of analogue photographers in town rented a small studio and darkroom that they are running on a co-op basis, so I may look into that.

Antibiotyx: those are some crazy prices — what a difference compared to here in north America! And I love your statement: “Film photography is really a costly hobby, but the satisfaction everyone gets from taking photos is priceless.” Well said!

Bordes: wow — the processing in Vancouver is way more expensive than here in Calgary, it sounds like. For 22 rolls of 120, I pay about $90 for processing, and about $150 for processing and prints; actually having everything printed is cheaper than having negs scanned at my lab, so I just print them and scan them myself (also because I like to have control over the colour balance in the scanning process). So strange that there’s such a difference in cost between 2 places that aren’t very far apart! And that’s great that you’re showing your work at a vintage shop (which one? Maybe I’ll check it out next time I’m there.) and that you shoot at events! anything to support the habit and promote your work is great!
vicuna · 2010-12-03 20:08
About film and processing: when I moved to Polynesia I was indeed a bit worried about my photographic activity and the processing of films.. Happily, I found quickly the only shop on the island who's sending the films to Tahiti to be processed, even if it last's 1 week to get them back and costs a bit... around 5,5€ for the 35mm ones (be it CN or x-pro, happily doesn't make any difference for x-pro..) and 7€ for 120 films... The only thing is that they only process color, no BW. When I arrived, the first rolls of BW I made came back unprocessed and I had to find a lab in Hawaii (thanks to @herbert-4) who was the closest one to process some BW films... but with the postage it did cost a lot... so I don't shoot BW anymore It was only during my stay in New Zealand that I could make some BW again (By the way, there's a great "lomo-friendly" shop & lab in Wellington...they made me some discounts on the huge amount of films I had to process :) But I know that I'll try to process my own BW at hpome soon..
And for buying films, happily LSi has now a great range of films, because I can't find interesting films here... or I need to buy them on ebay...
And when I have less than 30 films in my fridge, I begin to worry to be out of film soon, so the addiction to film is strong! :))
warning · 2010-12-03 21:09
I live in Madrid, Spain. I have no problem to buy movies in my city, both negative and slide, but they are too expensive, and the laboratories where do you cross processing, are expensive and scarce. I love black and white, but labs usually take about a week to have it ready, it goes even more expensive than color.
My favorite film camera is the Horizon, but the development is the most expensive, I have no scanner, and barely can find places where I can scanned that format.
Sorry I can´t give solutions to these concerns, but I have hopes that the films are still manufactured for a longer. I think that there are an analogic resurgent , and I think the first time that somebody try to shoot in analog, and see the results, can not stop. I wish everyone that they tried it once in their lifes.
warning · 2010-12-03 21:13
I´m sorry, i meant films, no movies..., I was thinking about the movie that I'm going to see now on TV haha.
bordes · 2010-12-03 21:29
pamelaklaffke: I should just save up all my film and take a road trip out to Calgary!!! I actually live in Kelowna so I'm pretty close. You should let me know who you use! I know my guy is expensive, but I really like supporting the local film shops. He brings in a lot of cool film for me, and I would feel bad trying to get my film processed at a London Drugs (aka tricking them into cross processing my 35mm). I'm going to start just scanning my own, so I will see how much that effects the price. My photography is up at Frock Clothing in Kelowna, for the month of December... pretty excited to see how it goes (www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=167544459945546&index…)
xbalboax · 2010-12-03 22:57
great read and topic, couldnt agree more w/ everyone. i think more then the cost of film the cost of processing has gone crazy! where i am (long island, ny) to develop and print a roll of 120 film costs me about $13-$17 USD a roll! so thanks to the internet, I recently came across a lab in Kansas called Dwayne's Photo, they are super cheap $3.99 to develop and $2.99 to put the roll on a cd!!! check them out. and yes they xpro as well! www.dwaynesphoto.com/

im def glad the LSI has a great range of film, and w/ kodak releasing ektar and portra 400, i dont think film will die anytime soon. and like everyone said, theres always ebay :) ide love to chat more but its time to leave work. till next time!
bravopires · 2010-12-04 03:23
I´m portuguese and I live in Portugal but near Spain, 10 minutes by car. So I discovered a place in Badajoz, Spain, where they process 35mm, c-41(the only "thing" they do, c-41 35mm), both slide and negative, for 1.90 euros one roll. Then I have a film scanner, canoscan8800f (200 euros), and I scan the film by myself. In Portugal the prices are different, 3x more (at least where I live). Unfortunnately, with 120mm and 35mm bw, it´s a different story, But film is not dead. We are resurrecting it cause in face of so extraordinary lomographs, nobody can be indifferent to the beauty of film.
blowpufferfish · 2010-12-04 04:41
It's a bit difficult to read all opinions above, but I guess one thing is common is the increasing development and film cost. Strange to say, here is Taiwan, I don't think that's a problem. I am working to pay my own bills, leading an analogue might not be cheap, but still affordable. To put that in number, developing a 35mm film costs about NT$120 (= US$4) and you get a CD containing all the photos. For a 120 film, it's about NT$110 and also with a CD. If I want to cross-process the slide, the price is still the same. As for the varieties of films, we have a "camera street" in Taipei, and some of the shops in the street sell a large variety of films and brands, you just have to find them yourself. Playing with film cameras is actually a trend among young people and students, I guess that because all costs are affordable. In addition, with the recent opening of lomo shop in Taipei, the trend has gone crazy. So, maybe you can call Taiwan a paradise for lomographers.
pushkar · 2010-12-04 09:09
Film is pretty much dead here in Dubai... its difficult to find a good selection of films... kodak stores sell only one film - kodak gold 200... it costs around 15 dirhams($4) there is only one store in the city which sell illford b&w white films.. cost about $7 another shop u could get tmax 400 or if ur lucky kodak e100 slide (7$)........................
1 Lab here processes 120 mm film & they also cross-process slide, most difficult though is to process b&w film almost no one does it here... one lab sends it to another state & I got my film back after 3 weeks :( that is the reason why I decided to process my own... got stuff ordered from b&h photo... no one here knew what film developing tank is :( that side of the story is completely gone....... illford chemicals are the only ones available here.. they cost about 20$ each :O ordering online is cheaper but tale about 12-15 days to get here.. also i dont really know if we can ship liquid chemicals anymore. got d-76 & fixer in powder form.... will soon give caffenol a try but have had a tough time looking for washing soda & vitamin-C crystals
Developing & putting scanned images on Cd costs about 8.5$... very soon ill get a film scanner & scan my own films... i tried looking for a film scanner here most of huge electronic stores here are clueless about it.. one guy even laughed at me saying "what do u need that antique stuff for!!" some nerve!!!....................
I have just opened a mail forwarding account in US & UK(aramex shop&ship) so I can order from amazon, b&h, freestyle & lomography store etc... most of these stores charge $50 to deliver to Dubai.. though the mail forwarding accounts I get it in about 10$........................
There are lots of kodak express stores here & they dont even stock film :O when asked they say "nobody buys film anymore.. if we keep it it will just stay on the shelf "
im waiting for the day lomography store opens in Dubai...............
I am worried about film dying out completely... pretty soon 1-2 places that sell film will stop too & labs are already on their way ...
stouf · 2010-12-04 14:25
For instance, this is totally insane, but I won't burn all my money in it... Although I'd really like to... (cgi.cafr.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1505288…)
yaypenny · 2010-12-04 17:54
I haven't had a hard time finding 120 film, luckily -- I get Fuji and Kodak and Ilford from small camera shops through Amazon. I unfortunately have to send black and white (don't have the resources to develop it myself) and slide film off to Atlanta to be developed (E-Six Labs, which is a fabulous place), but fortunately there is a small camera shop here in my small city that develops my 120 color film for me. They actually get a huge kick out of developing my toy camera shots, and they ask all sorts of questions. They'd never cross-processed slide film before, but did when I asked...and they said they hated that they no longer carried the chemicals to process it normally for me. They're the only place that still develops 120 film here, and they've been so cool and supportive (when I went through a dry spell awhile back, they wondered if I was okay, ha!)...I sure hope they are able to stay in business (and that we can all get our film fix!) for a long, long time!
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-04 18:42
Vicuna: sounds like our situations are similar in regards to b&w developing. My lab stopped developing it in mid-2009, and I keep thinking I’m going to start processing it myself, but never seem to find the time. I have, however, just heard about a guy who has got a good little business going out of his home darkroom developing rolls of both 120 & 35mm for a pretty reasonable price (I think around the equivalent to $6 usd per 120 roll), so I think I’ll try that. Some of the lomo home-lab people should start businesses like this; make a bit of money and help the rest of us out — everybody wins!

Warning: you are lucky to be in spain where analogue is so popular! And I know what you mean about developing panoramas. I shoot a lot with my cheap vivitar panorama cameras, and I’d do even more, but it is way more expensive. My lab charges a flat fee for develop & print (which is cheaper here than develop & scan) of about $0.90. it’s not too bad, but I try to shoot mostly 24-frame rolls rather than 36 to keep myself in check!

Bordes: I sent you a pm with all the info about developing in Calgary. And congratulations on having your work up at the vintage shop! I think that a lot of times having your work in a store where like-minded people may shop is better for sales than a gallery.

Xbalboax: dwayne’s is supposed to be great, though I’ve thankfully not gotten to the point where I have to send my film out of town! And good point about the portra & ektar. It’s unlikely that Kodak would introduce these films if there wasn’t a demand!

Bravopires: I had no idea that there was such a discrepancy between the prices in Portugal and spain! And, again, you’re encountering what a lot of us are everywhere in regards to b&w. as I mentioned in reply to vicuna, I think the idea of some of the really good home developing people offering services (for a reasonable fee of course) to the rest of us would be great!

Blowpufferfish: wow — Taiwan does sound like a lomo paradise! And you have such reasonable rates, too! In Canada, the first lomo store just opened last month in Toronto, but hopefully we’ll be seeing one in western Canada sometime soon (Vancouver, maybe?)!

Pushkar: I think it’s great that you’ve taken on your own developing, even if it does sound like it’s incredibly difficult to get supplies there (crazy that they didn’t know what a film developing tank was!). as for shipping liquid, I know that here all chemicals and liquids have to ship by ground only, so it can take longer to get things from the usa and there can be lots of brokerage fees, etc. I think there are ways to get items flown, but it involves a lot of paperwork and I would imagine it’s very expensive!

Stouf: thanks for the link! That is a pretty amazing lot of film. I’ve blown all my money on xmas presents, so I’m trying to stay away from shopping (I always end up buying things for myself when I’m supposed to be shopping for other people, so I’ve already got a bunch of cool stuff coming my way that I’ve bought online in the last few weeks!). I’ll be curious to see how much the film goes for, though!

Yaypenny: the situation in north america doesn’t seem as bad as it is in other places, that’s for sure! I guess we have to introduce as many people as possible to the analogue world and maybe they’ll get hooked like we all are! That will help keep the labs in business and the film supply flowing!
romi2105 · 2010-12-04 21:48
even though i'm a newbie and my experience with anaolge photography is quite limited, i can definitely talk about prices... and you're probably going to be shocked!

So far i've only used 35mm film, not yet had the courage to shoot with my diana f+ (because i find it more complex and difficult than shooting with a lomo or supersampler).

i had the pleasure to use slide, color negative and black and white. I get my rolls developed and scanned in a professional photolab. the prices knocked my socks off! I mean this in a bad way!
I pay for a regular color negtive film $20 plus $15 for scanning negatives. 35 bucks for each roll! i'm not kidding.
and it even gets worse... i pay for a black and white film an additional $10, that'll make an astounding price of $45 per roll.
last but not least the cost for colorslide film.... drum roll please... cross-processing ONE roll of colorslide film & CD with scanned negatives, robs me of $60! Yep, SIXTY BUCKS!

I know i can reduce the cost by buying a photo scanner, but it's still quite expensive. Developing the rolls myself, i'd love that! But i'm not ready yet, i shot my first roll in september this year and i'm still learning about the technical aspect of photogrpahy.

Regarding THE FEAR... yeah, i'm actually afraid that film could one day be an endangered species or *cry* be extinct! I know it's probably just my paranoid mind that is feeding those horrible thoughts and culminating in "nooo, film is dying!" But the guys from my local photolab put my paranoia at ease and said IF it's going to happen, it will happen in the very far away future.... maybe so far away i'll be too old to care or... dead!
photomonk · 2010-12-05 00:15
I'm coming back into analogue after almost a decade's hiatus completely in the realm of digital. Nearly a decade ago, everyone was screaming that analogue was dead and we would shortly see the end of film manufacture, etc. I find film still readily available, and recently found that I can still locally get my film processed and transferred to CD if I want. But, I also have to say, I have found that film is readily available, at least the 35mm that I love to work with. Recently I was at Photo Plus Expo in NYC, which has everything for today's professional digital photographer, and guess where one of the largest lines was? It was at Kodak's booth where they handing out sample rolls of film, both 35mm and 120. I go into my local suppliers, and they still have a section that offers darkroom supplies and papers. While I am not ready personally to delve back into having my own darkroom, it is encouraging to see that the products are still offered. As long as there is film, there will be a need for a lab, whether local or by good ol' mail. If I were in photography for the cost, then I picked a poor pursuit, for it has never been cheap.

Analogue has a future at least for another generation. It teaches those that come into photography to envision what they want to capture without the instant gratification of instant results and the immediate do over. It challenges the creative juices within, to create and capture. many places have young folks turning to analogue for just those reasons. It is not nostalgia, but has recaptured some of the creative factor and fun that photography is.

I am not worried about the future. I am here to have fun, enjoyment, and to see what my analogue camera can do and create. I am sure that I and my equipment will outlive the days before film and analogue are dead. So relax and enjoy, and do not worry.
granduque · 2010-12-05 01:53
Shooting on film is pretty expensive, isn't it. I usually turn in my rolls at the W. Hollywood Lomo shop for a disc of a digital scan and of course, the negatives. I just recently wanted to blow up some of my pics to put on canvas for a photo gallery show, but learned that the scans were low-res. Now I have to go back and do high-res scans for all my negatives. BUMMER!

Wonder if there is a more economical solution.

Anyone have solutions?
azzzy · 2010-12-05 03:18
i guess towards the very end, LSI would be the sole film provider and developer. With stores at major cities and you're able to post your films to them for developing. It will be a sad day when things get so expensive that it is cheap to shoot with using the LCA instax back.
justynk · 2010-12-05 03:47
It's getting more expensive, but nothing takes the analogue love away!

But honestly speaking, it's getting harder to find Films other than the consumer grade Kodaks and Fujifilm. Certain niche shops in Singapore still carry other films but they are pricey... Especially when they are selling the Lomography branded films.
usefulidiot · 2010-12-05 15:14
Well, this is an interesting blog. I want to share with you my little experience because I run a small lab since 8 years. I decided to open a lab because I wanted to help people having no bad surprise with the lab. Now, I am doing my best to keep film development alive in my lab, I'm always looking for new solutions to do every processes in a good quality and affordable price. But you all have to face reality : without big company like Kodak or Fuji, there wont be any chance to save analogue photography. If I just give you the list of the different products, raw materials, chemicals, machinery, accessories you need to achieve a good development in a profitable performance in order to pay the lab operator who will develop your film with all the love it deserve, you will understand how big the problem is. Now I believe that with a strong will, lomography community wil be able to find a business model that is not based upon 4x6 prints. Because Kodak or Fuji won't continue to produce hundreds of chemicals and films that everybody complains about their environemental issues just for fun, loosing money because the business model of analogue photography is based on paper, it's the absolute and sad truth : no prints, no films !
I am sure great hopes won't be let down, go to your local lab and ask for prints next time, your pictures deserve the best, not only a digital, virtual life.
And all of you who want to develop their films themselves : quit your boring job and find a job in a local lab or open one and share love ! (ok I'm too hardcore now, sorry...)
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-05 18:37
romi2105: ok, I think you “win” for most-expensive processing. You should ask around here and maybe find a lab in germany or the uk you could ship to. I’m sure it would be way less pricey! And I absolutely hate when labs try to gouge you for cross-processing. It’s ridiculous. It’s c-41 chemicals, so they shouldn’t be charging more than they would for a roll of colour neg film. In any case, I would definitely investigate other processing options. $60 is outrageous!

photomonk: that’s great about your experience at the photo plus expo! (and free rolls of film? Nothing wrong with that!). it’s encouraging to read all of your points about how analogue will be around at least for another generation — hopefully longer. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, as I’m sure many of us appreciate some positive news.

granduque: that really sucks that your lab didn’t give you hi-res scans. Anything I’ve ever had scanned at my lab has always been 300 dpi unless you specifically ask for it not to be. I think you should shop around for a better deal. Jblaze mentioned a place in LA in the first comment on this blog: “If anyone is interested, I get my 120mm film developed at Simi Valley Photo Labs simivalleyphotolabs.com/” maybe they have better prices and service?

azzzy: good point about the instant film suddenly looking affordable! As long as the chemicals are available, I don’t think LSI will necessarily be the sole source for developing. I suspect there may be more individuals with darkrooms starting home-based businesses. There are a couple of people here that do that, and I’ve heard that there may be a third soon, so that’s cool. Hopefully, that trend will continue and pop up in other places, too!

justynk: “It's getting more expensive, but nothing takes the analogue love away!” — so well put!

mephisto19: well, that sure makes you easy to buy for!

usefulidiot: oh, that is depressing. But you are right: no chemicals, no analogue. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but it just means we have to enjoy analogue as much as we can now!
usefulidiot · 2010-12-05 19:47
hey, that is not so depressing... If there are more and more people that are analogue photography lovers, solutions will arise ! So, because it's almost christmas, my best idea for this year is : offer an analogue camera to everyone you love ;-)
pamelaklaffke · 2010-12-05 21:03
excellent idea to give analogue cameras as gifts this season! i've given 2 already lately, and have 2 more wrapped up for my soon-to-be brother and sister inlaw to each open christmas day!
justynk · 2010-12-06 14:58
@pamelaklaffke indeed. i find myself wanting to give my non-photographer friends lomography cameras... just to spread the love. and after all, they wouldnt find it as fiddly and difficult to use as compared to conventional DSLRs. You can't go wrong with "snap first, think later!"
troch · 2010-12-08 21:26
I have been following this most interesting conversation for the past week and felt I probably should add my comments. First, I would like to say that I am totally ecstatic at the large number of young people appearing as new users on this site. I admit I am a dinosaur, the day I can't buy and process film is the day I give up phtography in any meaningful way. I think that a large influx of youth making film cool will most certainly keep us in film for some time. I also believe that as people get into the film experience, they will be hooked.

I also would like to reiterate something mentioned earlier. Whenever possible, buy new film. We must give this feedback to the major companies (read that Kodak and Fuji of course) in order to reinforce with them that we are still here and we are still using film. Buy a variety, from a variety of sources. Make it economically feasible for companies to continue making and processing film.

Economically, one of the easier savings for me was buying a scanner. When I realized that a scanner would cost the equivalent of having my lab scan 10 to 15 rolls of film, it seemed like a no brainer.

Finally, I would like to add a short story to illustrate this debate. Ten years ago, I was sent by my insurance compangy to a large Vancouver retailer to replace a Nikon FM2 and macro lens stolen from my home. The sales manager agrued with me for almost an hour that it was senseless to replace a film camera because I wouldn't even be able to buy film for it in five years. I am happy to say that I have a fridge full of film, most of it (but certainly not all) new.

Bottom line is, keep shooting everyone!
nicolas_noir · 2010-12-17 11:39
I've just bought some new unexpired fil for the first time since I started lomography last year really! While I was browsing the store, a few films had been discontinued, including Kodak Portra 400VC - can anyone confirm/deny that? Seems a shame.

It's also a shame about E6, but from an enviromental point of view, it is fairly wasteful, as is black and white, but I suppose with black and white you can always make your own development solution!

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