Top 25 things vanishing from America: #13 -- Photos made from film
Filed under: Extracurriculars
This series explores aspects of America that may soon be just a memory -- some to be missed, some gladly left behind. From the least impactful to the most, here are 25 bits of vanishing America.
It doesn't require a statistician to prove the rapid disappearance of the film camera in America. Only take a walk with me. I am an avid photographer, and the sound of my shutter clicking -- and the film in my camera advancing -- is enough to turn heads. "Is that a ... real camera?" people ask me incredulously. Or, my favorite, "is that analog?"
Sure enough, I'm a rare holdout in the world where digital is everything, immediacy rules and most of our electronic devices seem to be paired with yet another digital camera. Nikon, the professional's choice for quality camera equipment, announced in 2006 that it would stop making film cameras, pointing to the shrinking market -- only 3% of its sales in 2005, compared to 75% of sales from digital cameras and equipment. Pentax and Kodak have made similar changes in focus (though Kodak made its name from negative film).
I use film because it has a special, artistic quality that I feel is lacking in digital cameras; and I enjoy the delayed gratification and that magical discovery when I get my photos back. I trade perfect clarity for greater depth of color, a more interesting depth of field, and the chance to be surprised by a stunning moment caught on film. It makes me think about every shot before I take it, and I don't have to have the latest, most expensive equipment to be able to capture a moment (and not a two-moments-later). There's a serendipity to film that digital will never give me.
That said, I envy my digital compatriots' quick turnaround time and it's an expensive choice; I pay a few hundred dollars a month for processing, far outspending my friends -- even the ones with really amazing equipment. I think of it as an investment. Now if I can only get those negatives organized...
Recent Posts
- More Black Friday news: Kohl's is the lastest to promise steep discounts (11/21/2008)
- On Sunday, Dr Pepper gives America a free soda...thanks to Axl Rose (11/21/2008)
- Now's another good time to sell your gold (11/21/2008)
- Oprah does 'favorite things' on the cheap, even with freebies (11/21/2008)
- Open Book: Alison Rogers on how the real estate market has changed, and what you can do about it (11/21/2008)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-15-2008 @ 8:55AM
Zee said...
There is no question that you are completely right about the greater depth of color film offers, and the more interesting depth of field. Film offers a fine, gold standard for pictures that digital simply cannot. But, sad to say, it doesn't matter anymore. The processing industry is also moving from the "Gold Standard" of Kodak wet lab chemicals and fine papers to the "Good Enough for Most People" standard of dry labs with inkjets. I understand "hold outs" but the march onward away from film is inevitable.
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 9:32AM
Seymour said...
when shooting porno it is best to use film and then distroy it
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 9:53AM
Ryan said...
Film is the way to go, so what if it's out dated its more fun to use a film camera like my MINOLTA Maxxum 7000 than a digital SLR.
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 9:57AM
RYAN said...
Film is the way to go, so what if it's out dated its more fun to use a film camera like my MINOLTA Maxxum 7000 than a digital SLR.
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 12:04PM
Glenn said...
Horses for courses. Use the tool that works best for you and let your results speak for themselves! And hey, Kodak just improved Portia, Fuji improved Velvia, so film is getting better all the time. Scan film and 4x5 rules! And my PS digital is awesome too. Its a great time for photography!
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 1:21PM
Sandi said...
A Good digital camera has wonderfull colors. We shot an outdoor Beach weddin using 3 digital cameras. The Nikon SLR had the most fantastic colors. The other two although 8meg cameras could not touch the colors. BUT, I used to own a photo lab & I am used to good quality. We took a trip to the Keys & used a throw away camera. The drugstore just could not get the colors & denisty right. and it's come to that as more & more real labs go out of business. Sandi
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 11:19PM
Thomas B. Coulter said...
I still very much enjoy my trusty old 35mm. Composing the pictures, the still amazing color depth of film, the thrill (as others have said here) when getting the processed prints back, In pairs usually so I can give a nice, bright print to the other person in the photo. And now if I need more prints, I just zip to the nearest drug store print machine and quickly make what ever I need in whatever size. Sure, digital might give me much of this. But, I don't want to fool around with my computer or what ever else is needed for digital photos.
Reply
7-16-2008 @ 3:24AM
Linda said...
I think if anyone has been using cameras for years like I have one can definitely tell the difference in the quality of the pictures that one shoots with film compared to digital. Excellent film along with one that knows how to set the camera will show you alot. If you know how to manipulate the setting on your camera , you can capture magnificant pictures. I have both, digital and film but the digital is nothing compared to my film camera pictures.
Reply
7-16-2008 @ 11:47AM
jimmy p. said...
i think that real film is the best - the colors - the control of depth and a whole lot more. teckno is good, but haven't we learned yet that some things need to be left alone! the world might be a little bit of a better place if we didn't change it soo fast and soo much.
Reply
7-16-2008 @ 3:05PM
Roman traumfoto.ch said...
Thank GOD for digital. I always hated film. The delay. No possibility to tinker with the image after the fact. Wrong colors most everywhere. Fixed ISO. 36 images to a roll of film. Bad labs. Bad pictures from a good lab. Ugh.
The same as there will always be fans of vinyl there will also be fans of film. A long time ago there were die-hard fans of hand-crank-starting motor vehicles. There aren't so many around today.
You can have my Olympus OM-2.
Reply
7-16-2008 @ 7:01PM
Stuart said...
I use my NIKON N50 film camera and a compact 35mm film camera for Black & White with B&W film which is processed using the C41. This can still be done at most any discount or photo store. I get a CD of the pictures along with the negs. This gives me the best of both possible worlds. I make the initial prints on my computer printer. I then print the negs the old fashion way in my dark room. For color however I have gone exclusively digital. Two years ago I got a D 50 digital body which is compatable with my existing lenses. I also have a digital P&S.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 11:37AM
DougW said...
I totally understand the appeal of digital cameras, but due to years of art school training and thinking that I have to force myself into being creative and waiting, I have decided to stay with my 35mm cameras. Plus, I have invested so much money in my Leica camera and lenses, I can't seem to let go of them.
Reply
7-20-2008 @ 12:41PM
Larry said...
One thing about film is that one pays more attention to lighting,composition etc.knowing that unlike digital once you snap the shutter you cannot erase the image.I also shoot digital but find that knowing I can erase an image I simply waste too much time snapping the shtter without regard to the artistic potential of the image. Also, I have some great Nikon film cameras, lenses and equipment that have served me well and I cannot give them up.However, sadly,film eventually is on the way out.
7-19-2008 @ 7:39AM
Julie said...
Unless people spend big bucks on their digital cameras, I don't think that they get the clarity in their pics like I do using my good old fashioned Canon SLR.
And a message to those who do use digital cameras - please learn how to resize your photos before emailing them. I can't tell you how many pics I get that are so large that I only get an eye on my screen. UGH!
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 9:31AM
Samantha said...
I don't understand how they can stop making cameras. I don't get it. Aren't there always people who will want them? What are the camera stores selling, then? I'm not a film expert, but family members show me pics from digital, and then I look at some pics I've saved from a friend using her 35mm, and there's no comparison. The 35mm pics, especially the black and white ones, have more depth.
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 2:51PM
Lisa said...
The cost is what made me go digital. I am a perfectionist photographer and I may take 20-50 shots to make sure I get that one perfect pic. Can't do that with film and the cost to develop is insane! The wait always drove me nuts. I also like previewing my pictures. I just totally fell in love with digital cameras. I really don't see why there are still photo studios. With digital cams....you can take your own family portraits! Although I would have to say it would be kool to develop my own photos. I love B&W and film is much better for it. It's just the expense of it. Shame.
Reply
7-20-2008 @ 10:35AM
Kelly Van Rijn said...
Actually, Nikon still makes its flagship film camera, the F6, and an entry level FM10. They discontinued the rest of the lineup. As for color, I think digital is better. Unlike film, unless converted to digital post processing, digital images can be manipulated, and two of the easiest and most satisfying adjustments include colour enhancement and exposure control.
Reply
7-22-2008 @ 3:15AM
Deb said...
I sincerely hope film cameras are NOT on thier way out. Digital is okay in as far as quickie snaps of a momentary thing. BUT... for family photos, scenic, & special keepsake images....film is best by far. Besides - digital photos are much to "pixelated" and don't enlarge well. Clarity is lost the bigger it gets. Whereas, film-developed photos can be enlarged without so much loss of the graphic image and keeps the clarity for duplicates...(which can also be done on home printers using @KODAK photo paper in an InkJet printer) I have done many replications of old family photos at home to split up among other siblings. YES, Film IS better....Digital is just more compact and convenient.
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 3:51PM
Peter J. Crowley said...
One phrase of your essay says it all "It makes me think about every shot before I take it." Thinking is disappearing faster than film. As for digital being cheaper? Let's see a new upgraded camera ever 1-2 years, new software often, electric bills. My newest camera is a Nikon F2a 1977, back when Nikon was a Japanese company. Made out of brass, not plastic [oil] and when I make a negative I make the choices, no auto, no modes just creative thought. My creative thought. enjoy pjc
http://www.peterjcrowley.com
Reply
7-29-2008 @ 9:40PM
A. Borland said...
i think getting rid of the film camera is another mistake!!!
Reply