For years Kodak, Ilford and Fuji offered "student" promotions. A couple of rolls of film and a modest assortment of printing papers(I believe Ilford upped the anti and included a VC filter kit) all at an attractive price.
These schemes, judging by how long they've run, must have achieved some success at wooing neophytes to a company's product line..
While in the 70s and 80s at any given time there were probably thousands lured by the 35mm Siren's call (I was!) and a good value for anything photographic, then as now, is difficult to pass up I'm wondering why we haven't seen anythig like this with LF materials.
I think the real beauty of the old "student specials' was the chance to try papers without committing to an entire full size box. Now that enlargers are pretty much regarded as antiques by the digital masses, maybe this isn't as attractive at it once was, though with new sheet films popping up from eastern europe and asia I wonder if manufactureres have considered taking the same tack with LF materials? While I doubt finding a "student special" for my format of choice(8x10), it seems like more and more new 4x5 cameras are being purchased and the rebirth of interest in LF would jive nicely with "student specials" featuring that format.
I remember my dismay when Kodak discontinued packaging sheet film in quantities less than 50 sheet boxes. A 25 sheet5 box was a major investment and took a couple of months to use up. I then switched to Ilford-oid stuff which at least came in 25 sheet boxes and were quite affordable. As time passed and I became more confidant, tackling projects requireing a lot of film, I can easily go through a 50 sheet box in a week(Photo Warehouse 100 sheet boxes even look do-able now) It seems a recurring criticism of Michael and Paula's valiant effort to save AZO that smaller "sample" quantities of the stuff aren't available to those curious. I think it unfair, since they aren't in the same league as giant manufacturers but it does prove the point that consumers are interested---they just often aren't willing to commit a substantial invest just "to see if they'll like it."
While I'm glad to see that Kodak again packages Tri-x 4x5 in 25 sheet boxes, I'm curious why the LF film suppliers in general haven't considered some kind of "student special" to court LF newbies to their products, cultivating brand loyalty as in days of yore?
Any thoughts?
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