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Thread: When will sheet film be obsolete?

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  1. #1

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    When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Do you think 8x10, etc sheet film will eventually go away forever? Will the LF cameras become door stops? Or, do you think view cameras will have a place in photography for many years to come? Will digital backs take the place of film holders?

    Just some thoughts I have been having; may explain why the questions later.

  2. #2

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Your question has been the subject of considerable discussion.

    You might find it helpful to read some of the earlier threads on the subject. The forum has a built-in search function that makes it fairly easy.

  3. #3

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Even if sheet film disappears collodion and Daguerreotype would be there as alternatives.

    Have you heard of these?

    Beautiful cameras, by the way!

  4. #4

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    A kinda inflamatory question. Just sayin'...
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  5. #5
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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kasaian View Post
    A kinda inflamatory question. Just sayin'...
    Yes; And some times it could be evolved to a really bizarre type of inflammation like the one below:
    Quote Originally Posted by paulr View Post
    I'm assuming this post is a satire of ... something.
    poor prognostic type, Specially If left with no treatment.
    Do not know paulr your point? in case if you have any !!!

    The generosity of spirit in this forum is great, its warmly appreciated.
    ------------------------------

  6. #6

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Sheet film is already obsolete. I can't buy quick load sheets in town any more. There is only one place to get sheet film processed. The only reason I can get film developed there at all is the owner is one of the last big professionals in town that still shoots film.

    It is also the only place I know to get E6 35mm roll film processed.

    The real question is how long will sheet film or 35mm film for that matter still hang around?

    There are still people who shoot black powder rifles, ride horses and read hard cover books made with paper.

    At least at this point large format film is still better than digital, but that edge may not last forever.

  7. #7

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    All things go away eventually. Even the chariot is no longer in wide use. Not to mention the recent horse drawn iron mowing machine I used as a kid. Things evolve over time, as my botany professor Ray Torrey of UMass Amherst used to emphasize.

    OK, I need my first cup of coffee this Sunday morning!

    Nate Potter, Austin TX.

  8. #8
    Stefan
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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    The low number of LF photographers under the age of 30 should be a hint about where LF is going. 4x5 and 8x10 is probably safe (in terms of film/chemical/development availability) for another 30-50 years, in the same time a sub-2000$ 4x5 digital back might be available at the current rate of sensor development.

    But who knows...

  9. #9

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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Quote Originally Posted by engl View Post
    The low number of LF photographers under the age of 30 should be a hint about where LF is going.
    While I'm just one person with a singular experience, I'm an under 30 photographer that shoots 4x5 and is in the process of learning wet plate; I personally know over a dozen other 20-30 year olds actively shooting LF. It's alive and well (at least in my circle of friends and acquaintances) as it offers a counterpoint and a sanctuary from digital, digital, digital.

    On a related note, a lot of what's being talked about in this thread with regards to LF vs. digital has been technical (sensor size, cost of production, etc.), but the thing that I think will guarantee the viability of LF for many years to come is the experience.

    The view camera comes built in with a ritual, and rituals are psychologically electrifying. Think of the Japanese tea ceremony, a Catholic mass, or even your morning routine--there is a meditative, transporting mysticism whenever there's a ritual involved (yeah, I read a lot of Joe Campbell). The view camera is slow, allowing all of the senses to steep and absorb every stimulus surrounding the photographer. It's really beautiful, and it's unique to the format/tools.

    Sheet film will be obsolete when the companies that make it decide to stop production. Like Polaroid. But I sincerely believe that as long as there are people caught by the experience of shooting LF, people will continue to find a way to keep the process alive. Even if it means establishing a sovereignty apart from manufacturers (one of the reasons I'm teaching myself wet plate, including how to make/procure materials on my own).

    Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to advocate for the "spiritual/existential" aspect of LF because I feel naming it is critical to grasp its importance and continued relevance.

  10. #10
    Stefan
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    Re: When will sheet film be obsolete?

    Quote Originally Posted by likeoras View Post
    While I'm just one person with a singular experience, I'm an under 30 photographer that shoots 4x5 and is in the process of learning wet plate; I personally know over a dozen other 20-30 year olds actively shooting LF. It's alive and well (at least in my circle of friends and acquaintances) as it offers a counterpoint and a sanctuary from digital, digital, digital.

    On a related note, a lot of what's being talked about in this thread with regards to LF vs. digital has been technical (sensor size, cost of production, etc.), but the thing that I think will guarantee the viability of LF for many years to come is the experience.

    The view camera comes built in with a ritual, and rituals are psychologically electrifying. Think of the Japanese tea ceremony, a Catholic mass, or even your morning routine--there is a meditative, transporting mysticism whenever there's a ritual involved (yeah, I read a lot of Joe Campbell). The view camera is slow, allowing all of the senses to steep and absorb every stimulus surrounding the photographer. It's really beautiful, and it's unique to the format/tools.

    Sheet film will be obsolete when the companies that make it decide to stop production. Like Polaroid. But I sincerely believe that as long as there are people caught by the experience of shooting LF, people will continue to find a way to keep the process alive. Even if it means establishing a sovereignty apart from manufacturers (one of the reasons I'm teaching myself wet plate, including how to make/procure materials on my own).

    Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to advocate for the "spiritual/existential" aspect of LF because I feel naming it is critical to grasp its importance and continued relevance.
    Actually, Im under 30 too. Unlike you I do not know any other people around my age doing this kind of photography, but I guess that could change if I interacted with local photographers more. Either way, I think it is pretty safe to say that most LF photographers are older than the average digital photographer.

    My point is that the things you speak about, the experience of shooting a 4x5 film camera (a beautiful process indeed!) is something not widely known or appreciated by younger photographers. Anyone with a photographic interest anytime between year 1840 and 2000 knows the darkroom, understands film, learnt about view cameras in photographic classes, were surrounded by photography from LF cameras, had people around them owning/using LF gear, maybe even had one themselves. Even with this huge exposure to LF, there are not a whole lot of people doing LF today.

    Now consider young people with a photographic interest. The world revolves around digital, a photography class is taught with DSLRs and Photoshop, "dads camera" is a Canon 5Dmk2 now. They think it is cool to see someone composing under the dark cloth because they have never seen it with their own eyes before, it is historical.

    The above is not a bad thing, but I think it will greatly reduce the number of people getting into large format, which will eventually affect film/development price and availability. Considering the extremely small quantities which are sufficient for maintaining some specialist film today, the world will probably vanish in an accidentally created black hole before 4x5 and 8x10 film goes away.

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