IMPORTANT CONFERENCE ON FUTURE OF SHEET FILM

[Jeff Buckels]

Well, the question is whether there should BE an important conference on the fut ure of sheet film. The issue of the ever-shrinking list of products comes up fr equently in threads on this website. Now, as many of you know, Steve Simmons, e ditor/publisher of View Camera Magazine, is organizing a large format conference to take place in Albuquerque at the end of next June ("trade show, swap meet, s peakers and seminars, field sessions, gallery exhibits and more"). A working dr aft of the schedule is at www.viewcamera.com. He's asked in recent issues of VC for suggestions for topics. How much interest would there be out there in a go od-sized session on the future of sheet film? Maybe we could bring together rep resentatives of the manufacturers and/or potential manufacturers, somebody to ad dress future market potential, somebody to address patent law, etc. Other/bette r ideas?? If there is strong interest in such a thing and any kind of consensus as to what people might like, I'll talk to Steve Simmons (I live in Albuquerque ) about it and even do some of the leg work. What do you think? -jeff buckels

[Bob Salomon]

Why?

What will it accomplish?

Do you really think it would reverse the market trend for the past 10 years or so?

[david o'connor]

Negatory Bob, they say "if you aim for nothing, you will hit the mark every time."

[Wayne Crider]

I'd probably attend the affair, but rather be shooting than talking about film. The bottom line is, if a product is not profitable it's not going to continue in production. Better off acquainting others with the format thru hands on demostrations, field or otherwise, and LF film abilities, and try and draw them into the format. The more that shoot, the better off the industry will be. I would also like to have the chance to meet some manufacturers, see different equipment, and hobnob with others with the same interest. The only other idea I have would be for a small competitive photo show.

[Jim Galli]

If sheet film goes away I'll paint emulsion onto glass. J

[Chad Jarvis]

I agree with Jim...albumen or gelatin on glass sounds great to me, because it doesn't matter how many people TALK about using sheet film. If the number of people BUYING sheet film keeps dropping market economics will determine its fate. I hate to admit that I agree with Bob, but no amount of talking about it is going to reverse a market trend. What will eventually happen is sheet film will become even more niche than it is now. So some small company will end up buying large rolls of film from a larger manufacturer, such as Big Yellow, and will cut it up, package it and sell it to you (us) at a price that allows it to continue the service. Sorry for being a realist, and believe me, I am PASSIONATE about large format, but no amount of passion will convince Kodak's CFO that it's good for the company to keep producing sheet film if it hurts the bottom line.

[james mickelson]

I disagree here. Companies like Kodak, Agfa, Ilford, ect are in the field of "marketing". They are adept at seeing a potential market and advertizing and expanding the market. If there were to be a conference on film and other materials I feel they would sit up and take notice. If new companies such as Berger are entering the fray, then there must be someone looking at the market and seeing potential there. Kodak will keep the film line if they think it is a viable market and put resources into it if they think they can expand that market. I am going to join quite a few other positive thinkers and attend Steve's confernece next year. I think it is about time we LF shooters get together and have a conference. There are photography conferences all around the world but most are geared for point and shoot systems. There is an expanding interest in alternative processes going on now. Look at Bostick and Sullivan and others. Let's not throw the towel in just yet. Those on the left coast are invited to join me in driving back to the conference next summer. James

[J.T.]

Well Bob, I am sure it can't hurt to try.

[M.]

Sam Waldon and Henry Ford got very, very rich by accepting a small profit on lots of items. George Eastman used to do the same if it contributed to Kodak's dominance of the industry. When I clerked in a camera store the first place we looked for most anything photographic was the Kodak catalog. No more. Now, a product is dropped if it doesn't show a Large Profit. Frankly, I think that the best thing that could happen for traditional photography is if Kodak got completely out of the photography business, so small, inovative companies could more easily turn a profit.

[David Haardt]

I'd say that as long as there are several large format enthusiasts all over the world, there will be manufacturers. Even if the huge companies should ever stop production, there will be some specialist manufacturer/s like e.g. efke or Forte. And if all that should fail, I will also spray liquid emulsion onto glass.

Cheers,