Originally Posted by
Van Camper
You're reading a bunch of amatuer opinions, and worried over nothing (start looking at what other mfrs are doing, and that is what counts). Don't just look at film sales (they decreased for a reason....market now shared with digital, and photoshop killed need for different flavors of film, therefore we buy far less today). The key to remember is whether a need still exists for large format film. Presently large format satisfies 3 needs....max quality, ability to print very big, and affordablility (and digital has a way to go before they catch up, especially with regards to pricing). If you sell your 8x10, are you ready to spend $40k for the DB plus lens, body, etc? Instead of looking at one variable in the industry (film sales)....look also at what the rest of the industry is doing.
Number of Mrs- Over 15+ large format mfrs, and none are closing.
Product Lines- are expanding, more choices and formats then ever before. Check out Toyo, Chamonix, Ebony. We now have 5x8, 7x17, etc. Something you didn't see 10 years ago.
Product Differentiation- is taking place (variations of same product, even if just in color choice). You don't see this happening in a dying market. We now have 2 choices of 617 view cameras by both Shen Hao and Ebony.
New product introductions-you don't develop new products for a dying market. Recent new products are a new Schneider 350mm lens, a 2nd Bessa 6x7 (two on market now), Reflecta 120 scanner announced for June 2011, Pacifica 120 scanner allowing 612, 2 new films by Kodak (Ektar was introduced first for 35mm, and later in large format up to 8x10...doesn't sound like they are giving up on us). Epson is also bringing out the V900 scanner. Also check out the new products just out by Fotoman China....Fotoman 69H, Fotoman FD66, Fotoman 69S, and DMax (just up on their website).
Existing products updated- eg- Fotoman, Linhof (technicas, technorama). They must see a future in film (they have to recover their investment).
I've said all this stuff at least 10 times now. Until we're down to only a few large format mfrs, and a very narrow product lines.....I am not worried. I also am not going to spend $40k for a digial back that looking at appears to be worth about the same as my car alternator. I am not getting value per dollar like I do with large format.
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