Film is NOT dead!

As some of you know, I work for K. B. Canham Cameras Inc. We manufacture Large Format cameras (also called view cameras or field cameras). Some people think that since these cameras use film that the business is suffering, since film is dying. Well, let me tell you that film is not dead. Our business is doing just fine. Ultra large format (ULF) cameras (sizes larger than 8x10) are up in sales. I just finished 2 14x17 cameras, and there are a few each of: 8x20, 11x14, 7x17, and 12x20.

Some people say that you can't get film for these cameras anymore, but that is also NOT TRUE! Ilford just announced that they will be cutting and supplying film for ULF cameras, and other odd size films (5x12 for example). Kodak and Fuji have also stated that they will continue to make film.

It is certainly true that film is not being made in the large quantity that it once was, but it is still being made, and will continue to be made. Large format photography is still largely used in architectural photography, due to limitation in fixed body cameras (like most digital cameras, 35mm cameras, and medium format cameras).

Other things that are changing are that companies are developing digital backs to attach to large format cameras. These backs have some limitation (like exposure time to name one), but some people like them. Also, many new to large format are taking pictures using film, but then scanning their negatives into the computer and printing them using large photo printers. So, both digital and film can be used together. In fact, I may be using this method to print my latest pictures from Yosemite/Sequoia, but I have yet to make a final decision.

I do believe that 35mm film will be going away someday (and maybe sooner rather than later), due to the digital area, but it will never replace large format photography. It is not a "better" thing that I am talking about. They are different. They look different. They are produced differently. I have a digital camera and like it for what I use it for, but it doesn't replace my 4x5, it is used for different applications.

So, when you hear someone say that film is dead you can know that they are not correct. Most likely, they are misinformed (since most people are).