Nikon discontinues most film cameras...

I know this would usually go in News and Rumors, but I thought this was a pretty big deal. Nikon is discontinuing all of their film cameras except the F6 and FM10. Not that I'm really surprised given the price of used film cameras like F5's for $500, etc...

I feel a great disturbance in the force.

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Originally Posted by another view

I know this would usually go in News and Rumors, but I thought this was a pretty big deal. Nikon is discontinuing all of their film cameras except the F6 and FM10. Not that I'm really surprised given the price of used film cameras like F5's for $500, etc...

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Wow...that is something. At least they came out with a new generation film camera before they pulled the plug. I tried a F6, and it's by far the best film 35mm camera around.

If this is true, then I better buy extra data storage and use up all of my film.

Loren

How about I just copy this thread to the News and Rumors forum? Oh wait - I already did ;)

For what it's worth, I checked the main Nikon site and the US site for similar press releases and didn't find anything. All the same, I wouldn't be surprised. But I doubt they'll completely discontinue film SLRs. I think they'll just become more specialized, as evidenced by the two they're choosing to keep.

I can't believe it.

<b>As a result of the new strategy Nikon will discontinue production of all lenses for large format cameras and enlarging lenses with sales of these products ceasing as soon as they run out of stock. This also applies to most of our film camera bodies, interchangeable manual focus lenses and related accessories. Although Nikon anticipates that the products will still be in retail distribution up to Summer 2006.

In recognition of Nikon’s commitment to professional photographers we will continue to manufacturer and sell the F6, our flagship film model, as well as a number of manual interchangeable lenses. Sales of the manual FM10 will also continue outside Europe.</b>

I guess my next film camera will be the F6...

This is truly an historic day. :(

And this surprises anyone how? Nikon is struggeling to stay competitive with Canon. The market has gone digital and Canon still leads Nikon by three years technology wise. The only way Nikon can hope to catch up is to drop the lower selling items and put those resources into the digital end of things.

It was bound to happen anyway, this only proves that film is dying a slow death.

JS

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

. . .
For what it's worth, I checked the main Nikon site and the US site for similar press releases and didn't find anything. . . .

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Here's the link for the US.

NIKON Reshaping Film Camera Assortment

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Originally Posted by JSPhoto

And this surprises anyone how? Nikon is struggeling to stay competitive with Canon. The market has gone digital and Canon still leads Nikon by three years technology wise. The only way Nikon can hope to catch up is to drop the lower selling items and put those resources into the digital end of things.

It was bound to happen anyway, this only proves that film is dying a slow death.

JS

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Imagine a world with no film....
I love digital, but there was a certain aura about taking your shots, sending the roll in for processing and waiting to see whether or not that special shot you got turned out. When it did, the feeling was great.

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Originally Posted by photophorous

I feel a great disturbance in the force.

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AMEN to that brother!

More like a Day Of Infamy!!!

Excuse me while I go have a good cry....

:-(

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Originally Posted by swmdrayfan

Imagine a world with no film....
I love digital, but there was a certain aura about taking your shots, sending the roll in for processing and waiting to see whether or not that special shot you got turned out. When it did, the feeling was great.

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All good things come to an end....advances in technology rule the technology hungry world, nothing any of us can do about it, but I do prefer digital over film. For one, storage is much simpler :)

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Originally Posted by JSPhoto

this only proves that film is dying a slow death.

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Personally, I don't know if I'd choose the word "slow". Five years ago, unless you were a photojournalist, most people didn't do a whole lot with digital. They were really expensive and the quality wasn't there. If you wanted prints, you didn't have all of the convenient options that you have today. There are some really great advantages to film, but it's getting harder and harder to be a film shooter.

I'm sure this is only a business decision for Nikon. They're a company that's in business to make money from selling cameras, lenses and other related stuff. If they're making a product line that doesn't make them money, then it's costing them money. A few years ago they discontinued their line of film P&S cameras. This is just a sign of the times. Some students start out on film, so that's why (I'm guessing) they're keeping the FM10. Some pros shoot 35mm film occasionally and need to have an option for a camera body, so they're keeping the F6. For the rest of us, there are great deals on used cameras like nice used F5's for ~$500 and F100's for under $400. Whether or not there will be many choices of film to put in these cameras, and labs to take this film to, is a different story.

I too feel a disturbance in the force....

Does Canon make comparable film cameras still?

There is always EBAY!

Brian

We'll start a Nikon film owners support group ...

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Originally Posted by walterick

We'll start a Nikon film owners support group ...

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There you go!
I see you already changed your signature to reflect your feelings..
Brian

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

There you go!
I see you already changed your signature to reflect your feelings..
Brian

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What, no annoucement from Holga, too?

I read somewhere else that film camera sales represented just 3% of Nikon's sales last year, as contrasted with 19% in 2004. I don't think any company would want to offer a product line that represented that low a percentage of sales unless it was rapidly growing (not) or highly profitable (don't think so.) I think the FM10 was an acception 'cause Nikon doesn't make it and any sales just represent profit and the F6 is probably very profitable and doesn't represent any significant fixed costs.

Let's all have a mourning ritual for Nikon. Does anyone have a Canon we can burn?

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Originally Posted by walterick

Does anyone have a Canon we can burn?

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I do! (Let the flaming begin) :)

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Originally Posted by swmdrayfan

Imagine a world with no film....
I love digital, but there was a certain aura about taking your shots, sending the roll in for processing and waiting to see whether or not that special shot you got turned out. When it did, the feeling was great.

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Don't worry. I can't imagine film really going away. It will just become more specialized. I'm not sure what its place will be yet. But I am pretty sure there will be technical and artistic reasons for film to continue. The biggest problem won't be equipment, though. It will be the availability and variety of film. As the market shrinks, there won't be as much economic incentive for Kodak and Fuji to continue producing film.

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Originally Posted by another view

I do! (Let the flaming begin) :)

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Alright!
Let's Do It!
:rolleyes: :D :p ;)
Brian

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Originally Posted by Lava Lamp

What, no annoucement from Holga, too?

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LOL LL!
Brian

Aw, pj you're gonna make me cry :(

Where's my support group?

I can't really see film dying. There are a number of reasons to stick with it, mostly artistic, technical, or personal.

In 10 years, I can see 35mm entering the realm of 4x6 and other medium/large formats. It will become something used almost exclusively by artists and hobbyists. There might be some professional applications for it as well, such as weddings and some portrait work.

There will probably be a few niche films left as well. I can't see Velvia, TMax, or Porta going away anytime soon. In the end, you might have to find a specialty lab to send it out to or build your own, but its going to be around for a while.

Digital is great, and I don't think I could ever go back to film. But it still has some growing pangs to overcome. The technology is really starting to mature now, but my guess is that another 5-10 years is needed to get it caught up completely with film.

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Alright!
Let's Do It!
:rolleyes: :D :p ;)
Brian

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Alright Steve! Way to take one for the team!

I'm wth Brian...let's do it!

;-)