35mm cameras recede into digital background: Dixons |
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Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:05
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Electronic goods retailer Dixons today said it was phasing out film cameras and will not order another batch once the last ones are sold. The store’s decision only proves what had been expected as inevitable: ‘digital cameras would sooner or later replace 35mm cameras.’
It appears that 35mm cameras are finally going the way of vinyl record and video recorders, i.e. making way for the digital age. Dixons said the sale of digital cameras was 15 times more than that of film cameras last month, a clear proof of people’s preference for the digital camera. A test recently conducted by the store gave more reason for the decision: 93 percent of 100 customers found no difference between prints from digital cameras and 35mm prints.
Many professional photographers agree that the quality of prints from digital cameras have greatly improved since 1990 when they were introduced. Greater convenience and dropping prices of digital cameras finally started to push 35mm into the background.
Dixon’s marketing director Bryan Magrath said they had similarly phased out video recorders last year. This time however, there was a sentimental tinge to the announcement for 35mm, because “35mm cameras were the first products we ever sold” he said.
In a related move, Kodak also announced that it would stop making professional B/W photo paper. Sales were dropping by around 25 percent a year.
However, the exit of 35mm is not yet official. A small range will continue to be sold at Dixon’s airport outlets where professional photographers come hunting for duty-free cameras. Many photographers are used to the 35mm format and are known to hotly debate its benefits among peers.
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