RE: [APML] Confirmation of TP end of life?

[Philip Perkins <pgp@astrocruise.com>]

This is inevitable - the big vendors will always need to follow the major 
markets in order to remain big.  Obviously TP and some of the other 'astro 
friendly' films are no longer selling in large enough volume for the big 
vendors.  But the volumes could be large enough for many small vendors.  As 
long as there is demand there will be vendors.  Large established ones will 
move with the major markets, but new smaller ones will move in to mop up 
what they are leaving behind.

Bear in mind the enormous legacy of photography, going back more than a 
century since Eastman Kodak first made the camera a commodity 
product.  That's arguably the biggest legacy there's ever been - bigger 
even than the motor car.  Even though the motor car supplanted the horse 
more than 80 years ago, I see more and more horse riders - every time I go 
outside my front door there seem to be more of them.

As long as there is demand there will be film.  This could be a new 
beginning.  I think that in the months ahead we will see two or three new 
vendors on the scene offering products similar to those being discontinued 
by the major players.  Since these will be smaller vendors there should be 
an opportunity to more easily influence them to produce films suitable for 
astronomy and other branches of science.  Who knows, they may even 
introduce a new better-than-ever astro film.  But they have got to know 
that demand exists - one or two of these vendors have already been 
mentioned - perhaps we can start influencing them?  I think this would be 
more productive than trying to influence the big vendors - unfortunately 
the size of the astro market is just too small to make any difference with 
them.

Although traditional photography will increasingly become a minority 
pursuit, that should make it even more fun.  There is no way it is going to 
suddenly disappear - the huge legacy will guarantee this.  There has been a 
lot of interest in my two F2 cameras for sale.  On Tuesday I sold my mint 
F2 for GBP 340 ($600) - the buyer is also going to buy a Leica.  I am sure 
there are many people like him who are just finding their way into the 
fascinating world of traditional photography, with all of its legends.

--Philip
Philip Perkins
<pgp@astrocruise.com>
Wiltshire UK & Luberon France
www.astrocruise.com


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