Re: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror

["Phillip Jones" <starfest@comcast.net>]

Chris,

At the Texas Star Party this year, I met a lot of people. During
conversations, the obligatory question would come up asking in what aspect
of the hobby do I partake. "Astrophotography" was always my reply, to which
the usual response was to ask me which CCD camera I was using. People seemed
surprised--almost puzzled--when I stated I was doing film, not CCD. This
kind of reaction occurred in almost every conversation during my seven days
at TSP.

Judging from these reactions, apparently some think that film is dead, or is
on its way out. Not for me. My shooting at TSP this year was the best I have
ever done...I'm excited about shooting more in June and July new moon
weekends. I'm hooked. I'm sure that someday when I can afford it and want to
capture more distant objects, I'll surrender to CCD. Heck...today I've been
hounding my local film rep to track down this 120 format Konica Centuria Pro
400.

-Phil


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Schur" <comets133@yahoo.com>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 3:35 PM
Subject: [APML] Astrophotography 2004 - Price Shock Horror


> Hi all,
>
> The all too depressing financial reality set in for me
> this weekend at the RTMC from the current trends I am
> seeing in the amateur skyshooters options.  A decade
> ago, you could take a home made mounting, a less than
> a hundred dollar 35m SLR, and a 3 buk roll of film and
> with a lot of care and patience, get stunning images
> that could rank up there with the best
> astrophotograhers, and get those images published in
> the magazines.
> Now all of that has changed.  Exept for mine, all of
> the talks this year were centered on digital or CCD
> imageing.  Must-have gear includes the $4000 to $8000
> ccd cameras, a new $12K mount because that mount that
> worked so well with film isnt good enough anymore, and
> of course a complete digital darkroom wtih the
> software alone costing more than the 35mm SLR was.
> Dont get me wrong, I do like to see the hobby
> advancing, but to now the playing field is no longer
> level - highly skilled astrophotographers can no
> longer compete on the world playing field without
> being very well to do financially as well.  This was
> painfully apparent when most of the old time friends,
> which were the best of the best film photographers
> only what seems a short while ago simply can no longer
> afford a fraction of the gear needed to show off thier
> SKILLS.
>
> The trend that seems to be geling is that most imagers
> of today must be both competent in both making money
> as well as have the rudiments of sky shooting skills.
>
> I love change, but is this really fair?
>
> Any comments ?
>
>
>
>
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