Does everyone want large bodied, full frame bodies?

[Greg Beetham]

Yep a probably quite true, but but I can look at prints anytime night or day inside or outside, (well maybe not too good outside at night without a torch) they're very portable and light and don't consume any power...ie I can look at em in a power failure if I want. Of course then if I want to print out a print I'd have too start the generator for the duration of doing so...hmm even running my wet print processor I'd need power, but you don't for B&W....
So how many photos would be taken with todays technology if we had a 'day after' event or a widespread natural disaster,...not many or not for long I reckon and how would you show them if you did? But those with a camera like an old SRT (ancient Minolta SLR with mechanical internals) would still be able to take excellent photos for a long time...while the B&W film supply lasted anyway.
Greg

[KevinBarrett]

@Greg You been reading some good science fiction? 'Cause I want some!

@Agorabasta If image quality and dynamic range are curtailed on the front end of the imaging process, when the photographer is just framing up a picture in the viewfinder, then the drive for manufacturers to increase dynamic range in sensors can be relaxed. If, however, the viewfinder provides all the light and dynamic range that a photographer can see in real life, then he is empowered to make more decisions about his exposure. We've discussed the dynamic range of a monitor screen and a print, but what about the dynamic range of a RAW file?

[agorabasta]

The better consumer monitors now may go up to 10bit per channel over a DP connector (or even over HDMI with frame dithering)... The EVFs should be made to the same or better standards. Still not 12bit for sure, but OK in most cases.

[bfitzgerald]

I've never seen a monitor look a patch on a good print.
A print just looks far better.

[Greg Beetham]

Ha ha I used too a long time ago KB, RA Heinlein, AE Van Vogt, some Asimov and some others that I've forgotten. Why? does it show?
Greg

[WaltKnapp]

That's another reason why I'm not overly keen on EVF's, the main sensor in a DSLR is big and runs hot and it has too be 'on' all the time, using quite a lot of battery power (power that an OVF doesn't use), there is sensor heating for sure (lifespan reduced?) and battery heating also from the continual power drain. Maybe strolling about with the camera off and only turning it on when taking a shot would be ok, but that doesn't address the photographer on assignment working almost continuously for the duration of an event of some type.
Greg

When out shooting with my a700s I just leave them on, they use virtually no power on standby and are instantly ready to shoot. I've even forgotten to turn them off for a week or more and they still have plenty of battery left. Not going to be pleased if I loose that long battery life.

Walt

[Dusty]

But those with a camera like an old SRT (ancient Minolta SLR with mechanical internals) would still be able to take excellent photos for a long time...while the B&W film supply lasted anyway.
Greg

Middle of the Amazon jungle, 1 days travel from civilization, and I'm laying in a hammock looking at the perfect shot of a toucan in a tree. Unfortunately, my XGM's battery just died. When I get home, I search the camera shops for a good SRT. Never again will I have that problem. I even dust off the Wesson light meter, so I can measure the light when the SRT's battery dies.

Of course, now you can't get the right batteries for SRT's, and finding a good photo processor gets harder all the time. I'm sure fairly soon film will be a specialty item too expensive for the masses.

Dusty

[Greg Beetham]

Yes Dusty one should refubish the B&W supply in the fridge if only to have on hand for some nostalgia sometime.
I still have some 35mm and 120 but getting a bit long in the tooth, might pay to get some fresh stuff. I don't know if ILFORD is still going even, not sure about Kodak either, but I saw in the B&H catalog there were some film supplies listed there I never heard of before, so maybe it'll be left to small operations with smaller overheads, but the price will like you say, inevitably go up for sure, chemicals as well.
One might be able to score a good drum processor and enlarger fairly cheap now though, I hung onto mine....I don't seem too ever sell anything, not sure if that's such a good thing sometimes, one tends to end up with a fair bit of clutter.
Greg