Film is exploding. It is a known phenomenon in cultural science that old trends come back over time and in the specific case it is a confluence of:
1) Youtube influencers making it fashionable to shoot film (Verbeeck, Vuhlandes, etc.)
2) A nostalgia for the imperfect as everything is so perfect - the cultural rebound effect of past trends; an SL2 pic with an APO lens looks clinical and doesn't evoke emotions as much as Kodak film does - you need to post process digital pictures in most cameras so they look nice and not like a high res phone picture - eg with looks, presets, etc. although some cameras are better with colours than others (Hassy, Leica S, etc.)
3) People buying into film have sometimes never experienced it - they want to try it is something different and exciting - it is a great hobby and you don't need to be physically fit for it - very accessible
4) Instagram shows how beautiful film can be
5) Photographers want to differentiate themselves and the film look is still great; everyone has an iPhone and your uncle is happy to shoot your wedding for free
6) Gen Z wants to work less and indulge in hobbies like photography and "create" and "self-express" rather than work in an office corporate job where the boss doesn't move and where the C-suite is full of babyboomers which prioritize career of free time; money < time with friends and family especially if real estate is out of reach anyhow
7) VSCO, Instagram, apps made film look fashionable again via filters
8) Scanning is easier with repro setups, google the startup negative supply
9) Developing at home is easier with a lot of info online and Cinestill making easy kits with thermostats for not a lot of money
10) Limited shots means every shot counts and is in the end better - great when endless free imagery just leads to bloated hard drives
I also rediscovered film and recently acquired a Mamiya 7 for travel! Difficult to beat Portra 400!
Film is here to stay and is growing massively atm. Kodak Alaris is healthy and their business has been growing double digit over the last years. In fact, they are struggling to build up enough capacity across the globe to meet demand. Recent price increases make it sustainable. New film stocks are coming out - Cinestill 400D for example up to 4x5 inch ... a golden resurgence is happening atm.
Go into the Leica store and ask for an analogue M - factory new ones have a waiting list of a year. Linhof just posted an ad for more technicians to join the firm in Munich. Arca Swiss reintroduced the 5x7 format set after many years of hiatus.
Get your MF outfit while you can! Film is alive and kicking and has a very bright future!
Mamiya 7, Mamiya RZ, Pentax 67 are hottest commodities in town!
