Digital for Professionals Now
The overwhelming consensus in the photo industry is that if you are a professional photographer shooting film now is the time to move into the digital realm or risk being left behind. This sentiment was being expressed about 4 years ago, just before I switched over. However, the popularity of digital photography has apparently progressed faster than anticipated and at least the first wave is cresting. With Nikon dropping production of film cameras and Konica/Minolta getting out of the business altogheter, and now Fuji initiating job cuts (5,000) and production shifts to China and Kodak announcing 54% of their 2005 revenue was from the sales of digital products, even the top companies are scrambling to make the change. Advances in technology, both hardware and software, has boosted the popularity of digital photography both among photographers and editorial and commercial buyers.
Loking at the news, it appears that there will be, at least for some period of time, a more distinct separation between consumer/prosumer and professional digital equipment. Although the line is blurry in some areas (see Canon's 5D and Nikon's D200), the majority of digital camera sales are in the consumer market of 8 megapixels and smaller. This is, of course, in the 35mm-type digital realm. Medium format digital is more or less relegated to the high-end studio professional, which is really a separate category and level, in purpose, client, and required resources.
I put off switching to digital primarily because of quality issues. Digital output wasn't even close to that of film, so it limited the applications any given photo could be put to. When Canon unleashed the 1Ds, I knew it was time. I purchased a 1Ds 3 years ago, about 1 year after its initial release. I don't plan to replace it anytime soon, but it's already been surpassed by the 1Ds Mark II and even the EOS 5D (at half the 1Ds price) and what else is in the works for release in the next 8 months.
The upshot is that now is the time to switch to digital (I heard that 4 or 5 years ago, but it's really true today). Waiting another couple years will cause film professionals today to be behind the curve racing to catch up. Unfortunately, that's the reality. Manufacturers aren't going to wait, they're only trying to keep their businesses alive, which is what photographers should be doing as well.
Loking at the news, it appears that there will be, at least for some period of time, a more distinct separation between consumer/prosumer and professional digital equipment. Although the line is blurry in some areas (see Canon's 5D and Nikon's D200), the majority of digital camera sales are in the consumer market of 8 megapixels and smaller. This is, of course, in the 35mm-type digital realm. Medium format digital is more or less relegated to the high-end studio professional, which is really a separate category and level, in purpose, client, and required resources.
I put off switching to digital primarily because of quality issues. Digital output wasn't even close to that of film, so it limited the applications any given photo could be put to. When Canon unleashed the 1Ds, I knew it was time. I purchased a 1Ds 3 years ago, about 1 year after its initial release. I don't plan to replace it anytime soon, but it's already been surpassed by the 1Ds Mark II and even the EOS 5D (at half the 1Ds price) and what else is in the works for release in the next 8 months.
The upshot is that now is the time to switch to digital (I heard that 4 or 5 years ago, but it's really true today). Waiting another couple years will cause film professionals today to be behind the curve racing to catch up. Unfortunately, that's the reality. Manufacturers aren't going to wait, they're only trying to keep their businesses alive, which is what photographers should be doing as well.
posted by Mike Shipman | 7:22:00 AM
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