Digital BW, The Print

Seth writes:

> You are right, but we're stuck!

Those of us who shoot digital are stuck; not those of us who shoot film.

I paid my dues in endless, useless, expensive upgrades for years in
computerland.  I don't plan to make the same mistake in photography.  Let
someone else be the golden goose for the camera manufacturers now.  I just
want to take pictures.

Indeed, if anything, film photography should be exceptionally stable now.
Hopefully Nikon will continue to sell the F5 indefinitely, and ditto for
other film camera manufacturers.  I wouldn't mind continuing lens
improvements, but the existing bodies are fine; ideally I can just buy new
ones identical to the old ones if the old ones ever wear out.

> My first hard drive was a 10MB boat anchor
> that sold for $1300.

I recall 3 MB drives that cost $3500 or so.  Never used one myself.

> I was getting my D1 ready to sell for $1200 and
> found my original invoice in the box at $4499.
> What can we do?

Shoot film.

> Back then I was told, "go digital or
> don't work."  So I did, and they cut back!!

What kind of photography are you doing?

> Anyway, be ready to leave that F4/F5 three-to-four
> year cycle behind.  Prepare for an 18 month change.

No, I plan to just keep the F5.  In fact, if anything, I've been moving
towards simpler, more manual bodies in recent years.  After all, all I need
is an accurate shutter and a light-proof box.