Well, I came across this looking on that 'Bay thing.... a source for 126
Instamatic film. If someone still produces this stuff - 35mm is safe for a
long time to come. Very heartening indeed!
(Quote from website - URL below) "..Kodak stopped production of the film at
the end 1999, and most other film manufacturers discontinued it at about the
same time. At that time, Kodak's 126 film production amounted to less than
1/3 of 10f their total annual output, and was dropping 300er year.
Kodak's expressed wish was that Instamatic users would switch to APS, but
most of them probably switched to 35mm or recyclable "single-use" cameras.
Today, 126 film is manufactured only by Ferrania SpA in Italy, who package
and sell it under the Solaris brand name.."
http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat04.htm
Incidently, I came across it while checking out this old "obsolete" Oly'
item...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1367079167
Seeing this "obsolete" film item reminds me of the fact Olympus could have
well continued the OM line and run the newer point&shoots/digital market in
parallel. The OM would be to 35mm SLRs what Leica STILL is to 35mm
rangefinders. With 35mm film very likely to keep up and running for a very,
very long time - I think their niche in this place would have been sure to
run well. Pity OM missed that one.
It is funny when people long past have spoken of particular products and
lines as being "obsolete" - and "unmarketable" etc - they have often
resurfaced as enormous cottage industries. I won't mention guns - like
Colt's 1911 (oops!). Why, just look at the plethora of newly manufactured
parts for old "dead" cars for just one example - complete motors - body and
chassis - everything. Just check out the hundreds ads in the "enthusiasts"
magazines for such things.
I think that it is quite possible that some of the better cameras, including
the OMs, will be running long into the future. As well as the current
expertise and services of people like John and Clint - the maker of the
replacement battery and motor drive cover plates is perhaps the beginning of
a bright future for the "obsolete" 35mm OM.
Yes, there is hope yet :)
Cheers,
Lee
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