How about an analog Q? It could be priced a bit less than the Q, so "cheap" for a new Leica, but still firmly in the luxury bracket.
Alpha_Geist wrote:
You bring up a good point Huss. Leica makes a limited supply of film rangefinders each year. I would imagine digital (M & L) bodies and lenses are their bread and butter.
I would like to know if they have a separate work center solely for their film M bodies versus their digital M bodies? If Leica were to increase production of the M-A/MP, would that cut into their digital M manufacturing by taking resources away from it? Can they manufacture film Ms in their Portugal manufacturing plant? If Leica were able to increase M-A/MP production, would they decrease the price of the camera? Actually, no...no they wouldn't. :P
I don't think this rumor makes any business sense. I can see Leica trying to get a larger portion of the film pie because film use is up, but in my opinion, the piece of that pie would still be too small to justify a new film camera. If (and a BIG if) Leica were to announce/release a new film body in 2021, my bet is that it would not be a M rangefinder body. It would be something outside of the M ecosystem and expensive for what it is....Show more →
Jan 01, 2021 at 02:11 PM
imagesfromobjects Offline • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I've traveled at least 5 times in major US airports with film in recent years and I have never had an issue with having them hand-inspect the film. I got like one eye roll, but mostly the TSA folks have been totally professional and accommodating. Not one of them was like, "wow, we never see film anymore" so I'm guessing it's not uncommon for people to want to shoot film while traveling. rattymouse wrote:
Film photography's days might be over with the new airport scanners coming on line that destroy film. Hand inspection is not likely in many parts of the country and most of the world. Back when I was actively shooting film the past 6-7 years I happily sent my film through airport scanners and never suffered any problems at all. They were film safe scanners. The word is out now that all these new scanners are essentially CAT scanner type machines that are far more powerful and will destroy film. Hand inspection is simply not an option in most cases. Security folks dont have the time or even understand why you are asking for such a thing. I used to take trips to Japan or in China and come back with 40-50 rolls of film. No way anyone today will take the time to hand inspect that much film.
To travel and take film shots is going to be a LOT harder in the near future. This will cut demand for film and film cameras a lot I predict. ...Show more →
imagesfromobjects wrote:
I've traveled at least 5 times in major US airports with film in recent years and I have never had an issue with having them hand-inspect the film. I got like one eye roll, but mostly the TSA folks have been totally professional and accommodating. Not one of them was like, "wow, we never see film anymore" so I'm guessing it's not uncommon for people to want to shoot film while traveling.
Yup until Covid I flew a lot in the US, and TSA always was happy to indulge my request to hand search my film.
But outside the US - all over Europe - flat refusal, it always was xrayed. However this won't be the death knell of film as most of it is shot "locally".
If I'm going to travel outside the US, I could buy it abroad and develop it before coming back. Not convenient but this is an option. Mostly though I'd shoot digital for that and help with the death knell of digital photography by using my iphone...
imagesfromobjects wrote:
How about an analog Q? It could be priced a bit less than the Q, so "cheap" for a new Leica, but still firmly in the luxury bracket.
I thought about this as option, too. And it might be possible. Problem I personally see here is again the fixed lens thingy which is always for me the no-go for the Q series. But for others it might be just okay. And the Q is a successful Leica series I admit. So yes, I think it is plausible.
Desmolicious wrote:
Yup until Covid I flew a lot in the US, and TSA always was happy to indulge my request to hand search my film.
But outside the US - all over Europe - flat refusal, it always was xrayed. However this won't be the death knell of film as most of it is shot "locally".
If I'm going to travel outside the US, I could buy it abroad and develop it before coming back. Not convenient but this is an option. Mostly though I'd shoot digital for that and help with the death knell of digital photography by using my iphone...
It is something I would never do if it comes to this - having to develop films in Europe before coming back. Since I started shooting film again in 2015, I haven't even once used an external lab. All the fun is for me to develop films myself. In case it will get really tough traveling with films, this would mean the end for me using film cameras on my vacations abroad. Then it would be all digital for me there, and I would only use film domestically from this point forward. I probably would then more than ever also make use of digital negatives from digital files to print in my darkroom.
Desmolicious wrote:
Yup until Covid I flew a lot in the US, and TSA always was happy to indulge my request to hand search my film.
But outside the US - all over Europe - flat refusal, it always was xrayed. However this won't be the death knell of film as most of it is shot "locally".
If I'm going to travel outside the US, I could buy it abroad and develop it before coming back. Not convenient but this is an option. Mostly though I'd shoot digital for that and help with the death knell of digital photography by using my iphone...
In Japan, Europe, China, and Hong Kong, I have never been able to find a lab with a turnaround time quicker than 7 days. Developing while out on vacation is not an option I have found possible.
I think the film manufacturers would lobby, if they have not started already, to have film excluded from CTScan security checks. Because it will really effect their bottom line.
imagesfromobjects wrote:
How about an analog Q? It could be priced a bit less than the Q, so "cheap" for a new Leica, but still firmly in the luxury bracket.
Exactly! This "new film camera" would most likely not be a M rangefinder. It would need to be different to not compete with its own limited M-A/MP cameras, but different enough to create interest (not another Sofort/Fuji instant camera).
Remember the rumor stated that it would likely be similar to the M6 TTL. To me, that means that it would have an internal light meter, have TTL capability and bubbles on the camera's zinc top plate.
Desmolicious wrote:
I think the film manufacturers would lobby, if they have not started already, to have film excluded from CTScan security checks. Because it will really effect their bottom line.
Uh, Kodak has absolutely ZERO influence in today's world. They are not the multi billion dollar dow component that they used to be. They are a tiny, insignificant commercial printing company, teetering on bankruptcy again, and would be laughed at profusely if they tried to lobby anything.
Europe will never allow for hand inspections and have not for at least 10 years. So this problem is spreading, not contracting.
rattymouse wrote:
Uh, Kodak has absolutely ZERO influence in today's world. They are not the multi billion dollar dow component that they used to be. They are a tiny, insignificant commercial printing company, teetering on bankruptcy again, and would be laughed at profusely if they tried to lobby anything.
Europe will never allow for hand inspections and have not for at least 10 years. So this problem is spreading, not contracting.
Kodak isn't the only manufacturer.
Ilford and Fuji are much bigger. And you don't have to be a multi-billion dollar company. You just need to find the right people to lobby and get their ear.
Desmolicious wrote:
Kodak isn't the only manufacturer.
Ilford and Fuji are much bigger. And you don't have to be a multi-billion dollar company. You just need to find the right people to lobby and get their ear.
Ilford is in the UK. Just try asking for a hand inspection in London Heathrow. Ain't gonna happen. Ever.
rattymouse wrote:
Ilford is in the UK. Just try asking for a hand inspection in London Heathrow. Ain't gonna happen. Ever.
Ilford does not only sell its film in the UK.
The current/old tech x-ray machines in Heathrow have signs on them saying safe for film under 800 ASA (if I recall).
So the airports are aware about concerns about damage to film, otherwise they would not have tested the machines and put up those signs.
There is a possibility that once it has become apparent that the new machines destroy film, they will modify procedures. But they will only do that with the encouragement of the film industry.
This is what Ilford is saying right now:
https://www.ilfordphoto.com/faqs/
We are working with the DFT and Heathrow airport in the UK and will shortly be updating our information relating to the new CT type x-ray scanners being installed at major airports worldwide.
Based on our initial testing it is almost certain the new CT type x-ray scanners for cabin baggage will be deemed unsafe for any of our ILFORD and KENTMERE film products irrespective of ISO speed rating.
You must therefore ask for hand inspection of your films if the airport is using one of the new type scanners. We will be issuing more specific advice as we complete our testing and evaluation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE CT TYPE X-RAY SCANNERS
The following machines are currently on the market;
Desmolicious wrote:
Ilford does not only sell its film in the UK.
The current/old tech x-ray machines in Heathrow have signs on them saying safe for film under 800 ASA (if I recall).
So the airports are aware about concerns about damage to film, otherwise they would not have tested the machines and put up those signs.
There is a possibility that once it has become apparent that the new machines destroy film, they will modify procedures. But they will only do that with the encouragement of the film industry.
This is what Ilford is saying right now:
https://www.ilfordphoto.com/faqs/
We are working with the DFT and Heathrow airport in the UK and will shortly be updating our information relating to the new CT type x-ray scanners being installed at major airports worldwide.
Based on our initial testing it is almost certain the new CT type x-ray scanners for cabin baggage will be deemed unsafe for any of our ILFORD and KENTMERE film products irrespective of ISO speed rating.
You must therefore ask for hand inspection of your films if the airport is using one of the new type scanners. We will be issuing more specific advice as we complete our testing and evaluation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE CT TYPE X-RAY SCANNERS
The following machines are currently on the market;
Let's be clear on something. European airports have NEVER allowed for hand inspection of film. That is well known to anyone who has traveled through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, etc. I tried long ago to get film hand inspected when traveling through Europe and not once was my request been given. Finally I gave up and stopped trying.
Today, according to film users posting at Photrio, these new scanners are in Amsterdam and Paris at least, and are being rolled out every day. London will be high on the list to get these scanners. If film inspection were going to be an option, it would be in place now. It's not. No signs indicate at all that hand inspections are possible.
One trip through these scanners and your film is ruined. The time is yesterday when the precautions for film should have been in place. Nothing has been done aside from some web postings. Ineffective to say the least.
You can take your film on a trip to Europe and gamble. I will not. I'm supposed to go to Germany these year, but doubtful that is going to happen as the world is not clearing up as fast as many had hoped. If I do go, I will not be bringing any film.
rattymouse wrote:
Let's be clear on something. European airports have NEVER allowed for hand inspection of film. That is well known to anyone who has traveled through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, etc. I tried long ago to get film hand inspected when traveling through Europe and not once was my request been given. Finally I gave up and stopped trying.
When I used to carrry regular speed film it was refused. When I carry 800 ISO or higher I have been granted hand inspection of film. So you can either shoot ISO 800 or higher, or mix that in with your film and hope they agree to hand
search all of it.
No. Independent tests have shown that Heathrow's x-ray machines do not affect camera films. If you are carrying professional film rated ISO 800 or faster, you can request the film be searched by alternative means. We will accommodate this where possible but this cannot be guaranteed. Please bring any documentary proof of the film rating with you. We also recommend that you leave extra time to pass through security as additional screening requirements may be required.
Desmolicious wrote:
When I used to carrry regular speed film it was refused. When I carry 800 ISO or higher I have been granted hand inspection of film. So you can either shoot ISO 800 or higher, or mix that in with your film and hope they agree to hand
search all of it.
No. Independent tests have shown that Heathrow's x-ray machines do not affect camera films. If you are carrying professional film rated ISO 800 or faster, you can request the film be searched by alternative means. We will accommodate this where possible but this cannot be guaranteed. Please bring any documentary proof of the film rating with you. We also recommend that you leave extra time to pass through security as additional screening requirements may be required....Show more →
Last time I tried in Rome and Paris, Delta 3200 was forced right through the scanner. There was not the slightest hesitation by the security guards. Everyone thread on this subject in film forums shows that Europe has a no tolerance policy for hand inspecting film.
