Re: APS Sucks.

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:01:44 +0100, "Peter Stegemann"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Michael Benveniste):
>
>>Does APS suck?  I don't think so, but I also don't think it has
>>sufficient advantages over 35mm to justify the higher cost, let
>>alone any decrease in quality.  It's even more vulnerable to
>>competition from digitals.

>If I want to buy a digital camera that matches the Ixus L1, I have to
>pay around 500 Euro. To replace my Pronea 600i, I'll have to pay
>1800 Euro. 35mm is no alternative, I'm scanning my negatives.

Your price quotes seem a little high to me here in the U.S., but
that's not the point.  My post started:  'APS is one offering to
the "grab camera" market, but far from the only one.'  Far less
expensive digitals fall into that "snapshot" category.  Any SLR larger
than a Pentax 110 is overkill.

Saying "35mm is no alternative" is an exaggeration, as many
people do scan 35mm negatives and slides.  If you're scanning every
shot on a roll, APS is more convenient, but at that point the cost of
the scanner, film, and developing go a long way to offsetting the
initial cost of digital, not to mention the time spent doing scans.

>If APS is not a choice for you, fine. But people should accept, that
>_their_ choice is not the only possible choice.

I respect your choice and I'm a little baffled that you read my post
otherwise.  But I also accept that the aggregate of people's choices
defines the market.  Quoting Kodak's latest quarterly report:
     The U.S. film industry volume decreased approximately 7% in the
     nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared with the
     nine month period ended September 30, 2002.  The most current
     U.S. market data trends suggest that, for the nine month period
     ended September 30, 2003, digital substitution accounted for the
     majority of the industry decline.
and also:
     Net worldwide sales of consumer digital cameras increased 117% in
     the third quarter of 2003 as compared with the prior year
     quarter...

Myself, I own a Pronea S in addition to my 35mm gear and the Pentax
110 I mentioned above.  But I see APS as being in a classic market
squeeze, with digitals taking the life out of the consumer film camera
market and the established 35mm competitors limiting opportunities for
growth in the professional or prosumer markets.  Can APS carve out a
niche large enough for survival?  We'll find out soon enough.

-- 
Michael Benveniste -- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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