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Ilford Film Survey: It's 'Fun, Retro'
2 February 2015
Curious about "the recent growth in film sales," Ilford conducted an international survey of thousands of users to find out what the attraction is. Key findings include:
- Thirty percent of respondents who were aged under 35, with 60 percent of them using film for less than 5 years.
- Interest began after receiving a film camera as a gift from family or a friend. Canon, Nikon, Mamiya and Pentax cameras all featured strongly in the survey, with a large percentage bought on eBay.
- About 84 percent said they had taught themselves how to use film with a little help from books and the Internet. Over 49 percent develop and print their own pictures in a darkroom.
- Black and white film was preferred by 98 percent with 31 percent shooting it exclusively. Just two percent use only color film.
- Roll film was used by 86 percent with Lomo and Holga cameras popular in this category.
Respondents commented that film was "fun" and "retro" and gave them a chance to slow down and "really think about what I was doing."
For more information see the news release below.
What First Attracted You to Using Film?
Positive results from Ilford Photo film survey
At the end of 2014 we conducted a comprehensive international survey to help us better understand film users. Thousands of users from over 70 countries completed the survey for us and the results were inspiring.
Our belief that support for traditional film is growing was confirmed by the 30 percent of respondents who were aged under 35, with 60 percent of them using film for less than 5 years.
For many of those the interest began after receiving a film camera as a gift from family or a friend. Canon, Nikon, Mamiya and Pentax cameras all featured strongly in the survey, with a large percentage also being bought on eBay.
Around 84 percent of our respondents said that they had taught themselves how to use film with a little help from books and the Internet and more than 49 percent now develop and print their own pictures in a darkroom.
Of those who responded, 98 percent used black and white film with 31 percent shooting it exclusively. Just 2 percent use only colour film.
Interestingly 86 percent of respondents used roll film and the Lomo and Holga cameras proved popular in this category.
Online groups and Forums are used by 90 percent of respondents for product information and technical advice with a similar number finding what they need from http://www.ilfordphoto.com.
When asked "What first attracted you to using film?" comments included:
"It's fun."
"It's retro."
"I wanted to slow down and really think about what I was doing rather than just shoot 15 versions of the same shot to get it right. As I have grown into film, I also enjoy the craft aspects of it. Developing etc."
"The fact that there goes a lot more thinking in taking a photograph. Because of the 'limitation' of 36/12 pictures on a roll you think more about a shot you take. While with digital you just shoot."
Steven Brierley, director of sales and marketing at Harman technology/Ilford Photo, commented, "Thanks to the film users who took part in this survey, we have confirmed what we thought, which is that the recent growth in film sales can be attributed to the new users coming through. We are providing support to these new users and making it easier for them to find darkrooms should they wish to. It's a year since we launched localdarkroom.com and we now have over 650 tutors and sharers in more than 60 countries around the world. Without the support and help from the film community who complete our surveys, this couldn't have happened."