The Fuji Digital Minilab Frontier is widely available in Hong Kong,
the photo labs are capable of reading digital camera's memory card
and give you the prints in less than one hour. At this moment the
price could be a bit high but paper and consumable cost is similar to
traditional lab so eventually the price to the user will drop very
fast. Even the print's price is higher, but you can save processing
and film cost, also save the bad shots, overall you will spend less.
Have you seen someone posted a link to AGFA's new self service photo
machines, just plug you memory card to the machine, select your images
and then you will get the prints. You don't need to have a computer at
home to enjoy the convenience of digital photography.
Digital will NOT knocks film out very fast but sure phasing in and
replacing the traditional camera gradually. I don't want to predict
how long, but worry it will be very fast. Actually I also don't want
to see this change as I love my OM system and don't want to see the
price of its food (film) rise. Since I mainly shoot slides I hope the
situation will be better.
C.H.Ling
Jim Couch wrote:
>
> Good points John. The truth is digital has a LONG way to go before it knocks
> film out on the consumer level. The casual (non-hobbyist) wants three things
> simple, cheap & fast. Amazingly enough, digital offers none of this to the
> average consumer. Consumer film cameras are amazingly cheap (one use cams cost
> little more than film many places) cheap film abounds, the cameras do not suck
> down batteries, and one hour printing is everywhere. None of this requires any
> kind of computer knowledge or skill. Digital cameras are still relatively
> expensive, have relatively complex controls, require a computer and a modicum
> of skill to get prints, require you to spend time making the prints. A lot of
> roadblocks for the casual user.
>
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