Photokina 2016: Analog thriving and growing

Photokina 2016

Analog comes to life in cologne

Photokina, the larger trade fair of the photo industry, which is held every other year in Cologne, Germany, closed a few days ago. For me, this was the fourth time i have had a chance to attend.

This years show was about 10% smaller then the previous one (2014), which was itself about 10% smaller then then the 2012 show. Experienced coleagues told me that this trend was an ongoing one since at least 2010. With that said, our 2012 and 2014 visits to the show and following reports showed a basic yet living analog presence, certainly from the perspective of within the Jobo booth, which has largely stayed the same size over the years, and which this year, more than any other booth signified the renewed industry interest in the analog photographic business, having almost entirely an analog based booth, with two new production processing machines, one of which was unveiled only a few weeks ago as well as large format cameras and accessories from Chamonix (for the German market).

Jobo were not alone. Around the corner was the Linhof booth, of which more than 50% was dedicated to film cameras, and we learned that the company is actively working on new developments in this field. Across from Linhof, at Arca Swiss, we learned that there is a an upswing in sales of mostly larger format cameras (8X10), and an active interest in ULF custom productions. Next door to Arca, at the Hasselblad booth, we learned that all new H series cameras will be fully compatible with H series roll film backs, following at least 3 models which were digital back compatible only. The Hasselblad gallery featured only photos shot on film, and so did the leica gallery (almost exclusively). Leica showed their new instax clone, entering another facade of analog photography. Though the camera is designed by Fuji and made in China, it points to where leica sees profit. At Alpa, across from Leica, we learned that of the 50 specially made 40 year anniversary camera, which was sold with a roll film back and 10 Fuji Across roll films, 49 have been sold, and one will be kept for display.

The Impossible booth, not far from this area was a awash with people at every moment of the show. Still at hall 2.1 was Kaiser, which released a new LED based thin light table, which looks and works great, and is wholly made in Germany. At the other side of the hall, at the Horseman booth we spotted the modular technical medium format camera, which is still in production. The company has recently changed ownership, but the facilities and engineers are still there.

Far across the Messe, at hall 9, the lomography booth was bustling almost all throughout the day, every time we stopped by, similar to the Impossible booth. Walking back towards the main entrance of the show, passing through hall 4.2 we found the Shen Hao booth, stocked with many cameras and accessories. A sizeable portion of the Fuji booth was dedicated to Instax products. For the most part, unlike previous shows, Fuji’s professional line up of TV lenses (and previously LF lenses) was absent from the show, like most other of the big names (canon, nikon, etc.), who mostly showed basic consumer products and many non photo related products (mobile/gaming/VR).

Hall 3.1 presented perhaps the most compelling evidence of the interest in analog photography with the Rollei and Bergger booths. Rollei, showcasing an impressive line up of film selection in color and BW, Chemistry for color, BW and BW reversal as well as several interesting BW papers. Bergger, the french film makes showed samples of its new Pancro 400, the only independently made film in the world (outside of Ilford, Kodak or Fuji), and the newest film emulsion in the world, which is now available in 35mm and 120, having already been available in 4X5 to 8X10 LF sheet film sizes. Bergger also offers a comprehensive line of chemistry as well as its venerable line of high end BW papers. Kodak stopped by to discuss their plans for the new Super8 camera and film (later stopping at Jobo to check out their new Super8 processing solution).

Also at the Bergger booth, 6 gates films offers an intensive line up of Cine films loaded in 35mm cassettes and the chemistry needed to remove the Jet backing. We also had a chance to play around with some innovative modular sheet film processing tanks, as well as a daylight loading processing tank a-la Agfa rodinax. Stark tek stopped by with a new prototype version of their SST4 long version processor. The booth was busy most of the show, with the only luls towards the very end of the day.

On the other side of the hall, the Kinzle and Heiland shared booth was too, very busy throughout the show. People were being amazed by the availability of enlargers, spare parts, high tech LED light sources and split grade controller computers, and of course, the ‘filmomat’ machine which was on display. Photosensitometers and the TAS processor completed the lineup and had people lining up to see whats up. Foma were out in force with a massive lineup of films and papers at their booth just down the aisle from there.

All in all, there was a distinct feeling shared by all of the exhibitors we met, that there is a massive and renewed interest in traditional and analog photography by the public, which is now being recognized and backed by the industry as well. For the first time in many years, analog was more innovative and interesting portion of the show, attracting lots of action from show goers. Spirits were deservedly high and we mostly saw smiles all around, despite the grueling hours of working a photokina booth. We are looking forward to the next show in anticipation of more good news and developments.