Fears that analogue cameras that use the traditional film are headed for oblivion in Kenya given the emergence of digital technology appear to be misplaced.

"I do not think we will be getting rid of films any time soon: the number of photographers with analogue cameras is too huge," says Ms Meena Pitrola, a Manager at Colorama Outlets, one of the distributors of Fuji Products.

A survey conducted by Kodak attributes the continued use of old cameras to high prices that manufacturers have pegged on the digital cameras, making them unaffordable to potential buyers.

The study shows that 80.6 per cent of the customers who print on digital cameras use diskettes and CDs. This means most customers do not own digital cameras but download photos sent to them through the Internet and take them to studios.

The study, conducted by Mr Daniel Carp, a former chief executive officer of Kodak, aimed at establishing the challenges posed by digital photography to traditional photo processing studios.

The research found that most studios have been unable to invest in digital photo processing machines because the initial capital outlay is too high.

Kodak, the local market leader, established its first photo processing studio in Kenya in 1927. Fuji, Agfa and Konica established themselves later.

They have expressed fears of over time taken to realise returns on the investment since the digital technology is changing at an alarming rate. "It was also clear that competition in photo industry has become a major challenge since those with digital processing machines are competitive on prices," the report states.

Although digital photo began in 1985, Kenya started experiencing and using the new photo processing technology in 2000 when Kodak, through its retail outlets, launched the Kodak Picture Maker Solutions.

Some customers resulted in buying laser printers and using inkjet papers, which didn't give clear photos. Due to increased demand, Kodak launched the first digital photo processing equipment through one of its franchises, Galaxy Kodak Express, in November 2003.

With the increased demand of digital processing, studios have adopted different strategies to cope with the changes in the business environment in order to survive.

Ms Meena Pitrola, a Manager at Colorama Outlets, one of the distributors of Fuji Products, points out that although digital seems to be taking over the market, they continue to cater for a large number of people using Film camera's.

Pitrola says digital business has risen to between 60 to 70 per cent since 2005. Despite this increase, she says a large number of professional and amateur photographers continue to use films largely because of the cost.

For instance, to process a four by six inches picture taken by a film mini lenses costs Sh10 to sh12, but the same size taken by a digital camera goes for between Sh20 and Sh30. "It is expensive but you get quality pictures and it is very fast," Pitrola explains.

Most studios, she says, continue to invest in film cameras and printers because of price. In urban areas, a number of professional photographers own both film and digital cameras and take the pictures based on the preference of their clients.

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