Business Daily (BBC World Service): Why are analogue cameras experiencing a comeback?

Air Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Sean Allsop

Episode Overview

This episode of Business Daily explores the unexpected resurgence of analogue (film) cameras in an age of ubiquitous smartphone photography. Host Sean Allsop investigates why film photography is making a strong comeback, who is driving this revival, how much it costs today, and the broader implications for businesses and culture. The story unfolds through visits to Berlin’s analogue camera scene, conversations with shop owners and workshop leaders, and insights from a senior Fujifilm executive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Allure of Analogue in a Digital Age

(Starts at 01:10)

• The episode opens with nostalgic sounds of flashes winding and snaps—reminders of a photographic era thought to be eclipsed by digital technology.
• Sean Allsop observes, "I thought it was just a niche nowadays, but actually it's turning into a real money maker." (01:35)
• The appeal of film: tangible, intentional, and associated with a sense of occasion and presence.

2. The Berlin Camera Scene – Safelight Shop

(03:10–07:02)

• Sean visits Safelight, a Berlin camera shop run by Chris Morgan, exclusively focused on analogue.
• Chris recounts starting at flea markets in 2019, only to discover a widespread demand for film cameras across Germany.
  • "We realized after a few times of doing this that there's a huge, huge demand...across the whole country, basically there's a million people shooting film that we didn't realize." (03:39)
• Best-sellers: Film development is the biggest business, with weekly sales of hundreds of films and a strong market for point-and-shoot cameras—once "for your grandma," now the hottest items for young people.
• Celebrity Influence: Cameras like the Contax T2 skyrocketed in popularity and price after being pictured with celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Timothée Chalamet.
  • "Just from these celebrities using the cameras, like a few years ago, the prices doubled, tripled within a few weeks." (05:49)
• Prices: Entry-level cameras start around €60–€70, but collectible models fetch up to €2000.

3. The Real Cost – Film Development & Scarcity

(07:02–09:12)

• Inside Safelight’s development lab: Old Noritsu film machines run full tilt with a six-person team, developing up to 250 films daily.
  • "Standing here surrounded by machinery that's older than myself is pretty cool. But it's also a reminder of why costs are quite high." (08:04)
• Equipment is scarce and expensive; average development cost per roll is now $10, up from $4 in 2005—well above inflation.

4. Big Industry Perspective – Fujifilm’s Shifting Focus

(09:33–12:10)

• Guest: Yuji Igarashi, General Manager, Professional Imaging Group, Fujifilm Corporation
• Fujifilm, once worried as analogue collapsed, is increasing film production and seeing surging global demand—especially among youth.
  • "The resurgence of film and quick snaps or single-use film camera is what we did not foresee, especially among a young audience." (10:54)
  • “The younger generation intentionally choose to slow down, which I believe is some kind of counter movement to the ever accelerating digital society.” (11:14)
• To meet demand, Fujifilm is expanding production capacity for Instax and film products by 20% by the end of 2025.

5. The Human Side – Community, Process, and Experience

(13:19–16:44)

• Sean attends a photo workshop in Berlin run by Italian photographer Emilio Vittoriosi.
  • Workshops quickly sold out, even on weeknights: “Suppose that no one was coming...but was sold out always. No, stop. So then we started to do like also twice or three times a week.” (13:37)
  • Format: Cameras and film supplied, group photowalk, then hands-on development session in the darkroom.
• Participant Reflection: “The result is unexpected and...the sense of community is really nice, like doing this together.” (14:51)

6. The Price of Nostalgia

(16:44–17:35)

• Emilio recalls when a roll of film cost 80 cents; now, it's €9–12, some selling for as much as €20. The fair price for film, development, and scanning is "under 20 bucks."
• Cost drivers:
  • Factory closures
  • New environmentally friendly chemicals (expensive to produce)
  • Lagging supply vs. fast-growing demand

7. Why Do People Love Film?

(17:35–19:02)

• Chris Morgan: “Everything is pushing you towards digitalization...I think that this, you know, you have to wait for your photos, you have to take time, you have to compose...this is really though, you know, the thing that people really like. There's not this instant, instant gratification.” (17:59)
• Emilio: The physicality of film and the unrepeatable nature of each shot is central: "When you have a camera, you are never bothered. Basically you can be everywhere." (18:50)
• For Sean, the process feels grounding: “It made me focus on what's in front of me. From the greens of summers to those nice bright colors. You really learn to see a sunny day with a camera in your hands.” (19:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We realized after a few times of doing this that there's a huge, huge demand. And we realized how big the analog scene was.”
  — Chris Morgan, Safelight (03:39)

• “Just from these celebrities using the cameras, like a few years ago, the prices doubled, tripled within a few weeks...now they've kind of held steady. I don't know if it's a bubble or not.”
  — Chris Morgan (05:49)

• “The resurgence of film and quick snaps or single use film camera is what we did not foresee, especially among a young audience.”
  — Yuji Igarashi, Fujifilm (10:54)

• “The younger generation intentionally choose to slow down, which I believe is some kind of counter movement to the ever accelerating digital society.”
  — Yuji Igarashi (11:14)

• “Everything is pushing you towards...digitalization. Everything is so fast and so this instant gratification...This is really...the thing that people really like. There's not this instant, instant gratification.”
  — Chris Morgan (17:59)

• "Photography is really everything. It's collecting every part of the life. It's something that you can bring everywhere with you. And I think when you have a camera, you are never bothered."
  — Emilio Vittoriosi (18:50)

Key Timestamps

• 01:10 – Sean introduces the comeback of analogue cameras.
• 03:10 – Safelight Berlin: Starting from flea markets to full-scale business.
• 04:15 – Best-selling products and celebrity impact.
• 05:49 – Camera price hikes and market speculation.
• 07:02 – Inside the film development lab; high costs, old equipment.
• 09:33 – Interview with Fujifilm’s Yuji Igarashi; company’s adaptation to renewed demand.
• 13:19 – Photo workshop immersion; appeal for new generations and community aspect.
• 16:52 – Rising costs of film: Emilio’s personal experience.
• 17:59 – The emotional and experiential appeal of film; why people cherish it today.
• 19:02 – Sean’s closing reflections on the present-moment awareness provided by film photography.

Conclusion

The episode presents analogue photography’s revival as a counter-response to digital saturation: driven by nostalgia, tactile experiences, creative limitations, price challenges, and a longing for presence and community. The comeback creates thriving opportunities for independent businesses, renewed growth for industry giants, and a new appreciation for photographic craft among digital natives.