Dixons closes the shutter on film cameras

This may not be as big a milestone in the Death of Film as Kodak's recent decision to stop producing black-and-white paper, or its earlier phase-out of film cameras (other than those cheap disposables) in major markets. But as a symbol of the growth of digital photography, this one's worth noting: U.K. chain Dixons, which began as a photo studio in 1937, and later branched out by selling 35mm cameras, will stop selling film cameras once they run out of their current stock. "We have decided that the time is now right to take 35mm cameras out of the frame," marketing director Bryan Magrath said, in a statement carefully crafted to include a groan-worthy pun. We assume that this shift in focus will limit Dixons' exposure to negative developments as the film industry continues its downward slide.