Canon HK discontinues most 35mm cameras

braxus · Feb 14, 2007

http://www.canon.com.hk/En/Consumer/Product/Discontinued.aspx?series_id=1

http://www.canon.com.hk/en/consumer/Product/Cat_List.aspx?cat_id=2

As above all but the 1V camera (and some point and shoots) are listed as discontinued in Hong Kong. Though other Canon sites still list all 35mms on their sites, I wonder how long it will be before the rest of the world does the same. It seems like Canon is doing the same as Nikon leaving only their best 35mm available. I wonder why the 1V has not gone down in price since its been released. Its interesting because a lot of the lower end 35mm are made in China if I recall, and Canon HK seems to be the site for new info before others announce it.

PHOTOTONE · Feb 14, 2007

It is unfortunate, but my guess is that manufacture has stopped some time ago, and the cameras are considered current until stocks are depleted. Inventories will vary by market. Some vendors for Nikon are still showing the F100 new, but of course this hasn't been made in a few years. The top-end Canon has some parts shared with the digital Canons, thus may continue longer. Sad thing, though.

Pinholemaster · Feb 14, 2007

Time to buy up Nikon F6 bodies while you can.

Roger Hicks · Feb 14, 2007

Pinholemaster said:
Time to buy up Nikon F6 bodies while you can.

Or indeed sell them while you can...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Cheers,

R. (original 'F' user)

Lee Shively · Feb 14, 2007

Not long ago, I was musing about film cameras and how new ones are unlikely to appear as current ones rapidly disappear. While it's sad and disturbing, it's logical.

When so many people embraced digital, they often sold off all or, at least, a portion of their film bodies. That has led to a huge supply of excellent film cameras on the used market. There's not much of an incentive to buy a new film body when you can get one in nearly new condition for a fraction of the new price. That, in turn, further reduces the demand for new film cameras which leads to manufacturers discontinuing models and limiting selection even further.

I really don't know how much longer camera manufacturers can continue to build film bodies. I suspect we'll have film for a long time to come but I doubt we'll ever again have a very big selection of brand new cameras in which to use it.

alan c. davis · Feb 14, 2007

It appears that rangefinders are still doing o.k. with a new model on the horizon from C.Voigtlander and Zeiss and Leica of course with their current range. However I took delivery of a new Leica M6 last week so I won't be needing a new film camera for another 20 or 30 years.

Alan

Paul Howell · Feb 15, 2007

Lee Shively said:
Not long ago, I was musing about film cameras and how new ones are unlikely to appear as current ones rapidly disappear. While it's sad and disturbing, it's logical.

When so many people embraced digital, they often sold off all or, at least, a portion of their film bodies. That has led to a huge supply of excellent film cameras on the used market. There's not much of an incentive to buy a new film body when you can get one in nearly new condition for a fraction of the new price. That, in turn, further reduces the demand for new film cameras which leads to manufacturers discontinuing models and limiting selection even further.

I really don't know how much longer camera manufacturers can continue to build film bodies. I suspect we'll have film for a long time to come but I doubt we'll ever again have a very big selection of brand new cameras in which to use it.

My guess is that once the supply of used equipment dries up and there is demand for 35 SLR companies like Cosina will fill the void. Cosina makes a 42mm SM bodie, just add a Nikon or Cannon Mount. Building a AF may be fesiable as well.

Lee Shively · Feb 15, 2007

Cosina is apparently owned and/or run by a camera enthusiast unlike Nikon, Canon and whoever owns controlling interest in Leica this week. Until the bean counters take over, I think Cosina might keep building film-based cameras into the future. We need more people running businesses who care about the products as well as the bottom line.

mawz · Feb 15, 2007

Cosina also makes the Nikon FM10, one of the two Nikon bodies still listed.

An EOS mount body is less likely, Cosina specializes in mechanical bodies, not pure-electronic systems like EF/EOS.

Paul Howell · Feb 15, 2007

mawz said:
Cosina also makes the Nikon FM10, one of the two Nikon bodies still listed.

An EOS mount body is less likely, Cosina specializes in mechanical bodies, not pure-electronic systems like EF/EOS.

Cosina or another maker can build under license. Buy Cannon electroics for their bodies. It's all in the size of the Market.

mawz · Feb 15, 2007

Paul: As far as I'm aware Sigma tried to do that, and got shot down by Canon (despite the fact that their bodies were crap compared to the equivalent Canon bodies).

There's a reason why SA Mount is electronically compatible with EF mount. It's not physically compatible due to Canon's refusal to license the mount.

Paul Howell · Feb 15, 2007

mawz said:
Paul: As far as I'm aware Sigma tried to do that, and got shot down by Canon (despite the fact that their bodies were crap compared to the equivalent Canon bodies).

There's a reason why SA Mount is electronically compatible with EF mount. It's not physically compatible due to Canon's refusal to license the mount.

In light of the new ecomonics things may change. My hunch is that asSigma competes with Cannon and Nikon in terms of lens Cannon may have an issue spefic with Sigma, but as Cosina is not primarly a lens maker it may not be as much of an issue. All of this is just speculation on my part, if I could make such a forcast I would be rich. By the way I have a Sigma SA 7 and 9, good cameras for the money, but not up to Nikon or Canon quaility.

Lee Shively · Feb 15, 2007

I may be wrong but I thought Cosina built a digital body based on their Voigtlander R-series film body. It was rebadged for Epson or HP or some other computer/printer company, if my faulty memory is working somewhat. That would tend to indicate that Cosina could build an electronic-based film camera body like an EOS.

Correct me if I'm having delusions.

film_guy · Feb 17, 2007

Oh well, I'm not surprised at this since Canon announced back in 2006 that they're halting development of new film SLRs to focus on resources on their digital models. Nikon had basically ditched all their film SLRs except for the F6 and another model many months ago.

The main reason? Super high megapixel P&S cameras and ultra-cheap DSLRs with kit lenses being so affordable. Almost everyone looks at me weird whenever I pull out my "old" film SLR, even when I can achieve focus at a faster speed than their digital P&S cameras in low-light situations.:rolleyes:

I'm sad to say this, but film shooters are a dying breed, and I don't think the next generation will get to enjoy shooting film at the rate that film and analog camera companies are abandoning the market. I'm so glad I managed to snag a really mint EOS 3 a while ago, and I hope it'll continue working and I can buy my favourite color and B&W 35mm film for the next 5 to 10 years.

braxus said:
http://www.canon.com.hk/En/Consumer/Product/Discontinued.aspx?series_id=1

http://www.canon.com.hk/en/consumer/Product/Cat_List.aspx?cat_id=2

As above all but the 1V camera (and some point and shoots) are listed as discontinued in Hong Kong. Though other Canon sites still list all 35mms on their sites, I wonder how long it will be before the rest of the world does the same. It seems like Canon is doing the same as Nikon leaving only their best 35mm available. I wonder why the 1V has not gone down in price since its been released. Its interesting because a lot of the lower end 35mm are made in China if I recall, and Canon HK seems to be the site for new info before others announce it.

Aurelien · Feb 17, 2007

What do you think of an hypothetical SLR camera based on Dynax 7 with an interchangeable mount : nikon F, minolta AF, screw mount 42. All on demand, and mounted in factory?

Canon HK discontinues most 35mm cameras

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