If you could have a new midrange camera what would it be.

Marvin · Jan 24, 2011

You can still buy a low end manual 35mm or a very expensive high end camera but I was just wondering if you could have a new midrange camera what would you want.
I would like to have a Nikon with the best features of the N75, and N80. These cameras had great auto-focusing and metering. I have two each of the N75 and N80 bodies and an F5 so I and pretty well stocked up but would like to see an affordable midrange 35mm.
Marvin

Paul Sorensen · Jan 24, 2011

If by midrange you mean a step above the n80, I would have to suggest the F100. They are really inexpensive now and are really great cameras. I believe that the electronics are similar to the N80, more rugged, more professional, but far smaller and lighter than the F5.

Edit, if by new you mean factory new, no ideas there.

Markster · Jan 24, 2011

Hypothetical? Or real?

darinwc · Jan 24, 2011

I second the F100. I found the AF faster and more accurate than the N80.

MattKing · Jan 24, 2011

A Pentax MZ-5n.

Jeff Kubach · Jan 24, 2011

I would go with the Canon T-90.

Jeff

Paul VanAudenhove · Jan 24, 2011

I'm assuming you want to be able to use the lenses you have now, so I'd cast my vote for the F100.

jacarape · Jan 24, 2011

I had a Nikon F4s stolen years ago. If there ever was a camera with a hairier chest, I'd love to see it. It's a heavy weight camera that doubles as a light weight bludgeon. I think it's a classic.

2F/2F · Jan 24, 2011

I am set with film cameras. What would be useful would be a full frame digital back for my Nikon Fs. I want something like the D700 or 5D sensor guts as an option to clip on instead of film. I am probably going to have to just bite the bullet and get the D700 some day.

Moopheus · Jan 24, 2011

jacarape said:
It's a heavy weight camera that doubles as a light weight bludgeon.

That pretty much describes the whole line of F-series cameras.

I guess it depends on what you mean by "mid-range." An F6 has all the auto-everything electronic whiz-bang stuff. Older, formerly top-of-the-line cameras would be classified as "mid-range" now if they were still made.

Marvin · Jan 24, 2011

An N80 replacement was about what I was thinking about. A camera body that could be produced for around $300 to fill a void in the 35mm lineup. If it were a Nikon I would like to have autofocus and Matrix metering. It may never happen but I thought as we use up the available used supply of cameras that something might turn up.

Paul Sorensen · Jan 24, 2011

Aha. Yeah, I agree with you on that. With the new technologies for metering and autofocus, they would be able to make an N80 replacement that would really rock. Or maybe an F100 replacement is more realistic, since film is going to remain a boutique item, they will need to make a decent profit and probably keep the product price up a bit. Unfortunately, I have seen no indication that either Nikon or Canon are interested in such a small market.

Ken Nadvornick · Jan 24, 2011

A Nikon FM2N-type 35mm camera, from any quality manufacturer.

I don't need auto-focus, auto-exposure, auto-wind, auto-rewind, auto-flash, program modes, matrix metering, yadda, yadda, yadda...

I can set a film speed, an aperture, a shutter, and focus a lens. I don't need a built-in personal computer and a 500+ page manual to make doing those basic things "easier" for me.

Ken

cjbecker · Jan 25, 2011

Ken Nadvornick said:
A Nikon FM2N-type 35mm camera, from any quality manufacturer.

I don't need auto-focus, auto-exposure, auto-wind, auto-rewind, auto-flash, program modes, matrix metering, yadda, yadda, yadda...

I can set a film speed, an aperture, a shutter, and focus a lens. I don't need a built-in personal computer and a 500+ page manual to make doing those basic things "easier" for me.

Ken

That is Perfect!

dnjl · Jan 25, 2011

Jeff Kubach said:
I would go with the Canon T-90.

Jeff

Since when is the T90 midrange?

Me, I'd say another Elan 7, or a small T70.

Pumalite · Jan 25, 2011

T90 is midrange

bblhed · Jan 25, 2011

Instead of longing for someone to make a camera from days gone by again, why not base this on actual desire?

I would like a Nikon that is about the size of the N90 or F100 that has more modern auto focus, works with the iTTL system without adding a controlling hotshoe unit to the body, Matrix metering, and a meter that you can see in the viewfinder for when you want to shoot manual.

I would settle for a new F100, but the added features would be nice.

IMO the FM10 is nothing more than a camera made for students and the F6 is way more camera than most amateurs want and every camera company, not just Nikon is missing out on this middle segment. Then again maybe their goal is to push those people to their mid range digital lineup. I also find it really strange that the only companies left making point and shoot cameras of a sort are Kodak and Fuji with their single use cameras.

Markster · Jan 26, 2011

Just as personal curiousity, I'd love to play a few months with either a Canon A-1, a Pentax LX, or a Olympus OM-2.

I know, I know, I can't decide. I'm not picky! These 3 just seem impressive on paper (er... on electronic paper -- the 'Net)

Jeff Kubach · Jan 26, 2011

waltereegho said:
Since when is the T90 midrange?

Me, I'd say another Elan 7, or a small T70.

What the hell I know, compare to Lecia I geuss!

Jeff

Tim Gray · Jan 26, 2011

I wish someone would come out with a new xpan clone. Maybe a bit cheaper (in build and price), but with a decent lens. It'd be great if Cosina could bang one out.

Moopheus · Jan 26, 2011

bblhed said:
Then again maybe their goal is to push those people to their mid range digital lineup.

They don't really have to push.

I also find it really strange that the only companies left making point and shoot cameras of a sort are Kodak and Fuji with their single use cameras.

That's not really surprising. Those things are sold at mass-market outlets like drug stores and supermarkets. Kodak and Fuji have distribution into those markets, Nikon and Canon don't. Why would the typical point-and-shoot user prefer a film camera? They want convenience and low cost, and have the pictures right away. Picture quality isn't an issue at that level, or even a difference.

narsuitus · Feb 2, 2011

I have never owned or used a midrange film SLR before.

The Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4 are the high-range film SLRs I have owned and used.

The Nikon EM, Nikon N70/F70, Pentax Spotmatic, and Fujica ST705 are the low-range film SLRs I have owned and used.

If I were forced to use a midrange film SLR I would select one from the Nikon FM series (the FM10 is an exception).

If I could build my own, I would design a Nikon F2 titanium with a film back and a digital back and hope it would qualify as midrange.

kadath · Feb 2, 2011

Something like a nikon fm3a, but with a built in tiny flash with rear-sync. And smaller and lighter, like a pentax me/mx. Or if it was a modern style, a canon elan 7n with a large splitscreen/microprism screen.

elekm · Feb 2, 2011

I'd like to see a re-release of a reliable Rolleiflex SL 35 (any of them). Love the lenses -- finding a good body has been a costly exercise in frustration at times.

Rol_Lei Nut · Feb 5, 2011

elekm said:
I'd like to see a re-release of a reliable Rolleiflex SL 35 (any of them). Love the lenses -- finding a good body has been a costly exercise in frustration at times.

Probably asked this one or more times in the past: I've several times heard of a mythical Spotmatic adapted to a Rollei mount, which would rather nicely fill the gap for a reliable mechanical Rolleiflex-compatible SLR. Anyone know more abouit it?

In the meantime I've been pretty lucky with my current SL-35Es (reliability-wise) ...

If you could have a new midrange camera what would it be.

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