Kodak releases Snapic A1 film camera for $99

[MattKing]

The auto-flash will go a long way to improving a lot of the results from usage of this camera.

 

[pentaxuser]

Why A1?

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

I have wondered that myself. Perhaps not a loss-leader per se, but definitely willing to take more of a hit on margins for the camera in lieu of (presumably) healthy margins on film packs, than anyone attempting to sell a 35mm camera these days. It may explain the lack of a middle-weight affordable option.

Or just maybe an electronically controlled leaf shutter costs a lot more these days when they're only being made in the 1000s, rather than millions as would have been the case throughout the 1980s and 1990s?

Similar to the rationale behind razors and razor blades.

 

[Milpool]

Another lo-fi not lo-fi thingy with a repurposed brand on it. Yay.

 

[MattKing]

Makes me think of one of these:

 

[xkaes]

Why A1?

pentaxuser

They're competing with the Sony A1:

 

[warden]

The lens is too wide!

The lens is not wide enough!

 

[Truzi]

It's not something I'd buy now, but is something I would have wanted back when I was a broke undergrad student and couldn't afford it.

Seriously, I think it should appeal to a good chunk of consumers. As I've mentioned before, I'm not at the level as most people on this site - I always just wanted snapshots. So long as the build quality is adequate this camera would meet that need for many people.

The only things that would have turned me off are the Red Eye Reduction if you can't turn it off (I've lost shots due to the delay with that) and auto advance (I was fine with a thumb-wheel). The LCD display is nice, but a mechanical counter and status LEDs would have been fine for me.

Now I have a few full-featured 35mm cameras, a Bronica GS1, Super Speed Graphic, and a variety of other things. I've evolved, and don't really need a new camera. Still, all I want are snapshots.

However, when all I wanted was a basic 35mm point-and-shoot, this would have been great. I think a lot of people out there will feel the same way.

 

[loccdor]

I've run into only 3 other people using film in the wild:

One with an instant film plastic camera
One with a Mamiya 645 while I had my Mamiya 645 out
One with a 35mm point and shoot

It seems groups 1 and 3 are by far the biggest market these days.

 

[thinkbrown]

I've run into only 3 other people using film in the wild:

One with an instant film plastic camera
One with a Mamiya 645 while I had my Mamiya 645 out
One with a 35mm point and shoot

It seems groups 1 and 3 are by far the biggest market these days.

I attended a certain large event on Boston Common in the middle of October and was kind of shocked by how many folks I saw shooting with film SLRs. I didn't stop to chat but I saw several old Nikons and at least one old Minolta.

I know the film market has been growing substantially over the last 5 years but it's still surprising to see it in person.

 

[Agulliver]

My weekends are spent at a small music club, capacity 95....and there have been nights when there have been five members of the audience shooting on film.

At a medieval festival in the summer I saw several film cameras ranging from P&S to older SLRs (Nikon, Olympus mostly).

I've seen a few people out and about with Pentax 17's

On my trip to Japan, particularly in Tokyo, there were lots of really young folk shooting on 35mm film.

I would agree that the most feasible market right now is the cheap but functional P&S segment. A new SLR would be too expensive. The Pentax 17 and presumably the MiNT/Rollei have the upper quality segment covered. This Kodak branded camera seems to be of reasonably quality and capability....but isn't expensive. It's the kind of thing someone will buy when they're not wanting to make a huge investment in the hobby, or a more experienced person might simply decide to buy on a whim.

 

[flavio81]

The 22mm lens is probably perfect for selphies and group photos at parties.
And it would make more sense for me than to buy a 21mm lens for my 35mm SLRs.

But it is a 25mm lens...

 

[loccdor]

A 25mm lens makes a whole lot of sense for a mirrorless camera of that size. Keeps the whole thing very thin.

 

[loccdor]

I attended a certain large event on Boston Common in the middle of October and was kind of shocked by how many folks I saw shooting with film SLRs. I didn't stop to chat but I saw several old Nikons and at least one old Minolta.

I'm guessing it's the type of event that tends to attract young people and those in art school.

 

[Donald Qualls]

a mechanical counter and status LEDs would have been fine for me

Most likely the LCD screen and detector/counter electronics are cheaper...

 

[perkeleellinen]

With a lens that wide, having a good close focus (<0.7m) would be beneficial.

 

[MattKing]

But it is a 25mm lens...

You are absolutely correct.
Where did I get the idea that it was a 22mm lens????
I already have a good 24mm lens for my OM cameras, so I guess I don't need this new Kodak branded one!
(I already new that I really don't need another camera).
But the rest of my comments about selphies and group photos at parties still apply.

 

[benderscameracorner]

I attended a certain large event on Boston Common in the middle of October and was kind of shocked by how many folks I saw shooting with film SLRs. I didn't stop to chat but I saw several old Nikons and at least one old Minolta.

I know the film market has been growing substantially over the last 5 years but it's still surprising to see it in person.

Interestingly enough I see quite a few people of all sorts of ages kicking around film cameras. Bearing in mind I live in a small city of 100,000 people on the other side of the planet to California. I see a lot more when I visit Melbourne on a semi-regular basis.

Point and shoots feature as much as SLRs etc. though the younger people do seem to er to towards either 90s P&Ss or new reusable disposables. Or Instax, unsurprisingly. I've only seen one Pentax 17 outside of a camera shop window thus far, around the neck of someone looking very touristy (and if I'm honest, obnoxiously hipsteresque. Probably a perfectly decent guy, but still, he was hitting all the cliches. Anyway, I digress..)

People kicking around with medium format is much less common, though I came across a young fellow rocking 4x5 out on a multiday walking trail. Which seemed highly ambitious but probably makes more sense from a weight perspective than lugging my RB up mountains ;-)

 

[thinkbrown]

I've only seen one Pentax 17 outside of a camera shop window thus far, around the neck of someone looking very touristy (and if I'm honest, obnoxiously hipsteresque. Probably a perfectly decent guy, but still, he was hitting all the cliches. Anyway, I digress..)

I wish I had a photo of me at BILD with my Mamiya Press and my Pentax 17

 

[benderscameracorner]

I wish I had a photo of me at BILD with my Mamiya Press and my Pentax 17

Mamiya aura absolves all (most?) sins ;-)

 

[4season]

I wish I had a photo of me at BILD with my Mamiya Press and my Pentax 17

Next time, remember to load film into the things!

 

[thinkbrown]

Next time, remember to load film into the things!

Do you have any idea how hard a medium format selfie is

 

[MattKing]

Do you have any idea how hard a medium format selfie is

If you have the Mamiya 645 35mm lens for 6x4.5, it is actually fairly easy

 

[loccdor]

Where did I get the idea that it was a 22mm lens????

Maybe from the RETO Ultra Wide and Slim from the same manufacturer.

 

[thinkbrown]

If you have the Mamiya 645 35mm lens for 6x4.5, it is actually fairly easy

Okay fine, you've got me there