My letter to KODAK, will reply with response. Please consider doing the same.

[afriman]

Kodak hasnt made a decent film camera since when? 70 years?

I honestly don't know how to make it any clearer that I'm not talking about a camera made by Kodak.

Instead of making a camera, Kodak needs to find a way to survive the next 5 years. To date, they have NOT figured that out yet.

Again, I'm not suggesting that Kodak should make a camera. They appear to still see a place for film, however small, in their survival strategy. I can't see how an affordable, attractive, widely available camera, targeted at a younger generation and made by whoever, can hurt that.

 

[afriman]

Kodak's name has no importance to the general public.

A little publicity could help create an awareness of the immensely important role Kodak has played in photography. This video shows the kind images and info that could be used in such a campaign:

 

[AgX]

Since the introduction of Instax in Germany about 20 years ago, I never saw any advertizing for it, the cameras were practically invisible at shops, until about 2-3 years ago. Meanwhile young people here started to buy them.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Archival=also possible with digital. In fact, if my house burns down, my film will be lost but because of off-site backup, all my digital photography will still be there.
...

Will it be there, or anywhere, in 10, 20, 40, 80 years? How can anyone be sure those who host photo sharing sites or provide cloud storage will continue to exist for even 5 years?

Saving photos on CD, DVD, or USB drives is good for maybe 10 years. To ensure those files get copied over to new media or to new formats over time presumes someone will be around who knows what's on that media and cares enough to preserve it.

By contrast, 100+ year old family photos sit in a shoebox or album in my camera room and anyone can tell at a glance what they are - no computer, no software, no driver, no application is needed to view them.

Please don't misunderstand: I'm not bashing digital photography or storage. In fact, all the photos that I've made with my digital cameras actually DO reside on USB drives and hard disks... Heh.

 

[Lee Rust]

Here's a 'hybrid' digital/analog from Fujifilm, but it seems to be a digital camera with a built-in Instax printer.

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/cameras/instax_square_sq10/

I don't know of any 35mm/digital combos.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

BEHOLD my brothers! I have the solution: a camera that will capture the imagination of the Youf and introduce them to the WoNdrouS WorlD of FiLM.

Here it is: the camera is a white or black cube with a velvet-like surface. One side has a small lens. The cube opens up to accommodate an APS-like cartridge (the camera is self-threading). Here is the hook: the camera is operated (focus, shutter speed, aperture) entirely by the kids' smartphone!

There you have it: a 21st century solution.

 

[Chan Tran]

BEHOLD my brothers! I have the solution: a camera that will capture the imagination of the Youf and introduce them to the WoNdrouS WorlD of FiLM.

Here it is: the camera is a white or black cube with a velvet-like surface. One side has a small lens. The cube opens up to accommodate an APS-like cartridge (the camera is self-threading). Here is the hook: the camera is operated (focus, shutter speed, aperture) entirely by the kids' smartphone!

There you have it: a 21st century solution.

And in that way he/she can easily do a selfie.

 

[Pioneer]

and you play a game on your phone with it...

 

[chris77]

i'm outta here..

 

[keenmaster486]

To the OP: Ignore all the negativity in this thread, although it's not entirely unfounded, and start your own camera company. You'd be better off doing that than begging poor Kodak to make new cameras when they're struggling so badly as it is.

 

[PerTulip]

Will it be there, or anywhere, in 10, 20, 40, 80 years? How can anyone be sure those who host photo sharing sites or provide cloud storage will continue to exist for even 5 years?
....

That's a huge problem with digital photography and I guess that most photos from the last 20 years will be lost. I put a lot of effort into a redundant backup strategy to prevent that, so I am very confident my files will not be lost. BUT: this is only valid as long as I take care of the backups (on- and off-site). When I am gone, what then? Then, of course, the shoebox in the attic is more reliable and can be found after 100 years. So, part of my "back-up strategy" is to print my best photos and make photo books of every trip.

 

[RattyMouse]

I honestly don't know how to make it any clearer that I'm not talking about a camera made by Kodak.

Again, I'm not suggesting that Kodak should make a camera. They appear to still see a place for film, however small, in their survival strategy. I can't see how an affordable, attractive, widely available camera, targeted at a younger generation and made by whoever, can hurt that.

Not really. Kodak tried to off load their film business to the Hollywood studios. They declined to buy it so Kodak is stuck with it. THAT is why they make film. Kodak has said from the very beginning once they emerged from bankruptcy that film is no longer a core business for them. They are a commercial printing company.

 

[Chan Tran]

The OP wanted his 2 year old son when he grows up have a film camera to enjoy. I think the more difficult part is how to make his son enjoy the camera?

 

[removed account4]

That's a huge problem with digital photography and I guess that most photos from the last 20 years will be lost. I put a lot of effort into a redundant backup strategy to prevent that, so I am very confident my files will not be lost. BUT: this is only valid as long as I take care of the backups (on- and off-site). When I am gone, what then? Then, of course, the shoebox in the attic is more reliable and can be found after 100 years. So, part of my "back-up strategy" is to print my best photos and make photo books of every trip.

i don'tthink that is a problem.
speaking for myself, most of the photographs i have made
in the past 20 years
aren't worth saving, i am sure most people
will go on living ,,
and i am certain most people who use a digital camera
don't really care if
their 20,million photograph oeuvre from 2000-2017
is lost.
most photographs seem to be selfies and belfies and foodsnappies
the boudoir photographs they took with their spouse/lover/ex &c
is still80x120 high-gloss printed on metal
behind glass spot lit, above the louis14 chaise lounge in the master bedroom..

The OP wanted his 2 year old son when he grows up have a film camera to enjoy. I think the more difficult part is how to make his son enjoy the camera?

by the time the 2year old is in his 40s there will be an implant ...
and he won't even have to buy a camera or film, he'll just live in a
dream state (like total recall .. eternal sunshine spotless mind &C )
im sure if he tells the people in charge " i want to be able to use a leica m3 and tri x and process
my own darkroom prints like my dad used to do " they will be able to help him.

 

[BrianShaw]

To the OP: Ignore all the negativity in this thread, although it's not entirely unfounded, and start your own camera company. You'd be better off doing that than begging poor Kodak to make new cameras when they're struggling so badly as it is.

 

[BrianShaw]

The OP wanted his 2 year old son when he grows up have a film camera to enjoy. I think the more difficult part is how to make his son enjoy the camera?

 

[Chan Tran]

What bother me in this thread is 2 things.
1. The OP ask us to also write to Kodak. I can't do that. I can't ask Kodak to make a camera.
2. The OP has no idea what the camera would be like.

 

[BrianShaw]

I’m quite sure his heart is in the right place, though.

 

[removed account4]

I’m quite sure his heart is in the right place, though.

+1 !

i'll be playing ball of power this wednesday, if i win it, *I'LL* start making box cameras.
i've tried to do this before on a limited basis but didn't have the finances or tools or $$$ to make it a reality.
i'll probably have to find a cheap source for corintinian leather ..

 

[naaldvoerder]

Last thing I need from Kodak is a film camera. HIE is a different matter entirely...

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kodak used to make great cameras: Graflex and Graphic, but the courts made Kodak stop making great cameras. Move on and let Kodak make film, chemicals and paper.

 

[cowanw]

+1 !

i'll be playing ball of power this wednesday, if i win it, *I'LL* start making box cameras.
i've tried to do this before on a limited basis but didn't have the finances or tools or $$$ to make it a reality.
i'll probably have to find a cheap source for corintinian leather ..

Ricardo Montalban can get you a deal on Corinthian leather

 

[pentaxuser]

I’m quite sure his heart is in the right place, though.

Well he wants to make film as well although he hasn't carried that thread very far yet.

pentaxuser

 

[Sirius Glass]

I’m quite sure his heart is in the right place, though.

OH, you gave him a physical exam?!? Please do tell!

 

[Chan Tran]

+1 !

i'll be playing ball of power this wednesday, if i win it, *I'LL* start making box cameras.
i've tried to do this before on a limited basis but didn't have the finances or tools or $$$ to make it a reality.
i'll probably have to find a cheap source for corintinian leather ..

If you do win please make film, chemicals and paper don't make camera.