New 35mm SLR project launched at Kickstarter - Reflex

Moorlander · Nov 7, 2017

A Kickstarte project came online today with the intent to start a new 35mm camera

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The proposed camera is neat in that it will have replaceable mount plates for screw mount. Nikon, Olympus and Pentax mounted lenses. There is not much technical information available - but perhaps that will be provided later on request.

Billy Axeman · Nov 7, 2017

We already have a Reflex thread here:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/new-reflex-camera.154169/

Marco Gilardetti · Nov 7, 2017

The old thread is so full of hasty comments and off-topic hijacks that it's well worth to begin a new one IMHO.

I like this kind of enterprises and I consider myself a potential buyer. There are three sides that I consider great in the "REFLEX" project: 1) the interchangeable lens mount 2) the fact that one of the mounts will be a standard 42mm thread and 3) the removable film holder. But the positive points, unfortunately, stop here. (And these characteristics are very, very expensive to deploy all together in a camera, but let's skip this point).

The preject is indeed flawed from the roots for one reason, in my opinion: it was announced as a fully mechanical camera, but very soon it was turned into an electronic delirium, from the shutter to an interface to connect it to a phone in order to store the camera settings. There is nothing, absolutely nothing in this world that would open my wallet for a camera produced in small numbers and with no aftersale support and full of all that electronic stuff that could fry for a summer breeze. A bridge TTL coupled lightmeter is all I can tolerate in a camera.

And then there are lots of other details: from the irrational position of the shutter release, to the fact that it pretends to recall the glorious cameras of the '70s (the pentaprism is quite brilliant!) but then it has that horrible right hand "grip" typical of battery-operated plasticameras, the multifunction joystick-like buttons, as well as that fat and rounded suppository-like shape, and so on. You might call these latter details, or matters of taste, and with good reasons, but those are exactly the sides that keep potential buyers offshore. In a word, I don't understand to which market this project-camera is oriented.

btaylor · Nov 7, 2017

At $522 for the body and m42 mount only, it's pricey.

I like the concept. But I'm an old dog and there are too many phenomenal bargains on great older cameras out there to make this anything I might consider. But perhaps the younger crowd will find it appealing. The interchangeable lens mount is a great idea.

macfred · Nov 7, 2017

btaylor said:
...
I like the concept. But I'm an old dog and there are too many phenomenal bargains on great older cameras out there to make this anything I might consider. But perhaps the younger crowd will find it appealing. The interchangeable lens mount is a great idea.

I totaly agree - I probably won't buy the camera, but the enthusiasm of these young people (some of us might call them 'hipsters') appeals to me more than the mumblings of the elderly ...

faberryman · Nov 7, 2017

btaylor said:
The interchangeable lens mount is a great idea.

The apparent downside to the interchangeable lens mounts is stop-down metering and exposure.

Chan Tran · Nov 7, 2017

Interesting but it would be hard for me to buy one as I have many perfectly functional 35mm SLR's.

colin wells · Nov 7, 2017

With manual and aperture priority and the ability to use any of the top lenses Nikon, Contax,Canon FD and 42mm screw fit i think they are onto a winner and for what they are asking for a body £350 i think its a very good price for a new all metal camera with a top shutter speed of 4000 of a second

Jason Fox · Nov 7, 2017

It seems like a good idea. If it comes to reality, I would seriously consider buying one. (And I already have more cameras than I should.) $500 something for a decent new metal camera is not all that much.

Cholentpot · Nov 7, 2017

If I had the money I would back it. It would be nice to have a single camera for all my lenses and an interchangeable back. I'm rooting for them.

Theo Sulphate · Nov 7, 2017

I've already pledged my support and sent them £20. People can contribute £1 and still support the project.

It's a very creative design and shows promise.

Svenedin · Nov 7, 2017

Interesting and brave to be developing a new film SLR. Whilst I can't imagine I'd want to buy a Reflex at present, my Olympus OM SLR cameras are getting rather old. They won't last for ever and both spare parts and skilled repairers are getting scarce. There may well be a lot of excellent second hand cameras in the market today but that may not always be the case. I'd love to see a renaissance of film cameras with some of the big manufacturers getting back in the market. I may be dreaming but it has to start somewhere. Good luck to the Reflex team.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2017

When you want to manufacture a wheel, it's a good idea to become familiar with all existing ways to manfacture wheels.
There's no doubt that manufacturing production methods have changed drastically since the heyday of mechanical slrs. Also, the type of engineer used to designing such mechanisms is virtually extinct.
I do wish they had stuck to a simpler concept, an Arduino controlled electronic shutter is overkill - a simple clock and an analog control circuit incorporating the meter cell would get the job done. As for the different mounts, is there anything that can't be done with m42 lenses?

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2017

Cholentpot said:
If I had the money I would back it. It would be nice to have a single camera for all my lenses and an interchangeable back. I'm rooting for them.

You can get two Nikkormat Ftn bodies and a great set of pre ai lenses for what the Reflex costs. Maybe enough left over for an overhaul, plus the utterly reliable design - the downside would be meter cells and ring resistors -but- both my Ft 1965 and Ftn 1971 have smooth and accurate meters.

Cholentpot · Nov 7, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
You can get two Nikkormat Ftn bodies and a great set of pre ai lenses for what the Reflex costs. Maybe enough left over for an overhaul, plus the utterly reliable design - the downside would be meter cells and ring resistors -but- both my Ft 1965 and Ftn 1971 have smooth and accurate meters.

For the price they want I can get an F F2 and F3 and a few nice lenses.

If I had the money I would be looking at getting an F6 and some fast zooms.

Huss · Nov 7, 2017

Old used gear is always cheaper than new, never been use stuff.

I think this project is fantastic and especially because it IS different than the 'current' gear available. It's cheaper than that recently discontinued icky Cosina/Vivitar/Nikon FM10, and offers much more.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2017

I think this project is fantastic and especially because it IS different than the 'current' gear available. It's cheaper than that recently discontinued icky Cosina/Vivitar/Nikon FM10, and offers much more.[/QUOTE]
What it does not offer is reliability and simplicity. Very important for folks in learning mode.

Cholentpot · Nov 7, 2017

E. von Hoegh said:
I think this project is fantastic and especially because it IS different than the 'current' gear available. It's cheaper than that recently discontinued icky Cosina/Vivitar/Nikon FM10, and offers much more.

What it does not offer is reliability and simplicity. Very important for folks in learning mode.[/QUOTE]

I learned on a Lubitel 2. Didn't do me much harm.

mshchem · Nov 7, 2017

I think it's kinda cool. I'm not much for 35mm because negative size is "miniature". As a long time medium/large format guy, I can sure get behind interchangeable lens mounts and backs. Let them get started. Not sure I'm interested in backing, I would if I had a lot of money
Mike

OlyMan · Nov 9, 2017

Reading some of the derogatory comments particularly on the other related thread, I can't help but draw similarities with the attitude of stalwart vinyl enthusiasts reacting to the vinyl revival. They were like an exclusive gentlemen’s club which revelled in the notion of enjoying an ancient music format which every day was teetering on edge of death. They liked it being ‘their’ little secret which the mainstream no longer bothered with. When vinyl's popularity grew again, largely due to the format being adopted by the same market-sector this camera is aimed at, they were repulsed.

But unlike the old vinyl enthusiasts who didn't need a supply of new LPs to still enjoy the use of their prehistoric turntables, analog-photography enthusiasts need a supply of film, unless they want their cameras to be nothing more than paperweights within five years. And that means attracting new blood.

Many young people looking to buy into film aren't interested in their Granddad’s ancient FM2. They’re interested in the technology (film) but to use it they want a camera they can call their own; something post-millennia that looks, feels and operates in a contemporary way.

I don’t know if this camera meets that brief because I've not been under 30 years old any time this century. But surely detractors should be applauding any and all attempts to introduce film photography to new blood.

Svenedin · Nov 9, 2017

OlyMan said:
Reading some of the derogatory comments particularly on the other related thread, I can't help but draw similarities with the attitude of stalwart vinyl enthusiasts reacting to the vinyl revival. They were like an exclusive gentlemen’s club which revelled in the notion of enjoying an ancient music format which every day was teetering on edge of death. They liked it being ‘their’ little secret which the mainstream no longer bothered with. When vinyl's popularity grew again, largely due to the format being adopted by the same market-sector this camera is aimed at, they were repulsed.

But unlike the old vinyl enthusiasts who didn't need a supply of new LPs to still enjoy the use of their prehistoric turntables, analog-photography enthusiasts need a supply of film, unless they want their cameras to be nothing more than paperweights within five years. And that means attracting new blood.

Many young people looking to buy into film aren't interested in their Granddad’s ancient FM2. They’re interested in the technology (film) but to use it they want a camera they can call their own; something post-millennia that looks, feels and operates in a contemporary way.

I don’t know if this camera meets that brief because I've not been under 30 years old any time this century. But surely detractors should be applauding any and all attempts to introduce film photography to new blood.

Well put. The only caveat I would add is that it's important that they don't make a complete hash of it and actually put new blood off film.

Cholentpot · Nov 9, 2017

OlyMan said:
Reading some of the derogatory comments particularly on the other related thread, I can't help but draw similarities with the attitude of stalwart vinyl enthusiasts reacting to the vinyl revival. They were like an exclusive gentlemen’s club which revelled in the notion of enjoying an ancient music format which every day was teetering on edge of death. They liked it being ‘their’ little secret which the mainstream no longer bothered with. When vinyl's popularity grew again, largely due to the format being adopted by the same market-sector this camera is aimed at, they were repulsed.

But unlike the old vinyl enthusiasts who didn't need a supply of new LPs to still enjoy the use of their prehistoric turntables, analog-photography enthusiasts need a supply of film, unless they want their cameras to be nothing more than paperweights within five years. And that means attracting new blood.

Many young people looking to buy into film aren't interested in their Granddad’s ancient FM2. They’re interested in the technology (film) but to use it they want a camera they can call their own; something post-millennia that looks, feels and operates in a contemporary way.

I don’t know if this camera meets that brief because I've not been under 30 years old any time this century. But surely detractors should be applauding any and all attempts to introduce film photography to new blood.

Hear hear! Well put!

These are people that want to shoot and drop off their film. No messing around with chemicals and time. These are the Hasselblad doctors who bring their cameras into the shop to load and unload. They will be the ones in the end who will keep the assembly lines running for us guys who buy bulk rolls and mess with stinky fixer.

Huss · Nov 9, 2017

Seriously how old are the curmudgeons on this site?

The campaign is now fully funded with still 27 days to go.
If they had listened to any of 'your' ideas, they would have made a rusty mechanical 5 lb camera with 3 shutter speeds (2 of which are controlled by a different pin hole lens cap) that required a tetanus shot to operate.

DaveTheWalker · Nov 9, 2017

Well, it's dipped back below the funded line, but I have no doubts it'll surpass it with ease in the end. I expect some people who pledged money they couldn't really afford (or to help a project they didn't have a particular personal stake in) to make sure it got over the line have changed their pledges now that funding looks pretty certain.

I'm fascinated to see if they can make it a success!

macfred · Nov 9, 2017

The film manufacturers don't care about who will buy their film -
those young hipsters or some grumpy old men - completely irrelevant for them.
The more film the manufactures will sell the better for the user - demand determines supply.

New 35mm SLR project launched at Kickstarter - Reflex

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