no new 135 SLR cameras, ever?

Christopher Walrath · May 17, 2010

I don't think we'll ever see a major production of an all-inclusive line of cameras. Perhaps a model here, a model there. Economics will prevent such a thing from happening. But, as previously stated, there are plenty of cameras out there in need of good homes that are in perfect working order. It is by no stretch an infinite supply, but definitely nothing over which to get one's panties in a bunch.

Erik Petersson · May 17, 2010

Our generation(s) will have plenty of cameras to play with, and maybe the next, if we keep good care of them.

rhmimac · May 17, 2010

Erik Petersson said:
Our generation(s) will have plenty of cameras to play with, and maybe the next, if we keep good care of them.

Seems most don't see any problem keeping their gear alive for the next generation(s).

It's true there are plenty of used cameras out there in the hemisphere.
The point is you always are subject to a lotery when buying one.
If you would be able to buy a new one, it more €/$/£ over the counter but you get some descent warranty and the peace of mind the thing's counter isn't on 1.000.000 shots.

Thank you for pointing out the Eastern Big Market. I wasn't aware of the potentional APUG over there.

When the PC's /internet are introduced in the same velocity as they introduce new cars it won't be long before they drop the "A".

I might consider buying a brand new FM10 or even a F6 and store it for my next generation. They can explore the silver image magic within +10 yrs if they choose.

rhmimac

Pumal · May 17, 2010

I'm sure 10 years from now, I'll still be using film. And so, will be many others.

Erik Petersson · May 17, 2010

Many cameras are thrown away as well, so there might be shortages in a couple of decades. First the electronic ones will fail, like my FE recently did. Eventually your brand new FM10 or F6 will be purchased by a collector. Well, well.

dbonamo · May 17, 2010

Tom Kershaw said:
Nikon still sell the FM10, and the F6 may be still be available new. I'll make a prediction here that a new medium format SLR system will be available within the next 5 years.

Tom

The F6 still appears on the Nikon USA Website but the FM10 is no longer appears in there film SLR Line up

rhmimac · May 17, 2010

Erik Petersson said:
Many cameras are thrown away as well, so there might be shortages in a couple of decades. First the electronic ones will fail, like my FE recently did. Eventually your brand new FM10 or F6 will be purchased by a collector. Well, well.

A boxed FM3A or if I could find it on this globe a boxed FM2n could avoid the a.m. scenario then.

rhmimac

Erik Petersson · May 17, 2010

rhmimac said:
A boxed FM3A or if I could find it on this globe a boxed FM2n could avoid the a.m. scenario then.

rhmimac

I bought a FM2 in good shape to pair with my F3. Also, I have two FED's and a Kiev 60, so I am safe for the future too

pentaxuser · May 17, 2010

It's all supply and demand. As long as the supply of "old" cameras is plentiful and meets or more than meets the demand by newcomers then there isn't much incentive to launch new ones.

I propose that we all on APUG adopt the motto: "I'll live forever even if it kills me!" thereby forcing up secondhand prices to astronomical levels as supply dries up and making new cameras a certainty under the capitalist system. In Richard Leftwich we trust. He's worth looking up now we've lost the "hidden hand" of Adam Smith.

pentaxuser

nolanr66 · May 17, 2010

I doubt there is much hope for anything. The N80 was supposed to be improved upon but it never happened. The digital equivalent is the D90 and it sells for $900.00. I wonder who out there would pay that for a N80 with a couple of improvements and a new name like the N85. . Probably next to no one. From my experience the camera's out there are getting pretty old and it's not easy to have one repaired very well. The old circuits in the electronic camera's are all getting pretty tired. Anyway I think that new models are not likely but you never know what is on the horizon.

BobD · May 17, 2010

I would like to see companies that specialize in refurbishing certain older camera
systems and offering them for sale. There are zillions of older cameras out there
available for peanuts because they need service. I think this could be a viable
business and I think the market exists who would buy them. Some individuals
are doing this but I think companies that perhaps specialize in a certain product
lines could work. It's a lot easier to refurbish a great camera than to design and
build an new one from scratch.

elekm · May 17, 2010

Christopher Walrath said:
I don't think we'll ever see a major production of an all-inclusive line of cameras. Perhaps a model here, a model there. Economics will prevent such a thing from happening. But, as previously stated, there are plenty of cameras out there in need of good homes that are in perfect working order. It is by no stretch an infinite supply, but definitely nothing over which to get one's panties in a bunch.

Chris, I think you have it right. And there are a lot of cameras out there for those of us who love film.

hoffy · May 17, 2010

I know that this is a pretty funky idea, but some days its just nice to be able to go out there and buy something new…….

For me, personally, I do see the lack of new equipment more of a threat to at least 35mm film then the production of film itself. Yes, there is still second hand, but even now, a lot of the "bargains" that were genuine working cameras at bargain prices on ebay 3 to 5 years ago have simply disappeared. Now we see the left overs, which is a big lottery.

I have an idea, probably a very expensive idea, but wouldn't it be cool if someone could come up with at least a modular Film SLR. The basis would be the basic electronics, shutter assembly (maybe) and the film carriage system, with the mount and other lens specific details being swappable. You want to buy a Minolta MD mount? Just have that module fitted when you order your camera. Maybe it’s a Canon EOS system. Yep, we will grab it off the shelf, install and calibrate and ship it to your door. I think you get the drift.

andrewkirkby · May 17, 2010

There are hundreds of millions of perfectly good film cameras out there. You can get some of the best ones for very modest prices these days.

I'd say 35mm film photography is dependent on 35mm film being produced - not the cameras.

Ric Trexell · May 17, 2010

Photo biz never fails to surprise me.

While 35mm may be on the way out, you have to look back 30-40 years to see what people were predicting. I'm 58 and got interested seriously in photography while in the Navy. That was in about 1974 that I got talking with a guy on the ship about his fancy camera (A Nikon F) verses my 110 pocket camera. Later I learned that the reason Kodak went to the 110 was because silver was expected to be harder to find, and thus the smaller negative bought them some time to find substitutes. Now you don't hear about that. Look at Polaroid with their SX-70 film cameras. A marvel in its day, but no longer. I look for something like a 120 film in a cartridge like 35mm has. That will make medium format cameras the hottest thing if they have a removable back that also takes digital. That would end 35mm if a digital back could be made for $100 for example. Once the market is saturated with digital SLR's, the camera companies can't just be selling software changes. A whole new ball game will be needed. Then you will see then bragging up film as well as digital. As for me, I will only be into photography for a few more decades. Maybe less and I'll just stick with film for most of it. RJT.

nolanr66 · May 18, 2010

I like the refurbishing camera idea. A place such as KEH.com could offer refurbished camera's for sale. I would be very interested in purchasing a used classic camera that is refurbished to "as new function" and under warranty.

rhmimac · May 18, 2010

hoffy said:
Yes, there is still second hand, but even now, a lot of the "bargains" that were genuine working cameras at bargain prices on ebay 3 to 5 years ago have simply disappeared. Now we see the left overs, which is a big lottery.

I have an idea, probably a very expensive idea, but wouldn't it be cool if someone could come up with at least a modular Film SLR. The basis would be the basic electronics, shutter assembly (maybe) and the film carriage system, with the mount and other lens specific details being swappable. You want to buy a Minolta MD mount? Just have that module fitted when you order your camera. Maybe its a Canon EOS system. Yep, we will grab it off the shelf, install and calibrate and ship it to your door. I think you get the drift.

This is what I experienced too lately here in Belgium: left overs @ crazy prices and barely any warranty. It's drying up here...

The"Idea" of the modular SLR is brilliant. Let's search some banks to fund this! (no pun intended here!)

rhmimac

benjiboy · May 18, 2010

nolanr66 said:
I like the refurbishing camera idea. A place such as KEH.com could offer refurbished camera's for sale. I would be very interested in purchasing a used classic camera that is refurbished to "as new function" and under warranty.

If the retailer did this with ebay etc. to compete with they would have to charge such high prices nobody would buy them, especially if they guarantee the equipment as well there is always the possibility of an addition cost to the company if the equipment goes wrong under warranty, however there's nothing stopping you from buying them and having the refurbished at an independent camera repair facility yourself.

Vonder · May 18, 2010

I wouldn't be too quick to gnash my teeth over this. In perspective, cameras, photography, art - it's all pretty small time stuff. If film goes away in my lifetime I'll just move completely on to digital. Digital cameras make fine images. If you need an image made of something you can make that image with a digicam. People get WAY too caught up in preserving what they do right now instead of embracing change. Change is the only constant in the universe. Change is coming.

Relax. Enjoy today, but don't cling to today as if it's the only good that will ever brighten your life.

Sim2 · May 18, 2010

Perhaps the biggest factor in commercial refurbishment of cameras is that, in rhe EU at least, certain solders or similar stuff was banned from use in commercial products (maybe different for "private" use) and manufacturers at the time junked models rather than revamp the pc circut boards etc - Hass x-pan is one that springs to mind - this could mean that replacing circut boards might be very difficult. I don't know.
As to the mechanical cameras, I think that the practical knowledge is begining to be lost. It may be possible to replicate a worn cog with new materials but how to do this maybe an archane science soon.
Based partly on the difficulty in finding someone to clean/maintain/repair an old wind-up clock.

Pumal · May 18, 2010

Erik Petersson said:
Many cameras are thrown away as well, so there might be shortages in a couple of decades. First the electronic ones will fail, like my FE recently did. Eventually your brand new FM10 or F6 will be purchased by a collector. Well, well.

My Nikon F and F2 never have needed a fix en 50 years. I still shoot with them often

wblynch · May 18, 2010

hoffy said:
...but even now, a lot of the "bargains" that were genuine working cameras at bargain prices on ebay 3 to 5 years ago have simply disappeared. Now we see the left overs, which is a big lottery.

From 1975 to 1995 I had only one camera, an Olympus OM-1.

From 1995 to 2005 I had two cameras, added a Minolta P&S.

Now I have 16 film cameras and 4 d's. I feel like a hoarder.

I think it's time to send some back into the wild.

Erik Petersson · May 18, 2010

Pumalite said:
My Nikon F and F2 never have needed a fix en 50 years. I still shoot with them often

I bought an FM2 after the FE broke down. I also have two FED3´s. They won´t break!

benjiboy · May 21, 2010

I've had all my cameras professionally serviced in the last twelve months, because I like the cameras I have and don't want to give up a medium I understand for one I don't, it cost a lot less than buying myself a digital SLR , they are all now like new, and at my age they should last me out.

alanrockwood · May 24, 2010

I have obtained several (at least 7) canon rebels of various models.

I am hoarding them because they will eventually break or wear out, and I want to have a few camera bodies in reserve.

In the meantime, at any given point in time I typically keep several of them loaded with different types of film, something that can be quite handy.

Also, since the bodies are so light it is convenient to have the same type of film loaded in each of several camera bodies, with a different lens on each body. In some ways carrying around two or three units like this can sometimes be more convenient than changing lenses on a single body.

no new 135 SLR cameras, ever?

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