no new 135 SLR cameras, ever?

rhmimac · May 24, 2010

Alan,
I think the same way, I also load different film and use them; my F601(2x), F65, F100 and F4S, 2nd hand, they didn't cost as much as a cheap new *i*i*a* SLR all together so I also have some "spares" around; 30 or 40€ for a F65 or F601body doesn't brake the bank...

rhmimac

Pumal · May 24, 2010

Wolfeye said:
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.

Change is not the only Constant in Life; Taxes and Death too.

Jeff Kubach · May 24, 2010

I'm happy with old used stuff myself.

Jeff

Poisson Du Jour · May 24, 2010

Still haven't found the answer to the question: why do we need new SLRs when the fundamental design of 35mm film as a tiny canister with celluloid in it has remained unchanged for eons? Leaving the current nauseating crap of digital far aside (that place is a sickness all of its own), as I see it, all a camera is is a light-tight box to hold the film and do a host of auto or semi-automatic observations that really should be done by the photographer wising up to his craft. In a nutshell, I couldn't give a two hoots if another new camera is never released with a huge glut of beauties just waiting to be snapped up. I'm very happy with my 1994 vintage workhorses and picking up occasional gems from years ago.

ContaxRTSFundus · May 24, 2010

While I too am happy with all my old Contax and Yashica cameras - I bought dozens of dodgy RTS/RTSII/139/137md/137MA bodies to ensure a copious supply of spares for my better bodies - I was so pleased to buy a brand new camera with a C/Y mount here in the UK, marketed under the Braun brand. It's nice to see a very basic, mechanical SLR still being made and I have got some odd looks when shooting with my little Braun (it's basically the FX-3 Super) attached to a Zeiss 55 1.2 Planar. Why a new camera when I've got all those old ones? Well, no worries about light seals, ageing shutters and general wear and tear - and, OK, it's a boy's toy thing too. I can't resist any new body on which I can use my old lenses. I've even used the Braun zoom on my DSLR and got some surprisingly good images from it.

So, in summary, it's great to recycle the old cameras but it's always fun to have a shiny new toy with which to play.

Pumal · May 24, 2010

I like new toys too, but I like them to be analog.

Shawn Rahman · May 24, 2010

Now that I possess and am very happy with two 35mm systems that could possibly outlive me even after I use them for the next 40 years (F3HP & M7), I hope not to be too concerned about this.

Perhaps 30 years from now I will upgrade to a mint FM3A or F6.

SilverGlow · May 25, 2010

Perhaps a bigger more scary thing is the issue of batteries; unless your camera is operational without one. Weird proprietary types, strange sizes, shapes. Film may well be here in 100 years but if there is no battery to power your camera, what then? Many models can be fitted with grips that hold AA batteries. This would be a good thing for the very long run. Going forward I no longer buy models that do not provide a AA battery solution, and for this reason.

wblynch · May 25, 2010

What does the future hold for used digicams? I'm sure there are recent models that are useless now due to the unavailability of those precious batteries (or worse, memory chips). I know I have one or two. Doesn't matter to me as long as I can use my manual film cameras.

My only problem is film availability but I think there will always be SOMEthing available, even if it's limited to one or two.

SilverGlow said:
Perhaps a bigger more scary thing is the issue of batteries; unless your camera is operational without one. Weird proprietary types, strange sizes, shapes. Film may well be here in 100 years but if there is no battery to power your camera, what then? Many models can be fitted with grips that hold AA batteries. This would be a good thing for the very long run. Going forward I no longer buy models that do not provide a AA battery solution, and for this reason.

Paul Goutiere · May 25, 2010

Shawn Rahman said:
Now that I possess and am very happy with two 35mm systems that could possibly outlive me even after I use them for the next 40 years (F3HP & M7), I hope not to be too concerned about this.

Perhaps 30 years from now I will upgrade to a mint FM3A or F6.

This is it is for me. I don't need a new 35mm camera, all my old stuff should see me out. F3HP, F2, M2, M4-P. How many years am I going to be viable, let alone my cameras?

Pumal · May 25, 2010

I have G.A.S; and happily so. I'm eyeing a Bessamatic.

waynecrider · May 25, 2010

I agree that if anyone did it it would be Cosina, but I don't think you'll see anymore for a time, if ever. The world economy is wounded and many potential buyers have been taken off the list from the upheaval of various economies. It would take a big resurgence in analog photography in a country such as Japan before you might see another reasonably spec'd one hit the market, and then how could you really supersede what has been brought to market already. The glory days of one oneupmanship is over for analog cameras but still yet to be decided for digital. I believe it would take a film camera with a digital preview to cause enough excitement to garner any attention for sales; Perhaps a well spec'd film P&S for $150 might prove more profitable. Actually tho, our biggest concern is the continuing disappearance of film varieties from the shelves.

hoffy · May 25, 2010

OH dear, I have enough problems with DSLR's with it, but a film camera with live view......... That would be scary

michaelbsc · May 26, 2010

ContaxRTSFundus said:
While I too am happy with all my old Contax and Yashica cameras - I bought dozens of dodgy RTS/RTSII/139/137md/137MA bodies to ensure a copious supply of spares for my better bodies -

So you're the one. Will you PLEASE stop bidding against me.

ContaxRTSFundus said:
I was so pleased to buy a brand new camera with a C/Y mount here in the UK, marketed under the Braun brand. It's nice to see a very basic, mechanical SLR still being made and I have got some odd looks when shooting with my little Braun (it's basically the FX-3 Super) attached to a Zeiss 55 1.2 Planar.

Can you give us a model number. I would love to have one of these.

Stregone · May 26, 2010

Poisson Du Jour said:
Still haven't found the answer to the question: why do we need new SLRs when the fundamental design of 35mm film as a tiny canister with celluloid in it has remained unchanged for eons? Leaving the current nauseating crap of digital far aside (that place is a sickness all of its own), as I see it, all a camera is is a light-tight box to hold the film and do a host of auto or semi-automatic observations that really should be done by the photographer wising up to his craft. In a nutshell, I couldn't give a two hoots if another new camera is never released with a huge glut of beauties just waiting to be snapped up. I'm very happy with my 1994 vintage workhorses and picking up occasional gems from years ago.

Well, no one NEEDs a new slr, but there are some useful features that never made it into film cameras. One example would be automatic reciprocity failure compensation.

Sirius Glass · May 26, 2010

Stregone said:
Well, no one NEEDs a new slr, but there are some useful features that never made it into film cameras. One example would be automatic reciprocity failure compensation.

What about automatic composition improvement just before the shutter is fired?

Poisson Du Jour · May 26, 2010

Maybe a warning light (and/or a polite buzzer) to advise the photographer when bending over for low scenes is likely to cause back pain.

mr rusty · May 26, 2010

This looks like an FX-3 as well

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/products/2264/phenix-dn60-35mm-slr-body-nikon-f-mount

update - comes from here

http://www.phenixoptics.com.cn/cn/product.aspx?gp=210

35mm available new!!

rhmimac · May 27, 2010

mr rusty said:
http://www.phenixoptics.com.cn/cn/product.aspx?gp=210

35mm available new!!

Would you dare to compare these qualitywise to the last low to midpriced Nikon/Canon 135 SLR's which came out in the early 2000's?

rhmimac

clayne · May 27, 2010

elekm said:
I hesitate to say "never," but I think "for the time being" is likely.

I didn't think that I'd ever see vinyl back in production, but there they were: New pressings of 12-inch 33 1/3 rpm albums for sale at Barnes & Noble.

Actually in the underground music realm (electronic music, hip hop, etc.) vinyl has been continually pressed for quite a while now. It didn't just come back (albeit to pop music maybe).

bblhed · May 27, 2010

For a camera company to make a "new" camera they have to truly have something new to offer. Can anyone tell me what new feature they would want on a new 135 SLR? If I had to guess what was going to happen next here is what I would say. First those disposable cameras are going to get better than they are now, not by a lot, but expect to see them have a few nifty features that are more than just gimmicks figure indoor, outdoor, and flash settings. Better entry level point and shoot plus type cameras with zoom, flash, focus, the ability to add filters, and several program options like a pocket digital point and shoot. As for a "new" SLR my guess wouldn't be something at the pro level, but somewhere in the middle. My reason for believing this is that the problem with film right now is that younger people are not taking it up because their choices are disposable cameras, "toy" cameras, or high end pro cameras and not a lot in between if they want to buy new. Used is another story, there is a lot of really good used stuff out there, but there is a lot of junk on the market as well, why risk it. Thats my blurry vision on it.

Mark Antony · May 27, 2010

rhmimac said:
Would you dare to compare these qualitywise to the last low to midpriced Nikon/Canon 135 SLR's which came out in the early 2000's?

rhmimac

I think it compares pretty well, metal top plate and mount, I think its probably better build wise than the FM10.
I have a blog post here...

http://photo-utopia.blogspot.com/2009/04/phenix-dn60.html

Ian Grant · May 27, 2010

Reading a 1950 BJP Almanac summary of the Photo trade in the UK, written by a retailer who also wrote books on 35mm photography, there's nothing new today except it's now Global.

Back then the post WWII austerity measures in the UK put heavy restrictions on the import of new Cameras, so like now people where buying 10-15 year old second hand models. There's a comment about poor quality copies/imitations of pre-WWII German cameras and few good new products.

Although the reasons and circumstances where entirely different the end result were similar - few new cameras available.

The current problem of new sales in the 35mm market was predicted in the BJP well over a decade ago and even a big upturn in 35mm film sales would take time to impact on new camera demand as there's still a glut of high quality second-hand cameras available.

Ian

rhmimac · May 27, 2010

Are Nikon/Canon full of fear to be labelled "old fashioned" when they would introduce a new (chinese made) F20,F30,F40,F50 SLR line?

And therefor are reluctant to serve the now niche 135 film user market?

Would it hurt their "high tech image" they are holding up at all stakes?

rhmimac

clayne · May 27, 2010

rhmimac said:
Are Nikon/Canon full of fear to be labelled "old fashioned" when they would introduce a new (chinese made) F20,F30,F40,F50 SLR line?

And therefor are reluctant to serve the now niche 135 film user market?

Would it hurt their "high tech image" they are holding up at all stakes?

rhmimac

Or a better question: who would want to buy it? What makes classic Nikons and Canons so great is that they are reliable machines and not cheap Chinese crap. I think that's a better reason for not embracing that avenue.

no new 135 SLR cameras, ever?

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