Reintroduction of film cameras

[AlNY]

Has anybody heard of ANY manufacturer's plan to re introduce any film cameras ? If no new film cameras come out, how long does film photography have ?

 

[Chan Tran]

If no new film camera introduced film photography would last as long as there is film. I don't worry about no camera only no film.

 

[AgX]

Projects of the last few months,

Reflex

Elbaflex

Lex

Ponf

Kodak S8

More important Lomography is constantly actually releasing some new camera.

 

[Chan Tran]

By the way, not a reintroduction but Leica is still make film cameras. Nikon, although I don't think they still make them, still sell the F6 new.

 

[BradS]

Used gear in good condition is still readily available and it seems there are still plenty of places doing maintenance service, repairs and overhauls.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Used gear in good condition is still readily available and it seems there are still plenty of places doing maintenance service, repairs and overhauls.

Yes, high quality cameras used lightly will last a very long time - but only with proper/maintenance. Dirt, contaminated lubricants, and inappropriate/unsuitable lubricants all will cause accelerated wear. We don't need new cameras, but new camera technicians for the future repair and maintenance of the cameras we have.

 

[fjpod]

Have you seen the prices on new film cameras??? Leicas? No one is making a reasonably priced film camera. I'm limping along on a Sigma SA9 with a dim viewfinder.

 

[Helios 1984]

By the way, not a reintroduction but Leica is still make film cameras. Nikon, although I don't think they still make them, still sell the F6 new.

I received the B&H catalogue just a few days ago, and the F6 is still listed.

 

[fjpod]

yeah but $2500 for the body only. Too rich for my blood.

 

[Chan Tran]

yeah but $2500 for the body only. Too rich for my blood.

But for used camera you can buy a perfectly functioning camera for less than $100.
Of all the cameras mentioned in the start up I can bet you none can be profitable selling for $500.
It cost a lot to make something for a few people.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

If no new film camera introduced film photography would last as long as there is film. I don't worry about no camera only no film.

Have you seen the prices on new film cameras??? Leicas? No one is making a reasonably priced film camera. I'm limping along on a Sigma SA9 with a dim viewfinder.

One of my F2s cost $100, shipped. The other needs work, probably an overhaul, but it was free and it works, mostly. A running Nikkormat, $25. Running Pentax ME Super w. lens $5. Lots of good cameras out there for a pittance.

 

[Chan Tran]

One of my F2s cost $100, shipped. The other needs work, probably an overhaul, but it was free and it works, mostly. A running Nikkormat, $25. Running Pentax ME Super w. lens $5. Lots of good cameras out there for a pittance.

The OP was complaining about the price of new camera. I bought my F2AS new in 1977 for $550. How much is that worth in today money?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

The OP was complaining about the price of new camera. I bought my F2AS new in 1977 for $550. How much is that worth in today money?

Probably well north of $3k.

 

[BradS]

In 1977, I bought my first “real camera”, a Pentax KX with 55mm f/1.8 SMC Pentax lens and leather ever-ready case. I recall that it cost about one month’s take home pay at the time. I saved for a year and a half to afford it (and still have it).

A Nikon F6 at $2500 seems right cheap by comparison.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

In 1977, I bought my first “real camera”, a Pentax KX with 55mm f/1.8 SMC Pentax lens and leather ever-ready case. I recall that it cost about one month’s take home pay at the time. I saved for a year and a half to afford it (and still have it).

A Nikon F6 at $2500 seems right cheap by comparison.

To go back farther, my Contax II ($255 with a few extras)was within a few dollars of half the price of a new Ford V8 coupe, 1936.

 

[markjwyatt]

In 1977, I bought my first “real camera”, a Pentax KX with 55mm f/1.8 SMC Pentax lens and leather ever-ready case. I recall that it cost about one month’s take home pay at the time. I saved for a year and a half to afford it (and still have it).

A Nikon F6 at $2500 seems right cheap by comparison.

My Dad joined a vocational photographic program at Fremont High School in ~1945 taught by a guy named Clarence A. Bach. In order to join the program, he had to buy a Speed Graphic outfit, which cost him around $1000 (in 1945). That is almost $14,000 today. Think about it- a full professional photographic outfit today. How much? He sold newspapers on the streets of LA for a year at a nickel each (probably kept 1-2 cents each) to pay for it. See this about Clarence A. Bach (really interesting).

 

[ic-racer]

The list of current production film cameras is pretty large already. There is a thread about this every month or so.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Film is not going away soon and there are wonderful used cameras and lenses at bargain prices.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Has anybody heard of ANY manufacturer's plan to re introduce any film cameras ? If no new film cameras come out, how long does film photography have ?

You might want to take the blinkers off...
ZeroImage is still (and will continue to be) manufacturing bespoke pinhole cameras right job to 8x10, among other manufacturers such as Ilford et al.

There isn't a patent need really for a new camera (e.g. the small 35mm format) when the used market is awash with so many that have been discarded summarily by the wayside for the next best thing e.g. digital. The big money earner today is digital and entwined ancillary services, not film cameras.

Film as an alternative will remain available into the future, most likely in diminishing volumes and choices from fewer manufacturers with Fujifilm likely to pull up stumps within 2 years leaving Ilford, Kodak and lesser known boutique brands. For many, those increasingly limited choices in film are often a springboard for deserting analogue to migrate to digital.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Probably well north of $3k.

Three grand!?
Come off the glue.
$275 here in Australia.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Has anybody heard of ANY manufacturer's plan to re introduce any film cameras ? If no new film cameras come out, how long does film photography have ?

I don't think counting popping up start ups is valuable argument here. I'm not sure how many of those startups came to real. If any...

I'm not sure about Lomography introducing new cameras, either. Instaxes maybe? Many films cameras are shown as "not available" on their site.

Cameras like Brownies will lasts another hundred years. Rolleicords and Flexes another fifty. Not to mention Lubitels, another twenty five or so.
Rangefinders like Zorki and FED are not very difficult to service and most of the parts are metal, except shutter ribbons and curtains cloth, but they are made from available new materials.
Where are many strange looking 35mm fixed lens scale and rangefinders were made in fifties. Still available. All metal and glass.
Folders are simple and bellows are made new.
I don't know how many simple P&S were not recycled, those were made in big numbers. Many plastic SLRs have electronics which will last long time.

Ten years at easy as something not so difficult to find in working condition.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Three grand!?
Come off the glue.
$275 here in Australia.

You misunderstood Herr von Hoegh. US$550 in 1977 is roughly US$2346 today.

https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=550.00&year1=197701&year2=201803

 

[shashinzukuri]

I bought my F2AS new in 1977 for $550. How much is that worth in today money?

Probably well north of $3k.

Not quite, but not far either! The BLS calculator says it's right about $2300, March 1977 to March 2018.

So, F2AS to F6, prices have gone up about 10% in terms of real purchasing power.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

You misunderstood Herr von Hoegh. US$550 in 1977 is roughly US$2346 today.

https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=550.00&year1=197701&year2=201803

An F2AS sold here in Melbourne, Australia, on 10th March for AUD$275 -- "for parts".
My understanding of talking to the dealer at the time was the buyer planning to offer it as an "antique camera" at his country antique market table (!)

 

[AgX]

I don't think counting popping up start ups is valuable argument here. I'm not sure how many of those startups came to real. If any...

I'm not sure about Lomography introducing new cameras, either. Instaxes maybe? Many films cameras are shown as "not available" on their site.

I have been critical here about these start ups, even showed misleading activity. But I referred to them as they show that some entrepreneurs, and even them trying rip offs, see a market for newly manufactured cameras, and that is what the OP asked about, to my understanding.

Concerning Lomography, they introduced even unique cameras as the Spinner or their 35mm cine camera.