So you win the Mega Powerball what 35mm SLR would you bring back? Ower

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Paul Howell

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So you win the mega Powerball, you decide to fund the development, production and marketing of one 35mm SLR
(MF, LF and rangefinders need not apply) which one? I'm torn as my main 35mm kit is Minolta, very little chance I that for any amount of money Sony would upgrade a film camera. And do I want a AF body, or all mechanical. Updated Canon EOS 1V with latest AF and Metering or Pentax MX? Top of the line or midline that younger shooters can afford?
 

Donald Qualls

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I started to type I'd look for a mechanical body like an early Copal Square shutter with manual focus -- but even reverse engineering, prototyping, debugging, and tooling would probably eat up a major lottery win before you had anything ready to ship, even if you picked a common mount like Nikon AI or PP (M42). Even with (comparatively cheap, because PGA and software is less expensive than custom mechanical design) electronic shutter, I doubt this could be done for less than fifty million bucks.

If I thought it was possible, a Nikkormat FT2 would be tempting to ask for. Lots of great glass available, wide-open metering, but about as simple as you can get with that ability.

Now, if you mean to build one example, you could probably reproduce any all-mechanical or TTL metered SLR for a couple hundred thousand -- just by paying some artisan to copy all the parts down to the smallest spring in an existing example. Not at all sure what you'd gain by that, though; you'd have the same problem with parts and service folk we have now.
 
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Paul Howell

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It would be for a production run. An existing camera body can be rebuilt, electronics may be problematic if the IC are prone to failure. So a remake of an older design, if AF an updated AF and metering, newer stronger and quitter motors for the film advance and rewind. Nikon FM?
 

Donald Qualls

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Modern Programmable Gate Arrays (PGA) can emulate most 1980s/early 1990s ICs in a similar form factor, perhaps even lower power consumption. You'd have to create new tooling; all the tooling for SLR bodies is long gone with the possible exception of the last of the Nikon F family -- and I wouldn't want a plastic body if I'm spending fifty million to get it.
 

Bazza D

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I would probably go with the FM, I really like that it can all Nikon lenses up to the new ones without aperture control on the lens. And I like simple, mechanical cameras. But maybe the F3 would be a good choice.
 

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Id like to see Pentax make a modern compact weather sealed AF K mount SLR.

Like a 35mm film version of the Pentax KP.

KP-gallery-5-500x500-1.png
 
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Although I've no experience with it I'm intrigued by the Pentax LX. So that would be my choice. It's all Les Sarile's fault. I'd buy one but the stories of dead/faulty electronics have stopped me.
 

Craig75

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I always think alpa 10 or 11 is best slr to come back simply because you can use almost any other manufacturers glass onto it. Very flexible mount.

Or nikon f6 because I slept on that camera entirely and now I want one
 

MattKing

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An autofocus capable OM-1.
 

narsuitus

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I really do not need another film camera.

However, I would love to design and develop a custom 50 mega pixel full-frame digital back for my 35mm Nikon F2 SLR.
 

jimgalli

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FM3a. The penultimate balance between weight, reliability, performance, thoughtfulness, looks. It is enough. There's a whole generation that says the FT2 FT3 is the rock and the FM FE generation was "tinny". No. The FG is tinny. The EM is tinny. Not the FM-FE body's though. Now if you lose your hammer a lot and need to pound nails with your Nikon, I guess you'll need an FT2 FT3.
 

mshchem

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Nikon F6 becomes F7 with all the crazy computers for eye recognition. Maybe a crazy bulk film back for longer rolls, not as big Maybe a 100 exposure back. And a built in phone. World's first camera with a phone!

Either that or a Crown Graphic with amber and green lasers coming out of the top rangefinder.
 

wiltw

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An autofocus capable OM-1.

The problem is AF makes lenses bulkier. I would be happy with an OM-1 with focus confirmation light in viewfinder.
And then an option to mount a digital sensor back (removing standard film back) with electronics and battery in a under-body extension like a motor drive for the OM.
 
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I think from a technically achievable perspective with a high probability of intended performance it would be best to use the Nikon F3 shutter as a template. With replaced electronic circuitry of course.
 

IMoL

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an OM-1 with focus confirmation light in viewfinder
That is a camera I would pay good money for.
Actually, even though I like that feature I would be happy with a remake of the existing OM1, just with a more modern battery choice for the meter. And if there's any money left over, start making some of the Zuiko lenses again.
 

Ivo Stunga

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I'll chime in with my OM-1n.
A decade or so ago I was shown a collection of 35mm cameras and Olympus OM-1 was the one I found my hand reaching to.

Great ergonomics, and weight, and I love the fact that I can make shutter and aperture adjustments without lifting the camera off from my face: all dials are located on the lens and mount. And that viewfinder!

What I'd change: Metering circuitry. Metering in my silver OM-1 died due to the usual fatigue of the wiring, so I treated myself with an upgrade: a black OM-1n that... Has a similar design/potential for the death of light meter to occur...

What I'd add: dedicated multi-exposure function independent of film advance (so that shit aligns perfectly).
 

Huss

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Leica M7s - with 1/8000 sec shutter (so this one will use the metal shutter from the M digital cameras) and spot or avg meter. And no DX reader!

Nikon F7 - using the current rechargeable batteries they have in their digital cameras, get rid of all the menus and just go back to dials like the F4. With the latest af but keep the incredible focus screen that makes it a joy to use manual focus lenses.
 

Huss

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Id like to see Pentax make a modern compact weather sealed AF K mount SLR.

Like a 35mm film version of the Pentax KP.

KP-gallery-5-500x500-1.png

Would anyone buy something that ugly? I think film photography is also about aesthetics.
 

ciniframe

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Amen, but with interchangeable focusing screens slipping straight out the lens mount. I’d want an all matte with grid lines similar to the OM system 1-10 screen.
And save some money to come up with some appropriate lens selection, a few basics, 18mm, 25mm, 40mm f2 focusing to 1:2, and a fast 80mm would be my choice.
 

RDW

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'Marketing' suggests we want people to buy it. Interest in film seems to go together with interest in 'retro' manual cameras rather than later auto models more often than not. Something in the Nikon FM series would sell. Ideally, an FM/FM2n hybrid with the wider shutter speed range, faster flash sync and removable focusing screen of the later model, but the pre-AI compatibility of the earlier version. Restore metal parts that became plastic in the FM2. Get rid of the requirement to pull out the film advance lever to the standoff position to make the camera work; instead, bring back the collar around the shutter release from the early FM variant and have it both unlock the shutter and turn the camera on, but key the meter to a half-press of the shutter release as in the FM2 to save batteries. No model branding on the front - keep the understated FM look.

If there were a market for an 'F7', combine the best features of the F5, F100 and F6. Removable prism and choice of finders, 4 x AA with an optional CR123A holder like the F100, optional grip with additional batteries, secondary shutter release and maybe an integrated Arca plate, flippable AI tab for pre-AI compatibility as standard, add AF-P and 'E' aperture compatibility so that virtually any F mount lens can be used. AF module from the D6. Obviously make compatible with iTTL/CLS like the F6. Not sure it needs the F6 rear LCD, but maybe have databack capability to allow imprinting between frames. Add a USB-C socket from which shooting data can be downloaded with a standard cable.

Slightly further away from the more rarefied realms of fantasy, our lottery winner might ask Cosina if they are still able to make SLRs (they were selling the Bessaflex until 2007, and the FM10 until quite recently). How about a Photrioflex?
 
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Auer

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Would anyone buy something that ugly? I think film photography is also about aesthetics.

Depends I guess. I think all photography is about the end result. I don't see it as a lifestyle.

But then I also would rather have a OG Audi Quattro rally car over a Porsche whatever, or a Hayabusa over a Vincent Black Shadow.
I guess I enjoy driving more than parking at the boulevard.
 
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