This could be why Nikon discontinued the F6...

[Sirius Glass]

If a film camera would make a return it would bet on Canon, Nikon may not have resources to invest in a new film camera that is compatible with E lens. An updated EOS or 7 using current EF lens mount would be cheaper to bring to market than a Nikon model.

Canon is a large company with many resources and lots of revenue; Nikon is a small family owned company.

 

[tom43]

A new F7 would not make much sense, as it would be a kind of DSLR copy with „film sensor“. What appeals buyers of films cameras today is the direct feel to interact with a physical medium and a mechanical instrument. If something would come, it has to be a kind of Nikon FM4A for an enthusiasts market. I personally would immediately order one even at a higher price...

 

[Anon Ymous]

A new F7 would not make much sense, as it would be a kind of DSLR copy with „film sensor“. What appeals buyers of films cameras today is the direct feel to interact with a physical medium and a mechanical instrument. If something would come, it has to be a kind of Nikon FM4A for an enthusiasts market. I personally would immediately order one even at a higher price...

Well, for starters, I don't think a film camera would come any time soon, as in ever... With that said, making a mechanical camera, for whatever target group is out there (if there actually is, which is debatable), would simply make cost skyrocket. Nikon and Canon still produce digital SLR cameras and lots of already existing components can be used as they are. Shutters, mirrors, AF sensors, whatever are still in production and have proven reliability. Why would they bother to reinvent the wheel? In the end, film users should feel lucky if a new SLR is introduced.

 

[Agulliver]

Recovering film market?

Have you not seen that Harman/Ilford are doing well enough to bring out some new products and do R&D on existing?

Have you missed the news that for the last two years Kodak and Fuji have been selling so much C41 film that they are seriously unable to keep up production to match demand?

DId you see that when film Ferrania launched P30 B&W film their website crashed and they had not, at that point, even informed the public....100k people tried to buy a film that theoretically was a secret.

The market will never be like it was in 1995, but it's recovering to a much stronger position that it was.

That said....I don't see any realistic prospect of a new film camera except for simple ones by the likes of Lomography.

 

[AgX]

Recovering and growing sales are very different terms.