When was the last time you bought a "new" 35mm film camera?

[DeanC]

If by "new" you mean "new to me" then: yesterday. If by new you mean factory new, 2000.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

I wonder how many people forgot they bought a digital camera?

The poll actually specifies "35mm camera". Digital are excluded.

However, the poll lacks the case "never". I've never bought anything new, always used equipment. Which are the poll results so far?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

My answer has changed - it is now "A Nikon FM3a yesterday." I am a dyed-in-the-wool Pentax user (from back in the 60s, when Pentax was a serious pro brand) and usually have a Leica-type camera around too (at present Bessa T and L), although I avoid genuine Leicas after having been gouged by Leica UK's service department. I have also owned many Nikons sporadically. Be that as it may, I just could not let Nikon film cameras (virtually) disappear from the market without buying one for posterity (together with a mint 50 mm f1.4). I immediately loaded the camera with HP5+ and put in in the mini backpack I have with me all the time, with the resolve to do some PJ-style work. The FM3a seems to have all the good stuff that I am looking for (toughness, ability to keep going without battery, but also at least one AE program - got to be quick with 35!).

 

[Max Power]

A Sexy Red FED 5V directly from a dealer in Kiev!!! Granted, the camera was built in 1994, but it was 'brand new in the box'!

Kent

 

[waynecrider]

The poll actually specifies "35mm camera". Digital are excluded.

However, the poll lacks the case "never". I've never bought anything new, always used equipment. Which are the poll results so far?

Hey Marco, when are you inviting us all to Italy for some wine and cooking?

Yes I realized that "D" was not an option, nor is it really 35mm, but it was too late to edit my post so it stood. Oh well.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

Hey Marco, when are you inviting us all to Italy for some wine and cooking?

Whenever you want, fellow! You may find italian prices raised JUST A BIT :rolleyes: since last time you visited the Country...

Now, if we could only manage to have some sheet film and some cibachrome, over wine and cheese...

 

[Magnus W]

Factory new -- Pentax LX january 1981, still working just fine.
Latest -- Pentax LX november 2005, got a good (very good) deal.
Between them -- several used Pentaxes

-- MW

 

[jbbooks]

Minolta X-700 when they first came out, I've forgotten when that was. If I remember correctly, I wanted the OTF flash metering capability. The XD-11 I already had didn't have this. These were the only new cameras I have ever bought for myself and I still use both of them.

 

[Allora]

Nikon FM3A one year ago - magic camera - use prime lenses only on assignments in Soho (London), Bologna and Naples. Can't see me ever using digital. Was away from photography for 20 years (what a waste!) but now its like I've never been gone - except for the digitally deluded with kit obsolete before it's even out of the box.

 

[bob01721]

That would be around 1985 -- a Pentax 35mm P/S camera I bought for my (then) wife. She had gotten fed up with the Minolta XG-7 I had bought her a few years earlier. She felt it was too complicated for her.

The last brand new camera I bought for myself is the SRT-101 I bought in Vietnam in 1967. Since then, I've added a -201 and a -102 to my 35mm kit, but they were both purchased used.

 

[Woolliscroft]

From the sublime to the ridiculous. I bought a new P&S (Minolta 75W) on a trip to Paris last spring, when my old one died, then won a Leica MP in a competition with Amateur Photographer magazine. Guess which gets most use (it starts with an L).

David.

 

[Krasnaya Zvezda]

Bought a new Nikon N75 last April, and a new Bessa R in August. When I win the lotto, I'll buy a new M7.

 

[Soeren]

From the sublime to the ridiculous. I bought a new P&S (Minolta 75W) on a trip to Paris last spring, when my old one died, then won a Leica MP in a competition with Amateur Photographer magazine. Guess which gets most use (it starts with an L).

David.

Which Linhof ?
Søren

 

[kunihiko]

My answer changed. Yesterday, Fuji Natura S.

 

[avpman]

Contax G2 about 3 years ago. Paid lotsa $$$ for it, but is was so worth it. It remains my favorite camera of all time. Kyocera T4 Compact about 2-3 years ago (a camera with a Zeiss lens for $169???). A NIkon compact with a fixed 28 mm lens (a very good compact, too) about 9-10 years ago. A brand new Lubitel about 14-15 years ago, my frist venture into medium format. Everything else was picked up used including a Mamiya RB67 outfit, a Pentax SLR (a gift), A Kiev 88 kit, a Zorky-4 (my first camera), a Smena (let's not go there), a Vega compact. I am sure I've missed a camera or two but everything of significance is in this list.

I am looking to buy a NEW Mamiya 7II rangefinder (hopefully sooner than later) and Contax NX kits for $350-$400 are looking just too good at this price. Being a rangefinder user for the most time I am still not 100% convinced I want or need an SLR, regardless how good or bad it is, but I am a big fan of Zeiss glass and Contax design pholosophy. Too bad the brand is now on the virge of dissapearing. I hope a smart buyer comes across...

 

[rml]

If digital id allowed then I bought my last new camera just before X-mas 2004, a Eos 300D, or my R-D1 (june 2005).

Otherwise it would have to be my Bessa R that I bought in 2003, IIRC.

 

[lkorell]

Last year was a major digital year for me. I bought two Canon 20D cameras. But I just couldn't resist getting my Nikon F6 at the end of the year. I love holding that camera - it's a work of art.

Still have a few FM2N bodies, an F3T, couple of F4s, and a Hassie 503CW.
One of these days I've got to play with them again, but with the F6 it's hard to think about shooting film with anything else!


Lou

 

[skiparvid]

Well, last year I loaded up on Canon FD manual focus equipment which I'm still having fun with. (See my November post in this thread) But, I was browsing ebay and got the notion of updating my EOS system. So, I wound up with a VERY nice EOS-1n and an EF 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 to go with it. I think that the introduction of digital has been a blessing for us film users. Top of the line professional grade equiipment available CHEAP!!! 6years ago, I'd have had to pay over $1500 for just the body. Now, I got the whole package (including power grip, battery pack, AA battery insert, and charger) under $500. 1 more EF lens and I'm gonna quit buying stuff. Skip

 

[Dan Fromm]

Last week, an N8008S from KEH. It was defective when it arrived last Thursday. I sent it back Saturday. I haven't given up on 35 mm yet.

 

[detune]

never give up on 35mm! I'm loving my EOS3, flawless metering and amazing images from Fuji Astia film, gotta try some Neopan next

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Last "NEW" 35mm was one of my Contax 167mt bodies, which was bought when I still worked in a camera store and got the employee price on it. I think that was around 1997. Subsequent to that I bought a factory reconditioned RX. My Shen-Hao 4x5 was bought new from the factory. I think my 35-70mm zoom for the Contax and the Sigma 18-35 zoom were bought new. Otherwise, everything else I have in camera gear was bought used.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Once. Minolta Maxxum QTsi. Never again will I buy something new. I prefer the feel of old mechanical cameras. They're heavy and worth the money I pay for them. The newer, plasticy ones just don't do anything for me.

 

[Peter Williams]

Contax G2 last month. Great choice.

 

[Colden]

FM3a in 2005... but you probably knew that if you read the 35mm forum.

 

[benjiboy]

A Nikon F2 Photomic with 50 mm f2 lens, is the only new one I ever bought it was more than twenty years ago, later stolen from home by a burglar together with the rest of a fairly extensive Nikon system. It still hurts to even think about it.