Which film cameras can you buy brand new?

[RattyMouse]

Yes, here they are...

https://www.lomography.com/magazine/289737-lomopedia-fuji-klasse-s-and-fuji-klasse-w

I had a Klasse S in my hands, priced at $400, during one trip to Tokyo. I could have bought it, but for some stupid, insane reason, didn't. Now they go for double that on Ebay. Biggest. Regret. Ever.

 

[RattyMouse]

I looked at the GF670 when it came out. Nice camera, ticked many of my boxes, but just too expensive at the time. Still is actually.

For me, this was a camera that I am going to keep forever. In this situation, the price becomes less and less important because it fills a need that means I wont be buying other cameras to fill. I've had the GF670 (and GF670W) now for many years and I shoot with them just as enthusiastically as the day I got them. They are flawless cameras.

 

[Craig75]

I had a Klasse S in my hands, priced at $400, during one trip to Tokyo. I could have bought it, but for some stupid, insane reason, didn't. Now they go for double that on Ebay. Biggest. Regret. Ever.

You can still get the rollei branded version for sensible money

 

[RattyMouse]

You can still get the rollei branded version for sensible money

Where?

 

[Craig75]

Where?

I saw one go for about 400 dollars just a few weeks ago on ebay. They sell for a lot less than fuji branded version.

 

[RattyMouse]

I saw one go for about 400 dollars just a few weeks ago on ebay. They sell for a lot less than fuji branded version.

I looked on Ebay and could not find any examples of a Rollei equivalent of a Fuji Klasse. They must be very rare.

 

[removed account4]

Hi All,

I've been trying to search around to see if any film cameras are available to purchase brand new... it seems as if there is a big gap in the market!

So far i've found a rather naff looking kickstarter project called 'Reflex' and the lomography cameras (which look like toys... not in a good way!)

Can anyone help me out and suggest some film cameras which are available to buy brand new? On a completely unrelated note I can't believe that camera companies have not started reproducing older models given the current hype of film photography. For example, the point and shoot/compact market has exploded in recent years so it would only seem natural that a reproduction of classics like the Mju II and Contax T2 would happen somewhere down the line.

Thanks

hi thomas

compared to a dozen years ago it is slim pickin's
if you don't mind USED there is lots of used stuff
that floods the marketplace on a daily basis ... and if you
don't mind bigger than 35mm, there is even more.
the lomo cameras aren't as toy/cheap as they seem
they work great ( from all reports )

with regards to reproducing the classics ... with so many classics
being sold used for between 5$ and 50$ why would anyone buy
a freshly minted reproduction, probably made in china that costs
more than 5-50$ ...

good luck with your quest !
john

 

[Craig75]

I looked on Ebay and could not find any examples of a Rollei equivalent of a Fuji Klasse. They must be very rare.

They are called rollei afm 35 or 35 afm i cant remember which way round. Definitely cheaper way to buy in europe where i am. You dont see them often tho but when they do show the price is fair

 

[RattyMouse]

They are called rollei afm 35 or 35 afm i cant remember which way round. Definitely cheaper way to buy in europe where i am. You dont see them often tho but when they do show the price is fair

OK, now I see it. Slightly cheaper than the Fuji version @ $595. Still far more than I could have bought a brand new Klasse for just a short time ago.

 

[Craig75]

OK, now I see it. Slightly cheaper than the Fuji version @ $595. Still far more than I could have bought a brand new Klasse for just a short time ago.

Look at the sold listings - usually $400-500.

 

[Craig]

For me, this was a camera that I am going to keep forever. In this situation, the price becomes less and less important because it fills a need that means I wont be buying other cameras to fill. I've had the GF670 (and GF670W) now for many years and I shoot with them just as enthusiastically as the day I got them. They are flawless cameras.

My problem is I already have a Fuji GW690III and a Pentax 67. I love the Fuji (and the 6x9 format) so I really can't see replacing it. The Pentax is a very versatile camera, great metering and lenses, the only problem is it weighs a ton.

 

[RattyMouse]

My problem is I already have a Fuji GW690III and a Pentax 67. I love the Fuji (and the 6x9 format) so I really can't see replacing it. The Pentax is a very versatile camera, great metering and lenses, the only problem is it weighs a ton.

I had a Fuji GSW690 and loved shooting with that for many years. The GF670 is of course a folder and enormously smaller than the fixed lens rangefinder. I can stuff my GF670 in my jacket pocket and carry it all day long. In summer time, I can sling it over my shoulder and again, carry it hours and hours without any fatigue at all. Often it's the only camera I carry when I hop onto a plane for travel. It's mega portable.

Even my GF670W rangefinder is much, much smaller than a GW690. The lens is short and squat and it packs into a very small bag easily. My normal bag holds 3 cameras when I am on a serious shoot: My GF670 (folded), my GF670W in the center, and a Nikon FM2n w/20mm f/2.8 lens for ultrawide shooting. All that fits into a very nice sized bag whereas a GW690 would consume almost the entire bag.

Of course, if you like the 6 x 9 aspect ration none of the above will satisfy you. I never shot 6 x 7 before I bought these two cameras but have learned to like it quite a lot.

In retrospect it would probably have been better for me to buy a Mamiya 7 along with the 43mm, 65mm, and 80mm lenses. That would have made good sense. But I wanted these brand new Fuji film cameras and so went with those.

Oh, one last thing. The viewfinders on these cameras are TO DIE for. Beyond gorgeous. So bright, so crystal clear, with a rangefinder patch that is at least 5 times larger than what a GW690 has. Maybe 10 times larger. It's enormous!

 

[horacekenneth]

This is my running list of film cameras that can be purchased new in the USA (excluding kickstarter, cine, toy, instant and pinhole)
Alpa
Chamonix
Shen-Hao
Linhof
Toyo
Wista
Silvestri
Arca-Swiss
Cambo
Horseman
Leica
Nikon
Voigtlander Bessa
Rolleiflex Hy6
Interpid
K. B. Canham
SVEDOVSKY
Walker
Gibellini GP810

So other than LF which seems to be doing quite well, I count 4 companies still making serious cameras in 35 or 120?

 

[AgX]

Did we mention Diana F, Diana Mini, Belair X6-12, Belair Instant, Horizon compact, Horizon perfect, Lomo LC-A+, LOMO LC-Wide, LOMO Instant, ...

Good point!
The OP explicitely excluded Lomography cameras (what I would not do).
But the Horizon cameras are not Lomography cameras, but designed and made by KMZ. However, they likely are old-new stock (if that matters).

 

[macfred]

The OP explicitely excluded Lomography cameras ... .

I might have missed that ...

But the Horizon cameras are not Lomography cameras ...

Those are great !

---

Who cares ? The OP doesn't seem to be really interested ...

 

[wyofilm]

Here is an old-new camera:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-FM2-...946717&hash=item41ce2e8519:g:b00AAOSw8w1X4Wzk

As far as I can tell, this particular FM2 wasn't made after 1997. That is a looooooooong time to sit on a shelf. How many more of these jewels are out there?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Here is an old-new camera:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-FM2-...946717&hash=item41ce2e8519:g:b00AAOSw8w1X4Wzk

As far as I can tell, this particular FM2 wasn't made after 1997. That is a looooooooong time to sit on a shelf. How many more of these jewels are out there?

I have an unused OM-3, still in the box, all original packing, etc. Looks great, but all the foam has turned to goo and unless you excersise the shutter it caps at 1/1000 and 1/2000. Caveat Emptor for any camera that has sat for decades, new or used. They often only look like jewels

 

[wyofilm]

I have an unused OM-3, still in the box, all original packing, etc. Looks great, but all the foam has turned to goo and unless you excersise the shutter it caps at 1/1000 and 1/2000. Caveat Emptor for any camera that has sat for decades, new or used. They often only look like jewels

I'll keep this in mind should I see a NOS OM-3 show up on ebay!

 

[Svenedin]

There was rumour that the Fuji GF670 was still available as some NOS had been discovered but this may be gone now. The 670 and the Wide are still listed here: http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/fujifilm-482-c.asp but it is necessary to enquire about availability. I have the GF670. A wonderful camera but rather expensive.

 

[Joerg Bergs]

The Rollei Hy6 is still in production:

https://www.dw-photo.eu/cameras.html

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I'll keep this in mind should I see a NOS OM-3 show up on ebay!

Mine will never be for sale.
I should also point out that the FM2n has a much better shutter than the OM-3, which is marginal at 1/2000, even in perfect condition.

 

[Svenedin]

The Rollei Hy6 is still in production:

https://www.dw-photo.eu/cameras.html

Wo

Mine will never be for sale.
I should also point out that the FM2n has a much better shutter than the OM-3, which is marginal at 1/2000, even in perfect condition.

OM3's do turn up second hand in mint condition. That's how I got mine (from www.ffordes.com but they do not have one at the moment)

 

[RattyMouse]

There was rumour that the Fuji GF670 was still available as some NOS had been discovered but this may be gone now. The 670 and the Wide are still listed here: http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/fujifilm-482-c.asp but it is necessary to enquire about availability. I have the GF670. A wonderful camera but rather expensive.

I dont regret buying either of them. Fantastic cameras.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Wo


OM3's do turn up second hand in mint condition. That's how I got mine (from www.ffordes.com but they do not have one at the moment)

I know, but mine is not "mint" (nor could it ever be, not being a coin), it's unused, and after sitting idle for 30 or so years, useless - that's my point.

 

[Svenedin]

I know, but mine is not "mint" (nor could it ever be, not being a coin), it's unused, and after sitting idle for 30 or so years, useless - that's my point.

Ah I see. Mine is in regular use.