Topic: First new SLR to be manufactured in 25 years

[Francois]

Take a look at this
http://emulsive.org/articles/news/announcing-the-reflex-the-first-newly-designed-35mm-manual-slr-system-in-25-years

If it comes to fruition, this could prove to be very interesting

[astrobeck]

It looks nice, I like the austerity of it really.
And really the price is not too extreme considering some of the more coveted 35mm cams on the second market are inflated now.
why not get something new?
I like this going forward.....
Other thoughts?

[Kai-san]

Can't say I'm tempted by this. If I want 1960's design and ergonomics I'd rather buy a 60's camera body for £35 rather than pay 350 for this.

[astrobeck]

I like that it's modular....
There's also no way I wouldn't just go get another K1000, or a Zenit.

As Francois said, it will be interesting to follow and see how it goes.....

[Harvey]

I love the interchangeable back. Was it only the Rollei 2000 and 3000s that ever did this for 35mm before?

[zapsnaps]

I agree with the overall sentiment - yeah, I know - unusual for me. I wish these guys well - but there are lots of fun cameras out there for 10% of the price. However - if this catches on, and I think it might well do, those who like to be 'cool' will want one as much for the cool factor as for anything else. But I'd personally spend that sort of cash on a few vintage lookers and a load of film to waste with each.

[chris667]

I don't want one. It has no advantages beyond a Spotmatic, and I already have one of those.

It will be nice, though, to know new cameras are available still. And frankly, compared to eBay madness, it isn't a bad deal really.

[EarlJam]

I love the interchangeable back. Was it only the Rollei 2000 and 3000s that ever did this for 35mm before?

There have been a few other attempts at 35mm cameras with interchangeable backs, predating the Rolleis, although I've never personally seen any of these other than the Rollei 3000:

Adox 300 https://sites.google.com/site/harrissonphotographica/home/the-adox-300
Mamiya Magazine 35 https://sites.google.com/site/harrissonphotographica/home/mamiya-magazine-35
Zeiss https://sites.google.com/site/harrissonphotographica/home/zeiss-ikon-interchangeable-backs-and-the-contaflex

I'm wondering how long it will be before one of the available Reflex backs is digital.

[Harvey]

[/quote]

There have been a few other attempts at 35mm cameras with interchangeable backs, predating the Rolleis, although I've never personally seen any of these other than the Rollei 3000:

[/quote]

Every day’s a school day, that’s why I love it here. I owned a 2000f but it was dreadfully noisy. I like the idea of the Adox and Mamiya and I hope this project is a success, we need different.
Thanks for posting.

[John Robison]

I'm with 'if I want a classic SLR they are available used for $5~$100, body with lens'. This is going to be a hard sell.
Besides, don't most of the people who want one have one already?

[jharr]

If you need/like fast shutter speeds, then I can see that you might like this electronic 1/4000 shutter. Shooting the films I shoot though, I rarely get over 1/250. My K1000 and my Nikkormat FTn serve my purposes.

[Mike (happyforest)]

Does having two camera bodies (OM1) count as having interchangable backs?

[Kai-san]

Does having two camera bodies (OM1) count as having interchangable backs?

Considering that the interchangeable back will be almost the same size as your OM1, I would say yes. But I'm more worried about the interchangeable lens mounts, from M42 to Canon E, does that mean we are back to the days of stop-down metering?

[Francois]

I think the adapter plates probably have some electrical contacts.

One of the things I like is that they plan on using an arduino to control the camera. It's one of the most popular microcontrollers out there and it's very easy to re-program. This thing has definite hacking potential.

[Pete_R]

If you need/like fast shutter speeds, then I can see that you might like this electronic 1/4000 shutter. Shooting the films I shoot though, I rarely get over 1/250. My K1000 and my Nikkormat FTn serve my purposes.

There's plenty of old cameras that reach that, and higher, so I'm not sure that's a USP.

I can't see how the interchangeable mounts will work. All the mounts have different mechanical connections. It's not just a case of changing the bayonet.

It also sounds like a frigging nightmare to fix if it goes wrong. Give me a Contax S2. Same shutter speeds and I can dismantle them with my eyes closed.

"Accessories:   3rd party + open source" = we're not making any.

[charles binns]

Another hipster's pipe dream. 

[chris667]

Looking a bit more at it, I am a bit confused as to why they're including all the things they're including. I can honestly say I've never felt the need to get a camera with an app that records exposure.

Actually, I kind of wonder why they'd start with a complex design. I'd be happy with a camera with just a basic viewfinder.

[Francois]

I can't see how the interchangeable mounts will work. All the mounts have different mechanical connections. It's not just a case of changing the bayonet.

That's actually the easy part.
Each plate will probably have electrical contacts with the camera to relay the aperture information and to activate a solenoid in each mount to close or open the aperture.
Arduino will be used for timing operations and reading the meter.
Adding bluetooth would be only to save metadata to a file so that it can be recombined with the scans later on.

[Ezzie]

I’m thinking of spending half that on an F4. Nuff said

[Francois]

Too bad there isn't a way to easily adapt lenses to Nikon for cheaper while retaining mechanical functions...

[Ezzie]

That said, the F4 is the camera that takes more or less all F lenses ever made.

[Pete_R]

That's actually the easy part.
Each plate will probably have electrical contacts with the camera to relay the aperture information and to activate a solenoid in each mount to close or open the aperture.

That's sounding like expensive.

I really can't see the point in this. Has anyone else read the "thoughts on the cynicism of camera enthusiasts". I'd call it clutching at straws. This is no 'consumer' product. If it doesn't appeal to the enthusiast, it will fail. More power to them for trying to boost film use but I think they've got it completely wrong.

[Francois]

Well... it is a declining market and I think everyone's aware of this.
This feels a bit like that time at the Olympics where you cheer for the underdog senselessly hoping he places well but at the same time knowing that the chances that he lands on his face are all too real.

[hookstrapped]

A response to the cynical responses

https://shootfilmco.com/blogs/shoot-film-co/reflex-vs-the-cynicism-of-camera-enthusiasts

Short version: it's not about you/us, we're not gonna keep film alive by ourselves, this can expand the market for film

[chris667]

Is there an echo in here?

[Kai-san]

While we wait for this to happen, why not take a look at the Mamiya Magazine 35:

https://sites.google.com/site/harrissonphotographica/home/mamiya-magazine-35

It is a rangefinder, and you will have to make do with one lens. Funny enough, the Mamiya is in the same price range as the new one......

[Francois]

Now we're talking