"Hand assembled, cutting edge, and eco-friendly"

[Larry Cloetta]

Another new camera maker from the world's apparently inexhaustible supply of dream factories: https://ponfcamera.com/

Analog. Digital. Choose your sensor size. Made to order. Solar powered factory. Every buzzword in the lexicon is covered. What's not to like?
(well, looking like a brutalist version of an Argus brick might put a few people off, but there's no denying the appeal of a solar powered factory.)

 

[retinax]

Hand assembled SLR with film and digital backs, for 700€ it says on the website. Sure. And available this year, but they only have pictures of a mock-up on the website. I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

 

[Dan Daniel]

"I’m vegan. Can my PONF camera be made vegan?"



Who even needs 'The Simpsons' any more anyway?

 

[css9450]

Call me skeptical. Between this and the Reflex thing we read about last month, I have to keep looking at the calendar to be sure its not April 1st.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Sounds Ferrania to me.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I don't get it. Why would anyone need this? Anyone in the market for a digital/film, DSLR/SLR can buy a Nikon Full Frame digital SLR for about $1500 US, and pick up a used Nikon film SLR for almost pennies, and have a Digital and Film camera that share the same lens set.

Best,
-Tim

 

[zuiko85]

More pie in the sky dreaming. Surprised the 'e-film' thing hasn't resurfaced for another go around.
All it would take is money, great huge piles of money. Probably 100X what these projects have to work with.

And, right on the mark, Timmyjoe. Shoot, just buy a used Nikon DSLR, 2 or 3 generations back, for $500~$600 and get the whole package for what they want.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Then, there's the name. I'm no marketing genius, but I'm not sure that "Ponf" really gets the juices flowing.
"Can I see your Ponf?"
"Is that the new Ponf?"
"Can I hold your Ponf for a while? I'd like to hold it in my hands and work it."

 

[Huss]

People are missing the real story here. The 'N' in PoNf looks like a dog.

 

[roscoetuff]

Between Mercury camera (plastic) and DAYI Toyo (metal) there already seem to be some projects, operations, or whatever... that make these multi-option cameras. Even ALPA offers something real for $2,000 for a body plus mega bucks for a back and a lens. I find them nice to look at and dream about, but a shade rich for my wallet once you think about it in the real world. ALPA is the only one that seems to have a support crew. Swiss. They don't come cheap. Flexibility that works and is usable.... costs. Duh.

 

[ruby.monkey]

People are missing the real story here. The 'N' in PoNf looks like a dog.

So does the camera; and, to be fair, the whole project.

 

[Arbitrarium]

Looks like they're piggybacking on 'Reflex' and trying to one-up them with a digital back.

"Upcycled components" eh? Another one that found a box of new-old-stock cameras?

 

[BLKRCAT]

pONf
kONost

What other failures have similar names?

 

[ForestCap]

"I’m vegan. Can my PONF camera be made vegan?"



Who even needs 'The Simpsons' any more anyway?

"Leather on camera surface are made of vegan cow skin."

 

[Huss]

"Leather on camera surface are made of vegan cow skin."

Cows are vegan. Well, once they get past the calf stage.

 

[Huss]

So does the camera; and, to be fair, the whole project.

Don't insult dogs. They are awesome.
:angel:

 

[Huss]

pONf
kONost

What other failures have similar names?

Ihagee Elbaflex.

Take out some letters, add some others, and the name is similar.

I have a feeling that the same 'organization' that was behind Ihagee and numerous other photographic ventures may be behind this one too.

 

[Keith]

"Here ... hold my beer while while I design a new camera and upload my business plan to the internet!"

 

[andrewmore]

Would it not be simpler to make a digital back that could fit onto an existing, easily obtainable, film camera that has a removable back (or a back that can easily be removed and replaced)? This would save having to re-invent the film SLR side of things. I’ve just looked at a Nikon F801 for example and the rear slides off quite simply. The electronic gubbins could sit in a module that goes under the camera in the way that motor-drives and additional battery packs used to be added. Indeed, haven’t manufacturers already done this for 35mm cameras? With some lateral thought, could not such an arrangement work with a number of adapters in order to fit the digital pack via the chosen adapter to a particular camera? Designing a complete camera system from scratch, albeit one that uses a standard lens system, seems a lot of effort for possibly marginal benefit or sales?

Regards

Andrew More

 

[ptpdprinter]

The benefit of a dual film/digital body with interchangeable backs escapes me. Buy two bodies. Folks, cameras are tools. Pick the right one for the job.