New film cameras?

[Larry Cloetta]

My new VDS arrived this monday:

I think Shen-hao, Ebony, Chamonix and Wista still produce cameras as well. Then you have a huge amount of new cameras being made through Kickstarter, like the above mentioned Reflex, and the hugely sucessful Intrepid.

Sadly, Ebony ceased production in June 2016, due to age of the company’s founder, apparently.

 

[pixelated]

Richard Ritter will build you a film camera, if you want one that's 8x10 or larger.

 

[css9450]

Legend says something like 2 people still on the line cranking out F6 cameras. Pretty amazing if true.

I wonder if the same is true of the M7. Hard to imagine they sell too many in a given year. I suspect both cameras (F6 and M7) are made in small batches as needed.

 

[minnichphoto]

Just bought a new 3d printed 4x5 camera w/ helical focus built for a 75mm lens. So far, so good.... Except for an attachment that holds the hand strap. It ripped in half like thin paper.

 

[ForestCap]

There are a couple of Kickstarter projects regarding 135 SLRs.

 

[HHPhoto]

There are a couple of Kickstarter projects regarding 135 SLRs.

Only one has been successful:
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...analogue-slr-camera?ref=checkout_rewards_page


But for medium format, there is also ARAX:
http://araxfoto.com/cameras/
Friends of mine are using them and are very satiesfied. ARAX has also a very good service.

Cheers, Jan

 

[miha]

But for medium format, there is also ARAX:
http://araxfoto.com/cameras/
Friends of mine are using them and are very satiesfied. ARAX has also a very good service.

Cheers, Jan

Thank you, never heard of these cameras, they look very interesting and if flawless in operation as they claim, they might appeal to those wanting to upgrade from their Ukrainian ancestors or even from a worn-out Japanese camera, like my C330. To my eyes, there was always something a little special about the Pentacon Six camera!

 

[robertofollia]

Nikon is still churning out FM10s (built by Cosina)
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/filmcamera/slr/fm10/
And there are a bunch of Yashica FX-3s clones out there, in theory, still being manufactured by Phenix
http://binocular.com.hk/index.php?route=product/category&path=83
The 1060 is a Yashica FX3 super2000 with nikon mount
Other ones have electronic shutters and the 10303 is another yashica clone but with PK mount, others with MD mount.
And they also have a rangefinder Yasuhara clone (10JG50C).
Have to email them some day because their product line is very interesting

Sad to arrive late to SLR kickstarter and even sadder seeing that the Ihagee Elbaflex did not reach the minimum amount required.
Best regards

 

[farlymac]

The Arax line are not "new made" cameras, but rebuilds of the old Kiev stock that was left over, with improvements made to the internal workings, and external cosmetics. I remember that years ago there was an outfit here in the US that would tune up new Kievs, only without changing the name. Used to see their ad in the back of Shutterbug.

PF

 

[doitashimash1te]

According to Wikipedia, Deardorff large-format 4"x5" and larger bellows view cameras 'are still in production today, in small quantities, but built to original Chicago specifications.'

Also still in the business of manufacturing large format (as well as pinhole) cameras: UK based Walker Cameras.

 

[Huss]

Sad to arrive late to SLR kickstarter and even sadder seeing that the Ihagee Elbaflex did not reach the minimum amount required.
Best regards

The Reflex kickstarter will become a regular production item, so no loss there.
I bought into it, but now feel I should have waited out in case it doesn't pan out. As if it fails, the money I put in is gone, no?

I'm glad the Ihagee thing did not get funding as it was IMO a scam. They acquired surplus defective Kiev 19 cameras, then removed the meters (the defective part) and claimed that was a new camera. While they were just 'broken' K19s (which is why they were never sold) with a new name plate.

 

[robertofollia]

The Reflex kickstarter will become a regular production item, so no loss there.
I bought into it, but now feel I should have waited out in case it doesn't pan out. As if it fails, the money I put in is gone, no?

I'm glad the Ihagee thing did not get funding as it was IMO a scam. They acquired surplus defective Kiev 19 cameras, then removed the meters (the defective part) and claimed that was a new camera. While they were just 'broken' K19s (which is why they were never sold) with a new name plate.

I'll be watching in order not to miss the Reflex SLR.
What I did not know was the defective 19m acquisition. Thought they had re-engineered something.
Best regards

 

[Oren Grad]

According to Wikipedia, Deardorff large-format 4"x5" and larger bellows view cameras 'are still in production today, in small quantities, but built to original Chicago specifications.'

This is out of date. Barry Cochran purchased the Deardoff business, but his attempt to restart it failed after production of a small number of cameras.

https://www.bbb.org/chattanooga/business-reviews/photography-sales-by-mail/deardorff-cameras-in-athens-tn-40078871/reviews-and-complaints?section=complaints

 

[css9450]

I'll be watching in order not to miss the Reflex SLR.

According to their website, shipment of some of their accessories was supposed to start in January, although I don't recall specifically what was coming first. Anyone get anything yet?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Nikon is still churning out FM10s (built by Cosina)
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/filmcamera/slr/fm10/

Still in production, or merely enough stock on hand to list in the catalog?

Cosina ended production of their CV Bessa film camera line years ago.
I'd be quite surprised if they were still actually producing more FM10's.

Chris

 

[maigo]

Still in production, or merely enough stock on hand to list in the catalog?

Cosina ended production of their CV Bessa film camera line years ago.
I'd be quite surprised if they were still actually producing more FM10's.

Chris

The last Bessas are stacked and hidden in a large warehouse in Japan next to the last Acros, under the last Velvia/Provia and nearby the Ark.


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[BillBingham2]

I am waiting on my new Mercury "Universal" Camera to arrive. It was originally designed to be in Medium format but now in large format also. You purchase it as a group of lensboards, focusing mounts, backs spacers etc to assemble the camera you want.

Also a back for the Fuji Instax film is available.

Most of the parts are open sourced 3D & printed to order.

This one actually has me interested. What are your thoughts Mr B?

B2 (;->

 

[Sumarongi]

Aren't there a couple of Minolta X-300 clones, having either Minolta MC/MD or several other lens mounts (e.g. Pentax K, I guess?), still made in China, or am I not up-to-date?

 

[Corran]

This one actually has me interested. What are your thoughts Mr B?

B2 (;->

Not him but I have been using a couple of Mercuries since the first round of shipments from KS, and just ordered a new 5x7 camera.

IMO the best "use case" for this camera is as a fixed-lens ultrawide. My preferred setups are a 38mm lens on 6x9, a 47mm lens on 4x5, and my newest camera will be rocking a 72mm lens on 5x7. These are all extreme wide angles.

I shoot landscapes though. You can shoot handheld street images with hyperfocal zone focusing if you want, and set it up for that.

My only complaint is a bit of trouble with flare in some situations with the sun out of frame using a lens with excess coverage - the plastic body exacerbates it. But that's a rare thing. Use a hood and it's fine.

Some photos:

Landscape 1

Landscape 2

 

[Huss]

Not him but I have been using a couple of Mercuries since the first round of shipments from KS, and just ordered a new 5x7 camera.

IMO the best "use case" for this camera is as a fixed-lens ultrawide. My preferred setups are a 38mm lens on 6x9, a 47mm lens on 4x5, and my newest camera will be rocking a 72mm lens on 5x7. These are all extreme wide angles.

I shoot landscapes though. You can shoot handheld street images with hyperfocal zone focusing if you want, and set it up for that.

My only complaint is a bit of trouble with flare in some situations with the sun out of frame using a lens with excess coverage - the plastic body exacerbates it. But that's a rare thing. Use a hood and it's fine.

Some photos:

Landscape 1

Landscape 2

excellent pics Corran