New Konost Digital M mount Rangefinder Project

New Konost Digital M mount Rangefinder Project

  • Sometime in 2015

    Votes: 2 1.1%

  • Sometime in 2016

    Votes: 16 8.9%

  • Sometime in 2017

    Votes: 11 6.1%

  • Not Likely Ever

    Votes: 150 83.8%
  • Total voters
    179
CameraQuest said:
Perhaps they should go go Kickstarter?
Click to expand...

That would be a good move. But from what I saw and what I not saw over the last year, I don't think, that they would have enough to show to get funded.

When I look over the website content, my biggest concern about the future project ist, that I don't have the feeling, the two main ingredients for a successful funding are there: a very good and dedicated technician (or some of them) and the passion of photography. It's just design and hipster-stuff, but no substance.
 
Most Kickstarter projects are from enthusiastic amateurs with limited business experience who under estimate cost by a factor of 4X to 10X and then plod along for a time and finally expire. Outfits like Lomography have successfully used that platform basically as a pre-sale method to see how many units they can sell in the first batch. That way they don't over estimate sales and wind up with half a production run sitting in stock and eating up capital that could have been used for more profitable items.

Knowing this hasn't stopped me from backing a couple of projects (not the Ferrania KS, I don't shoot slide film). It's funny, I don't gamble, the idea of buying a lotto ticket would never enter my mind, just not part of my makeup. But I'll still take a chance on some Kickstarter projects.
 
Pretty much all Kickstarter projects go over deadline. "Fail" has a clear meaning and that quite simply is wrong to say when they are finishing test coating rolls. Once they have everything rolling the hard work is done - so I hardly think they will "fail" after a year, as long as they have a product people want at a price-point that works. With the loss of E-6 from Kodak and Fujifilm seemingly wanting to price themselves out of the market, I think it's likely they could be the ONLY E-6 film soon. Support it or don't but don't bad-mouth a project as "failed" when they are literally at 95%.
 
Hi,
So, interesting though the Konost is, let's say it never comes to fruition and you want/need a Full Frame body.
Always a possibility of buying a 35mm film camera like the Nikon F or a Canon RF- full frame [tick], basic manual controls [tick], interchangeable lenses [tick], no worries about dirt on the sensor [tick], probably much cheaper to acquire [tick].
 
rbelyell said:
me, i dont even really want 'state of the art'. imo, 90% of us, including me, dont need 36mp images. its a needless clutter and time consumer. i'd be happy with a new rd2 housing a non sony 16-20mp sensor, a little softer shutter sound and getting rid of that darned 'crank'! ):
Click to expand...

In other words, not an R-D2 but a cheap Leica, right? You want the very soul of the Epson removed. Just buy a used M8.
 
At least they consistently post a message every year:

"Although we launched our website in 2015, we have been operating in stealth mode for the past two years.

Before the end of the year, we will revamp our site and provide some updates on where we are."

http://konost.com/?p=7381
 
I've never had any responses to my emails/contacts to the Konost people either. Even during their "active" period. 😕

However, I think its telling how the rate of "activity" reflected on their website, facebook page, etc. has steadily and rapidly decreased over time. It has reached "zero" for some time now, so they should pull the website and facebook page. Perhaps they have forgotten about them.

Looking back on Konost and other "crazy" ventures, I really do think e-film was more likely to happen and was probably closer to being a reality. That's unfortunate too, I think I would be more interested in purchasing an e-film than a Konost -- even at the same price point. If I could use an e-film in any of my film Leicas, it would be a joyous miracle. But, I've learned a bit about "miracles" over my lifetime.....

Thus, I'm left with my M2 and M3 for film, and my M9 for digital rangefinders. Make no mistake, I can't complain about my situation today 😎
 
If they could make the lens mount motorized (like Techart pro M-mount adapter) and thus make AF for M lenses possible, then I guess it can attract more attention from the users who feel uncomfortable about an (probably expensive) MF only camera.
 
jsrockit said:
More: http://photorumors.com/2016/12/21/k...-promises-updates-before-the-end-of-the-year/
Click to expand...

"Although we launched our website in 2015, we have been operating in stealth mode for the past two years.
Before the end of the year, we will revamp our site and provide some updates on where we are.
From the Konost team, happy holidays!"

I should have said, except for this ^^ the Konost updates have faded to zero.

As for the announced revamped site and updates: I'll believe it when I see it. They made a few other announcements of this sort over the last couple years; e.g., about a year ago to say they're going to show us something soon..... but that was then and soon has passed.

The next most recent Konost announcement was Dec 6, 2015: "Well, we are happy to say that Konost is more than just alive. In fact, we’ve doubled the size of our team."
"For the past year, we have been working hard on each aspect of the camera. Behind the scenes, we’re spending our time on the full-frame sensor calibration, the rangefinder mechanism, image processing, the electronics, the body design, and the list goes on. The Konost FF will come."
"Over the next several months, we’ll also be working on setting up a better method of communicating with you, our supporters. We plan to set up a mailing list that would provide updates to those most interested."

Anyone manage to get on that mailing list?

As much as I sincerely hope the Konost project is a reality and success, my gut feeling is we won't actually see a Konost happen. That's not to say there wasn't great and valuable enthusiasm brought out by the project. I'm literally warmed to know that there are others in this world who desire something like the Konost. I know I was excited about many of the proposed attributes of the camera. Thus, something may indeed come of this project; perhaps in the inspiration of other companies to adopt Konost ideas into their products. We also learned a little about the market for a Konost camera. That too is useful info for projects that may arise to fill needs/wants of the RF population.

As for the speculation that Konost is working with Leica on the M10, the only thing I can imagine is sharing an electronic rangefinder technology that might make it into a Leica M10. I think I would welcome that, as long as there is no need to wait for action from Konost. 😉
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Article Article
The Leica as a work of ART: Selling the image of elegant exclusivity
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Pioneer
Pioneer
J
  • Article Article
What’s the best U.S.-made interchangeable lens rangefinder 35? It depends on your criteria.
2
Replies
26
Views
5K
rick oleson
rick oleson
J
  • Article Article
M-Mount Cameras NOT Made by Leica Part 4, 3 Digital M's From Japan & France
Replies
1
Views
1K
kshapero
kshapero
J
  • Article Article
The Pentax Papers, part 1, 1919 to 1973: From the founding of Asahi Optical Co. to the last screw-mount Pentax
2
Replies
26
Views
5K
Jason Schneider
J
J
  • Article Article
The Most Advanced 35mm Rangefinder Cameras Ever. Part 1: Leicas
2
Replies
31
Views
6K
johnf04
J
Back
Top Bottom