Re-starting Production of MF Film Cameras

[c.poulton]

A nice sentiment, but not likely to happen.

Fuji, Cosina, etc discontinued these cameras due to declining sales. In Fuji's case, what is the likelihood they would consider remanufacturing a MF camera system when they can't even sell enough 120 film to keep certain stocks in production, and they have to hike prices 30% to keep what they ARE still selling financially viable?

Just my theory. Well that and the fact that MF cameras weren't used and abused the way Nikon or Canon SLRs were in their day, for the most part...meaning a robust market full of MF cameras that are still going relatively strong compared to their 35mm brethren....

Maybe, just maybe, the production of new MF film cameras (or 35mm for that matter) might help drive up the sale of film? perhaps the big film producers could produce cameras for sale at or near cost, or even as loss leaders and make their money back on increased film sales, a little like the home printer market?

 

[Ted Striker]

Maybe, just maybe, the production of new MF film cameras (or 35mm for that matter) might help drive up the sale of film? perhaps the big film producers could produce cameras for sale at or near cost, or even as loss leaders and make their money back on increased film sales, a little like the home printer market?

Fujifilm if they wanted to, could easily bring back film camera production. It's clear that they do not want to so we can understand how committed they are to film.

 

[benlees]

Film cameras are a niche within a niche. Barring a drastic regime change a new mass consumer model that eats roll film won't happen. A very expensive limited run? Sure.

If they want to sell film then they need to market it more aggressively. Ironically, this means Instagram and its cohort. The current interest in film is a blip and the manufacturers are busy trying to see how production can remain profitable as a niche product like oil paints, horse saddles, and carburetors.

50 years ago every single person that had a camera and wanted to use it needed film. Needless to say...

 

[Jeremy Z]

Here's the thing, Japanese businesses are risk-averse. When they DO take risks, they generally don't take big ones.

Gearing up to produce film cameras again would be a big risk. (though I'm told that instant cameras are doing GREAT, these days...)

The Russians figure it out and since they have all the old equipment still, they are first. Then, the Chinese figure out how to copy an older Japanese or German design and start putting out crappy copies. If THOSE all do well enough, the Japanese will consider it a low enough risk.

 

[oftheherd]

Yes, Keith. But vinyl takes up so much space... My shelves were sagging until I disposed of about two-thirds of my vinyl a few years go. Kept the jazz and blues, so all is well.

Add the cost of a new turntable of a quality and standard I consider worth buying, costing not much less than the price of a new Nikon D610 at my camera seller in Melbourne.

Then add the replacement stylus, and a service (of turntable) every couple of years, essential if you use it regularly.

Vinyl is 1950s tech, CDs are 1980s tech. Two years ago albums cost $1 each in every op shop in Australia. Now $5-$10 or more. Hipster market.

Now I'll start playing every CD in my collection (about 3,000), and hope and pray none have "passed away" on me...

A most instructive post. Many thanks!

PS Were you referring to top brand CDs, or the cheaper 'generic' CD pressings? Is there a difference?

I am absolutely no expert on the matter. But I do recall some 10 or 15 years ago some internet posts on the possibility of cosmic rays damaging CDs. But even more so, improper handling as in pulling CDs out of their carrying cases and bending them in the process. I think that may be more likely. I think I see more carriers now,, and have for some time, that allow bending of the carriers and allowing tabs to pull off the CDs so they don't have to be bent to remove the CD.

 

[oftheherd]

What is doable, maybe, is keeping existing MF cameras working and taking pics for the next 50 years.

I just wonder if some of the costs mentioned in expertise to fix old higher-end Mf camers, and parts for them as well as for older lower end MF cameras might change that. I like the idea though. The only "higher-end" MF camera I have is a Mamiya Super Press 23. I don't use it due to its weight and a sever back problem.

But I do have some such as a couple of Welta models in 35mm and MF that seem to work with no problems when I am able to take photos. So I think you may be on to something depending on brand perhaps? I have a low end Zeiss 6x9 folder that take sharp photos and has simple shutter parts as well as aperture blades.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Fujifilm if they wanted to, could easily bring back film camera production. It's clear that they do not want to so we can understand how committed they are to film.

Make no mistake, Fujifilm is much more committed to its stockholders and its bottom line than it is to the needs of any market niche. But, you can say that for any for-profit company.

 

[zuiko85]

This discussion has highlighted the need for a new forum category.
'Imaginary Cameras'?
No wait, 'Dream Cameras'

Or....how about 'Pie in the sky, 90% underfunded Kickstarter (throw your money away) projects'.

 

[jsrockit]

Oh I like it... Dream Cameras!

 

[css9450]

This discussion has highlighted the need for a new forum category.
'Imaginary Cameras'?

Vaporware!

 

[Ted Striker]

Make no mistake, Fujifilm is much more committed to its stockholders and its bottom line than it is to the needs of any market niche. But, you can say that for any for-profit company.

Agreed.







.

 

[james.liam]

Remember that the Cosina Bessa versions were selling new for ~US$2500+ if memory serves. If Cosina starts up the line again, is it worth US3000 to you, when a used Fuji digital MF isn't all that far away and when you reckon the cost of film and processing, perhaps the same?

 

[Dante_Stella]

I think a lot of this is to do with the discovery that CDs die eventually. I was never aware of that when I started buying them all those years ago but I have many in my collection that will no longer play. Meanwhile my collection of vinyl sits there looking at me wondering when I might get a record player to play them again some day. It's an interesting world. 🙂

More often than not, it's the laser in your player going bad. Discs can go bad too. But laser diodes have a finite life.

Dante

 

[peterm1]

More often than not, it's the laser in your player going bad. Discs can go bad too. But laser diodes have a finite life.

Dante

If disks go bad, then why on earth do people not take the opportunity while they are still working, to "rip" the music to their PC hard drive. If you use a Windows PC then the Windows Media Player in Windows has a ripping function already built in that is simple to use (or if in doubt, Google how to do it).

A CD full of tracks typically rips to about 100 megabytes of files even at the highest quality setting. This is almost nothing these days when hard drives typically come with terabytes of storage. And if you are worried about hard drive failure........back the files up to an external drive. In fact I have all of my music stored on my hard drive and on a 64 gigabyte SD cards that can also play in the music player in my car - killing two birds with one stone. And also on a small format portable hard drive just because I can. Really it is worth doing and fast to achieve. Not sure of the legal position elsewhere but in Australia we have fair use laws allowing you to "format shift" and back up music on CDs you own to other formats.

 

[Jeremy Z]

This may not be what the OP was thinking about, but it's a start! (Along with the Lomo and Diana)

https://kosmofoto.com/2019/10/harman-launches-reloadable-kentmere-camera/

 

[Ted Striker]

Remember that the Cosina Bessa versions were selling new for ~US$2500+ if memory serves. If Cosina starts up the line again, is it worth US3000 to you, when a used Fuji digital MF isn't all that far away and when you reckon the cost of film and processing, perhaps the same?

The original Fujifilm GF670 and GF670W were produced in 10,000 camera batches. They eventually sold them all so it was worth enough for those people. Film is only more popular today than it was 5 years ago.

 

[Jeremy Z]

This may not be what the OP was thinking about, but it's a start! (Along with the Lomo and Diana)

https://kosmofoto.com/2019/10/harman-launches-reloadable-kentmere-camera/

I was just thinking about this, and wouldn't this be a fun item to give to a digital photographer who has never tried film? Or to give out at weddings? Then get them back, develop the film and post the images. Maybe even print the REALLY good ones?

Might go a long way toward getting folks hooked on film in general and B&W film in particular. As long as Ilford doesn't get too greedy, it could be a great way to boost their business. I'm going to look for these and buy a few for family and friends; see how it pans out.

 

[giganova]

I rather hope that there will be a new generation of skilled repair technicians that will keep our gear alive.

 

[benlees]

I was just thinking about this, and wouldn't this be a fun item to give to a digital photographer who has never tried film? Or to give out at weddings? Then get them back, develop the film and post the images. Maybe even print the REALLY good ones?

Might go a long way toward getting folks hooked on film in general and B&W film in particular. As long as Ilford doesn't get too greedy, it could be a great way to boost their business. I'm going to look for these and buy a few for family and friends; see how it pans out.

This has been a 'thing' at wedding for many years. Leave a disposable or (more recently) an Instax on every table. See what turns up. It is quite fun.
The photos are for the wedding party so not many of the guests get to experience the magic of roll film if they were unfamiliar. Instax is better in this case.

I agree that a reloadable disposable is a great idea.

 

[Huss]

I agree that a reloadable disposable is a great idea.

Isn't a reloadable disposable just a really crappy camera?