Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
The interchangeable film back and the spot /averaging meter, were two reasons I supported them. I wasn't in favor of the electronic aspects.
I do wish them success.
I do wish them success.
Gregm61
Well-known
These people and the guy working on the film scanner should get together. Maybe together they could get ONE product to the market. Most likely they’re both as big a waste of bandwidth tomorrow as they’ve both been from the start.
Huss
Veteran
Huss
Veteran
Latest update from Reflex on Kickstarter:
Recently we have found ourselves wondering (often out loud), if there is anything else that can go wrong, and while answer is “yes, most definitely” we are slowly learning that it is not only about avoiding setbacks, but also about how to best manage them when they eventually do happen.
And while the above image shows the design for a near-finished Reflex Model II, we have failed to meet our PhotoPlus deadline, causing more delays and timeline shifts.
So what went wrong?
In short, a mismatch between the hardware and firmware departments caused a substantial setback on the electronics DFM. A combination of poor HR judgement (due to a lack of experience on our end) and a set of wrong decisions, caused one team to underdeliver and another team to consequentially walk out. On top of that, we suffered an unfortunate setback in project management, causing even more delays.
How does this happen?
Due to our small budget, we have to work project based with certain departments and do not always have the option to hire exactly who we want or need. Due to this and some rushed decisions under pressure, we ended up with two incompatible departments. Incompatible to such an extent that it was almost surreal to witness at times. This entire episode set us back in a way that the day of the deadline felt like the day we started, two months prior.
Tho this is not exactly true, as we do have a finished circuit design and we don't have to start the firmware design entirely from scratch. Or in plain English; the electronics are advanced but not finished.
What about PhotoPus mentioned in update #22?
We did everything that was possible to get a pre-production Reflex ready for the PhotoPlus Fair in NYC last month. We had been invited by the good people at B&H to showcase the camera and lens at the main booth. The deal was that if the production was advanced enough, we would launch both camera and lens pre-sales at the fair. And while we did make it to the fair, it was a joint decision not to showcase the product at this stage.
How are we doing?
In all honesty, this last one was a bit of a blow, as it completely blindsided us. It’s not something easy to write about either and It’s hard to deny that recent events have not put a dent in our confidence. But we have regrouped and gone back to work, looking for a new EE team and starting off where things got left.
So what's next?
The hardest part after each delay or setback is the reboot… refinancing, reorganizing timelines, launch dates, push manufacturing, etc… this consumes a lot of time and energy.
On the other hand, the 40mm lens is tested and ready, and waiting to start generating income. However, we want to show a working Reflex camera as part of the launch campaign, so in the weeks to come we will focus on finishing what we started for PhotoPlus. This way we can showcase a working and production ready camera.
When we get to this stage we will start putting out the before-mentioned test samples and contact those who want to be involved in the testing.
Thank you for your patience,
Team Reflex
Recently we have found ourselves wondering (often out loud), if there is anything else that can go wrong, and while answer is “yes, most definitely” we are slowly learning that it is not only about avoiding setbacks, but also about how to best manage them when they eventually do happen.
And while the above image shows the design for a near-finished Reflex Model II, we have failed to meet our PhotoPlus deadline, causing more delays and timeline shifts.
So what went wrong?
In short, a mismatch between the hardware and firmware departments caused a substantial setback on the electronics DFM. A combination of poor HR judgement (due to a lack of experience on our end) and a set of wrong decisions, caused one team to underdeliver and another team to consequentially walk out. On top of that, we suffered an unfortunate setback in project management, causing even more delays.
How does this happen?
Due to our small budget, we have to work project based with certain departments and do not always have the option to hire exactly who we want or need. Due to this and some rushed decisions under pressure, we ended up with two incompatible departments. Incompatible to such an extent that it was almost surreal to witness at times. This entire episode set us back in a way that the day of the deadline felt like the day we started, two months prior.
Tho this is not exactly true, as we do have a finished circuit design and we don't have to start the firmware design entirely from scratch. Or in plain English; the electronics are advanced but not finished.
What about PhotoPus mentioned in update #22?
We did everything that was possible to get a pre-production Reflex ready for the PhotoPlus Fair in NYC last month. We had been invited by the good people at B&H to showcase the camera and lens at the main booth. The deal was that if the production was advanced enough, we would launch both camera and lens pre-sales at the fair. And while we did make it to the fair, it was a joint decision not to showcase the product at this stage.
How are we doing?
In all honesty, this last one was a bit of a blow, as it completely blindsided us. It’s not something easy to write about either and It’s hard to deny that recent events have not put a dent in our confidence. But we have regrouped and gone back to work, looking for a new EE team and starting off where things got left.
So what's next?
The hardest part after each delay or setback is the reboot… refinancing, reorganizing timelines, launch dates, push manufacturing, etc… this consumes a lot of time and energy.
On the other hand, the 40mm lens is tested and ready, and waiting to start generating income. However, we want to show a working Reflex camera as part of the launch campaign, so in the weeks to come we will focus on finishing what we started for PhotoPlus. This way we can showcase a working and production ready camera.
When we get to this stage we will start putting out the before-mentioned test samples and contact those who want to be involved in the testing.
Thank you for your patience,
Team Reflex
Huss
Veteran
I'm now rooting for them (not just because I backed them) because they really are the underdogs and so sweetly naive in what they thought this would take to succeed.
If this was a scam, they would have been long gone. But here they are, still chasing that dream!
And I still would be shocked if they ever bring this to production but it is interesting, very very interesting, that B&H has shown interest and will sell and promote these cameras if they ever make it.
You can doooo eeeet Reflex! (most probably not..)
If this was a scam, they would have been long gone. But here they are, still chasing that dream!
And I still would be shocked if they ever bring this to production but it is interesting, very very interesting, that B&H has shown interest and will sell and promote these cameras if they ever make it.
You can doooo eeeet Reflex! (most probably not..)
css9450
Veteran
Now that you mention it, the Time Machine I am inventing falls into that same category...
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Sounds so like some much larger companies I have encountered. The thing about chasing a dream though is that rationality often goes out the window, so they may well succeed because of that.
zuiko85
Veteran
Didn’t back but have been following this KS out of curiosity. Think most of these creators are very enthusiastic but woefully unprepared for the arduous journey that follows the funding campaign. Even large, well established companies run into major problems bringing out new products. In an interview years ago Y. Maitani, designer of several Olympus cameras told of the long road and many problems he had developing the Pen F and the 8 years he worked on the OM system before it was introduced. So this was no surprise.
Huss
Veteran
If it is based around a Hot Tub I’ll back it.
robertofollia
Established
Any place where we can get more news on the project?
Best regards
Best regards
zuiko85
Veteran
Well, we are all travelling through time into the future. Travel into the past, with knowledge of history retained and ability to interact with the past?
Afraid that would contaminate free will, I mean, how many things in your life would you change, if you could?
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
That's how I feel as well.
Having worked in firmware and electronics for over 40 years, I can visualize how the underfunded and inexperienced Reflex team probably had to choose the lowest cost EE /FW engineering teams available and how they didn't work well together.
I admire their determination to keep their promise to their backers.
bcostin
Well-known
I'd forgotten about this project. I do like the idea of a modern SLR with an interchangeable back and mount. In some ways it seems like they're re-inventing Cosina's tried-and-true universal camera body used by the R-D1, Voigtlander rangefinders and dozens of rebranded SLRs but in user-configurable modular form and with modern electronics. (Too bad Cosina didn't do that.)
Anyway, I'm glad they're working through problems instead of just giving up. It's hard to make nice things.
Anyway, I'm glad they're working through problems instead of just giving up. It's hard to make nice things.