The perfect DSLR

[narsuitus]

Here are the specifications for my perfect dSLR:

1. Built to withstand daily usage
2. Accepts all older Nikon SLR 35mm film manual focus lenses without loss of diaphragm or meter functions
3. Built around the F2, F3, F4, and F5 SLR film body
4. Able to capture skin tones like Fuji S5
5. Minimum ISO light meter range from 50 to 3200
6. Able to capture images in low-light like Nikon D3
7. Has true mirror lockup
8. Has a glass pentaprism
9. Has interchangeable view screens
10. Has interchangeable viewfinders
11. Has a 100% viewfinder coverage
12. Ability to hide the image LCD screen so that is not visible.
13. LCD screen has live-view feature
14. LCD screen has swing and twist feature like Canon G5
15. Uses a digital sensor that has the same 43.266mm diagonal as the 35mm film format
16. Uses a 30.6x30.6mm digital sensor that allows the user to select a 24x36mm rectangular format or a 19x24mm rectangular format or a 30.6x30.6mm square format.
17. Allows the user to select portrait or landscape orientation for the rectangular formats.
18. Offers resolution equal to or greater than 35mm film.
19. Digital sensor is user upgradeable
20. Digital sensor is easy to clean
21. Camera software is user upgradeable.
22. Derives its power from standard-sized AA batteries
23. Body cost $600 or less
24. Uses CompactFlash and/or SD memory cards to store images
25. Digital sensor is protected from dust.
26. Body and controls are ergonomically designed.
27. Eyepiece has built-in diopter adjustment
28. Provides “B” (bulb) and “T” (timed) exposure options.
29. Provides white balance control
30. Provides contrast and color saturation control.
31. Ability to shoot images in JPEG and RAW format
32. Has both hot shoe and PC flash connection for standard flash units.
33. Minimal warm-up time when unit is turned on.
34. Minimal delay when shutter is pressed
35. Ability to shoot at least 2.5 images per second
36. Ability to shoot at least 24 images without pausing
37. Manual and auto exposure control.
38. Manual and auto focus control.
39. Camera does not have stupid sounding name like “CoolPix” or FinePix.”

 

[charjohncarter]

I like #19.

 

[andydg]

Olympus E1.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I like #22
The powering of Digital Slr's should be standardized on a single type power source e.g. AA cells which are easy to source and should be available well into the future.

Ach, I agree, but not AA cells! Unless somebody figures out a way to get long-lasting rechargeable lithium into that format.

I think that's a great list. It reads like the camera equivalent of Linux.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Here are the specifications for my perfect dSLR:

1. Built to withstand daily usage
2. Accepts all older Nikon SLR 35mm film manual focus lenses without loss of diaphragm or meter functions

Etc etc...

Yep, one for me too, please! 😉

GLF

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Perhaps Nikon will be rolling it out along with their M-mount rangefinder...;-)

 

[BigSteveG]

These "wish list" threads do go on. I've never understood the point. My D200 does everything I would expect a DSLR to do for me.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I propose not having an LCD screen. If camera shoots only RAW files, then you don't need to adjust much; you can do that later in post processing. And by not having an LCD, you mind and eye are freed up to take in the world, instead of the back of your camera!

And the only adjustment features needed are an ISO dial, shutter speed dial, and an over/under exposure dial. 🙂

 

[cmedin]

K20D has landed!

Haven't had much time to do anything, and still waiting for the 16-45/4 to show up. Slapped the < $100 18-55 on it though just to go snap a few shots, and it looks like it is pretty capable of decent resolution even with a cheapo lens like this. Interestingly, Pentax' approach to noise reduction is to more or less not do it. That means you can spot noise at 100% even at ISO 100/200, but the upside is very very good detail on everything. I'd rather have a high detail slightly noisy shot to work with than something that's been smeared out like watercolors like some other cameras do.

The controls and feel of the thing are superb. Everything is SOLID and it feels every bit as good as the Olympus E3 I got to play with. Heavy, solid, well built. The shake reduction is pretty cool, and I pulled off a 'reasonable' interior shot at _half a second_ at 35mm. Certainly nothing I'd make a poster of, but ok for a snapshot. Amazing stuff.

I took a couple of quick snaps outside while the clouds parted briefly between rainstorms. Here's a shot and a 100% crop of it, remember this is with the very basic and cheap 18-55 (the old version, not the Mk II). Will mount the Super Takumar this weekend to see what it's REALLY capable of.

Still:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26372833@N06/2614702738/sizes/o/

And 100% crop:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26372833@N06/2614703230/sizes/o/

I guess this would be equivalent to a ~5 foot print if you're viewing at 72 dpi.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I prefer noise to NR artifacts, personally. It doesn't look like film grain, but like film grain it looks like the natural artifact of the medium.

 

[Ruhayat]

Waking up the dead. 🙂

Now that the Fuji XT1 and Sony A7S are out, I wonder if the criteria for the "perfect DSLR" in this thread has been met? That Sony A7S sensor package in the XT1 body shell with 5-axis stabilisation from the Olympus EM1 would be the perfect "digital film" camera, to me -- I'm not fond of the Sony A7x body, it feels hollow and the grip just doesn't feel right; the XT1 body is far nicer.

But if I had a personal genie, I'd make it stick the sensor from my Canon 5D Classic into my dead Leica R-E shell. That's all the camera I need, really -- 12 megapixels, "full frame", aperture priority, and nothing else. Handsome, just big enough to be useful and small enough to be discreet, takes Leica R lenses. You can leave out the LCD, too, I won't be needing it, Genie.