A major issue with sophisticated cameras is that they are usually designed for planned obsolescence. A camera gets discontinued and replaced with an "upgrade" after a few years, service from the manufacturer ends after 10 years, critical electronic components run out, then people go scrambling for parts bodies.
Hypothetically, I would be completely in favor of a high-end film camera if it wasn't doomed from the start. They don't have to be designed for planned obsolescence. It would have to be open source so that 3rd parties could legally make replacement parts. And it would be great if it was modular so that components could be interchanged, e.g., replace the meter with a more sensitive one, or swap out the shutter for one with a faster flash sync.
Right now, I'm monitoring the interwebs for a Konica Big Mini BM-300 parts body whose AF motor still works and doesn't cost $100 because manufacturers constantly made small tweaks to circuitry that made parts non-interchangeable. My repairman won't touch electronics from a BM-301 or 302 because they could fry the circuit board. It's ridiculous, but that's capitalism for you.
Huss, while we're on the topic of bullets and bulletproof vests, I'm preeeeeetty sure Phil could tell you a thing or two about combat photography. 😉
It's a "workaround" but the operative word is control. You can fudge the ISO setting but the camera still makes the exposure decision.
Talking Nikons stopping bullets, the day I met Ashley Gilbertson out at the press center at Camp Fallujah a few days before the Push, one of the civilian press was injured by shrapnel and flying glass from an IED. Her Nikon saved her sight by taking the shrapnel. I have a photo of that mangled camera somewhere. Her hands didn't care as well but I don't think they were permanently debilitating injuries.
Phil Forrest
Huss, while we're on the topic of bullets and bulletproof vests, I'm preeeeeetty sure Phil could tell you a thing or two about combat photography. 😉
There's lots that can be improved on the F6. Menus are the worst ever. AF could be improved w/ better distribution of sensors. Battery life could be improved. The matrix metering really is not good. It is calibrated for slide film so it will always underexpose in backlit conditions even though it is supposed to be "3D matrix metering" where it is meant to know what the subject is via by what is in focus, and base the exposure on that. Does not work.
If Nikon wanted to have different metering parameters for different film types, they should allow for that option.
So, lot's of stuff can be improved for the upcoming F7.
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