Which camera would you like that is not available?

[agentlossing]

Exactly! Without an LCD of course. I'm surprised this isn't the most popular request ;-)

When you think about it, I doubt there's a way for Leica to make a monochrome sensor that renders anywhere near closely to a film stock - because you need a color filter array to provide color information for the processor to interpret as the nuance of film stock. Remember that different B&W films were actually more sensitive to certain colors in the real world. I think straight monochrome sensors without filters probably provide such a linear output that it's actually preferable to make such a camera with a bayer filter. In which case, ya know, just let the camera output color as well.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

When you think about it, I doubt there's a way for Leica to make a monochrome sensor that renders anywhere near closely to a film stock - because you need a color filter array to provide color information for the processor to interpret as the nuance of film stock. Remember that different B&W films were actually more sensitive to certain colors in the real world. I think straight monochrome sensors without filters probably provide such a linear output that it's actually preferable to make such a camera with a bayer filter. In which case, ya know, just let the camera output color as well.

That actually makes sense, to me at least. I bought an M246 a couple of months ago, and there are definitely some things you can’t do with it if you are used to manipulating various color channels, some results I can’t get. Of course there are results I can get that I could not get, easily, with a color sensor. Some of that, is certainly down to user error, but not all of it. Some of what is distinctive about ACROS is the very non linear way it treats spectra that end up in the red channel, for instance.
Pros and cons. So maybe, if we’re postulating things that won’t ever happen, we need a camera with a reversible sensor color/mono like a rain coat. For $600.

 

[agentlossing]

I think the best way into great B&W files is good JPEG modes in camera. Panasonic's L Monochrome and L Monochrome D, which feel a lot like HP5+, and Ricoh's Hard B&W and high contrast B&W on the GR III are all excellent, and let you play with color channels.

Of course, I guess you can use color filters on a true monochrome sensor, but then a lot of the extra detail and ISO performance are probably being negated by the drop in light transmission and the extra glass in front of the lens.

 

[JohnWolf]

When you think about it, I doubt there's a way for Leica to make a monochrome sensor that renders anywhere near closely to a film stock - because you need a color filter array to provide color information for the processor to interpret as the nuance of film stock. Remember that different B&W films were actually more sensitive to certain colors in the real world. I think straight monochrome sensors without filters probably provide such a linear output that it's actually preferable to make such a camera with a bayer filter. In which case, ya know, just let the camera output color as well.

OK, I'll amend my fantasy. Can we at least get realistic-looking grain and more film-like highlights, without all that rendering perfection? And if Leica can't do it at a fair price, how about an X100-TX400?

John

 

[Godfrey]

At this point in time, I find myself shooting with:

- Hasselblad 6x6 film or 33x44 digital
- Voigtländer 6x6, Fuji 645 film
- Minox subminiature film
- Leica APS-C digital
- Polaroid SX-70 (and derivatives) instant film
- Minox, Rollei, and Leica 35mm film (scale, RF, SLR)
- Fuji SQ instant film
- Polaroid Go instant film
- FourThirds format digital
- Light L16 plenoptic small-sensor digital
- iPhone 11 Pro and later digital

And, frankly, most of what I've used in the past several months has been the iPhone or instant film.

If I think about what I'd like that doesn't actually exist at the present time, the only category of the above that is deficient in hardware and features I'd find important is instant film for a high quality lens, manual focus (with RF or SLR focusing aid) and full manual exposure controls (the SLR670x by MiNT comes closest but in manual exposure mode, you're limited to only f/8 and whole-step increments in exposure times). Something to make up that lack would be nice.

The Polaroid film cartridge is more precise in establishing a focus plane than the Fuji Instax cartridge, but requires a mirror-reversal to achieve correct upright/left to right orientation in the final print. Nonetheless, a camera based on either the SX-70/600 pack, or the Fuji Instax SQ film pack, with a proper lens that focuses precisely and full manual exposure control would be awesome.

That's why I've been trying to build one. I really have to find time in and around my other projects to finish that! 🙂

G

 

[Pál_K]

...
If I think about what I'd like that doesn't actually exist at the present time, the only category of the above that is deficient in hardware and features I'd find important is instant film for a high quality lens, manual focus (with RF or SLR focusing aid) and full manual exposure controls...

The camera you want exists, but the film is no longer manufactured. What you’ve described is the Polaroid 600 SE (the Polaroid “G00SE”):

- rangefinder focus
- manual setting of shutter speed and aperture
- interchangeable lenses
- multiple film backs

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Polaroid_600/600_SE

People lucky enough to own them are crying because it uses the no-longer-manufactured pack film. I suppose you can use a 120-back, but it’s not the same experience.

 

[Pál_K]

...

I'm slowly building a 4x5 Sinar Norma Twin Lens Camera. I intend to use it for studio portraiture
...

Beautiful. Yet I can’t help but think that all that wouldn’t be necessary if only there were some way to view through the taking lens...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Tlr?

Tlr?

A TLR with large digital sensor would be cool. A Rollieflex 2.8D 🙂

 

[FranZ]

A Gontax Gx Digtital with an hybrid viewfinder like the Fuji XP2

 

[DavidC]

A Leica M with increased eye relief, variable magnification/diopter eyepiece
packaged in a Barnack sized camera that could be easily carried all day.

 

[Nokton48]

Beautiful. Yet I can’t help but think that all that wouldn’t be necessary if only there were some way to view through the taking lens...

Then there would be viewfinder blackout at the moment of exposure. I want to view the subject during the exposure, like with a 6x6 TLR

 

[eckhardf]

Not a complete camera as such; but I'd like self-contained 35mm FF digital film modules that can be inserted and removed from my existing film bodies at will. Including Monochrome and high ISO options of course! all with good dust-proof designs.

Still waiting.......😀

 

[JeffS7444]

If Canon decided to reissue the Kwanon or Hansa-Canon, I would be super-interested, but doubt I could afford either except as a scale model (now if only Bandai would produce such a thing in 1:1 scale).

Sony: I picked up an A7R4 last year and it's fine and I suspect it'll be sticking around for awhile.

Olympus: I'm a fan of recent Stylus Tough cameras with their super close focusing, raw output, and ring illuminator accessories. But raw output for features like focus-stacking would be extra icing on the cake. And if they want to add a few street-shooter features, I won't complain: Snap focus? Sure why not, it'd work great with a small-sensor camera such as this.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Ok, so, this thread is about that camera that does not exist right now. ... What are you thinking?

I'd love to see essentially a M/SL hybrid. A ~40mp FF Leica M camera with IBIS, a built-in EVF (no RF), and costs less than $5,000!

At one time, such a camera was being rumored (excepting the price point, of course).

 

[Godfrey]

The camera you want exists, but the film is no longer manufactured. What you’ve described is the Polaroid 600 SE (the Polaroid “G00SE”):

- rangefinder focus
- manual setting of shutter speed and aperture
- interchangeable lenses
- multiple film backs

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Polaroid_600/600_SE

People lucky enough to own them are crying because it uses the no-longer-manufactured pack film. I suppose you can use a 120-back, but it’s not the same experience.

I have a Mamiya Press 23 Super, which is the standard film equivalent of that camera. And yes, a 120 back is not the same experience at all. And it's no longer available, that is, doesn't exist at present.

I want smaller, lighter, more handy ... The Press 23 cameras are very large, very robust/heavy in construction, and slow in operation. They make the svelte SX-70 look very small and very facile/fluid in operation. I don't need interchangeable backs or interchangeable lenses, what I'd like is something more on the line of the Fuji GS645S in overall weight and features, but with a Polaroid SX-70 film processing/handling unit.

That's what I'm looking for... It may not be possible to construct something like that with my resources, but I'm trying. 🙂

G

 

[Bolo Kukus]

A fully manual Contax G1.

The sale value of every Leica film M camera would then drop by at least half.

But I dream...

(With an apology to poster #89 who beat me to it. +1000 to you, sir!)

 

[Rangefinder 35]

Contax G3 (digital), 40MB or more.

 

[AndyC]

I’d love another folding Fujifilm 6 x 6 to go with my 667, but more suited to portraits. Longer, slightly faster lens, still keep the folding design. About a 90mm (35mm equiv) f2 would do nicely.

An M7 successor too, please. The MP is lovely, but I’m lazy and like aperture priority.

 

[Peter_S]

- Monochrome GFX 50R
- Bessa 667W. That one is sort of available, just not at reasonable prices.