Are Any Film Cameras Still Being Made?

[Vincent Peri]

I got the impression that the Nikon (really Cosina) FM10 was still being made. Then I came across a link to B&H Photo that said the Nikon F6 was the only film camera being made, but that was probably from a year or so ago. Then I found a Wikipedia article on the FM10 that said it and the F6 were still being manufactured in 2020.

 

So, what is it? Any film cameras still being made?

 

Thanks for any info.

[Dieter Schaefer]

AFAIK, the FM10 was discontinued in 2017 and the F6 in 2020. Probably the only manufacturer still producing film cameras is Leica.

[maris_rusis]

I think these companies still make brand new film cameras or did until recently. In some cases production levels are low and cameras are sometimes manufactured to order rather than for stock. With the increasing perfection of 3D printing I expect an increase in small scale camera design and production.

 

Linhof: Linhof Precision Cameras made in Munich | Linhof

Chamonix: Chamonix View Camera

Shen Hao: http://www.shen-hao.com/

Gibellini: Gibellini Camera

Arca-Swiss:

Canham: K. B. Canham Cameras, Inc.

Intrepid: The Intrepid Camera Company

Cambo: Manufacturer High Quality Techcam, Architectural and Reproduction Cameras, Studio Stands and studio/video accessories - based in Kampen, The Netherlands - Cambo

Ritter: LARGE FORMAT CAMERA REPAIR R T RITTER|TOWNSHEND VERMONT

Walker: Walker Cameras | Large Format Cameras & Accessories | Home Page

Lotus: http://www.lotusviewcamera.at/index1.html

Svedovsky: http://svedovsky.com/

VDS cameras: http://vdscamera.com/

ONDU (pinhole cameras): http://ondupinhole.com

Argentum: http://www.argentumcamera.com/eng/pages/other/home.htm

Black Art Woodcraft: http://www.blackartwoodcraft.com/wet...ld-Camera.aspx

Wista: https://www.wista.co.jp/e_wista/e_sh...a/e_camera.htm

Toyo: http://www.toyoview.com/ProductInfo/ProductInfo.html

StenopeiKa: http://www.stenopeika.com/en/

Horseman: http://www.kenko-pi.co.jp/horseman/e/index.html

Wilderness Camera: http://www.bhcamera.us/wilderness810.php

Da Yi: http://www.bhcamera.us/dayi612.php

Gaoersi: http://www.bhcamera.us/gaoersi810.php

Wanderlust: https://wanderlustcameras.com/

Silvestri: http://www.silvestricamera.com/eng/p...odotti_eng.htm

Frica: http://www.frica.cn/

Dayi:

Plaubel: http://www.plaubel.com/

HF Large format cameras: https://www.facebook.com/HFcameras/

Star Camera Company: http://www.starcameracompany.com

[Niels - NHSN]

Dora Goodman: Homepage | Dora Goodman Cameras

Lomography: Lomography

[Vincent Peri]

Thanks for the replies. I should have specified I was wondering about 35mm SLR's only.

[SCL]

Sort of a cheat here...Leica still makes 35mm rangefinder cameras which can use their old Visoflex reflex attachment to turn it into a clumsy SLR, but only for use with their lenses from 65-1000mm with removable lens heads.

[m42dave]

Not an SLR, but I think KMZ (Russia) still makes the Horizon 35mm panoramic camera, now marketed by Lomography. KMZ and Cosina also still make lenses to fit 35mm cameras. Edited March 30, 2021 by m42dave

[Niels - NHSN]

Thanks for the replies. I should have specified I was wondering about 35mm SLR's only.

No real cameras in that category anymore. Nikon F6 was the last.

[John Seaman]

I expect Nikon stopped making the F6 and FM10 years before they were discontinued, when the existing stocks became exhausted.

[Dieter Schaefer]

FM10

Wasn't produced by Nikon anyway, the manufacturer had been Cosina.

I should have specified I was wondering about 35mm SLR's only

That's what I had assumed - hence my initial answer.

[Greg M]

More importantly, the better film cameras, like my two, a Leica M4 and Nikon F2AS, will still be transporting film and pleasing whoever owns it long after I (59 years old) am dead and gone.

 

The M4 was completely gone through by DAG in 2019 and is mechanically just flat sexy to use, and the F2AS is coming shortly from Sover Wong complete with his new resister in the meter head rated for a 50+ year life cycle..

 

DP-12 ring resistor

 

and adjusted to semi-spot metering..

 

Spot metering

 

Both will be operable long after new digital camera I currently own or have bought or any el cheapo new 35mm camera some company like Cosina either has made, or might ever make.

Edited April 4, 2021 by Greg M

[JDMvW]

will still be transporting film

 

IFF there's still film to transport. I think film making is already becoming small-scale, craft production on old machinery that is, itself, wearing out.

 

 

Both will be operable long after new digital camera I currently own or have bought

 

so some people say, but with digital ( much less built-in meters on film cameras) the catch is usually getting batteries, otherwise there's not much to "wear" out.

 

When the Macintosh was introduced, there was a movement called "Apple 2 forever" or some such. I'm sure that somewhere someone is still using their Apple ][+

 

BTW, I speak as one who owns something on the order of 200+ film cameras!

 

Exakta Varex forever!

[Niels - NHSN]

As long as I can find a horse for my carriage, I'm a happy camper.

[JDMvW]

:)

[m42dave]

And I'll continue to enjoy collecting and using my "el cheapo" Cosinas and other off-brand cameras that the Nikon/Leica snobs turn their noses up at, and getting great results from them. :)

[kmac]

I had an idea to build my own one-off twin format camera. Don't laugh, this produces beautiful images. Polaroid Tominon 105mm lens fitted to old Kodak folder. Converted to 120 film but can also take the original size 70mm film of which I have two color bulk rolls. Cost of camera plus lens plus NOS bellows, A$110 all up.

 

Edited April 5, 2021 by kmac

[glen_h]

Batteries are always a problem, and always will be.

 

I am working on replacing the cells in an EN-4 pack for a D1X.

It seems that they are 4/5 A (not AA) NiMH cells, which I bought 6 of.

But then I found a good price on an already built replacement.

 

I recently bought a Lytro Illum, which should be fun to use.

The company closed down, and I got a good used price on it, but it only

comes with one battery pack. Unlike some others, there are no brand-X

packs being made (yet), and also no supply of Lytro packs.

 

Some out there cost more than I paid for the camera (and battery).

 

So, some day I might have to try rebuilding one of those.

[c_watson1]

Yashica MF-2 DX?

[Mike Gammill]

If looking for a 35mm SLR I'd buy used and have it professionally serviced (maybe some restoration to exterior). Many such cameras can be made to look and function as new if you don't mind spending some money.

[Niels - NHSN]

If looking for a 35mm SLR I'd buy used and have it professionally serviced (maybe some restoration to exterior). Many such cameras can be made to look and function as new if you don't mind spending some money.

I agree. A new Leica M-A may cost $5500, but you can buy a mint Leica M4 for $2000 and have it restored mechanically to better than new for less than $1000 and end up with a better camera than the M-A.

Project that to a Nikon F2 which you can find used for under $200 and have restored to better than new by Sover Wong for less than $800.

We really don’t need new cameras, but rather dedicated repair techs.

[c_watson1]

I bought doubles, even triples, of favorite 35mm SLRS 10+ years ago when many in nice shape went for very little money. Mint or EXC+ medium format gear(Bronica and Mamiya) wasn't much more. If doing it again today, I'd probably skip it, due mostly to the thinned ranks of qualified repair talent. Sure, there are the Sherry Krauters and Sover Wongs of this world, but 25-40 year-old prosumer/amateur 35mm SLRs are tough to get fixed and easier just to pitch. When pros turned away from film, medium format repairs got scarce, too.

 

I'm a light film user and trust my back-ups will last me. I stopped buying film gear around 5 years ago mainly because the quality had slipped dramatically.

[mjferron]

And I'll continue to enjoy collecting and using my "el cheapo" Cosinas and other off-brand cameras that the Nikon/Leica snobs turn their noses up at, and getting great results from them. :)

And I will continue to peruse Nikkormats that one has a hard time spending more than $100 on. My latest is a very clean FT3. Though a less optioned kid sis of the F’s I don’t think any other camera has a superior build.

[Kent T]

And I will continue to peruse Nikkormats that one has a hard time spending more than $100 on. My latest is a very clean FT3. Though a less optioned kid sis of the F’s I don’t think any other camera has a superior build.

 

Agree highly. My old Nikkormat FTn is as well built as any F. And dependable, faithful, and loyal.

[m42dave]

$100 for a Nikkormat seems a bit high to me :) For that price, I could buy four Cosina-based SLRs (Argus STL 1000, Ricoh Singlex TLS, Chinon Memotron, Vivitar 450/SLD, etc.), Perhaps not as refined but every bit as rugged, with reliable Copal shutters. I paid $10 for my GAF L-ES in mint condition, and it's one of the best users I have, not to mention the huge choice of great lenses available.

 

I have used a couple of Nikkormats and they are well made, though I never cared for their ergonomics.

Edited May 1, 2021 by m42dave

[Kent T]

$100 for a Nikkormat seems a bit high to me :) For that price, I could buy four Cosina-based SLRs (Argus STL 1000, Ricoh Singlex TLS, Chinon Memotron, Vivitar 450/SLD, etc.), Perhaps not as refined but every bit as rugged, with reliable Copal shutters. I paid $10 for my GAF L-ES in mint condition, and it's one of the best users I have, not to mention the huge choice of great lenses available.

 

I have used a couple of Nikkormats and they are well made, though I never cared for their ergonomics.

 

Ricoh Singlex TLS is not Cosina built, and an excellent camera. Better Cosina models are fine. I prefer Nikkormat build quality (and so would you if you had Cerebral Palsy, I've brassed up, dinged, and dented my fair share of cameras and fine lenses). I like old Rikenon and Nikkor Lenses. And prefer manual and mechanical.