blackest Loc: Ireland

I love dslr's they have something about them that make you feel you could do great things with them. I find i rebel against most other types of modern camera, they have no real appeal just plastic boxes for the most part, they don't engage me, sure i am holding the camera trying to compose the shot and trying to get the autofocus to agree with me where the focal point should be, soulless devices.

I find myself looking at vintage film camera's and ok some of them are ugly monstrosities too, but some of them i find hard not to hit the buy button.
Crazy really i have 4 film SLR's already and film is kind of awkward to deal with although i have just found a fella who processes black and white, ok it's not free like digital but it's the price of a couple of beers or maybe 2 or 3 cappuccino's these days.

I'm thinking there is a place for these range finder type camera's in todays world, or at least a digital equivalent. Manual Focus no screen on the back a mechanical shutter and aperture, no bayer array just black & white. Ok maybe a few subtle modern enhancements a focus confirmation light in the view finder.
dials rather than buttons no built in flash but perhaps a hot shoe for off camera flash. A simple fast prime lens. A digital engine inside which adjusts to ensure good exposure but pretty much that. As the photographer you are selecting the aperture setting the focus compensating for the scene's tones. I wouldn't even go for dedicated batteries just a couple of AA Cells.

Teens love black&white photo's, they are drawn to them, i think it is something that would have appeal, what do you think?

Maybe you have a better idea for a camera you would like to own if only somebody made them.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Asked and Answered. Having the camera to one's eye and seeing the settings on screen which can be adjusted by dial give full control. I longed for a Minolta 7000i one of the first "computerized" FSLR. F, could stand for film, but owning and dealing with this camera's menu system changed the meaning from Film.

While I will admit I leave my pocket Super-Zoom on Auto, shoot, then if time or need permits, change to a different setting..... The old Pentax K-1000 Film SLR, [actually multi lenses] gave the option of change f, S, focus by your fingers as you held the cup to your eye and drank the image while changing it flavor.

Auto focus! humph... on spot... shot a couple dancing... spot saw trees a mile away and focused on them... them not being the couple... rather them being the trees... lost moment never regained... couple blured.

Ideal is a K-1000 look alike with a digital memory.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Actually I just bought some hp5 yesterday and trying to decide which body to put it in i think the k1000 with a 55mm f1.7 will do the trick :)

repleo Loc: Boston

Sounds like the Leica M Monochrome is just what you are looking for. Only $7.5K. Small price to live your dream

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1144610&gclid=CIf5kMnKo9ICFZeKswodq28IrQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051678642%2C&Q=&A=details

machia Loc: NJ

I'm happiest with my old MINOLTA SRT-101 with the Rokkor 58mm f1.4 lens . It was given to me in 1972 by my Father and in that 45 years it has become the only camera that I can actually record what I see .
My Canon DSLR is a wonderful tool but when I pick up my old SLR , well , there's 45 years of history in my hands , all the places I have been too with this camera , people I met , professional gigs I picked up along the way , etc . It's all in the palm of my hand .
And the best part is that it's not some old relic , no , it just keeps on producing images that I see around me .
What a great hobby / profession we have !

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

That's what I thought that Leica had a B&W camera only. Thx for the link.
But can't I just set my 7D to B&W and include internal filters as if I were using red or yellow ones? I can even do sepia if I remember right.
So I think for a lot less money I will stick with the old 7D.
But B&W is fun.
I have found my nieces and nephews etc. also really love watching my old 16mm movies I have including an original Porky Pig movie. They are fascinated with the click of the projector and the old speaker.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Yes and it's the only digital camera that works this way, that i can find. Pretty much puts it out of the running for me and most people to be honest.

At current prices i can shoot film at 40¢ a shot (including developing). 18,750 frames to reach that price. Over 500 rolls of film and they say digital is cheap :)

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

I always had a sweet spot for the shape and feel of the Olympus E10 and E20. Both are in my camera cabinet in storage. They still work but they ate batteries, have very modest capabilities by modern standards, were basically zoom lens as built but still cameras that I just liked. Way past them now with professional Nikon modern stuff but a soft spot is still in my heart for the E20......Olympus. These two show you could take photos with them...Blue Ridge Parkway shots from a fall camping trip.

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Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I would like a Leica rangefinder that uses 120 film, 6x9, instead of 35mm. But I can't even afford a Leica 35mm, so...

Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

A very cool topic since I have as well been looking into range finder cameras lately. Yes I love the Leica but hate the prices. I have found myself searching this body style a lot as of late. I am teetering on purchasing a Voigtlander Bessa r3m film camera yet I find myself holding back. To be honest not sure why, I have a Nikon F100 that I still use for my film moods, and a D750 as my workhorse digital body. So in a nutshell I'm still searching!!! But I'm learning a lot as my research continues.

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

If I had the budget I'd replace my excellent canon eos m3 for travel with cropped sensor 24 mp with the Sony A7Rii....full frame 42 mp sensor. Excellent images, still digital and even with limits would work well, however, the budget is pretty near staggering.

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GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Charles, be careful what you ask for.
It exists and it's only $500 or less on ebay.
You need a Fujica GSW 690, AKA the Texas Leica

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Personally, I love my little Fuji x-E2.
Reminds me of the Leica I used to use at another job.
I've been tempted to put a fake film rewind knob on it

Rongnongno Loc: FL

The camera that goes where I want to be w/o going there...

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

If you have to give up travel to buy a travel camera, something does not compute there.