Digital Back for old SLR
Feb 20, 2015 00:57:42 #
machia
Loc: NJ
Having recently switched from film to digital, my only regret is why did I wait so long? But yesterday I discovered my very first SLR from 1972, and as much as I like my new DSLR, the ultimate camera for me , would be to add a digital back to this workhorse, an SRT-101. I know Leica came out with a digital back for their R9 and Nikon had plans on the drawing board to add a digital back. In my case it would have to be a generic digital back as Minolta sold their camera division to Sony. Just curious of how many other people who would consider upgrading their old tried and true SLR to digital the ultimate DSLR like me.
Feb 20, 2015 01:17:45 #
I don't under stand what you are saying. Do you mean you want a screen on the back of your old film camera?
I myself started with a DSLR, but just last week I saw an old Minolta film camera in a shop in town (1 1/2 hours away). I picked it up and fell in love, it was built like a rock and fit my hand wonderfully! Sadly I didn't have time to get it because as soon as I picked it up I had to go (family reasons). But if it is still there I will be getting it!
I myself started with a DSLR, but just last week I saw an old Minolta film camera in a shop in town (1 1/2 hours away). I picked it up and fell in love, it was built like a rock and fit my hand wonderfully! Sadly I didn't have time to get it because as soon as I picked it up I had to go (family reasons). But if it is still there I will be getting it!
Feb 20, 2015 01:18:58 #
machia wrote:
Having recently switched from film to digital, my ... (show quote)
I do recall some digital backs that came out, but those were years ago, and would be vastly inferior to today's crop of digital cameras. But to be honest about it, today's digital camera have gotten so good, that once you are used to them, you won't miss the old body so much. I do recall the Sony SRT-101 very well. It took very good pictures.
And I remember the needle to adjust shutter speed and aperture. The camera used Minolta MD mount lenses. The later Minolta camera became auto-focus and used the AF lenses. On a Sony Alpha body, the MD mount lens with an adapter cannot achieve infinity focus unless the adapter has an extra lens that act like a teleconverter and moves the focal point back farther so it can focus at the sensor. This lens is know to degrade the image quality. The Sony A6000 can use an adapter without the extra lens since it is a thinner camera with a much shorter focal distance. An adapter has more room and can easily be built to accommodate infinity focus.
Feb 20, 2015 01:37:34 #
It is an idea of which many of us dream! I would love a digital back for my Mamiya RB67, or my Nikon F2, but the electronic connections needed are just not possible.
Feb 20, 2015 07:35:21 #
Two of my film-era cameras: a Nikon N8008s (still have) or the Contax G1 (would gladly buy again) would be dynamite with a digital back, preferably with a fully articulating screen. What a great thought, Machia!
Feb 20, 2015 10:16:41 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
It is an idea of which many of us dream! I would love a digital back for my Mamiya RB67, or my Nikon F2, but the electronic connections needed are just not possible.
There is a digital back for the RB but it costs a lot and the resolution is not a match for 6x7 film.
There are no digital backs for 35mm cameras
Feb 20, 2015 12:10:30 #
Darkroom317 wrote:
The sensor is 22Mp, but only 48.9 x 36.9 mm vs the original film size of 60mm x 70mm: http://captureintegration.com/product/phase-one-p25-mamiya-mount Hardly worth $5,900.There is a digital back for the RB but it costs a lot and the resolution is not a match for 6x7 film.
Feb 20, 2015 12:26:09 #
Funny you would say that because I had the same thought some time ago before I bought my first digital SLR. My film camera was a Nikon FE2 and I put a lot of miles on it. I am now looking at the Nikon Df. Although very expensive, it has the look and feel of the old film cameras with all the benefits of a digital and I can use all my old lenses.
machia wrote:
Having recently switched from film to digital, my ... (show quote)
Feb 21, 2015 06:34:37 #
I'd like one for my OM2 & OM10, and we'll have one for Mrs. N's Fujica ST601.
But I can't see it happening - to many old cameras out there that we all like and that would put a big dent in new sales. We live in a consumerist world, not one that eeks out the full use of everything we own.
That said I do try. Looking forward to a 4K TV (22 y.o. old 625 line through a wobbly the other week) and the Volvo's seen better days.
But I can't see it happening - to many old cameras out there that we all like and that would put a big dent in new sales. We live in a consumerist world, not one that eeks out the full use of everything we own.
That said I do try. Looking forward to a 4K TV (22 y.o. old 625 line through a wobbly the other week) and the Volvo's seen better days.
Feb 21, 2015 07:19:11 #
OldEarl
Loc: Northeast Kansas
Back in 2001, when I was in the business of selling photo equipment I recall hearing about a digital back for the Nikon F3. It was two or three megapixels and not real available--in fact I could not find one. It being 2001 I assumed that it might be mythical. I have not heard since. I just ran a google search and came up with this.
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/04/02/this-is-the-digital-nikon-f3-everybody-wants.aspx/
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/04/02/this-is-the-digital-nikon-f3-everybody-wants.aspx/
Feb 21, 2015 07:24:35 #
not if i get there first LOL (kidding but i know what you mean, i just acquired an early canon rebel & ooohhh hunny!) :thumbup:
Feb 21, 2015 07:35:17 #
Back when Nikon and Kodak were collaborating to develop digital cameras(the 1990s I think) there was a company that came out with a digital converter that fit inside the back of a 35mm camera. It looked like a film canister that had the sensor sticking out of it so it was right behind the shutter when the camera back was closed. Does anyone remember this, and what happened to this technology?
Feb 21, 2015 08:28:49 #
The closest thing I have seen to an old film SLR with a digital back is the Nikon Df. What more would one want?
Feb 21, 2015 08:30:56 #
Darkroom317 wrote:
There are no digital backs for 35mm cameras
Not true. As the OP mentions, Leica (in 2005) came out with a true digital back -- the Digital-Modul-R or DMR -- that can be fitted to the their R8 and R9 135 film SLRs. It was only in production for a couple of years but they can still be found on eBay from time to time.
Feb 21, 2015 09:11:46 #
You can see that it makes no economic sense. Look at the Leica the digital back for the R9 cost about the same as the M8. So a digital back for your good old SLR would cost the same as a brand new DSLR. It makes sense if the new DSLR becomes so cheap (like you can buy one for less than $100) it doesn't matter you want one on your film camera any way. But I doubt that DSLR will ever gets that low in price.
What I am saying is that they can not make a digital back for less than the cost of a DSLR of the similar quality. So OP are you willing to pay the cost of a DSLR to use your old film camera or you would simply buy the DSLR?
What I am saying is that they can not make a digital back for less than the cost of a DSLR of the similar quality. So OP are you willing to pay the cost of a DSLR to use your old film camera or you would simply buy the DSLR?
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