Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon Killed Its Last Film Camera One-Year Ago Today

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One year ago today on May 30, 2018, Canon ended sales for the EOS-1v SLR film camera. It was the final film camera that Canon offered for sale.

Few 35mm film cameras (from any brand) remain on the market today. In fact, the only SLR film camera that B&H Photo currently offers in new condition is the Nikon F6. A handful of Leica rangefinders and Ansco point and shoot models round out the 35mm options. Fortunately, the film camera options for used equipment are bountiful on the likes of eBay, including tons of listings for the Canon EOS-1v.

So, pour one out for the Canon EOS-1v today as we move into the next generation of mirrorless cameras that stand on the shoulders of these workhorses from yesteryear.

 

Nikon Patents Digital Back for 35mm Film Cameras

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Nikon has filed a patent that makes way for a digital back to convert 35mm film SLRs into the full-fledged DSLRs. The rear door that covers the film holder would be removed and replaced with a digital back equipped with an image sensor.

An excerpt from the patent:

The camera back exchange type camera which images the object image acquired by the photographing optical system by the side of a camera body, and obtains electronic image data is known by replacing with the rear lid with which the camera body was equipped, and equipping a camera body with the camera back having an image sensor.

In the camera back of the description to this Patent document 1, when the moving mechanism to which the position of an image sensor is moved, and the position detection sensor which detects the position of an image sensor are provided and a moving mechanism moves an image sensor based on the output of a position detection sensor, The image sensor to the photographing optical system by the side of a camera body is positioned.

Are you ready to convert your Nikon F6 yet? [Read more…]

Polaroid PIC-300: Instant Film Strikes Back . . . At Your Wallet

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Polaroid 300

Polaroid instant cameras are finally back in town.  The new Polaroid PIC-300 is the first instant camera to be introduced since the old Polaroid died and was born anew (recall, however, that we were teased with the Polaroid PIC-1000 mockups back at CES 2010).  The Polaroid PIC-300 is a consumer-oriented camera that uses the aptly-named Polaroid 300 Instant Film. However, all this comes at a price.

While the camera will only set you back about $90, the film will suck you dry at $10 for a 10-pack.  That’s $1 per exposure folks.

Ah, yes, now I recall why Polaroid died.

The Polaroid 300 format is also smaller than the traditional Polaroid sizes from back in the day.  Instead, you get Fuji Instax Mini sizes – about the same size print as a business card.

No doubt that there’s a fun factor to the new Polaroid PIC-300; however, you’ll have to be committed to your nostalgic ideals to jump on this bandwagon.  The Polaroid PIC-300 gives new meaning to the expression “make every frame count.”

For those who are willing, it looks like J&R is the only place (aside from Polaroid.com) where you can find the Polaroid PIC-300 right now.

Updated: It’s also available from Amazon.com here.

Full details on the rebirth of Polaroid instant cameras in the press release below. [Read more…]

Up Close With the Fuji GF670

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Fuji GF670

Fuji took an interesting turn earlier this month with the introduction of a medium format film camera – the Fuji GF670 Professional.  I don’t have much more information other than what was available at the time of the announcement; however, you will find a number of up close photos along with some additional commentary on the new medium format shooter below. [Read more…]