New 35mm SLRs?

[Randy]

From all of the research I have done, the only company offering new 35mm SLR Cameras as of this date is Vivitar, a division of Sakar Industries, and Phenix. The model V3800-50 is made for them by Cosina. Phenix Cameras are made by the CHINASIA Company.

www.vivitar.com/products/8/professional-and-slr/34/v3800-50

www.chine-taiwan.com/phenixoptics.htm

I've seen no evidence of Kalimar or Phoenix still making cameras, the latter both made their own versions of K-Mount and MD-Mount SLRs. The Phoenix K-Mounts were copies of the Cosina C1a.

Kalimar, owned by Tiffen, no longer shows film cameras on their site, only accessories.

Anyone have any other information?

[andys93integra]

As far as i know you can still buy new Nikon F6's.

[daveh]

Both the Nikon F6 and the Canon EOS 1V are being listed in their relevant websites as being available.

[nikonbob]

There are two film slrs listed on the Nikon site imaging.nikon.com/lineup/filmcamera/index.htm . There is some debate as to whether or not the F6 is still in production or existing inventories are just being sold off and the FM10 is/was made by Cosina. Even if these two Nikons are still in production the list of all currently produced film slrs very tiny.

Bob

[daveh]

Don't forget there is also the one that clever Frenchman made for himself! I suppose it is a reflection of how good digital has become. I'm not sure it has taken over fully from film in all respects but overall digital does now have too much going for it.

[nikonbob]

No need to fret that camera collecting will go away in the digital era. I would bet that there are already some not yet recognized digital classics out there. Future generation of collectors will recognize them though.

Bob

[Doug T.]

I have some odd little cameras in my collection, orphans mostly.
I have also begun to collect some of the first digitals, when I can find them.
As far as I'm concerned, there isn't a whole lot about digitals that anyone could find interesting enough to warrant collecting them.
The different storage mediums maybe, like the Sony Mavicas for example, or just the fact that they might have been the first of their line.
The problem is, when you collect digital, you're almost forced to collect old computers as well just to be able to use them!
I'll continue to collect both, but as long as there is B&W film and instant coffee, my main focus will be film cameras.
I have been lusting after a Canon ION still video camera though

Doug

[daveh]

Now, I do have a collection of old computers!

[nikonbob]

Dave

That is why I said future collectors will recognize them as the current bunch of collectors (us) would not recognize them. They just don't fit our criteria. Remember too, collecting does not necessarily encompass using them.

Bob

[daveh]

Bob, for me anything is collectible.

That said, I've never really set out to collect cameras. I have bought things to use or for family members to use. However, when I've moved on I have retained the previous generation (unless lost, stolen or given away) so I have built up a modest collection of things photographic. There was a time when I photographed things with B&W film and and Colour reversal so if I bought a new (at least to me) film camera I always ended up buying another.

Dave.

[nikkortorokkor]

To my knowledge, Shanghai Seagull are still churning out Minolta based SLRs.
I don't know how many of these are still being made, only a handful I'd guess.
Here is a significant portion of their model output from the last 30 years.
www.seagull-cn.com/products_more.asp?it=%B5%A5%B7%B4

Phenix is, to my knowledge, Still governed by Phenix Optical Co.

Here is their film camera lineup, though again, some of these look to be historical models:
www.phenixoptics.com.cn/cn/product_210.html

[daveh]

...if only they had the pages in English. Judging by those ranges, China looks to be the last bastion of film.


Just thinking about Asia, cameras seem to have been made in all sorts of countries either own brand copies or 'assembled in'. I can't immediately think of anything I have ever bought, or even seen, that has come out of India.

[camerastoomany]

blogs.widescreenjournal.org/?p=1924

[daveh]

Geoff, thanks. I was nearly right - from what it says it looks as though that camera was the Indian photographic industry.

[nikonbob]

That is amazing that India was only able produce those two cameras. Given they are capable of working with the Russians in the development of the T-50 5th generation stealth fighter. Looks like they have the tech to do so.

Bob