Title inspired by a certain Star Wars film that made its debut this week.
Digital is killing me… it’s a necessary evil, but I need to go back to my roots.
As I write this, there’s a relatively inexpensive film camera in Japan with my name on it…
—Peter.
Prosophos 
Well….you are Jedi when it comes to this sort of thing. 😉
Remember, a Photographer’s strength flows from the Film.
—Yoda (sort of).
Hope it’s the RB67, I’ve always enjoyed your work with that beast!
Thanks! That was the RZ67, by the way. I sold it to a good friend… oh man do I miss it.
Now I’m intrigued to see what is coming!
Well, it won’t arrive here until the first week of January, and then it might need a CLA, so… it will be a while before I can post anything (I’ll have to figure out how to use it as well).
Jurassic World, James Bond, Star Wars. All shot on film. The only handicap that film has, which digital doesn’t, is that it needs relatively large cameras to fit inside, and sometimes larger lenses. Not always, but sometimes. There are some medium format cameras smaller than DSLRs. 😉
But I don’t like the scanners. Cine scanners are ace, photo scanners are either too expensive, too slow or they exaggerate graininess (which is not there in the negative). I had a quick look at your Plustek entries and I note that it has ICE. That’s something the Epson V850 also has. When you compared the V700 with the OpticFilm 120, which did you find was quicker?
I never use the ICE feature, given I’m scanning silver halide B&W film (didn’t use it when I was scanning colour film either), so I can’t comment about the speed of either scanner in that context.
Even for B&W film, I don’t recall which scanner scans faster, as I am more interested in final output. In my experience, the Plustek 120 gave me better scans, so I chose it over the Epson. I do, however, like the convenience and flexibility of the Epson, but dislike the large footprint and constantly-smudging large glass surface (though that large surface is what makes the Epson so flexible).
I will say that the Plustek 120 has the best stock film holders I’ve ever used, which makes a surprisingly big difference in my enjoyment of working with it.
You’ve kept the Nikon (and Sigma) gear.
It would then make some sense to get one of the classic Nikon 35mm film cameras and use lenses interchangeably. And since you’ve bought pretty big F mount lenses, one of the larger models (like an F3) would balance better than the smaller, more mechanical models (like an FM of some persuasion). They are not, however, particularly quiet.
Then you show only 120 film, yet have not mentioned lenses coming with the new camera. Still, a Mamiya 7 or even Fuji MF rangefinder are to some degree plausible (and by my shaky recollection are leaf shutters?).
Why Japan? Something not readily available more locally? Is that true of the MF rangefinders? I suppose so, although that thought raises other considerations as well. Would you really go to a Hexar or Contax or 35 ti (again, I didn’t look that up to make sure of correct naming, but you almost surely know what classic I’m talking about)? Those would be a significant departure, but pare you down to essentials and put the image making solely in your hands without much camera tech to help. I suppose that’s also true of many film camera choices that you’d look overseas for. Surely there is some attraction to the small and minimalistic, even an original GR with it’s stellar lens, but again, unless the cache of 120 film is unconnected, not on point.
I do so love to speculate. I know what I’d guess, if push came to shove, but…
LOL, Greg you really can analyze well!
I’m not intending to be coy and make this a guessing game. I’m not saying anything yet in case it doesn’t work out (the camera is DOA, I hate the camera’s ergonomics, I get frustrated with film again, etc, etc, etc.).
Suffice it to say, the model I’m considering is one I’ve never had the pleasure of using.
All in good fun. 🙂
I’m guessing Japan because of Japan Camera Hunter… or simply because of the sheer volume of great film cameras available from .jp via eBay?
Camera — Bessa III/Fuji GF670? Or a classy Hasselblad? Maybe maybe…
Michael, I often look to Japan for film cameras because of the “sheer volume of great film cameras available”, as you write.
Good guesses… I’d love to have them all!
Me intrigued, you now have.
…Yes, hmmm.
Yes…. hmmm…
I stopped being intrigued long ago Mark…😉…though excited to see what your tool of choice is Peter😊.
The little CCD spoiler has me excited with anticipation.
That whole CCD thing may shock you (or not).
“I am not at liberty to divulge” anything.
Keep the faith!
Plaubel Makina?
Rolleiflex or 503 Hblad…Mkina did come to mind though I don’t think Peter would have too much trouble working how to use it.
I hope it’s a Makina, I’d love to see what Peter could do with one of those.
Although I just saw the new header on the blog…my guess is changed now.