New film cameras in 2020? Yes, it’s true. Believe it or not, there are still a few in-production film cameras available, brand new, today. And looking beyond the brand new, there is, of course, an active used market for photographers looking to dip their toes into the film photography world. Here’s a look at what’s available new, along with some recommendations for used classics.
New Cameras
Nikon F6
The only remaining film SLR in production. It hurts to say that, but it’s true. The Nikon F6 is the culmination of Nikon’s professional 35mm SLR legacy, succeeding the big and beautiful F5, the revolutionary F4, the coveted F3, the refined F2, and the iconic F. The F6 has all the bells and whistles you could ever wish for from a film camera, including an 11-point Multi-CAM 2000 AF system, 3D Color Matrix Metering, 5.5 fps continuous shooting (or up to 8 fps with the optional MB-40 grip), and 41 custom settings for configuring the camera to your own needs. There aren’t many other film cameras, if any, with this level of configurability, precision, or just sheer amount of technology. It’s a sophisticated way for Nikon to end its film-camera production, and segues well into where its digital development began.
Leica MP
Leica is known for stripping its cameras down to the bare essentials and, even for a film camera, the Leica MP is a highly pared-down model with just the essentials left. Simple, elegant, and streamlined, the MP—which stands for Mechanical Perfection—is, in fact, a mechanical camera and only requires a battery for the light meter. Moreover, the MP is characterized by its unencumbered appearance, sans a red dot and with just a simple Leica script on the brass top plate. It is, of course, a rangefinder, too, with a bright optical viewfinder and accurate focusing mechanism to suit working in any lighting conditions.
Leica M-A (Typ 127)
If the MP is even still a little too technological for you, then there is also the M-A (Type 127), which is, perhaps surprisingly, the most recently released M film camera. Whereas the MP is “Mechanical Perfection,” the M-A is “Pure Mechanical Excellence.” Regardless of superlatives, the M-A differentiates itself from the MP in that it does not have an internal light meter—it doesn’t accept a battery of any kind, for any reason. It is even more pure, if you will. Like the MP, though, the M-A doesn’t have a red dot, it has very similar all-metal construction, same rangefinder design, et cetera. The choice is really about whether you want an internal light meter or not.
View Cameras and Technical Cameras
The final type of new film cameras available today are the view camera and technical cameras, available in large format and medium format designations. These types of cameras have always been niche to some degree during the last 50+ years, but they continue to be made available due to their unique abilities that are still unmatched to this day. In fact, many of these cameras are currently used in conjunction with digital backs, making them the ultimate futureproof camera. I won’t cover everything available, but some highlights include the Linhof Technorama 617s III, a panoramic camera producing immense 6 x 17" images, and its 612 sibling that I had a chance to review; the classic Wista Field-45DX 4 x 5" wooden view camera; the inimitable Arca-Swiss F-Metric series of modular monorail cameras; the trusty Toyo-View 45AX metal field camera; and the iconic German field camera, the Linhof Master Technika (whose predecessor, the Super Technika V, I reviewed).
Additionally, and the complete opposite of a technical camera, it must be pointed out that, by far, the most popular types of new film cameras on the market are instant film cameras, toy cameras, and even pinhole and disposable cameras. However, these types of cameras aren’t included in this article because I feel they are meant for a different market and serve a different function than the high-precision nature of something like a Nikon F6, a Leica rangefinder, or a large format view camera.
Classic and Used Cameras
I have to start this second section with a quick plug for the B&H Used Department, which is where you can often find some of the below-mentioned cameras. As used items are all unique, though, the stock is constantly shifting. Don’t sleep on items you see and want, and don’t worry if an item you want isn’t there now, as there’s a good chance it’ll be in stock soon. And for some inspiration on historic cameras to look into, check out our ongoing Classic Cameras Series, which features an array of reviews on some of B&H staff’s favorite and coveted camera gear. Here are a few of the more popular cameras we’ve featured, and some of the easier ones to find on the used market:
Canon AE-1
One of the most popular 35mm cameras of all time is the Canon AE-1, which was also the first camera to feature an internal microcomputer. As an electronically controlled camera, it was unique in its time for being a pioneer in the shift from mechanical design to electronic designs that we’re still using today.
Nikon F
Equally as popular, albeit for different reasons, the Nikon F was the first SLR camera for Nikon and was the beginning of its still evolving line of professional cameras. When it was released, in 1959, it was also one of the most technologically advanced cameras of its time due to its reflex design and, eventually, the immense breadth of the entire camera system.
Pentax K1000
Another legend, the Pentax K1000 is one of the most prolific and popular 35mm SLRs of all time. It’s a camera I saw in all of my photography classes and a camera I still see people using today. It’s as simple of an SLR as you can really get, making it incredibly intuitive, and it’s been referred to as the ideal camera for students due to its ease of use and availability.
Hasselblad 500C/M
The Hasselblad 500C/M, or another variant of Hasselblad’s immensely popular 500-series, is likely the camera that comes to mind when someone says, “medium format camera.” These cameras have received more accolades, have been used to capture more important historical moments, and have more cache than nearly any other camera available. And they’re still highly coveted due to their enduring design, ease of use, and modularity.
Mamiya RB67
A bit more brutish than the Hasselblad, the Mamiya RB67 is another legend of medium format, and an ideal entrance into the formats beyond 35mm. It’s a heavy and imposing camera, but incredibly intuitive to use and versatile, due in part to its genius rotating back design.
Which film cameras are you in search of nowadays? What are some of your all-time favorites? Let us know your thoughts on working with newer and older film cameras today, in the Comments section, below.
