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Yes, Virginia, you can still buy brand new film cameras. Although their ranks have thinned considerably over the past decade as digital cameras dominate the market, new film cameras ranging from simple to ultra-sophisticated are still out there, to the delight of film devotees and those that just want to try their hand at silver halide for the art or the fun of it. Used film cameras are another attractive option that’s easy to access on the Adorama website. But for that unique thrill of being the first one to open the box, here are 8 great choices in brand new film cameras worthy of your consideration.
1. Nikon FM-10 Kit
This robust, all mechanical, manual focus, manual wind 35mm SLR accepts all Nikon F-mount lenses with aperture rings, gives you complete control over exposure and focusing, and requires button batteries only to operate its center-weighted, through-the-lens (TTL) match-diode metering system. Other features: Shutter speeds 1-1/2000 sec plus B, fixed viewing screen with split-image micro-prism and matte field, depth-of-field preview, double exposure capability, and 10-sec self-timer. It’s a great choice for students and enthusiasts. Adorama price: $529.00 with 35-70mm f/2.5-4.8 Zoom-Nikkor lens, cap, strap and Nikon fitted case.
2. Nikon F6
Nikon’s ultimate flagship 35mm SLR is a pro-caliber machine that incorporates all the latest advances, including an 11-area AF system with 9 cross-sensors that provides exceptional speed and performance, a rugged, weatherproof die-cast chassis with magnesium alloy covers, 41 Custom Settings with a customizable function button, a high-tech Kevlar and aluminum alloy 150,000-cycle shutter with speeds to 1/8000 sec, an improved 1005-pixel Color Matrix Metering System, and i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash and Creative lighting System functions. Other features: 7 interchangeable focusing screens, maximum burst rate of 5.5 fps (8 fps with optional MB-40 Battery Pack), and full viewfinder information. Adorama price: $2,394.00.
3. Leica M-A (Typ 127)
This elemental, all mechanical, totally manual 35mm rangefinder camera is the closest thing to a vintage Leica you can buy brand new and it’s a testament to the perfection of the original Leica M concept. It has Leica’s superb multi-frame range/viewfinder with projected parallax compensating, manually selectable frame lines covering lenses from 28-135mm, a rubberized cloth focal-plane shutter with speeds of 1-1/1000 sec plus B and flash sync at 1/50 sec, a silky smooth single-stroke wind lever, a traditional pull-up rewind knob. Its one-piece all metal body has hinged rear flap to facilitate loading, and a solid brass top and baseplate finished in silver chrome or black. The M-A accepts M-mount lenses from 16-135mm and there’s a film type reminder dial inset in the back. Adorama price: $4,180.00, in silver or black.
Other choices for 35mm rangefinder fans: The Leica MP with TTL metering, the Leica M7, with TTL metering and aperture-priority AE, and the Voigtlander R4A, all listed on the Adorama website.
4. Linhof Technorama 612 PC II
This magnificently crafted panoramic camera captures 6×12 cm (2-1/4 x 4-1/2 inch) images, providing 6 exposures per roll of 120 film, and 12 on 220. The detachable viewfinder has a built –in spirit level with reference cross and bright line frame to show the fields for both of the 2 lenses available for the camera, the 58mm f/5.6 Technorama Super-Angulon XL (Adorama price: $5,865.00), and the 135mm f/5.6 Apo-Symmar, each of which has a built-in shutter and 8mm rise movement to offer perspective control and minimize converging lines. This elite rig is the ultimate choice for panorama-shooting pros. Adorama price: $4,715.00, body only.
5. Lomography Lubitel 166+ Kit
This Russian-made classic is the last twin-lens reflex you can buy brand new TLR and it’s definitely a lot of fun to shoot with. Its body is made of stout plastic, but it’s all glass 75mm f/4.5 triplet lens provides decent performance and it’s quite sharp when you stop it down to f/8 or f/11. Gone is the old curved glass finder screen—the improved waist-level viewfinder has a flat ground glass that shows a 100% viewing image, albeit without parallax compensation. It takes 120-size film, and captures 6×6 cm (2-1/4-inch square), or 4.5 x 6 cm images using the included drop-in format mask. The kit includes a 35mm Lubikin conversion kit so you can create unique 58 x 33mm vertical panoramas with the sprocket holes showing on 35mm film. The Lubitel has shutter speeds from 1/15 to 1/125 sec. plus B, focuses down 2.6 feet, and it provides a standard X-sync hot shoe and ¼ x 20-inch tripod socket. Adorama price: $289.99.
For other choices in simple, low-end film cameras for creating artistic, dreamy images with an old-timey look, check out the listings under Lomography, Diana, and Holga on the Adorama website.
6. Toyo 45CX View Camera
There are quite a number of view cameras listed on the Adorama website, virtually all of which can create images on film, or digitally by fitting optional digital capture modules. The Toyo 45CX is one that provides a lot of value for the money. It features a rugged 450mm (39mm diameter) monorail design with a tapered, interchangeable bellows, lightweight polycarbonate construction, and a rear Dual Axis Spirit level. It provides a very wide range of tilts, swings and vertical adjustments, and has a Graflok-type back that accepts standard 4 x 5 sheet film holders, Polaroid backs, and 6×7 and 6×9 roll film holders. Adorama price, $768.50, body only.
7. Ilford Harman Titan 8×10 Pinhole Camera
If you’re going to take the time to shoot pinhole pictures why not go whole hog and shoot them on 8×10! This cool 8×10 camera made in the UK by Walker Cameras is constructed of robust, injection-molded ABS and finished with durable non-slip coating to withstand the elements and rough handling. It can be used with any film or paper, features two 3/8-inch tripod mounts, built-in spirit levels, and an accessory shoe. It weighs only 1.8 pounds and its precision pinhole provides an effective focal length of 150mm, an f/288 aperture, and ultra-wide coverage 94.7 degrees. Adorama price: $409.50.
8. Fujifilm INSTAX Wide 300 Instant Film Camera
This beauty features a retractable 2-element 95mm f/14 lens, a 0.37x optical viewfinder with Target Spot, a built-in flash, and an LCD that displays an exposure counter, lighten/darken control readouts, and fill-flash mode settings. Its programmed electronic shutter provides speeds of 1/64-1/200 sec, and its motor driven 2-range focusing system lets you select close-up or normal modes. It’s powered by 4 AA cells, which provide enough juice for 10 packs of Fujifilm Instax Wide Instant Color film. Adorama price: $99.95.
For other instant film camera options check out the listings under Fujifilm and Polaroid on the Adorama website.
