undefined | Better HN

0 pointsalistairSH1mo ago0 comments

It's not that the battery goes bad (it's just a CR2). It's the rest of the electronics - if any of that goes bad, the camera becomes a paperweight.

Whereas something like a vintage Olympus OM-1 is fully mechanical - if the electronic fails, you lose the light meter, but the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and shutter release are all mechanics, so the camera is still completely functional (enthusiast photographers can get exposure correct through experience, or an external light meter if they want to be fancy).

0 comments

2 comments · 1 top-level

anta401mo ago· 1 in thread

Is there a completely mechanical version of XPan? Of course I mean shoot 65:24 and have interchangebale lens support?

So far, I think there's no one for 35mm. For medium format shooters, there's the much bigger Fuji/Linhof 617. Of course pretty expensive. Perhaps 3D print is the only viable option...

alistairSHOP1mo ago

Nope, nothing similar that’s all mechanical. Maybe a Holga. Or the “toy” Sprocket Rocket. Neither are what would be described as high-end or luxury cameras.

The Infidex looks like a good option for 3D printing.

And there are 1-2 camera techs who will butcher an old 35mm SLR body, graft on an old press lens, and make it panoramic. But at that point, the body is just the film spool/winder. The old press lens has the shutter attached and controls exposure.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse