What I'd Like to See in a Digital (SLR or RF)

naos · 03-12-2007

Today I was thinking about why I prefer film over digital. To me, it has more to do with the user experience, then anything else. I want to 'make' the photo. Not let the camera make the photo for me. Granted my DSLR's do have manual options.....it's just not the same as controling my MP or FM2.

So here's a rundown on what I'd like to see in a digital camera:

ONLY Full Manual Controls (No auto anything!) - I'd like a dedicated Shutter knob, aperture ring and focusing grid like on my MP.

Solid/Sturdy Metal Body and Build - No cheap plasticky bodies like my 350d. I'd like it to be WEATHER SEALED! I wanna be able to take photos in a hurricane and not have to worry about the electronics. I want to be able to pass this camera on to my children (whenever I have them...)

NO LCD for reviewing images - I don't care to review images until I get home. ISO speeds could be selected through a dial on the back like on the M series.

Full Frame Sensor - This one's a given....

Size - No bigger then my MP as a RF, or my Nikon FM2 as an SLR.

Shutter Sound - I want a nice and satisfying 'clunk'.

RAW - As the only file format.

Metering - Center Weighted....'cause I'm used to it.

Cost - $1,200 - $1,500

As you can see, I want a no-nonesense, no bells and whistles camera. I want a PHOTOGRAPHERS digital camera. Something to inspire me in the age of lifeless digital. What do you guy's/gal's think? Am I asking for too much...

oftheherd · 03-12-2007

Well we all have our likes and dislikes. We are entitled to them.

As for me, I don't mind the convenience modern advances bring us, as long as I can go back when I want to. So while I can admit to liking manual control, I don't mind having automatic settings either. After all, there was a lot of discussion about putting light meters in cameras as opposed to carrying a light meter or using the data sheet with the film. I used a data sheet (and memory) for a long time, but when I got my first camera with a build in light meter, I was sold. And the next one had auto exposure. Got sold on that pretty quick too, but appreciated the manual controls for the occassions when I needed that.

All that to say the only thing I would prefer from your list is the full frame sensor. I want manual control, but want auto exposure with it for when that works best for what I want to get in a photo. So while I would support having much of what you ask for, I just don't want to give up modern convenience when I want that too.

But good luck in your quest.

Solinar · 03-12-2007

The price point is too low for a full sensor camera. Large silicon chip manufacturing for CCD or CMOS is expensive.

With regards to the LCD screen playing back images, most dSLR"s let you turn this feature off.

However you may feel about the LCD, one should be checking the WB and the in camera exposure with the histogram by taking a couple of test shots setting up the camera for a new location.

By reading between the lines, I've got the nature of your post. I for one like my clearly labelled analog dials. I'm not that fond of using pull down or scroll through menus.

Ideally the type of metering can be set by a separate switch as on the Nikon D200. A lever for exposure compensation mounted under the mode dial would be a nice touch, too.

Pepe · 03-12-2007

You mean to just take any full manual camera from before 1985 and replace the film rewind lever with a white balance control... all the rest (iso dials, shutter dials...) stay where they are ?

Add to that a mount with a short mount-to-film distance so you can add lenses of any make with an adapter ?

We can dream, right ?

los · 03-14-2007

no buttons.

mfunnell · 03-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by los

no buttons.

How do you release the shutter

...Mike

MadMan2k · 03-16-2007

I'd like my Canon 1N, with a sensor and a memory card in it but no changes to the outside. Except the film number indicator should count down from the shots left on the card. If you shoot RAW you don't need white balance adjustment, and if I can get the exposure right with slide film why would I need to chimp?

Rangefinders belong with film in them, they go together. SLR's aren't so 'sacred', especially since I started out with a DSLR before I got my 1N (and sold the digital)