Nikon will stop making most film cameras

[clarityat3am]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/01/12/nikon.film.ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- Nikon Corp., which helped popularize the 35mm camera five decades ago, will stop making most of its film cameras to concentrate on digital models.

The Japanese company said it wanted to focus on "business categories that continue to demonstrate the strongest growth" as film cameras sales keep shrinking.

Nikon will discontinue seven film-camera models, leaving in production only the current top-line model, the F6, and a low-end manual-focus model, the FM10.

It will also stop making most of its manual-focus lenses.

Most of the company's autofocus lenses work with manual-focus bodies, however. Also, German optical company Carl Zeiss AG is widely reported to be planning a line of manual-focus lenses for Nikon bodies.

Nikon did not give firm dates for the discontinuation of its products, but said Wednesday that sales will cease as supplies are depleted.

Major competitor Canon Inc. still makes five models of single-lens reflex film cameras. At the lower end of the market, Eastman Kodak Co. announced in 2004 that it would stop selling film cameras in the United States and Europe.

Nikon ranks fifth in digital-camera shipments in the United States, behind Kodak, Canon, Sony Corp. and Fuji Photo Film Co.

Nikon was a major force in establishing the dominance of the 35mm single-lens reflex camera, the workhorse of professionals and sophisticated amateurs until the arrival of digital cameras.

Its breakthrough model was the F, released in 1959. It set a standard for ruggedness and reliability and became a must-have for photojournalists.

Unusually, Nikon has maintained the same lens mount over the years, meaning most lenses from 1959 will fit today's digital models and vice versa, albeit with functional restrictions.

 

[BluRmGrl]

I know wonderful things can be done with digital cameras, but there's something I just love about my old manual 35mm dinosaur.

Progress, I guess...

 

[nbcrusader]

With the quality of digital cameras today, film based cameras for consumers will be unnecessary. I'm sure use of film will continue at professional levels.

I hope to get a good digital SLR camera soon.

 

[BluRmGrl]

I hope to get a good digital SLR camera soon.

Yeah, I'd like one of those too. But aren't the good ones going for about $900 right now?

Too rich for my blood.

 

[hiphop]

Bad for photographers. You can´t simulate the analog negative. And high resolution digital development for perfect prints (contrary to shit development for the PC) is much more expensive than using the negative to supersize.

I predict 35mm film is still going to exist in 10 years. One big company like maybe kodak, will specialize on it and nearly have a monopoly.

 

[hiphop]

With the quality of digital cameras today, film based cameras for consumers will be unnecessary. I'm sure use of film will continue at professional levels.

I hope to get a good digital SLR camera soon.

where have you been.. didn´t you see my message in your journal?

 

[nbcrusader]

where have you been.. didn´t you see my message in your journal?

Check you mail.


Sorry, I had a Dr.'s appointment this morning. Just got back to the office.

 

[Justin24]

Kodak has changed to nothing but digital(unless you buy a disposable one). I still think Canon and Nikon will continue to produce Film Camera. I love Digital, but Film has it's own special place. When I took begining B&W photography the instructor said soon they will only offer Digital photography since it is taking over.

 

[nbcrusader]

Yeah, I'd like one of those too. But aren't the good ones going for about $900 right now?

Too rich for my blood.

Yeah, they are on the expensive side. I use to shoot plenty of film, but then got a digital point and shoot. The response time is too slow to capture active children - especially in their sports.

I've saved for a year to get one. Even got some excellent advice from Diemen on different models.

As soon as my employment situation clears up, I'll place an order.

 

[hiphop]

Check you mail.


Sorry, I had a Dr.'s appointment this morning. Just got back to the office.

whewhewhew Excuse me! I hadn´t seen it yet

 

[the rockin edge]

i haven't used a fillm camera for 4 years

digital pictures

 

[melon]

Professional digital SLR cameras are so expensive that I'd rather save up and get a $5000 semi-professional HD video camera.

Melon

 

[nbcrusader]

DSLRs are now below $600 - Canon's Digital Rebel has really pushed down prices for the market.

 

[melon]

DSLRs are now below $600 - Canon's Digital Rebel has really pushed down prices for the market.

I kind of wish Nikon made a mid-range DSLR. They go from 12.4 megapixels to 6.1, which is the difference between $1800 and $600. Why can't Nikon make an 8 megapixel camera?

I guess I'm biased a bit towards Nikon, because their lens mounts haven't changed since 1959, so I won't have to wonder if the camera I buy today will be able to use the lenses of tomorrow.

Melon

 

[hiphop]

lenses? I´ll just say Zeiss. For Nikon F series.

 

[Kieran McConville]

Personally I use disposable cameras for most of my covert operations. The quality is shite, but the plausible deniability is excellent!