Is There Steel Or Iron In Digital Cameras

At Coincidental Photophile, nosotros honey film cameras for many reasons; notably their historical significance, their ability to make world-class images, and their low toll compared to their digital counterparts. But I think most of the writers here appreciate and maybe even prefer film cameras for one very specific reason – they feel incredible. Film cameras are creations from a time when physical mechanisms collection the world, and information technology's rare to find such haptic joy in the modern era in which consumer goods are often idea of as disposable, or at least inevitably replaceable.

All of that said, there's no denying that we also love sure digital cameras. While many digital cameras seem bland and, every bit stated, disposable, in that location does exist a scattering of really phenomenal digital cameras that not only make amazing images, simply too feel like the archetype mechanical cameras that we dearest so dearly. It's also hard to contend against the speed and efficiency of the digital workflow (there's a reason all of the product shots hither and in my camera store are fabricated with digital machines, later on all).

The writers and I decided to sit down and brainstorm which 5 digital cameras currently selling today are best for those of us who beloved film cameras. Here they are.

Fujifilm X100 Series

When the original Fujifilm X100 debuted at Photokina in belatedly 2010, information technology fabricated a massive splash. In an early 2011 writeup, DPReview described the X100 as "…a firm favorite in the dpreview offices." Adding that "Its drop-dead gorgeous looks and excellent build brand it a camera that begs you to pick information technology up and accept it out with you," and later describing the prototype quality of its 12.3 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor as "…goose egg short of superb."

The original X100 and subsequent models in the serial are such great cameras for people who beloved pic because they're all characterized by some very "film camera-similar" features. They all wait and handle like the classic meaty or rangefinder cameras that motion-picture show-shooting street photographers lust over (think Canon'southward Canonet or fifty-fifty Leica'south M series). They feature a traditional optical viewfinder (with a incomparably play tricks hybrid electronic viewfinder arrangement), they take classic physical controls for shutter speed, discontinuity, and more, but like moving-picture show cameras of the by, and they all feature a number of "Film Simulation" modes which reproduce the look of classic Fujifilm emulsions.

Since the release of the original X100 (actually called the FinePix X100 – all afterwards cameras dropped the FinePix nomenclature) Fuji has released three additional X100 models. The X100S refined the user interface and ergonomics while replacing the original X100'southward excellent 12.3 MP CMOS sensor with a 16.3 MP Fuji X-Trans CMOS 2. The 3rd model, the X100T, retain the sensor, lens, and cadre functionality of the previous model, but improve on the X100S in incremental ways. Most interesting to moving picture lovers might exist the addition of the "Classic Chrome" flick simulation.

The fourth and latest X100 is the X100F. This camera is naturally the about advanced X100 yet, packing a 24 MP X-Trans CMOS Three sensor into the traditionally compact X100 series body, as well as introducing a veritable cornucopia of new improvements. These include a new image processor, built-in ISO dial (a friendly addition for the states film camera fans), a larger bombardment, an improved 91-point autofocus system, a 60 frames per second electronic viewfinder refresh charge per unit, and a Fuji Acros film simulation mode. This terminal addition is particularly interesting considering that Fujifilm discontinued product of their Acros film last year, and just recently appear plans to introduce a new Acros movie afterwards hearing the public outcry from motion picture photographers.

The X100F has been the recipient of numerous awards in the photography press, and has successfully convinced the world that the X100 is a true professional photographer's camera.

Which X100 photographic camera should you buy? Well, the thing well-nigh the Fuji X100 series is that every single model in the serial is fantastic. My advice is to first decide on your upkeep and so buy the newest X100 yous can beget. Even if that ends up beingness the original X100 with the 12.3 MP sensor, you'll be getting an incredible machine that will make astounding images. Annihilation more than that is just a bonus.

At effectually $one,200 the X100F is 1 of the more than expensive cameras on the list. But for those of us looking to save money, the original X100 can be bought on eBay for an astoundingly low price – around $300.

Ricoh GRIII

The Ricoh GRIII is an obvious choice for any film shooter whose preferred film camera is a compact point-and-shoot. It's a stiff digital stand-in for the premium indicate-and-shoots from Contax, or the ever-pop compact cameras from Olympus and Yashica. And of course the Ricoh GRIII is the perfect digital camera for anyone who lives and dies past the earlier Ricoh GR1 moving picture cameras.

Nosotros've written most the reasons the GR1 series of moving picture cameras are such incredible point-and-shoots in our commodity earlier this year, and many of the core superlatives that characterize those motion-picture show machines are carried over to their counterparts in the digital GR serial. In his video review of the new GRIII, Kai Wong chosen the Ricoh GRII one of his "…favorite cameras of all time," and went on to describe the GRIII as "..something truly smashing."

The film burning Ricoh GR1v.

The Ricoh GRIII digital – look familiar?

Kai's not wrong. The Ricoh GRIII was released just a few months agone and it offers everything you lot'd expect from a brand-new, world-class digital meaty while retaining the core concept that has made the GR serial a camera loved by street photographers and snap-shooters for decades. It's incredibly small and well-made, features one of the best 28mm (equivalent) lenses in the photographic world, has in-trunk epitome stabilization, excellent loftier-ISO capability, and an incredibly quick beginning-upwards time for capturing snapshots at a moment'southward notice.

It's an peculiarly great camera for those of us who love compact film cameras because while it offers everything we've mentioned plus countless modern conveniences, information technology's actually a simple photographic camera like the compact film machines we all love. It'southward as "point-and-shoot" every bit it gets, without sacrificing anything in terms of epitome quality or tech. Oh, and it'southward got some pretty fantastic moving picture simulation modes too, if y'all're into that (and we are).

At $899, it'south the least expensive new camera on the list. For what the GRIII offers, that'south truly impressive.

[Friend of the site and former president of Pentax USA, Ned Bunnell has been shooting the GRIII since it released before this year and he's been posting his images and experiences with the new camera on Instagram. He's also been posting a drove of film simulation shots made with the photographic camera, which you can see via the hashtags #NedsGR3bw and #Nedspositivefilm.]

Olympus Pen F

I'll admit that some of the allure of classic flick cameras, for me, is just how gorgeous these quondam machines expect. In that location's something about the proportions, something near the finish of satin metal contrasting against blackness or brownish leatherette or vulcanite; picture cameras are beautiful objects. It's especially intoxicating when these gorgeous machines also happen to be extremely capable image-making devices. Which brings us to our third pick, and it comes from a legendary camera maker – Olympus.

Olympus is celebrating their centennial this year, and like they've done for many of the terminal hundred years, it seems Olympus is content to get down to the business of quietly making exceptional cameras and lenses. Without a lot of fanfare or marketing hullaballoo, Olympus has recently released a truly impressive digital compact in the class of the Pen-F Digital.

Like its earlier picture show ancestor, the Pen-F digital is uncommonly small. The Maitani-designed Pen F film camera was a half-frame camera, while the newest Pen-F Digital is a micro 4/3rds motorcar. This makes it well-suited for travelers and lifestyle shooters, or for consequence photographers looking for a pocketable camera for candids.

Like before Olympus designs, the Pen-F digital has outsized dials and knobs and switches for all the most important controls in photography. Big, mechanical dials click into identify with directed force, controlling exposure compensation, firing modes, aperture, shutter speed, and more. And it feels dense and solid while never feeling heavy or awkward. Put the Pen-F Digital into the hands of a film photographer and he or she will instantly feel at dwelling house.

The tiny camera is packed full of incredible features – a 20 MP sensor (with 50 MP high-res shot way), v-axis image stabilization, 10 FPS sequential shooting mode, an infrequent OLED electronic viewfinder, 81 point autofocus, and… a tilty-flippy screen. If you lot can't get the shot with the Pen-F, it's probably not the camera'due south fault.

Interchangeable lenses from Olympus' famed Zuiko line complete an imaging ecosystem that tin can compete with much larger (and more than expensive) cameras. When we come across the images that Olympus' micro 4/3rds cameras can get in becomes obvious that the lesser-celebrated brand is yet a powerhouse in optics – they've been doing this for a hundred years, after all. Oh, and the Pen-F Digital is (in my stance) just about the prettiest camera on the marketplace today. That counts for something.

At $999 the Olympus Pen F trunk lands correct in the middle of the pack regarding cost. Add together a lens and we're looking at a $ane,200-1,400 price betoken.

Nikon Df

The Nikon Df was very virtually replaced on this list subsequently the squad and I discussed its history and reputation and modernistic relevance. We had almost decided to include information technology at the end equally an honorable mention. Call it nostalgia or perhaps a power movement by my inner Nikon fanboy, but I merely had to include it on the list.

The Nikon Df was released in 2013, and marketed by Nikon equally a return to the purity of their earlier F series motion picture cameras. With a full-frame sensor, dedicated physical dials to control the most important aspects of photography, a full metal construction including top plate and metal controls, and removal of the video mode often found on DSLRs, the Df does indeed seem like a perfect motion picture-similar estimation of the DSLR.

The top plate is packed with large metal control dials for exposure bounty, ISO, shutter speed, shooting modes, and more than. And in this way it truly does look and experience like one of Nikon'southward modern classic SLRS, the F4 or the F5. Merely the rest of the camera is decidedly a digital auto. The back has everything you'd find in one of Nikon'southward contemporary to the Df DSLRs, the D610 or the D750 for example. Which is good, but besides somewhat confusing.

Is shooting the Nikon Df like shooting a film photographic camera? Not really. Sure, information technology's got physical controls, but it's really quite a massive camera with very DSLR-like ergonomics. It's the least pleasant camera on this list to shoot for those of us who just don't get excited by DSLRs. And on this site, that will include a lot of readers too.

Where the Nikon Df might get the perfect digital camera for the film shooter is when nosotros discuss Nikon specifically. If you're already shooting a bunch of Nikon cameras, say an original F, an F4, and even a Nikon DSLR, the Nikon Df could be a great fit. That's considering it'southward the only Nikon DSLR that can mount and shoot every Nikon lens that's been made since the original F mount was introduced in 1959. That's pretty incredible. But and then again, the new Nikon mirrorless Z6 and Z7 tin do that too (with adapters). Decisions.

At $ii,795 the Nikon Df is ane of the more expensive cameras on the list. In fact, it's only topped by our next machine. This will not exist a surprise…

Leica M10-D

For many film photographers, the Leica M series is the perfect combination of all the things that make pic cameras special. A cute, timeless design encapsulating nil only gears and levers and steel and brass, the early M cameras especially are mechanical masterpieces (see our guides to the Leica rangefinders and their SLRs). Even today, Leica yet makes ii mechanical film cameras, the meter-free M-A and the low-cal meter-equipped Thousand-P.

With this full-blooded and continued ability to create what could be the all-time film camera in the earth right now, information technology's no surprise that Leica should make some truly impressive digital cameras. While the make seemed to struggle to find its footing in the digital age, their latest releases, the Leica CL, the Leica Q and Q2, and their newest Thousand, the M10, are all grand slams.

Each of these cameras feels like a archetype motion-picture show camera in the hands. The dials and controls are simple and straightforward. The mechanisms actuate with incredible precision. The ergonomics and methodology are simplified down to the basics of ISO, shutter speed, and discontinuity. In many ways, shooting a CL or a Q2 or an M10 feels like shooting a Leica M3 from 1954 or a CL from the 1970s. And that's a good thing.

The M10-D is a recent release, and information technology's the purest expression of the film camera ethos in a digital machine. The M10-D is essentially a Leica M10 that recalls the wait and experience of the original Thou serial camera. It loses the Leica Red Dot logo and replaces it with the more moving picture-traditional Leica Script engraving. There's a thumb residual on the top of the machine that flips out, looking and actuating nearly exactly the same style that the film accelerate lever of the M3 does. The on/off switch is a ring surrounding an exposure compensation wheel that's a clear reference to the film speed reminder of the oldest M film cameras (or the ISO selector on later M movie cameras). This on/off and exposure compensation punch sits on the rear of the camera, exactly where near digital cameras would testify their LCD display (this space is available because the M10-D simply doesn't accept an LCD display). This is the M10-D's boldest move.

For a digital photographic camera in 2019 to not have an LCD screen is weird and, some would say, giddy. And information technology's an easy thing to poke fun of when we're talking about the extremely pricey products that Leica creates. In case you're not keeping runway, I'll tell you – the M10-D costs approximately $1,500 more than than the M10. Why would anybody spend more coin for a digital camera with fewer features than the camera from which it'south derived? There's something to be said for staying in the moment and eliminating distractions, sure, but is that worth $8,000?

It's a question that I won't answer in a definitive way. Different strokes for different folks. But if you're looking for the closest feel to shooting an incredible film camera but want those digital files and digital workflow, the M10-D might exist the pinnacle of modern machines. (Even if I'd never purchase one).

Got a digital photographic camera that just feels right? Permit us know in the comments.

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