I think the biggest deterrent for a new film camera is the used market which is still big and undercuts the price of a new film camera. If a company really wanted to make money, they should offer repair services at a very competitive price, with fast turnaround, and it should have a machining department that can produce replacement parts

I can see a Chinese company producing a M style camera. Many of them have put out lenses for the Leica. It would make sense to make a camera for those who want the glass and functions but can't handle the price of a Leica.

That would be amazing if someone started making affordable film SLR cameras again. I think you're right about them needing to fit old lenses and simply focus on the body first with just a kit lens. Including adapters for popular lens mounts would be a great addition to that kit. Enthusiasts could get a new camera they know is going to function correctly and then explore vintage lenses as needed. If they made that package under $300, I would absolutely purchase one.

There were tens of millions of good quality film cameras made during the 70's 80's and 90's. The quality was so good that very many of them are still working fine today. Because of Ebay and on line sellers, a 21 century phenomenon, those cameras are now readily available at relativly low prices. Therefore Ebay + a global supply and shipping of good film cameras makes it difficult for a manufacturer to compete on either price or quality or both. It'll take a while for the existing supply to dry up before it becomes financially viable for manufacturers of new cameras. It's just market forces at play. Don't expect them to be cheap!

I got into film (probably like a lot of other people) because of how amazingly cheap and accessible the bodies are compared to their digital counterparts. For that reason alone, I just can't see people willing to part with €1000+ for an SLR or rangefinder body that isn't Leica. Happy to suck up the film price increases so that Kodak can keep up with supply, but not investing that much into something I can pick up for €50 on eBay. The real investment needs to go into post-processing. Get me something automatic and compact for developing at home and a good affordable 120 scanner!

With all the hype on P&S's and film in general, I think there would be a massive market for a point and shoot designed camera. A lot of people, including pros and hobbyists, want something simple and intuitive that they can carry with them all the time, but are weary on spending thousands of dollars on older electronics. As you mentioned, they have already started doing the disposable style cameras and people seem to like those. I believe the next step is to engineer a point and shoot, I think its the most practical device at this stage. I believe if any company can do it its Fujifilm. They are miles ahead of every camera manufacturer these days. They know what the people want and they know how to market themselves. Imagine a XF10 pocketable style film camera? Wow.

Cosina would probably make you a Voigtlander Bessa tomorrow is you paid them. That's what they do. Contract manufacturers. No need for R&D. Get them to do M mount version and throw in a free LTM adapter in the box. Someone set up a Kickstarter!

Are Holga's still made? A well-manufactured Holga with a more conventional lens would probably sell quite well, which would prompt others to get in the game.

I am glad you brought this topic up because having brand new film cameras is the best solution for photography right now. By having new slrs, itll drop the price of film and maybe even older stock might make a return. Also, why isn't there more rangefinders? Why does leica have to be the only one? They are beautiful cameras but so many people want a rangefinders, it only makes sense. The reason why my generation are picking up film cameras is because we want a more analog experience, we are tired of digital all the time. I can see Voigtlander or even Ricoh make a rangefinder that rivals a leica. I can see Nikon or Olympus make an SLR again. We don't need 60fps 4k video or 200 autofocus points, we just want a simple nice camera that's brand new and affordable.

Hello Nicolas, I believe it will take a long time for we see new complex cameras in the future. Most of the new people that start shooting film, they want the film look, the light leaks, the scratches and all that stuff. If they want a prefect image they will be using digital. But we never know. Big hug 👍

on medium format stuff, we have the goodman zone available right now and it looks promising. producing a half frame back for the goodman zone can give us a xpan alternative.

My vote goes to twin lens camera (like Rolleiflex TLR). One lens for film, one for digital capture.

I very much doubt we will see new cameras of the old designs Nico mentions, at least beyond the plastic junk like an M-35. What market for more sophisticated cameras may exist today has a ready supply of existing cameras which can be repaired, serviced, then cannibalized for parts to extend that process well into the future. Apart from film supply issues, as that camera recycle supply wears down, it is more likely that increasing prices and diminishing knowledge of the old photo technologies and methods will drive future interest in film photography down to nothing. Add the popular and social shift to bundle technologies for convenience, and the prospect of non-consumer photography based on stand alone technology like a 35mm film camera seems very unlikely in favor of the next "smartphone". Manufacturing a new Pentax Spotmatic today would be economically impossible. That is hundreds of tiny, high specification parts, hand assembled by people trained and experienced in such processes. Most cameras made in the last 25 years obtain those same functions and much more with computer chips and flex circuits boards. They are not designed to last as long and have practically no capacity for repair apart from just pulling and replacing a major circuit part. They are cheaper to toss out. Modern industry isn't structured to build old cameras. Sad, and I wish otherwise, but it's not going to happen.

Contax is gonna make a comeback!!!

If Nikon were to re release the FM3A today it would sell like hot cakes and Nikon would make A LOT of money !

I hope one of the big players gets convinced to make film cameras again. Even if it’s in a point and shoot format. Though, I would kill for a nice pro-grade 35mm camera or any film camera with modular parts that will last a long time - whether that’s 135 or 120 medium format.

A new film camera manufacturer has to be one of the existing surviving camera makers. The reason for this is that a very minimal re-tooling would need to be done. Since all digital cameras utilize an electronic shutter, it'd be easier (on paper) to add a film winding mechanism to already existing mirrorless designs. It would likely not be feasible to revivie any fully mechanical cameras due to complexity of gears and shutters.

I do feel that someone can and should make a basic SLR that uses an old mount lens with a match needle meter ... would love an M42 camera!!!

I believe sooner or later some company would make an compact film camera. According to demand and market potential it could be a good move. (as the compact market sky rockets into pretty weird dimension). Kodak should pair with someone and do nicer fixed lens compact than the trix disposable weirdo.

Cosina should think about reviving the Voigtlaender Bessa line of rangefinders.

Thanks Nico. Appreciate your commentary. For me, the roadmap for analogue photography is the increasing need for repair specialists covering both high end electronic/mechanical and consumer grade mechanical cameras. The same applies to lenses.

Personally I'd like to see the holga made correctly with a basic glass triplet. That or a basic manual SLR with metal focal plane shutter e.g. the recent reflex pared back to a common mount like M42 or Pentax k.

I buy old broken Kodak Retinas and rebuild them I like restoring things. I have done 22 so far. All these people on FB that sell crap cameras to people is sad. It's a bad experience out of the box. You should see the crap that is in these shutters after 60 years of abuse, it's amazing to me that they still function. I like the Kodak Retina IIa versions. They are the only camera that you can put a filter on and close the door of the camera. The Retina IIc and IIIc closing the door is not possible with a lens filter. Plus the Retina IIa shutter is easier to rebuild. Only takes about 3 hours.

I think the Leica M-style camera might be slightly more viable than the standard SLR because even the basement of the Leica range is far out of range for so many people. If they could make some kind of Pentax ME-range camera that's a rangefinder that could take M-mount lenses for $1,500 or less, it might properly compete with the used market. I love what Reto is doing, so hopefully that can continue to gain momentum. Very interesting times.

The real thing could be, if Pentax could resurect 67 series. It will be perfectly fine with no electronics inside a lens and a very few electronic circuits inside a camera, also just a cloth shutter. Basically same camera with just better exposure mettering:)

I own an Olympus mju and my late Father’s OM-10. They still work beautifully. I’ve recently bought a Cosmic Symbol on EBay just to learn the basics from scratch again. Personally, I’d love an Olympus XA2 type of camera to be remade. I look at them on EBay now and they’re getting expensive, a lot of them probably need new light seals now. Enjoyed your film, thanks!

That is a great prediction I may say! I tis a good thing to see brand new film cameras forthcoming this year 2022. Bright future of us!

I REALLY wish Mint would produce the RF70 for 120 format. I think they would have plenty of market.

Thanks Nico for your analysis. I would love to see the Hasselblad 500 cm re-manufactured. I've owned one for 20 years and never get tired of using it. I think they would sell.

I'm neither skilled with tools (let alone, a machinist) nor a business person. However, I think one factor that could change your forecast is the advent of precision manufacturing capabilities brought to small scale in the course of technological advance. 3-D printing is still in its infancy, but already some startups are producing LF cameras with printed parts. Innovation in China, for example, could begin to yield such manufacturing technologies, much as NASA brought in miniaturization and new materials; the commitment exists. The roadblock to this is the industrial degeneration in the West as the result of (speculative, fake value) monetarism since the 1970s replacing physical-economic sanity. Reversing it is a matter of policy change urgently necessary but beyond the scope here. In any case, I'm optimistic.

Imagine Pentax would just bring the K1000 back! For under 1.5K. It would be on back order forever.

I keep fantasising that the new Olympus/OM System new “Wow” camera will be an OM5, an update on the mechanical OM1 that remains mechanical and manual. I can but dream.

Hopefully there is a mothballed Zenit factory in the east.

Manual focus, rangefinder, with the Xpan format.

This is a well thought out presentation. One thing I have heard in addition to the comments you've made was that Kodak was planning to introduce a new Super 8 camera. Apparently the price was going to be high compared with buying a used model, but I'm sure people would be interested all the same. Thanks for providing this intriguing subject.

Great video. I could see Hasselblad making another film camera. They recently launched a digital back which is backwards compatible with the V series. As an aside I believe the RZ67 can be used as a mechnical camera with RB lenses. It has the advantage that it is also able to use the electronically timed RZ lenses as well. Hopefully it will last many years to come just like the RB67.

Even though I own many electronically driven film cameras, I agree with you. This is why the last film camera that I bought was a Leica R6.2.

It’s really weird seeing people in the comments say there’s no money in new film cameras, as if the announcement of a new Contax T2 wouldn’t sell out immediately.

As more and more of the cheap fixed lens cameras come along I am surprised we are not seeing the return of half frame. I would personally be really interested in a new shutter system for large format cameras.

Interesting topic. Nicely done video! As for film cameras, I don’t anticipate that camera manufacturers will revive the production of new film cameras, particularly the 35mm SLR film camera. It just makes more sense, practically speaking, to buy these old vintage cameras and refurbish them if need be. This is the same argument as people who like to own old vintage restored American automobiles and perhaps some may hope that car manufacturers would make these vintage cars new again. But the cost would be prohibitive and unprofitable. Like the film SLR camera, it is better to purchase an old vintage automobile and restore it and enjoy it. I have eight vintage 35mm film SLR cameras that I use in rotation.

Great discussion . this is all about the future . Yes in the future we need new camera but we have enough amount of camera nowadays . I have 8 different 35mm and 1 medium format camera but what stopping me in film photography is film price . The film price is today's film photography challenge . We're impatiently waiting for a news about new budget film .

I'd like to see an SLR style medium format camera. I think it's possible to build one that's lighter than the Pentax 6X7 but a similar style. I think there's a market for something like that, but whether one can be produced that's cheap enough for the intended market is another matter. It would probably have to be a company that had a stake in film to be even close to be worth it. Certainly, a new manual SLR that is easily adaptable to vintage glass would be something I'd be in the market for.

Brand new AE-1, I’d take it 👍🏻

Pentax Spotmatic. I still have 2 and the meter works and i use them a lot.

Thanks Nico. I think a new film camera should have some way to influence the settings to get the film feel. So not fully automatic only. Also, people are used to zoom.

I could see an SLR with a TTL meter and X-sync at 1/125th being produced again. I could also see more medium format cameras being produced, here's why. With the cost of film going up the relative cost between 135 and 120 film decreases, and some people probably won't want to wait till they shoot a 36 exposure roll of 135 film. Bring in a 120 roll film camera and now you've got 12 shots to worry about and the aspect ratio isn't squarish like a standard definition TV, but rather 6x9 which is closer to what you see in TVs today. I could also see film cameras going away completely so it's just a guess on my part.

Never sold my film cameras and lenses so I am in good shape. Also bought an RZ67 pro II and lenses when they were really cheap a few years back. Now good camears and lenses are much more difficult to get. 50% of cameras and lenses I bought recently were junk but advertised as in "good working conditions". Most things I could fix though.

The real hole in he market is a redesigned more compact medium format camera, preferably an SLR or rangefinder with adjustable or interchangeable diopters. Something with modern conveniences such as shutter priority, aperture, manual and auto. Choice of metering modes including center weighted. And AFFORDABLE - under $3,500. The Mamiya 6 feels kind of like a poorly thought out design especially lacking in exposure modes and metering. That camera is newer than the old original 35mm Minolta maximum 7000, but the 7000 is the most wonderful and easy to use, those have everything that you want without getting in your way and none of those features/ideas were included in the Mamiya that came later. I find the Mamiya six gets in your way a lot, especially focusing using older eyes.

Think an option would be an restart of the cosina ct-1 camera it’s also used/rebranded as the Nikon fm10, canon t60, Ricoh even the rangefinder voigtlander bessa. It has a max of 1/1000 possibility of a lightmeter full mechanical and quite cheap to produce. (Nikon fm10 was a student camera ish) problem is is there a big enough market for (else cosina wouldn’t discontinue the bessa L)

Wonderful thoughts about what may happen with film and film cameras.

We need film cameras with fully articulate screens.

If anyone could then Cosina (/Cosina-Voigtländer) could since, not all that long ago, they made the FM10 and FE10 SLR cameras for Nikon as well as their own Cosina and Bessaflex SLRs with a Pentax K mount. They also made their own Voigtländer and Bessa range findner cameras and Zeiss branded rangefinder cameras for Zeiss. Of course they still make great manual focus lenses under the Voigtländer name as well as for Zeiss in several mounts including Nikon F, Canon and Leica M.

A good question. I am as Canon user would like if Canon would release a new film camera with the auto focus, large number of focusing points like the 5D MARK 4, TTL ight metering, compatibility of new Speed Lights powered by modern lithium ion battery instead of CR2 or CR. batteries. Who would some one buy a analogue SLR body?

I have a K1000 and love using it. The issue sometimes for me is getting film. As of this moment Kodak Portra and Ultramax 400 is out of stock at B&H.

Great video, Nico! I commented on a recent video that I think Ricoh (Pentax) will be the first. But if not them, then Sony (Minolta) Here's why I think those two manufacturers could/would do it: They could do it cheapest, no real R&D needed. Sure they'll figure out ways to cut costs but that's relatively easy. They have the "blueprints" for the cameras and manufacturing facilities, it would also be a small risk as these two companies do MANY other things and have money pouring in. Both companies have many, many lenses around the World that are in great shape, they could also make new lenses of course. Both Minolta and Pentax had metal, manual cameras and when auto focus came abound they cut costs by making plastic bodies to house all the electronics. My hope would be that Ricoh/Pentax, for example would make two SLR versions for their customers. One just like the K1000, metal (or materials like like Fuji X cameras for example) and with a meter for $900 - $1,000 and a cheaper plastic version with no meter for $400 - $500. This could be done and they would be profitable IMO. External meters could be mounted onto the cheaper version like what people have been doing for years with the M3, M2, M4 and medium format cameras for example. IMO after working at a camera store for 5 years, the new generation of film shooters are first looking for an SLR, many of them would come in specifically asking for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Minolta for the most part. I found that the majority of new film shooters would buy the SLR and then a point and shoot for more of a fun, carry everywhere camera. Thanks again Nico, this sure makes for an interesting discussion! Also, bold prediction for the future: I think Sony will buy Kodak Alaris. Yep, I said it. They already own Minolta and all it's patents, lens mounts and everything and more and more big budget Sony movies are being shot on Film.

I startet Film fotografie about 1 1/2 yeras ago, and i am so Happy that i can enjoi this tecknologie. I was still able to get some very cool cameras, and this ist one of the thinks i Love so mutch about Film fotografie, because there is so much chois. However i think that many cameras with more simple elektronics can at some point in the Future get repeard, because electrinic has come a Long way, and with the Help of modern Sensors, FPGAS and FPAAS it might by possibel to repair thies cameras and give then a new live. I think at the Moment nobody ist working on something like this because the Numbers of cameras that died because of there electronic ist not that big.

Your thesis sounds good to me. Hopefully also repair service as well. I can’t even get relatively simple cameras reliably repaired anymore. Maybe I have just been unlucky, but it seems like rework and additional shipping is pretty common.

Are there film cameras with EVFs like digital mirrorless cameras? You’d have to specify the iso but then could get an accurate preview of the exposure before you shoot

Good ideas, Nicos, The more pressing and realistic need right now is, the processing labs are disappearing, there are only 2 left here in Johannesburg, that I know of. The other thing I would add, is there are no younger technicians trained, to repair cameras. Very likely no one interested to learn. Hi from S Africa

You didn't mention pinhole cameras, that are a small industry nowadays. The reason you didn't mention them is probably that they are a minuscule part of the film camera world nowadays. Many of these cameras use 120 film, and so many are being built because building for 120 is easier than building for 135. This is one reason why I believe we might still see some new middle format cameras in the future. Maybe they will be more like old middle format cameras or large format cameras, where most of the action happens around the lens and the body basically just focuses and transports the film. I would love to see someone make new lenses in leaf shutters again!

Does anyone know any other camera that uses zone focusing like the Olympus XA2? I know the Lomography lc-a and wide have something similar as well as the Diana mini.

10:41 . . . to feed the masses! _karl marx intensifies_

Imagine a new Xpan!!!

I’ve had an RB67 on loan for a couple of years from a buddy who stopped shooting film years ago, and I’ve definitely seen the price of them go up since then. They were around £400-500 on eBay then and are more like £700-800 now.

I think a camera like the K-1000 would be the best way to go. It's a big improvement over point and shoots for picture quality and experimentation and it could be marketed towards education. Get the price around $250 for a body an lens, and you could probably sell quite a few to art & college students. It would occupy that intermediate range, so beginners could step up to it and film enthusiasts would also find it satisfactory.

I do have k1000 camera with me the only problem with it is that there is a lag in shutter .means when we set the shutter Speed and click the button the mirror slowly goes up and take time . but when I hold it upside down the mirror goes quickly due to gravity. Is there any solution to overcome this problem?

Xpan alternative in point and shoot style would erupt the market

Maybe from some unknown Chinese brand, but not from any major manufacturer. The convenience of digital, and the need to quickly enjoy and share the photo can't be beaten by the film. Some major investments are needed to make film affordable and competitive with digital, and those investments are not here anymore since the camera market wasn't as big as it was. Major manufacturers don't have the budget to experiment with developing a product with no future certainty. The reason why smartphone camera is threatening the camera market in the first place is because of its convenience. Film simply wasn't convenient enough, although it's capable of significantly better quality photos. Most people simply need "good enough" as long as it was convenient, that's the reason compact camera was so popular back then.

Next week, im about to release a new camera.

Didn't Cosina make a handful of Bessa and Bessaflex models just a decade or so ago? It would seem they were just a few years ahead of the curve, and if they were to revive those designs, they'd find a friendlier market for them now. I'd guess it will be them, or one of those Chinese lens makers.

Easiest camera to be produced by a major manufacturer would be a new Pentax 645N. The 645Z has a shutter and all the electronics now and the body design is almost identical. Would likely be priced in the $5-7,000 range but would find a customer in me as I have been shooting with a 645N for years and would like to have a reliable replacement.

It’s not about the cameras… it’s about the scanning and developing. THERE is where the R&D needs to be focused. If you create THAT then the cameras will come

I would be so happy if they could offer replacement parts for their models

hope someone reissues or clones the hasselblad xpan II

Lomography makes new fun film cameras

I wouldnt be surprised to see a budget level M Mount Rangefinder. Lots of cheaper lenses avaiable and I can see the hipsters snapping a small cute rangefinder up. Also think a compact P&S makes sense. Like a more modern contax.

I agree with your roadmap for current film shooters. But the other perspective is what is going to make the manufacturers more money. For example, out of all the things current film shooters wanted to see Kodak produce, the last thing was another disposable camera, yet they did because the market for disposable cameras is now a fad/trend that is more profitable than say making a new film camera like you talked about. I would like to see your roadmap, but it depends on what the manufacturers think is going to make a profit.

Just out of curiosity ... how much do you think a Rollei B35 or a 35S do you think it will cost to manufacture nowadays. I love my B35 but it breaks the film sprockets every once in a while ... something new like this compact camera, i would definitely buy. I am not sold on the reusable/disposable cameras that are on the market.

Could they make range finder film cameras that take mirrorless lenses?

i was thinking do they still make them and where do you buy the film and where do you get the film pictures developed and is anybody using it? i want a film camera not instant film regular film and a land line telephone with no camera built in of course i dont need a camera if i have a film camera.

If I got my wish for new film cameras, I'd say new versions of or homages to the the K-1000, FM3A, and Bessa R3M would be what I'd wish for. That and a folding multi-format medium-format rangefinder.

Make a new version of the Kodax Art Deco Bullet Camera. Small easy to load and use great style. Make it in some nice colors sell millions.

We live in a world were economy and return on investments is key. Anyone in the business would take advantage of letting the used market availability go down while market price goes up. That being said, it would make sense to see a manifacturer like pentax remake their pentax 67 or even mamiya name come back... ONCE pricing is high in off to support manifacturing.

This was interesting thanks!

Yes! M style camera and new SLR. Sign me up for a kickstater! lol! I think finding people to help finance the production of a new camera would not be a problem. Tooling metal parts is expensive as well as the assembly process. We see alot of plastic cameras because injection molded parts are far lower tooling costs. What if an existing manufacture/s were willing to open source an older design where the tooling costs can be shared across multiple fabricators?....example Pantax K1000 bodies , the Canon FD type bodies like AE-1 series, and the Minolta X-7000 or Nikon style where the lens eco-systems are already there....Ooo that would be awesome!

Interesting Nico!! (As usual). I think anything less than a 35mm SLR is a no go...too many phones can do what point and shoots can. I'd think anything with different format or aspect ratio would do well. If Leica/Fuji/Hasselblad would put out a Xpan panoramic all mechanical type camera, I'd hock a kidney to buy one. I"d also like to see the Hassy V System medium format cameras start up again...they could use the same old design and maybe come up with some newer glass for them, but I think MF square would be enough to really get the film crowd interested in and support them. But I'd vote to make the all mechanical....I guess possible a light meter but not really necessary...I would think the road map of having film cameras that shoot different fidelity and aspect ratios that you can't get with digital would be a huge selling point.

Someone’s just gotta design a cheap to manufacture 3D printable focal plane shutter and then we may see some traction for 35mm. Though I do believe we’re far more likely to get a new simple 120 camera design from the film community that can be easily printed or mass produced before we see a manufacturer introduce a new design. The issue is more than anything is the cost of developing tooling for the various mechanisms for the winding, double exposure prevention, etc. Reduce the parts count with a red window 120 advance and we might be in business with just the body, shutter, and lens. There’s a reason why box cameras were cheap back then!

We may be entering the age of the rogue indie 3D master printers ! Algorithms that calculate vintage lens specs and construct to serve them perfectly

It would be great if a manufacture like Nikon made a 35mm mirrorless film camera with a LCD back it could even be a Z mount for less than $1200. I would buy this.

There are new ones, want a list? Leica, Holga, Yashica, Harmon, Polaroid. These companies still make film cameras.

Hasselblad still make the H6X which can accept a film back. And Alpa medium format cameras are still available new. I would like to see new Mamiya RB and Hasselblad 500. Hasselblad’s new CVF II 50C can be used in these old bodies. Would be nice if they made new bodies too.

The second market for mechanical cameras is already large. Why add to it? What’s needed is a killer Contax-type point and shoot. If demand is anything to go by. Even Leica can make one.

I wish I can buy new 35mm and 120mm Contax film cameras. What happened to Contax, why they go bust?

i think canon ef dslr glass would see a rise in prices, in couple of years. along with dslr style film camera

For a roadmap you need a destination that compels interest. How many people really want to go to "film land?" Out of the total market for photography very, very few. As others here have said, the future lies in preservation and life extension of the body of existing equipment. It's hard to imagine a lot of time and money going into new products that are unlikely to have much of a market. 3D printing is a promising avenue for ad hoc production but that's not mass market. The problem is that the people interested in making photographs want to make them cheaply and quickly and share them easily. They are not collectors or cultists or esthetic purists. Film is an expensive process--over a dollar a shot and rising--and to justify that people would need to find a persuasive reason to ditch digital for celluloid. (For the record I have a number of film cameras but have shot mostly digital for the last two decades.)

I would love to see/purchase a film body from Nikon that incorporates the Z system lenses.

Darn! I am precisely into the automated cameras that we won't ever see again! 😥😄

It's greener to keep repairing and restoring old film cameras than making new. I do agree however on the K1000 and the Zorki replacements. Plenty of excellent K mount and m39 Soviet Lenses around. The rich can always afford Leicas.

I'm wondering how the legalities are to make a new camera that has a bayonet compatible with one of the old ones, like Minolta MD or Pentax K mount. Would those companies be able to sue you for that ?

I would love to have a new pro camera that is not a Leica, but, it'll be basically impossible. I think it's going to take a big manufacturer to make it happen, however, who could that be? Nikon, Canon? It's hard to tell nowadays. I agree with you, a small SLR like a K-1000 seems like the most plausible option, I imagine it would have an M-42 lens mount just so you can use it. Someone here mentioned getting permission from Nikon to use the F mount, but I don't see that happening. As much as I hate to say it, we depend on how much film is made and its price. If only a handful of people buy and shoot film (and I consider that most of them already have at least a main camera) it won't make any sense from a business standpoint. Sorry if I rambled too much, it's just that there are _too many_ variables that need to align for such an endeavor to work.