Would anyone like to see a retro styled DSLR?

I don't really want to call it a trend, but we've seen a few "rangefinder" styled mirrorless cameras. Fuji x100, Fuji x10, Olympus E-Px, and I would maybe put some of the Panasonic models in that category, although their latest micro 4/3 has changed pretty dramatically.

Some of these models are more 'retro' than others...

With Canon DSLRs being so profitable, it's hard to say whether or not they will introduce a mirrorless camera.

But... what if they made a retro styled DSLR? Would you buy it?

Something like a Canon A-1 but with at least an APS-C sensor, focusing screen, and a small line of manual focus primes and still compatible with existing EF and EF-S lenses for those that prefer autofocus.

I think the rangefinder works because you won't be mounting 1 - 1.5 pounds of glass to it. I could not imagine carrying a Canon F-1 with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L or a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX

I wouldn't mind seeing a FF "retro" styled camera. Maybe something based on the AE-1 look but with luxury touches, of course if you're going for the vintage look you have to have the 50mm f/.95 lens to go with it. Give me the old Canon 50 f/.95 (fully manual) on a vintage styled DSLR and I'd take that setup just about everywhere. I'd wear it around my neck like Flavor-Flav wears a clock.

Hmm...


I'm imagining a 5D with basically a metal top and bottom plate, less buttons and more knobs, and a boxy shape. Would be kinda cool to have the option... but might not look right though, the current EF lens lineup is anything but retro styled.

No, I don't care what the style is of my camera.

NickSimcheck wrote in post #13079921
Hmm...


I'm imagining a 5D with basically a metal top and bottom plate, less buttons and more knobs, and a boxy shape. Would be kinda cool to have the option... but might not look right though, the current EF lens lineup is anything but retro styled.

True, but Ziess glass would look good on it!

rick_reno wrote in post #13080229
No, I don't care what the style is of my camera.

I imagine you don't care what your car looks like either, so long as it runs.

I would love an AE-1 style, or even a half silver/black style similar to my old EOS 50e
http://upload.wikimedi​a.org …/commons/a/a7/E​OS_50e.jpg

Scatterbrained wrote in post #13080682
True, but Ziess glass would look good on it!


I imagine you don't care what your car looks like either, so long as it runs.

apples and oranges my friend, attempt to stay on topic - it;s cameras in case you've forgotten.

rick_reno wrote in post #13080731
apples and oranges my friend, attempt to stay on topic - it;s cameras in case you've forgotten.

Not apples to oranges, style is a part of life. It's why toolboxes come in different finishes and styles. Technicians appreciate a good looking and functional toolbox, as much as they appreciate a well styled and functional tool. To say that something that serves a functional purpose cannot also be stylish, to say that a tool cannot also be art, is to deny what is evident in the market all around us. I highly doubt companies would spend the effort to design good looking coffee machines if no one cared what the machine looks like, so long as it made coffee. Yet when you look around, whether it be; coffee machines, toilets, guns, or toolboxes, the higher up the market you go, the more emphasis is placed on design and style.

Digital rangefinder with FF sensor and MF 50 f/0.95 sounds ridiculously fun!

Shoot all day with the ergonomics of a 1DMkIV or the lack of ergonomics of an AE-1?

No brainer... Give me the MkIV.

modelrailroader wrote in post #13080791
Digital rangefinder with FF sensor and MF 50 f/0.95 sounds ridiculously fun!

It's already available, brand starts with an L...

I'd buy an FD mount digicam, no matter what it looked like. (Well, let's hope they don't model it on a T-70.)

Jericobot wrote in post #13081372
It's already available, brand starts with an L...

Well, I assumed Canon would do it closer to their usual prices. . .
I'll never be able to afford a Leica: I'm a Physics/Math major in college right now.

rick_reno wrote in post #13080731
apples and oranges my friend, attempt to stay on topic - it;s cameras in case you've forgotten.

this is a funny response, because scatter is completely right.

i don't give a crap about what my car looks like, because i use it to get from point A to point B. i have friends who spend practically every weekend modding their cars.

on the other hand, i frequently use an old twin lens reflex camera for my personal work. part if it is because of the fact that it's medium format, part of it is because i like the waist-level finder, the quiet leaf shutter, etc.. but i'd be lying if i said that the fact that it looks awesome didn't contribute to why i like to use it so much. it's a mechanical work of art manufactured in the 1950's and it still works perfectly without any batteries like a swiss watch. yes, it's a tool, but it's also intrinsically beautiful to me because of how it's designed and how it works.

it's really not apples to oranges, because in both instances, we're talking about placing value on the aesthetics of what amounts to a tool that serves a purpose.