Designing the perfect point and shoot 35mm film camera | A Photographer's Dream

Hello everyone,

Are you a film photography enthusiast or just starting out and looking for the perfect point-and-shoot camera without breaking the bank? You're not alone:(

With vintage cameras like the Nikon AF35 or Olympus Mju skyrocketing in price, and modern options like the Yashica T4 or T5 costing around $500, the quest for the ideal compact camera can be frustrating. And I'm not even talking about premium compacts like the Contax T2 or T3, and the Nikon 35Ti (exceed $1,500)!

Recently, Pentax announced their new Pentax 17 half-frame camera, and MiNT is close to releasing the Rollei 35AF camera. While these releases bring some relief to the photography community, they haven't impressed me. Despite their modern features, they lack the usability and functionality that true photography enthusiasts could be looking for.

In this video, I dive deep into what makes the perfect point-and-shoot camera. We'll explore the ideal features and functionalities, from lens specifications to advanced controls, that would make a camera suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals.

Key Highlights:

Lens and Autofocus: A dual focus design with 28mm and 40mm options at f/2.8, autofocus with distance confirmation, and manual focus capabilities.
Light Meter: TTL or sensor-mounted light meter with spot, central-weighted, and average metering modes, plus exposure compensation.
Mechanical Parts: Film advancing lever, frame counter, on/off switch, shutter button with a thread for a shutter cable, and more.
Advanced Features: Program auto exposure mode, manual aperture settings, and focus locking for different photography styles.
Viewfinder: A bright viewfinder with essential indicators for focus and exposure, similar to the Contax T2.
I also touch on the challenges and potential costs of designing such a camera today. While modern digital controllers and buttons can reduce costs, the lens and shutter mechanism remain the most expensive components.

Join me in this exploration, and let's imagine together what the perfect compact point-and-shoot camera would look like. If you're as passionate about photography as I am, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let's continue this discussion and maybe even make this dream camera a reality!

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Design goals
01:58 The Perfect
07:39 Result
09:09 The MVP
11:27 Result
13:08 The question?

#diy #pentax17 #rollei35