Nikon's New Patent - Turns 35mm Film SLRs Into DSLRs

The idea is not a new one - most of the first "digital cameras" were film cameras adapted with backs like this (although not quite as elegant a solution as this one). Interesting that they are still toying with the idea, although there are many pitfalls.

1) sensor. Full frame? It's going to be an extremely expensive, niche back. Protecting the sensor is potentially a problem - most digital backs are for medium format cameras, and are designed with the possibility of fitting a sensor in mind, and have the suitable precautions to prevent the sensor being fouled. No such case in a camera that was designed in the 1970s-1980s. Crop sensored? Would be cheaper, but you'd have problems with matching viewfinder to the sensor size, and viewfinder magnification is different on a whole range of different models which means each one would have to be bespoke, and either require masking or some sort of modification to the viewfinder.

2) Size - the design of the back plate on film cameras varied massively, about the only consistent design in the Nikon range was the FE(2)/FM(2) series, but there would have to be individual backs for individual cameras.

3) Cost vs. features - it's going to be expensive if it was ever brought to the market, but the small height of the back of most film cameras means that controls are going to be small, any LCD screen is going to be much smaller than the current sizes available on DSLRs, and places to put a memory card.

4) Power - film cameras were powered by a whole legion of different battery options - banned mercury batteries, 2x LR44 button cells, 3 button cells, 6V PX28, and everything inbetween. How would a back like this be powered?

5) Niche - it's a tiny market, and even amongst us that still shoot film cameras regularly, there's only going to be a small percentage of that cohort shooting Nikon, and an even smaller cohort in that group who'd want a back like this.

6) Film - believe it or not, and this is a point that is debated till the cows come home, but many people like shooting film and working with darkroom processes.

There's many more points that I'm sure go against this - I love the idea as a principle, but there are so many issues - many of which could be rectified with some elegant design work, but at huge cost - that I'm not sure I see the feasibility of it anytime soon. Now, let me go and load some Tri-X in the Rolleiflex...
 
I think you have all the points covered there.

It always sounds like a good idea until you sit down and think about the technicalities and associated cost and then it no longer seems like such a good idea.
 
The consensus on the net seems to be that Nikon patented it just so other people couldn't have a go at doing it, which makes a lot of financial sense really, but that they are unlikely to ever release it. Can definitely believe that, based on the points I mentioned above.
 
It's unlikely to happen, no way to integrate the sensor with the light meter, ISO controls or shutter release in a system like that. Integrated with a grip it might just work, but a simple digital back for 35mm isn't going to happen.

If you want a digital film SLR camera buy a Kodak DCS or Fuji S3, that's exactly what they are.
 
If you can buy an excellent DSLR for less than £300 you have to ask - what is the point of this?, it sounds so last millenium
 
welshwizard645 said:
If you can buy an excellent DSLR for less than £300 you have to ask - what is the point of this?, it sounds so last millenium
Click to expand...

Ignoring the cost for a second, it would be a full frame digital camera which is significantly lighter, less bulky, more compact and with much better manual focusing*

But it probably sounds last millennium because it is last millennium's idea - the patent however has only just been filed now.

*the benefits of these, and whether there is any real advantage, can and is debated ad nauseum
 
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Have you held and used a nice SLR? That is the point of it - oh and to make some money of course, don't forget the making money (which is why it will never get investment anyway).
 
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