With Nikon's new Full Frame, the Df being announced on the 5th of November, everyone is very excited about this good news on Full Frames since the day of Nikon's first Full Frame debut, the D3 in 2007.
Over the years, the FX format has definitely got better, faster and of course cheaper. What used to cost an arm or a leg is now certainly more affordable. Now I need to simply sell away my dry cabinet to raise funds to get one instead of robbing a bank. Hopefully as the days go by, Full Frames may well be within my reach so much that I may consider switching from MFT to FF.
Over the years, the FX format has definitely got better, faster and of course cheaper. What used to cost an arm or a leg is now certainly more affordable. Now I need to simply sell away my dry cabinet to raise funds to get one instead of robbing a bank. Hopefully as the days go by, Full Frames may well be within my reach so much that I may consider switching from MFT to FF.
The All New Nikon Df
Talking about the Nikon Df, one can certainly comment on the strong retro-styling look with all the mechanical dials and buttons. Well, personally I like this kind of retro design.
First impression wise, it does reminds me of the Olympus OM1!
In fact, talking about such classic designs from the past, I notice that many camera manufacturers are certainly going towards the retro design and classic look approach; Leather grips coupled with aluminium finish and retro range finder design - a complete blend of old and new, bringing together a very traditional design with modern technologies. The retro design is making a comeback and old is new once again.
While mobile phones are getting smaller, smarter and sleeker, cameras on the other hand, are getting retro and re-adopting the 1970s design. This may be good news for camera manufacturers because smartphones are gaining popularity and consumers are relying more on the bulit-in cameras and this has inevitably hurt the sales of cameras.
Going retro for cameras may be one way to retain users from ditching their cameras. Mobile phone designs can only be more sleek, futuristic and modern, the designs would not go backwards, at least for the next 3 years. So you can have a retro style camera but you cant have a retro styled mobile phone!
Now, let's take a look at what are the new and existing cameras out there sporting the 1970s look:
First impression wise, it does reminds me of the Olympus OM1!
The Olympus OM1 from the 1970s
In fact, talking about such classic designs from the past, I notice that many camera manufacturers are certainly going towards the retro design and classic look approach; Leather grips coupled with aluminium finish and retro range finder design - a complete blend of old and new, bringing together a very traditional design with modern technologies. The retro design is making a comeback and old is new once again.
While mobile phones are getting smaller, smarter and sleeker, cameras on the other hand, are getting retro and re-adopting the 1970s design. This may be good news for camera manufacturers because smartphones are gaining popularity and consumers are relying more on the bulit-in cameras and this has inevitably hurt the sales of cameras.
Going retro for cameras may be one way to retain users from ditching their cameras. Mobile phone designs can only be more sleek, futuristic and modern, the designs would not go backwards, at least for the next 3 years. So you can have a retro style camera but you cant have a retro styled mobile phone!
Now, let's take a look at what are the new and existing cameras out there sporting the 1970s look:
Olympus OMD-EM5
Here's one good example, the OMD-EM5 from Olympus. Well, the OM-D E-M5 features a rugged and lightweight, retro-inspired magnesium-alloy body that has been very popular since its inception and we have people actually ditching their 5DM3 into this retro camera to rock and roll!
Besides the well-received EM5, comes along the Olympus PEN EP5, in which the retro design EP5 is a reminiscence to the original PEN introduced in 1959. Boasting high end built quality with a retro-styled design, the Olympus PEN EP5 combines timeless styling with modern technologies for the photo enthusiast.
Olympus PEN EP5
Of course, tracing the 2013 PEN EP5 will lead us to the first retro styled mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the PEN EP1, that was launched by Olympus in 2009, on the 50th anniversary of the company's original PEN.
Olympus PEN EP1 back in 2009
The Original Olympus back in 1959
The original 1959 Olympus Pen was designed by Japanese Olympus designer Yoshihisa Maitani and was the first Half Frame camera produced in Japan. It was one of the smallest cameras to use 35mm film in regular 135 cassettes. It was called the PEN because its as small as a PEN. I guess PENs are very much bigger in 1959 as compared to now.
Anyway 1959 was a memorable year for the world of cameras as the year saw the release of the Nikon F as well, appealing to both ends of the photographic market.
Nikon F in 1959
The Nikon F was Nikon's first SLR camera and was one of the most advanced cameras of its day.
Alright, so much about history, lets go back to 2013 and take a look at what Panasonic, another MFT partner, has to offer.
The 2013 Lumix GX7 marks the first ever retro-designed camera from Panasonic. With a solid retro-range finder style magnesium construction, Panasonic has also jumped into the retro design overhaul.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC- GX7
With the Lumix DMC-GX7, comes the world's smallest Micro Four Thirds, the Lumix DMC-GM1 just a few weeks ago.
The Panasonic Lumix GM1
Other than Japanese makers Panasonic and Olympus, let's take a look at another Japanese compay. Fujifilm too, has a retro-styled one, the XE2. The design of the XE2 does resembles the cameras of the film age. In fact, Fujifilm has been one of the main driving forces behind this classical trend with its X-series of cameras, having introduce their first ever retro camera, the FinePix X100 back in 2010.
Fujifilm XE2
The FinePix X100 was a classically styled camera that bears more than a passing resemblance to film rangefinders from the past, most notably the Leica.
Fujifilm X100 in 2010
Pentax, the last major manufacturer to join the enthusiast compact mirrorless category, also joins in the retro fun with their very own retro-designed camera, the Pentax Q in 2011.
Pentax Q 2011
With the Pentax Q, comes the Q10 queueing in 2012, , as well as the Q7 and MX1 in 2013.
Pentax Q10, 2012
Pentax Q7, 2013
Pentax MX1, 2013
Talking about modern gadgets, how can we forget the South Korean electronics giant Samsung and its new NX300? With their popular Galaxy smartphones and tablets pitting against rival Apple's iPhones and iPads, they too are into the retro camera race.
Samsung NX300
We cannot talk about cameras and not mentioning Leica. This is as unforgivable as missing a great shot.
Leica M Type 240
Well, so much about retro-styled cameras, the above are just a few designs out there sporting the old school look but I am certain that there will be more designs to come. The only manufacturers missing up there is from Sony and Canon as we have yet to see a retro-styled EOS M or NEX.
So what is it about the retro design that make these cameras so appealing?
Whether will these classic designed cameras rekindle the emotional connection from yesteryear or will they intensify our passion for photography and take photography to a re-defined experience, it looks like this will be the continuous trend for camera manufacturers.
Right now, I am actually looking forward to retro-styled camera accessories such as retro-styled tripods.
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