It isn't everyday that a new film camera is announced, so here is the latest in a dwindling breed.
The Phenix DN60 which boasts specifications of a mechanical shutter with a top shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and 1/125 flash sync and film speed of up to 3200 ISO.
It has the Nikon F mount so can use most Nikon lenses, it also has depth of field preview and what looks to be from the photo at least, fairly good construction with a metal top plate and lens mount all for £190.
I had never heard of Phenix but apparently they are the biggest manual camera maker in the Far East more detail here at their importers First Call Photographic
10 comments:
If only it had the feature that the FM and FE has that is the ability to flip the metering lug out the way sou you can mount almost all the old Nikkors.
This is the only fault with the Nikon FM3a
Not sure which Nikkors you refer to fisheye?
I pretty much use my F2 or Nikkormat for all my 35mm now some stuff still goes though my Leica but 35mm is a low priority now.
Saying that someone just gave me 30 outdated Fuji films so possibly I'll use it more.
I think these Chinese Nikons are good for users who want new like colleges whose buying departments balk at second-hand purchases.
Regards
Mark
Mark,
So second hand purchases seem "unknown" to purchasing departments? I suspect as you say the main target for this camera is the education market. If I wanted a manual Nikon SLR I'd think along the lines of a Nikon F or FM series camera. But I suppose this Phenix DN60 camera is selling for about the same as a 20 year old F3HP.
Tom Kershaw
Hi Tom
Yes I'd guess that is the market, like you I like my old Nikon bodies( F2 and Nikkormat) but if you needed to buy new I think this is a better camera than the FM10.
I know that Phil sourced a load of S/H FM2's for the City College but I'm not sure how many educational places would buy used.
The build quality seems OK and it has a Copal shutter just like the Nikkormat which I feel is the best shutter on any Nikon I've used.
New film cameras are welcome, someone must be buying! (so films not dead yet) ;-)
Regards
Mark
Phil of the camera shop or of the college?
Have you handled the DN60 yet? I wasn't aware the FM10 was available new in the United Kingdom market. If I recall correctly, the Nikon FM3A retailed for about 600 GBP new so perhaps unfair to make comparisons with this new camera. I do work with 35mm to a limited extent but mostly medium format, and at current prices I'd have thought medium format gear is very affordable to more serious students.
Tom.
No I haven't handled it yet, but from the specs it is a metal bodied camera with a mechanical copal shutter.
You can get the FM10 through Amazon US and lots of places will ship to UK-about $300 + import duty for a plastic camera.
In my opinion Nikon should re-badge it.
I'd agree MF is cheap enough, but I think some colleges buy 35mm still....
I know city college bough some S/H FM2s from Phil on Fye bridge
Are these cameras bought to lend to students who haven't "got around" to purchasing their own?
Tom.
I don't think the BTEC requires you buy a camera, although the AS level does- It is not unusual for colleges to provide them or access to them in the 1980's they had a few Practica MTL3 cameras.
Mark,
Do you know if City College are still running their darkrooms? I last visited about 2 years ago but didn't have a chance to ask anyone.
Tom.
Tom they have a course here:
http://www.ccn.ac.uk/ccn3/general/coursedetails.asp?id=3466
It includes darkroom practice as does the AS level course, so I'm guessing they still have the equipment.
NSAD (The Art school) still had some stuff a while back when I worked there don't know about now.
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