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Future Fuji classic: What's your guess?
- Thread starter Robert A
- Start date
John Michael Winterbourne
Veteran Member
I think "ephemeral" is the wrong word to describe the life span of digital cameras. According to the Oxford English Dictionary it means "lasting a very short time", and uses an example of an "ephemeral weed" - chickweed, which can 'have several generations in a single season'.
I also think your statement that "no-one is making classic cameras any more" is a bit off target - did any manufacturers ever give the design team an instruction to "make this one a classic"? People just make cameras that they think will sell, and, some time later, they somehow gain the status of being a "classic" model - usually by some sort of general acclaim, I believe.
Someone has already mentioned the Nikon FM2, F3 and D700, and to get back to what I started with, my D700 will be 10 years old in this bright new year, and at the rate I shoot with it these days, the first thing that I expect that will happen to make it inoperative will be the original battery not being able to hold its charge and any replacements that might be available will also be so old, even if "new old stock". Ephemeral it is not.
But to get back to Fuji - I think of the ones I have, and have had, the only one that I think will gain the elusive "classic" status will be the X-Pro 1. In fact, I think it's nearly there, my yardstick being how many threads there have been already in this forum along the lines of "X-P1 still worth it?" and generally getting the answer "yes" - despite there being newer and better cameras available.
Sorry, didn't mean to rant.
I also think your statement that "no-one is making classic cameras any more" is a bit off target - did any manufacturers ever give the design team an instruction to "make this one a classic"? People just make cameras that they think will sell, and, some time later, they somehow gain the status of being a "classic" model - usually by some sort of general acclaim, I believe.
Someone has already mentioned the Nikon FM2, F3 and D700, and to get back to what I started with, my D700 will be 10 years old in this bright new year, and at the rate I shoot with it these days, the first thing that I expect that will happen to make it inoperative will be the original battery not being able to hold its charge and any replacements that might be available will also be so old, even if "new old stock". Ephemeral it is not.
But to get back to Fuji - I think of the ones I have, and have had, the only one that I think will gain the elusive "classic" status will be the X-Pro 1. In fact, I think it's nearly there, my yardstick being how many threads there have been already in this forum along the lines of "X-P1 still worth it?" and generally getting the answer "yes" - despite there being newer and better cameras available.
Sorry, didn't mean to rant.
fcracer
Senior Member
X-Pro1/2 and X100 (any of them) because people will only care about how it looks on their shelf or display case at home or in their newly opened trendy coffee shop (just got back from Chiang Mai where every cool coffee shop has retro cameras casually placed around).
57LowRider
Veteran Member
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XF 35mm f1.4
Possibly already a classic?
Possibly already a classic?
Greg7579
Forum Pro
There are no classics anymore. Technology progresses so fast now that cameras become obsolete and the term is no longer relevant. The XT-1 was my classic until the day the XT-2 came out. On that day i never once shot the XT-1 again. Sad? No. I need all the tecnology advancement and model improvements I can get.
Greg7579
Forum Pro
You know what camera I learned on? A Nikon F2. It was my Dad's and he let me use it when I was a a younger teenager until he bought me one in 1974.O.K., I've got this one.
Fuji X-T2
Why? Because I own one. In the past I've owned a Nikon FM2, -legendary; a Nikon F-3 -legendary; a Nikon D700 -legendary (at least according to DPR); an X100 -legendary (still have it) and now a Fuji X-T2.
You want it (nothing wrong with that btw), but you do not need it, it's not air or water ;-)
Greg7579
Forum Pro
No pool Sjak.... I need it.....
I know, like a smoker needs (wants
) a cigarette :-DHey but I am getting better, this year I did not buy one single lens :-O :-D
Alseyn
Well-known member
Even if not specific model, X100 series surely has to be it. It's such a coveted camera, even original X100, announced in 2010, still commands relativery high price on used market...
John Michael Winterbourne
Veteran Member
Good for you. A lot of folk like Treadmills, and you seem to be one of them. Keep on trucking/running. Who knows whether you'll need to up the pace, or can maybe afford to slow down a bit? I don't, but I don't care either.
Leaving aside the camera bodies, I think there are a couple of lenses that might gain "Classic " status - the 35/1.4 and the 16-55/2.8. Possibly one or two other primes.
I already did one post kicking against the "no such thing as classic, the latest is the best" idea, I don't think I have the energy to do more.
Leaving aside the camera bodies, I think there are a couple of lenses that might gain "Classic " status - the 35/1.4 and the 16-55/2.8. Possibly one or two other primes.
I already did one post kicking against the "no such thing as classic, the latest is the best" idea, I don't think I have the energy to do more.
Well, on the bright side, opinions differ, and that means the classics will remain a little cheaper :-D
The Torontonian
Leading Member
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Great post
That would be me -talking about the Nikons.
Classifying something as 'classic' is a bit of a misnomer. I think the word should be 'iconic.' And by that, I certainly don't mean better.
The Leica M is iconic, because of who used it, and what they captured. Sure, it was a damned good camera in it's day, but you really don't see many using it today. Same with the Nikon F, etc.
Many years ago, I used to own a classic motorcycle. ('70 Triumph Bonneville) It was a fantastic ride, but it was as much of a hobby, as it was a method of transportation. I wouldn't even think of getting one today to replace it. Too much work, and not as comfortable as many modern bikes.
Same goes with cameras. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to some things, but most certainly not when it comes to photographic equipment. I can appreciate the beauty, and styling of some older things, but as far as using them? That's for someone else.
Greg7579
Forum Pro
What? Sjak, you lost your GAS?I know, like a smoker needs (wants
Hey but I am getting better, this year I did not buy one single lens :-O :-D
Should I visit the doctor? :-OWhat? Sjak, you lost your GAS?I know, like a smoker needs (wants
Hey but I am getting better, this year I did not buy one single lens :-O :-D
They still make parts for cars over 50 years old. Some models can be (almost) completely (re)built from new aftermarket parts.
I do not think the problem is in the batteries, those are easy to (re)produce.
The actual challenge is in the electronic parts. An illustration of the issue: Leica, who had a tradition (even a commitment) of keepig replacement/repair parts for every camera they made. When at a certain point, the LCD for the M8 was not available anymore, Leica, very embarassed, offered newer gen. cams to customers affected, against a very very steep discount. If even a heritage-aware company as Leica cannot manage this, then this will certainly be more challenging for collectors of most other brands.
JS Burnie
Veteran Member
Don't know about Fuji, but my first digital camera was a classic for sure:
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