stillshunter
Super Moderator Emeritus
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Brian's post on the " Do you still have a DSLR?" thread got me thinking.
Now although it was done 20 years ago I still think it a novel idea. But can the reverse be done today? From an engineering perspective, is it possible to design a camera (let's make a FF SLR for the sake of ease) which is a native digital that can be loaded with film? I mean in effect a film camera is nothing more than a light-tight box...and digital bodies need to be light-tight right? I know MF film bodies can have digital backs, which makes the camera dual-use, but I believe these backs end at the 120 size...
Please just fight the urge to ask me why you'd want such a camera or that there is no market for it, etc. As one of the least technical people on this forum I'd be keen to know if it's possible...or possibly even already been done?
P.S., For my **mind**, a major technical hurdle will be in loading film across the sensor to maintain the exact distance between the lens and the focal plane - a shame as I could see the biggest uptake of this hybrid camera with the range-finder market. Then again, I'm not really au fait with the tolerances of film...
Here Brian mentions the DCS200which, I believe, shot both film and 'digital' - not simultaneously of course.I have not bought a New DSLR since the D1x came out over 10 years ago. I still use it at work for documentation. At home, still keep a DCS200 from 1992, Nikon E3 from 1998, and Nikon D1. Mostly collector's pieces- but they work, and I use them for camera projects.
Now although it was done 20 years ago I still think it a novel idea. But can the reverse be done today? From an engineering perspective, is it possible to design a camera (let's make a FF SLR for the sake of ease) which is a native digital that can be loaded with film? I mean in effect a film camera is nothing more than a light-tight box...and digital bodies need to be light-tight right? I know MF film bodies can have digital backs, which makes the camera dual-use, but I believe these backs end at the 120 size...
Please just fight the urge to ask me why you'd want such a camera or that there is no market for it, etc. As one of the least technical people on this forum I'd be keen to know if it's possible...or possibly even already been done?
P.S., For my **mind**, a major technical hurdle will be in loading film across the sensor to maintain the exact distance between the lens and the focal plane - a shame as I could see the biggest uptake of this hybrid camera with the range-finder market. Then again, I'm not really au fait with the tolerances of film...