Designing the perfect point and shoot 35mm film camera | A Photographer's Dream

Hello everyone,
Are you a film photography enthusiast or just starting out and looking for the perfect point-and-shoot camera without breaking the bank? You're not alone:(
With vintage cameras like the Nikon AF35 or Olympus Mju skyrocketing in price, and modern options like the Yashica T4 or T5 costing around $500, the quest for the ideal compact camera can be frustrating. And I'm not even talking about premium compacts like the Contax T2 or T3, and the Nikon 35Ti (exceed $1,500)!
Recently, Pentax announced their new Pentax 17 half-frame camera, and MiNT is close to releasing the Rollei 35AF camera. While these releases bring some relief to the photography community, they haven't impressed me. Despite their modern features, they lack the usability and functionality that true photography enthusiasts could be looking for.
In this video, I dive deep into what makes the perfect point-and-shoot camera. We'll explore the ideal features and functionalities, from lens specifications to advanced controls, that would make a camera suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals.
Key Highlights:
Lens and Autofocus: A dual focus design with 28mm and 40mm options at f/2.8, autofocus with distance confirmation, and manual focus capabilities.
Light Meter: TTL or sensor-mounted light meter with spot, central-weighted, and average metering modes, plus exposure compensation.
Mechanical Parts: Film advancing lever, frame counter, on/off switch, shutter button with a thread for a shutter cable, and more.
Advanced Features: Program auto exposure mode, manual aperture settings, and focus locking for different photography styles.
Viewfinder: A bright viewfinder with essential indicators for focus and exposure, similar to the Contax T2.
I also touch on the challenges and potential costs of designing such a camera today. While modern digital controllers and buttons can reduce costs, the lens and shutter mechanism remain the most expensive components.
Join me in this exploration, and let's imagine together what the perfect compact point-and-shoot camera would look like. If you're as passionate about photography as I am, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let's continue this discussion and maybe even make this dream camera a reality!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Design goals
01:58 The Perfect
07:39 Result
09:09 The MVP
11:27 Result
13:08 The question?
#diy #pentax17 #rollei35

[@jeroenremme3442]

We need this🔥

[@snakeytales]

🫡 one day:))

[@StudiowPlecakuPL]

This design is pure genious!!! I want one now!

[@snakeytales]

thanks! yes! while editing the video I've been thinking exactly the same, I want one!:))

[@virrcraft]

What?! another video without a thousand years of waiting?!

[@snakeytales]

Ahaha🙄 It’s all because of sunny days here:))

[@timoshevsky]

Where's a Kickstarter link?! I want this cam. BTW, if this project will need a QA - I'm in! ;-)

[@snakeytales]

🙄 one day I figure out how funding works and then we can make it work for sure ahah

[@bobmorr2892]

You are a little crazy, so instead of it costing $500 like the Pentax 17 it'll cost $1,500 to $2,000. Let's see if there's even a big enough market for the Pentax 17 they will probably lose money on that. There are already vintage half frame cameras that are better and cost a lot less.
Didn't you say manual Advance on your dream camera? I like that idea but I don't think that would ever happen also didn't you say that it would be good to have a 28 and 40 mm lens I don't think that would ever happen either and would likely lower the quality of the photos. Also you can just go to the thrift store and for $30 buy a Canon Rebel or equivalent 35 mm camera and get a lot what you're asking for it's just 4 times as big.

[@DizzyWombat]

Nah, a company like contax would have made this in the 90s if the technology was as small as todays

[@snakeytales]

thanks for the feedback! 500 (600 with tax) is for the MVP version with no AF and 35/2.8 or 3.5
> even a big enough market for the Pentax 17
idk how they did the market research, as for me, Kodak (RETO) Ektar H35N fills the need for the new half frame camera demand and has 2,5K reviews on amazon.de, so in reality they sold maybe x4 units or even more. And it is 10 (TEN) times cheaper producing the same "meh" half frame results.
I'm not talking about vintage stuff just for the sake of simplicity for newcomers (no return hassle, warranty, repairment, etc).
> Also you can just go to the thrift store and for $30 buy a Canon Rebel or equivalent 35 mm camera and get a lot what you're asking for it's just 4 times as big.
I have 2 Nikon F80 for 25euro both and they are excellent cameras, adding cheap YN 35/2.0 and it is the beast of a combo. BUT (there is always but:) I'm talking about pocket sized P&S camera similar to Ricoh GR1(s/v) or Contax 1 or 3 or Olympus XA which is always in my pocket with me.

[@snakeytales]

T3 is almost that "dream option", only UX is different with complicated access to ev comp and MF options. I assume that target group back then was completely different and it cost HUGE amount of money so it was more a luxury toy rather than a tool for a photographer. Also imagine the bias from "professional photographers" of that time towards such a small thingy.
But I agree, nowadays technology is more advanced and relatively more accessible. The only question is demand and return on investment.
And my point is that instead of waisting time of professional engineers/designers and spending time on "PeNtAx cRaFt" with 5-6 different textures/materials for the body of "a toy camera no one asked for" is pretty questionable move.
Specially for 550+. Because then you need to go and buy your first film roll from a fancy hipster shop for 15 + dev/scan for 20 and after 2-3 attempts you'll decide to sell it off on eBay for half a price or even less.