Camera with retro design and interchangeable lenses launches for $109
The retro camera trend continues to gain momentum, as following the unusual Fujifilm X-half ($864 on Amazon), smartphone accessory specialist Fotorgear is now also introducing a retro-style digital camera that offers a range of unusual features. This starts with the viewfinder, as a waist-level viewfinder is used instead of a display.
Once this viewfinder is flipped open, the camera is held at waist level and the user looks down into the viewfinder from above, much like with classic Rolleiflex or Hasselblad cameras. A digital readout in the viewfinder shows the battery level, the selected filter and the number of photos remaining on the digital "film roll". For an even more retro feel, users can select a film that is "full" after 36 photos and can then be transferred to the companion smartphone app, where the photos can be viewed and edited.
If you shoot in RAW instead of JPEG, the filter can be selected later in the app. Exposure is set automatically. The camera has a tiny, pop-up xenon flash. The focus of the 26 mm f/2.2 lens is fixed, so all objects at a distance of 0.9 meters or more should appear sharp. The lens has a 37 mm filter thread, which can also be used for a range of converters that the manufacturer markets as interchangeable lenses.
Fotorgear offers an 8 mm fisheye converter, a 16 mm ultra-wide-angle lens, a 60 mm portrait lens, a 75 mm macro converter and even a 1.55x anamorphic lens. The 1,000 mAh battery is said to provide enough power for 400 photos with flash and is charged via USB-C. However, image quality is likely to be significantly worse than that of a smartphone, as Fotorgear uses a 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 sensor in the 1/3.06-inch format.
Campix has already attracted over 1,000 buyers
The Fotorgear Campix is currently being funded through Kickstarter and has already raised over $260,000 from more than 1,000 backers, with 30 days remaining in the campaign. The camera costs $109 in the "Super Early Bird" offer, plus import VAT, customs duties and shipping costs. The retail price is expected to rise to $209. Most lenses cost $79 each. Shipping is scheduled to begin as early as January 2027.
Fotorgear is already an established company, primarily known for camera grips and teleconverters for smartphones. However, backing crowdfunding campaigns always carries the risk of products being delivered late or with quality issues.
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