It’s hard to think of a better way to make a film camera in 2022.
Film is far from dead.
Even newfilms are being designed.
Nons
And yet there’s one big problem.
Nobody but Leica is making film new cameras, and those cost more than a used car.
Enterthe Nons SL660, an all-manual instant camera whose time is right now.
Nons
“The SL660 captures what film photographers love, which is that tactile manual feel when shooting.
Film prices jump every year, and even commercial developing and printing are done on vintage lab machines.
It used to be that instant photosPolaroids, mostlywere prohibitively expensive at around a dollar a shot.
Now, those prices are comparatively cheap.
The $500 Nons SL660 is billed as an interchangeable lens SLR analog instant camera.
It uses Fujifilm Instax Square instant film, like a smaller Polaroid.
It uses theEF mountfor lenses, which has been Canons standard SLR and DSLR mount since the 1980s.
In short, pretty much any mass-produced vintage lens other than Olympus.
But there are a few nice extras.
Finally, the camera is built from sturdy, anodized aluminum with a wooden handgrip.
Built to last, that is.
Unlike new instant cameras from Fujifilm and Polaroid, it has full manual control.
Unlike other Instax-film-using cameras like those from Lomography, you’re able to use proper, high-quality lenses.
“Film forces you to slow down and really put thought into every frame before hitting the shutter.
That’s why film is something special,” says Inman.
Film is fun, and the Nons manages to balance quality with simplicity, making for a great combination.
But if we can get niche, enthusiast-built cameras like this SL660, who cares?
