Hybrid multi-back camera. Digital / film / instant film in one body.

[FishyFish]

I came across this from one of the comments on 35MMC.

http://www.randtglobalservices.com/

Apparently they're developing a hybrid camera that will allow shooting of digital, film, and instant film via interchangeable backs.

There's not much detail on the website, and I've no idea how this will turn out, or what sort of results will be achievable - if indeed it makes it through to production - but thought it might be of interest.

 

[StephenM]

In principle, it isn't new; medium and large format cameras can use the film they were built for, a digital back or a Polaroid back. The problem I can see depends on the format size - full frame digital is OK, 35mm film is OK, but a 24x36 instant print is rather small. I've seen them at the Photography Show. Make the sensor a more affordable APS-C and the instant print will decrease. Unless they're planning to use APS-C sensors with a full frame camera, the same principle in reverse of having a full frame camera switch to APS-C size when an APS-C lens is used.

35mm cameras with interchangeable backs were rare beasts, but did exist.

 

[stevelmx5]

It's a shame that actual details about what they're building appear to be non-existent. Their website just says that they're prototyping 'something', their Facebook page contains lots of re-shared articles about general film items and their Instagram feed is empty. I get that new ideas sometimes have to be kept under control but without some actual idea of what they're planning it's hard to get excited.

 

[joxby]

It seems like an over-complication to try and make the thing shoot polaroids as well as film and digital, unless the polaroid is some kind of digital to print hybrid.
If its truly an optical polaroid, something has to happen with either the lens or the back.
I'm imagining a sleek slim lightweight camera that turns in to a big ole 5x4 when fitted with the giant shoe box polaroid back...

 

[stevelmx5]

I reckon it's more likely to be built around a Fuji Instax back than Polaroid as it's more 'fashionable' at the moment. If it's built around an Instax Wide back it would be even more popular as the only option for that currently is the bulky wide bodies which fell out of the ugly tree and took the bumpiest route down!

Alternatively, someone could design a standard 5x4 DDS sized holder with incorporated Instax Wide rollers and eject mechanism so it could be used on any Graflok style back...