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I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

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Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#31

Post by yabones »

Zak wrote: post #15

The Panasonic GX series of cameras was very similar to what we see here, and prices for them remain elevated years past their discontinuation. I'm a little surprised they haven't introduced a new model in that lineup. The Fuji X-E5 also seems similar to this, though obviously with a different lens mount.

GM-5 is probably the greatest pocket-size mirrorless, and maybe the last. The GX-85 is also great, but it does have a larger grip and more of a shoulder at the top.

The G-100D is also quite small, but the faux pentaprism at the top makes it just a bit too big to justify being MFT.

https://petapixel.com/2025/06/28/the-panasonic-lumix-gm-5-is...

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#32

Post by buildbot »

This is an amazing project and level of effort, and I empathize deeply with this photographers desire for a clean, simple, beautiful camera.

I so deeply want a modern EVF camera, doesn’t even have to be a rangefinder, with a mechanically wound shutter so the film advance lever has a reason to exist.

I’m aware of the Epson R1 but 6MP is too low.

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#33

Post by alistairSH »

_0xdd wrote: post #20

This is amazing. It's such a shame that Olympus and Panasonic have largely abandoned the small camera market within the M43 system. I really wish another manufacturer would step up and build something similar to the GX85, which is still one of my favorite walkaround cameras.

FWIW, Olympus spun-off/sold their consumer camera division. It's now operating as OM System (1) and has released a few new cameras over the past few years. As the article mentioned, the latest is the OM-3, which is sort of similar form factor, but not exactly compact. They also have the smaller Pen EP-7, but it's not available in the US (though they're readily available on Ebay or via KEH etc). I bought an EP-7 for an earlier Xmas gift to myself, but haven't had much change to use it (previously had an EP-5 and E-M5ii).

1 - https://explore.omsystem.com/us/en/

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#34

Post by actionfromafar »

jagged-chisel wrote: post #24
abetusk wrote: post #22

A weird contradiction for the licensing [0]: > This project is open-source under the MIT License. Feel free to modify and use — but no commercial use without permission. [0] https://github.com/cristibaluta/Leica-G9ii?tab=readme-ov-fil...

I wouldn’t call it weird. But it’s unenforceable. This kind of thing works better with GPL. General use falls under GPL. If that doesn’t suit your commercial use, contact the copyright holder for another license. As it stands, I can use the MIT licensed project anyway I like, including handing it to a commercial entity for their use.

It's no more unenforceable than GPL is unenforceable.

But MIT + weird condition is radioactive to anyone who takes licensing seriously.

Might just as well write "for hobbyist use only".

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#36

Post by alistairSH »

buildbot wrote: post #32

This is an amazing project and level of effort, and I empathize deeply with this photographers desire for a clean, simple, beautiful camera. I so deeply want a modern EVF camera, doesn’t even have to be a rangefinder, with a mechanically wound shutter so the film advance lever has a reason to exist. I’m aware of the Epson R1 but 6MP is too low.

The Fuji X-Half has a wind lever.

https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/x-half-x-half/

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#37

Post by metabagel »

BizarroLand wrote: post #23
Zak wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure a number of things are terribly wrong with the patent system. Amazon's one-click patent is another that comes to mind. Patents are for how , and the how there is "store the default payment and shipping info in a database".

I'm sure that some of these patents happen by slipping the examiner a few bands in the application paperwork. Afterwards it's on other people to defend themselves to the tune of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and if they lose you can get an entire company and all of its IP, property, and money. $5k under the table is a small price to pay for such potential payoff, not to mention the value of the chilling e…

I rather think that issuing patents was incentivized in various ways, leading to more bad patents being issued.

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#38

Post by buildbot »

alistairSH wrote: post #36
buildbot wrote: post #32

This is an amazing project and level of effort, and I empathize deeply with this photographers desire for a clean, simple, beautiful camera. I so deeply want a modern EVF camera, doesn’t even have to be a rangefinder, with a mechanically wound shutter so the film advance lever has a reason to exist. I’m aware of the Epson R1 but 6MP is too low.

The Fuji X-Half has a wind lever. https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com/x-half-x-half/

Yes it does - I have one - it’s simply a button basically. Not the same feel as something like a Leica

Re: I wanted a camera that doesn't exist, so I built it

#39

Post by theSuda »

ge96 wrote: post #10
amelius wrote: post #3

> the lens should be as centered as possible. I wanted to avoid that horrendous look of cameras with the lens as close to the left edge as possible (Sony a6000, I’m looking at you here). Funny, the things some people obsess about :)

Also funny the opposite preference, I like the offset lenses looks cool

Going from mostly centered lenses on dslr and m43 cameras to Sony with lens on mostly left side, I do prefer the offset lenses. Ergonomically and looks-wise both.
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