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Do people still use these¹ cameras seriously, or is Microsoft trying to out hipster Apple?

[1] : https://c.s-microsoft.com/en-us/CMSImages/Surface_J_Overview...




Yes, it is very rare as it is highly expensive. These cameras use film sheets with a size of 4x5 or 8x10 inches (depending on how you process the film and scan it the total might be in the hundreds of dollars per image). The image quality however is unmatched by any digital equipment.

Scanning back solutions also exist (basically a scanner that you can attach to the camera) . These cost thousands of dollars each and may take a few minutes per image. You cannot use them for moving subjects. [1]

These factors make cameras like this a very rare sight indeed.

[0] http://www.dannyburk.com/drum_scanning.htm [1] http://www.betterlight.com/products4X5.html


Of course they do. Just like people still use vinyl, drive restored 1930s cars, collect antique furniture, and watch black-and-white silent films.

There is a certain cachet to old technology.




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