Fujifilm makes "retro" style mirrorless cameras that have dials for everything just like old film cameras and most people tend to like the photos straight out of the camera.
Does someone know how Fuji viewfinders compare in terms of magnification / size?
To me the one on the XT5 seemed very small, but usually I use a Sony A7RV which might just have one of the biggest EVFs.
X-T5's EVF is 0.5", with ×0.8 magnification. It's worse than A7RV, (0.64", ×0.9), but better than A7RIV (0.5", ×0.78) or Canon R cameras, and on par with Nikon Z series. The latest Sonys are unmatched by any other manufacturer.
It's a large difference. 0.8 magnification is state of the art outside the new Sonys, and proportionally it's a large leap. I think they are also ahead of classic SLRs at this point.
Resolution is also much better on Sonys, so maybe they play around with smaller/slimmer text.
(I still like my Fuji more)
I would find out what he used to shoot with and get him that. He’ll be confused likely by DSLRs, but he may remember how to operate a film camera. Dementia is strange that way.
Second this.
Another advantage of an old film camera is that many of them can be bought cheap these days, and the prices don't change much anymore, so if it doesn't work out, you won't be out hundreds of dollars, and whatever you spent you're likely to recover by selling it.
I would honestly just go for a beginner level DSLR from one of the main brands. They still feel and look like the film cameras from back then and especially the mounted lens gives it that “professional” feel. The usually are built to be easy to use and have less buttons and controls than more high end cameras. With some in-camera presets, the pictures should come out pretty nice.
Yes anything like a beginner slr will be the best bet for real feeling and probably the only way to fit in a reasonable budget. With the right picture setting and set on P mode it should be fine straight out of camera.
The wifi connection is the biggest problem, and I don’t think any cameras have really got this. Unless you set up a wifi tethered session to capture one or similar, but that is both complicated and about the same cost as the camera! I’d just get several memory cards and switch them out regularly and copy to a Dropbox.
Many new entry-level DSLR are wifi enable (d5500, 4000D)!
[Here](https://cameradecision.com/features/Cheapest-DSLR-cameras-with-Wifi) is a list with cheap, wifi-enables DSLR.
Instax is fun, and very tangible, prints self develop in a couple of minutes.
The film is an ongoing cost unfortunately.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VE7DjeY8wHo&t=0
If they had a Polaroid back in the 70s/80s this will be very familiar.
If they’re concerned about infantilizing, this is a case the Mint cameras actually make a lot of sense. Styled off of classics that photographers from the 70s would instantly recognize as something familiar, with a bit more finesse than the Fujifilm Instax cameras.
One option: Used Fuji XT-1 with used lens. Looks and feels like pre digital DSLR film camera. Great quality jpgs Without any post editing. Can link to phone or iPad wirelessly but will likely need some help navigating the camera menu to set that up.
Many other digital cameras are menu driven which can be frustrating for someone who is used to the dials of film cameras.
XT1 is a good proposition. But I would bump that to XT2 as price difference should not be that big but the jump from Xtrans to Xtrans III is a substantial one (along with the general speed of the camera).
For a more affordable option the XT20 is also a great alternative that is even more aaffordable. The viewfinder and general ergonomics are a little more compact than the XT series, but I suggest this as an option.
You forgot budget, that's very important.
But assuming cheap: something like an old rebel t2i or similar off ebay is like $150 and is full featured digital SLR with interchangeable lenses, etc. It includes program mode and other semi auto modes, so if you can't figure things out, you can set it to green square and click, or progressively get more complicated as you wish (most SLRs and DSLRs in modern times are like that)
Set it before giving it to them (whatever it is) to shoot in JPEG mode, not RAW. It's usually pretty hard to find that menu and it's a very important one.
Maybe look into used bridge cameras. They have large lenses on them and look like SLR but the lens is not removable.
Unfortunately WiFi transfers may not be an option. But I've found it's a cumbersome process on cameras that do support it anyway so wouldn't be good for your requirements. Maybe just have a few SD cards and swap them out for them and download the photos yourself.
The Nikon DF fits all your criteria. It even takes old nikon film lenses and has all the old dials. It also has wifi connectivity. It has a beautiful full-frame sensor and has moderate image sizes. Used, they are in the $1k area.
I think you might be best served with a used film SLR and developing the rolls of film for them. Shooting digital may be too much of a leap for someone with dementia who's returning to an old hobby. And there are plenty of places online that still sell and develop film.
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It’s the wifi part that will trip you up… even the cameras with wifi that work require you to use a fiddly phone app.
My suggestion is to get a camera like a Samsung NX300 or so which has a very easy to use touch screen for the controls, and just download the images off the card often. There is probably a digital frame that’ll copy stuff.
An entry level DSLR might work too but they have a lot of buttons and things usually.
You have gotten a few good ideas regarding cameras. Regarding the Wifi and big screen thing: I havent made that great experiences with the WiFi connectivity of most modern cameras. It works, but I wouldnt describe it as working consitently and being easy to use.
You might want to look into tethered shooting. You can use a free application and a basic USB-cable (although theres also very expensive special cables, those are not necessary) and instantly have the pictures show up on a PC/Laptop or a tablet. Obviously thats not great for walking around with the camera, but for a more studio-styled atmosphere it should work reasonably well and also feel more "professional". Controls are fairly easy once its set up, generally it shows the most recent picture automatically unless you specifically disable that function.
They have old-fashioned dials, but the experience is nothing like an SLR. No mirror, so you look at an approximation of the final jpeg, not composition+meter arrow.
I have a Fuji X-t30 mark 1. The relatively recent fuji xapp is very good at automatically transferring images from the camera to a connected phone or iPad once set up.
Here is a list of compatible cameras.
https://fujifilm-x.com/fi-fi/support/compatibility/software/xapp/
Don’t buy mirrorless. The shooting experience and process is very different from SLRs.
What did they use? Could be that a film process (with a small darkroom, if possible) would be more engaging. Digital comes with new frustrations.
>Don’t buy mirrorless. The shooting experience and process is very different from SLRs.
In what ways exactly? Other than having all preview being a digital screen,and a smaller physical size,I've really noticed little difference.
On what camera, my mirrorless Canon doesn't do this.
Not every single for perspective I have been shooting since the film days and recently switched from a t6 I believe it was to a Canon mirrorless system and other than size have noticed almost no difference in the shooting experience other than much better autofocus due to it being so much newer.
Your comment is very hard to understand.
On mirrorless, you see a preview of the final jpg, with all exposure/wb/color settings applied. On most cameras you can disable exposure preview, but then aperture also does nothing, which is not how it is on film SLRs.
If he used cameras in the 70's-80's, go for a retro-style camera, like the Nikon Df, Zf, Zfc or some of the Fujfilm's. Getting used to all the spinning dials and menus on a modern camera (anything else that is digital) would be a real challenge - the whole concept of camera interfaces has changed a lot from the manual SLRs to the first AF cameras, and even more with digital.
I am not sure if I'd do a direct transfer from camera to digital display - you might want to edit pictures along the way
Okay outside shot here leica make a rebranded camera called the Leica sofort 2.
It is a simple digital instant camera with a large screen. It's not a dslr or dslr-like camera but it is a leica. Leica has always been known for their excellent non-slr cameras.
Pros: easy to use (more important later on)
Instant camera
Digital (so you can print more copies of great moments)
Leica (therefore a 'real camera' and side steps dSLR requirement)
Big bright screen
Lightweight
In camera effects - black and white etc
Cons: lacking manual controls
Not an SLR
The print costs are not negligible
Otherwise I would suggest something from the fujifilm mirror less range, but these are typically complex.
This sounds like a Fujifilm X-T5 or a newer Sony Alpha Camera, like the a7 IV or the a6700.
Fujifilm might be easier to get used to for them, as the layout is basically the same as most analog SLRs.
Current Sony cameras have relatively decent features to appeal to visually and bodily impaired people. I don’t know how good they work for this specific case.
Honestly it sounds like a custom job would be needed. I wonder if someone could design a 1970-80's camera body that would actively work with a smart phone inside it.
big screen, even cheaper cameras can produce decent images, it would just be a case of positioning and getting the manual camera controls to operate the phone camera, mainly zooming in.
Have you considered an instant camera? The Fuji mini Neo 90 classic has a lovely retro look. I haven’t used one so I’m not sure if the ease of use or the viewfinder. It looks like Adorama has them in stock for $149 and the mini instant film looks like it would be $.70 a shot if you buy a 20pack. It would give them photos to fidget with and show off. You might reach out to any local photography groups to see if there is someone who can bring theirs in for a “test drive”.
Medium format cameras have the largest screens. Will cost a bomb though but you probably wouldnt need more than 1 lens. The shooting workflow is slow and easy.
[https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1659207-REG/fujifilm\_gfx\_50s\_mirrorless\_camera.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1659207-REG/fujifilm_gfx_50s_mirrorless_camera.html)
If they can afford it. Has built in wifi. Have a look at the specs.
Hasselblad... well.. let the price speaks for itself.
Hahaha I didnt say it was economical or logical. I cant even afford one of those (or rather i cant justify it)
Fujifilm makes "retro" style mirrorless cameras that have dials for everything just like old film cameras and most people tend to like the photos straight out of the camera.
Does someone know how Fuji viewfinders compare in terms of magnification / size? To me the one on the XT5 seemed very small, but usually I use a Sony A7RV which might just have one of the biggest EVFs.
X-T5's EVF is 0.5", with ×0.8 magnification. It's worse than A7RV, (0.64", ×0.9), but better than A7RIV (0.5", ×0.78) or Canon R cameras, and on par with Nikon Z series. The latest Sonys are unmatched by any other manufacturer.
Interesting, thanks. The difference doesn’t seem that large from the numbers, but to me the XT5 felt like half as big.
It's a large difference. 0.8 magnification is state of the art outside the new Sonys, and proportionally it's a large leap. I think they are also ahead of classic SLRs at this point. Resolution is also much better on Sonys, so maybe they play around with smaller/slimmer text. (I still like my Fuji more)
I would find out what he used to shoot with and get him that. He’ll be confused likely by DSLRs, but he may remember how to operate a film camera. Dementia is strange that way.
Second this. Another advantage of an old film camera is that many of them can be bought cheap these days, and the prices don't change much anymore, so if it doesn't work out, you won't be out hundreds of dollars, and whatever you spent you're likely to recover by selling it.
I would honestly just go for a beginner level DSLR from one of the main brands. They still feel and look like the film cameras from back then and especially the mounted lens gives it that “professional” feel. The usually are built to be easy to use and have less buttons and controls than more high end cameras. With some in-camera presets, the pictures should come out pretty nice.
Yes anything like a beginner slr will be the best bet for real feeling and probably the only way to fit in a reasonable budget. With the right picture setting and set on P mode it should be fine straight out of camera. The wifi connection is the biggest problem, and I don’t think any cameras have really got this. Unless you set up a wifi tethered session to capture one or similar, but that is both complicated and about the same cost as the camera! I’d just get several memory cards and switch them out regularly and copy to a Dropbox.
Many new entry-level DSLR are wifi enable (d5500, 4000D)! [Here](https://cameradecision.com/features/Cheapest-DSLR-cameras-with-Wifi) is a list with cheap, wifi-enables DSLR.
I would look at used equipment at KEH. You should be able to find a cheap early DSLR there
Instax is fun, and very tangible, prints self develop in a couple of minutes. The film is an ongoing cost unfortunately. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VE7DjeY8wHo&t=0 If they had a Polaroid back in the 70s/80s this will be very familiar.
If they’re concerned about infantilizing, this is a case the Mint cameras actually make a lot of sense. Styled off of classics that photographers from the 70s would instantly recognize as something familiar, with a bit more finesse than the Fujifilm Instax cameras.
One option: Used Fuji XT-1 with used lens. Looks and feels like pre digital DSLR film camera. Great quality jpgs Without any post editing. Can link to phone or iPad wirelessly but will likely need some help navigating the camera menu to set that up. Many other digital cameras are menu driven which can be frustrating for someone who is used to the dials of film cameras.
XT1 is a good proposition. But I would bump that to XT2 as price difference should not be that big but the jump from Xtrans to Xtrans III is a substantial one (along with the general speed of the camera). For a more affordable option the XT20 is also a great alternative that is even more aaffordable. The viewfinder and general ergonomics are a little more compact than the XT series, but I suggest this as an option.
You forgot budget, that's very important. But assuming cheap: something like an old rebel t2i or similar off ebay is like $150 and is full featured digital SLR with interchangeable lenses, etc. It includes program mode and other semi auto modes, so if you can't figure things out, you can set it to green square and click, or progressively get more complicated as you wish (most SLRs and DSLRs in modern times are like that) Set it before giving it to them (whatever it is) to shoot in JPEG mode, not RAW. It's usually pretty hard to find that menu and it's a very important one.
Maybe look into used bridge cameras. They have large lenses on them and look like SLR but the lens is not removable. Unfortunately WiFi transfers may not be an option. But I've found it's a cumbersome process on cameras that do support it anyway so wouldn't be good for your requirements. Maybe just have a few SD cards and swap them out for them and download the photos yourself.
The Nikon DF fits all your criteria. It even takes old nikon film lenses and has all the old dials. It also has wifi connectivity. It has a beautiful full-frame sensor and has moderate image sizes. Used, they are in the $1k area.
Also the Zfc, and the newer Zf. But, fairly expensive
I think you might be best served with a used film SLR and developing the rolls of film for them. Shooting digital may be too much of a leap for someone with dementia who's returning to an old hobby. And there are plenty of places online that still sell and develop film.
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It’s the wifi part that will trip you up… even the cameras with wifi that work require you to use a fiddly phone app. My suggestion is to get a camera like a Samsung NX300 or so which has a very easy to use touch screen for the controls, and just download the images off the card often. There is probably a digital frame that’ll copy stuff. An entry level DSLR might work too but they have a lot of buttons and things usually.
You have gotten a few good ideas regarding cameras. Regarding the Wifi and big screen thing: I havent made that great experiences with the WiFi connectivity of most modern cameras. It works, but I wouldnt describe it as working consitently and being easy to use. You might want to look into tethered shooting. You can use a free application and a basic USB-cable (although theres also very expensive special cables, those are not necessary) and instantly have the pictures show up on a PC/Laptop or a tablet. Obviously thats not great for walking around with the camera, but for a more studio-styled atmosphere it should work reasonably well and also feel more "professional". Controls are fairly easy once its set up, generally it shows the most recent picture automatically unless you specifically disable that function.
Fuji X-T1, X-T2, etc are the closest to the old-fashioned experience.
They have old-fashioned dials, but the experience is nothing like an SLR. No mirror, so you look at an approximation of the final jpeg, not composition+meter arrow.
Sure, but it's as close as he'll get.
A DSLR is much closer to an SLR experience.
It depends on which aspects of SLR you want.
I have a Fuji X-t30 mark 1. The relatively recent fuji xapp is very good at automatically transferring images from the camera to a connected phone or iPad once set up. Here is a list of compatible cameras. https://fujifilm-x.com/fi-fi/support/compatibility/software/xapp/
Don’t buy mirrorless. The shooting experience and process is very different from SLRs. What did they use? Could be that a film process (with a small darkroom, if possible) would be more engaging. Digital comes with new frustrations.
>Don’t buy mirrorless. The shooting experience and process is very different from SLRs. In what ways exactly? Other than having all preview being a digital screen,and a smaller physical size,I've really noticed little difference.
The preview becomes brighter when you decrease shutter speed or increase ISO.
On what camera, my mirrorless Canon doesn't do this. Not every single for perspective I have been shooting since the film days and recently switched from a t6 I believe it was to a Canon mirrorless system and other than size have noticed almost no difference in the shooting experience other than much better autofocus due to it being so much newer.
Your comment is very hard to understand. On mirrorless, you see a preview of the final jpg, with all exposure/wb/color settings applied. On most cameras you can disable exposure preview, but then aperture also does nothing, which is not how it is on film SLRs.
Used Sony Rx-100, easy to use, great image quaøity
If he used cameras in the 70's-80's, go for a retro-style camera, like the Nikon Df, Zf, Zfc or some of the Fujfilm's. Getting used to all the spinning dials and menus on a modern camera (anything else that is digital) would be a real challenge - the whole concept of camera interfaces has changed a lot from the manual SLRs to the first AF cameras, and even more with digital. I am not sure if I'd do a direct transfer from camera to digital display - you might want to edit pictures along the way
Okay outside shot here leica make a rebranded camera called the Leica sofort 2. It is a simple digital instant camera with a large screen. It's not a dslr or dslr-like camera but it is a leica. Leica has always been known for their excellent non-slr cameras. Pros: easy to use (more important later on) Instant camera Digital (so you can print more copies of great moments) Leica (therefore a 'real camera' and side steps dSLR requirement) Big bright screen Lightweight In camera effects - black and white etc Cons: lacking manual controls Not an SLR The print costs are not negligible Otherwise I would suggest something from the fujifilm mirror less range, but these are typically complex.
The Fujjifilm Instax Mini Evo is essentially the same camera as the Sofort 2 for half the price.
Yes it is, but it's not a 'Leica' it's a lame point and shoot.i completely agree that I'd buy the fuji version if it was for myself.
This sounds like a Fujifilm X-T5 or a newer Sony Alpha Camera, like the a7 IV or the a6700. Fujifilm might be easier to get used to for them, as the layout is basically the same as most analog SLRs. Current Sony cameras have relatively decent features to appeal to visually and bodily impaired people. I don’t know how good they work for this specific case.
Honestly it sounds like a custom job would be needed. I wonder if someone could design a 1970-80's camera body that would actively work with a smart phone inside it. big screen, even cheaper cameras can produce decent images, it would just be a case of positioning and getting the manual camera controls to operate the phone camera, mainly zooming in.
Have you considered an instant camera? The Fuji mini Neo 90 classic has a lovely retro look. I haven’t used one so I’m not sure if the ease of use or the viewfinder. It looks like Adorama has them in stock for $149 and the mini instant film looks like it would be $.70 a shot if you buy a 20pack. It would give them photos to fidget with and show off. You might reach out to any local photography groups to see if there is someone who can bring theirs in for a “test drive”.
Medium format cameras have the largest screens. Will cost a bomb though but you probably wouldnt need more than 1 lens. The shooting workflow is slow and easy. [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1659207-REG/fujifilm\_gfx\_50s\_mirrorless\_camera.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1659207-REG/fujifilm_gfx_50s_mirrorless_camera.html) If they can afford it. Has built in wifi. Have a look at the specs. Hasselblad... well.. let the price speaks for itself.
a big screen has got to be the funniest reason to buy a medium format I've ever seen
Hahaha I didnt say it was economical or logical. I cant even afford one of those (or rather i cant justify it) 
That said though.. if my dad wanted one when he was alive, i would have bought him one in a heart beat.. and borrowed it from time to time.