SUMMARY
Analog photography startup Smartflex has introduced the Smartflex 8x10, a large-format film camera that it claims is the largest SLR ever produced. Measuring significantly taller than stacked DSLRs, the camera weighs 12.3 lbs without a lens and is built with a robust chassis to support heavy lenses. Unusually for an 8x10 camera, it features an SLR design with an internal mirror and prism system, offering a waist-level viewfinder with an optional eye-level version planned. The Smartflex 8x10 supports 8x10 sheet film, Polaroids, and wet plates, utilizing a cloth focal-plane slit shutter. The camera is available for a trial price of $5,715 with a lens.
TAKEAWAYS
The Smartflex 8x10 is presented as the world's largest SLR camera.
It shoots massive 8x10 film or wet plates and features a waist-level viewfinder.
The camera weighs 12.3 lbs without a lens and is designed for heavy large-format lenses.
It is the first 8x10 SLR camera of its kind since 1901, according to Smartflex.