'Other' cameras

I use my R-D1 a lot more than my 10D lately, but there are a lot of things that rangefinders

stink at, such as macro and telephoto photography.

 

I also have been using the Fuji Natura Black a lot lately - it's about the only film camera I

really use anymore, although I do occasionally use the EOS 1n.

 

Cameras which I no longer really use include the Lomo, the Olympus XA / XA2, Contaflex,

and Nikon L35AF.

Canon 5D main, Canon A620 mostly in the car.

 

Leica D2 stays at home fully soaked in Acutol.

Hey Andrew. It's surprising you're the only person on this thread who mentioned the little Olympus XA. I too have an Olympus XA, which I throw in my briefcase or luggage when I don't think I'll be doing much "real" photography. I haven't used it in a while, but that's more because I've been taking the heavier stuff on dedicated photo trips. I would have thought the XA, with its rangefinder and 35mm f2.8 lens would be a lot more popular.

I culled some really, really good stuff once that I now regret culling.

I really love the XA, but I just find the Natura Black has more utility, with its faster, wider

lens. The XA is a timeless classic, though.

Primary 35mm Cameras: M4 and M6 classic with pre ASPH 35/50 luxes and current model

Elmar 50/2.8

 

Backup: Nikon S3 with Nikkors; 50/1,4 and 35/2.5

 

For fine detail: Fuji GW690111 and Plaubel Makina 670 (both fixed lenses).

While the Leica stuff is the most used gear, my 4x5 B&W is my favorite format to work with.....just love the traditional look of film, and gelatin silver prints.

 

Picked up a bargain priced Blad and 100 Planar recently, that will again do some B&W work.

 

Then there is my Spotmatic and 50 SMC 1.4, a classic camera that goes everywhere, as my drag-around shooter.

I mostly carry the Leica M7, but also use Nikon F4 for telephoto and macro 35mm work. Also

I shoot color negative LF with my aunt's Speed Graphic 4x5 and my grandfather's Burke &

James 8x10. For MF I have a Bronica 645RF and 45mm and 65mm lenses.

Forgot about my XA. It's my auto console camera, always handy while I'm driving. Some days I shoot 1/2 a roll. Supermarket brand film (prob. Superia). Sometimes the roll will be lotsa keepers, sometimes the roll goes in the trash.

 

I also have a 35 f2 Nikkor wedded to a Nikkormat that is wunderbar! at f2, and that's how I use it. Mostly indoors.

By frequency of use, my main camera is the Contax T3. Second place is either Aria or M4. If I carry all three, the burden is still less than the Canon 1Ds!

My main outfits are Leicas of one age or another with a Retina thrown in for good measure. And every once in a while I break out the old Foth Derby just to remind my self that fancy stuff isn't essential; but recently I've had the urge to do some larger format so after several disappointing auctions I managed to pick up a Voigtlander Superb in near "superb" condition, and I am having a lot of fun with that. It really doesn't do anything a Rollei can't do but its simple straight forward design is beginning to dominate much of my photographic thinking. Its 3.5 viewing lens is a bit of a holdback, but maybe I can find a brighter screen that can be adapted. Anyhow, TLR is a venue that every 35 hound should visit at least once in a lifetime.

2nd place, my speed graphic w/545 polaroid back, and a carmel fedora:)

actually , my ricoh gx has been winning since last december...

Main camera is a IIIa. Other camera is a Pentax K-1000.

M4-2 w/35 or M3 w/50. Everyday in the car is Kiev 35 with 50mm 1.4 Nikkor. Quarter mile dirt track racing brings out an old Honeywell Spotmatic that lives in a plastic bag. There are some places that you just don't take a Leica.

<i>

Andrew Lamb , mar 26, 2006; 02:38 p.m.

 

Terence, don't you take snaps of friends, partners, relatives, pets etc? Personal photography doesn't have to mean personal "art", does it?</i></p>Squelching the impish temptation to point out that many people on this forum evidently <i>do</i> think that snaps of friends, partners, relatives and pets constitute art, and instead to respond to your question, no actually, I leave the happy-snaps to others in my company.</p><i>

William Hoffman Photo.net Patron, mar 26, 2006; 02:49 p.m.

I have Nikon FE2, FM2, Leica MP, Hexar RF, and Zeiss Ikon, plus a Canon Elph in my pocket.</i></p> Good heavens old man that must be one rather capacious pocket.

My main camera is a Leica reflex. For wildlife photos while kayaking I just bought a 400mm T-Novoflex and very brassy Nikkormat for about US$150. I won't cry too much if the kayaking camera gets dropped in the water.

"Squelching the impish temptation to point out that many people on this forum evidently do

think that snaps of friends, partners, relatives and pets constitute art,"

 

Impish but true.

main camera these days is my nikon d200

"Squelching the impish temptation to point out that many people on this forum evidently

do think that snaps of friends, partners, relatives and pets constitute art, and instead to

respond to your question, no actually, I leave the happy-snaps to others in my company."

 

Believe it or not, it is possible that shots of one's friends, relatives, etc. could be art as

well. I have seen photographs that the arty types swoon over that I would prefer to use to

wipe my ass with. Unless you subscribe to the University Art Department's nonsensical

High Art vs. art wars, one would think that it would be left to the viewer to determine the

artistic worthiness of any given piece.

Interesting set of posts. I noticed all the old mechanical SLR's like early Nikons, Olympus and Spotmatics hanging in there after all these years as backups. Tough, reliable bodies with good glass.

"I have seen photographs that the arty types swoon over that I would prefer to use to wipe my ass with."

 

Even if they're printed on high gloss paper?

For me it might be more appropriate to ask what other cameras do I not have?? But I tend to focus on a couple of main other cameras, well three to be precise. I regularly use a couple of classic SLRs these being a very nice black Nikkomat FTN with a range of pre AI Nikkor lenses from 28mm to 300mm that I am supplementiing from eBay form time to time. Love the early Nikons. The second main camera (or class of cameras as I have a few) are Pentax Spotmatics and pre Spotmatics, also with a nice range of screwmount lenses, mainly original Pentax. I use the Nikon or Pentaxes when I want an SLR because they are very nicely built cameras and lenses that give lovely results, but mostly the Leicas win out as I usually shoot in the 35mm - 90mm range of lens and besides they are Leicas! In addition the other main camera I do use reaasonably frequently becsue of convenience is a Sony digital DSC 717. A very competent digital with a fine lens. But less fess up here. In addition I sometimes carry a Contax T2 (when a nice point and shoot is just the ticket) one of several old Canon SLRS in FL mount or a very nice Canon ranegfinder IVSB2. Plas several other that I need not go into. Ho hum, such is life. Mostly though its the Leica.

Main Leica M2, latest 50/2, latest 35/2, ancient 90/4

Backup Contax Aria 50/1.4 or 28-70 Aria zoom with various other lenses (like the 21 though it's big)

 

I've tried lots of stuff as backups: T2 (can't manually focus or scale focus), Minox 35GT (no rangefinder), Retina IIc (just a bit heavy), etc. I've got my eye on maybe a Leica CL as a backup.

 

Other cameras I use often: Leica IIIf BD Summitar 50/2, Nikon screwmount 35 and 85; Contax RTS III (on a tripod), Minolta 600si (not much anymore because I'm not a big autofocus fan -- good camera though), Contax RF IIa and period lenses, Kiev 4AM w/zeiss lenses (rougher but it's a good one and works very well), and my favorite screwmount (sorry IIIf) the Canon 7. The 7 is a great camera and even the selenium meter is still dead accurate. I even have the unobtainium accessory shoe.

 

I'd like to buy some new screwmount lenses maybe from Voigtlander but the one I bought so far (50/2.5) is compact and feels high quality but the results have been fairly unimpressive. The Canon 50, Nikon 50/1.4 and my Summitar can all compete well with it.<div></div>

Mamiya 7II and Rolleiflex f/3.5 E3. They actually win over the Leica for the most part (can't resist the big neg), especially the Mamiya.