You MUST try this camera...

If you were to say this to someone, referring to the camera you feel most completely allows you to most

passionately express your photographic creativity, which camera would it be? Not your 'most unique' or 'most

rare' but the one that just "does it for you" and that you look forward to using the most. I began to think about

this over the weekend when I was visiting my father and was showing him some of my favorite cameras. I realized

after a while that I was boring him (and he loves cameras and photography in general!) because I wasn't really

describing anything that expressed the passion that I feel about using certain cameras. So when I began to talk

about the most special cameras, my absolute favorites and why they're my favorites, the conversation came to

life. And so did my father. Then I started to think about which camera of all the ones I own would I tell him was

the most special, and that he should try for a while to experience something really special. I still haven't

decided which one that is, one that I would tell others that if they could only try one classic camera, this is

the one they must experience. Personally, I'm really interested in what you all would choose.

Nikon D3, Hasselblad 500 c/m, Fuji G617, Leica M6

I hate to admit it, but I like my current Canon 20Ds more than anything else I've ever used. Not least of my joys

is using all those incredible old lenses on them with adapters.

 

As Lily von Stupff says in Blazing Saddles, "How owdinaiwy".

 

But there are also all those wonderful Exaktas, Prakticas, Contax/Pentacons, and my beloved Nikon film cameras.

How could one choose among them? They are all wonderful in some kind of way. Which is your favorite child?

Last summer/fall I would have said the Konica Auto S2, hands down. I picked it up last spring, and ran a number of rolls of Tri-X through it, and took a couple of my favourite (outdoor) images to date. The fixed Hexanon is rumoured to be a Summicron clone, and clone or not, it's very good. The viewfinder has parallax correction lines, which is very useful, and the meter is accurate.

 

However, over the winter and this year, I must admit I've used my Pentax ME Super more, mostly because for taking pics of people I tend to prefer the automated DoF control afforded by aperture priority (the Auto S2 is shutter-priority), and because I have a few lenses at different focal lengths, and an M42 adapter for the one of my favourite lenses, the 85mm Jupiter-9.

 

I will be taking the Auto S2 out for more excercize, but currently I've got a recently acquired Hi-Matic E on the go with a test roll, and one in a FED-2 with FED-50 lens that I've been dying to use more of - it just fits so well in my hands.

 

And, I've been meaning to shoot more medium format with folders and a TLR... So many cameras, so little time :)

Actually, scratch that, you MUST try the Konica Auto S2. It's a great camera for not a lot of money, with a very nice lens. It's not perfect, but it's unique enough (at least with Tri-X) that it should be tried by everyone at least for one roll :)

For me, the Nikon FE2 is just about perfect. Everything I need and nothing more. Everyone should have one!

For me the camera that stands out above all others, classic or current, film or digital, has to be the EOS 1v(HS,

in my case). It feels like it was carved from a solid piece of metal and crafted to fit my hand, and its

performance still compares most favorably to even the current crop of DSLRs. 10 frames per second is very

impressive, even more so when you consider it's moving film at that speed, and its accuracy is astounding. I

would get rid of every other camera I own (and a lot of other belongings!) before letting go of this one without

a doubt. And I must agree with JDM--I really like my 20D a lot, even in the face of so many new, "better"

offerings from so many makers. I feel no rush to upgrade, although I'm sure I'll give in and do so before too long.

 

As far as classics go, man, that's a tough one for me. My Yashica Lynx 1000 is a favorite, but I like my Fujica

35-SE 1.9 just as much, and I can't leave out the little Oly 35RC and the 35DC, an absolutely stunning performer.

When my budget allows me to acquire a Leica (soon, I hope), that'll probably be the one. For now though, hmmm,

I'll have to keep thinking about this...

DSLRs? Jeez guys. Take it to one of the CaNikon forums.

For the last 11 years it is the Rolleiflex 2.8E that I own. Nothing beats it in terms of resolution and that creamy image

quality only a big negative can give you. More important, I love looking through the waist level finder and being able to keep

my eyes on the action too. When I went to Italy 11 years ago I was so stressed about which 35mm lenses and cameras to

take, and how could I carry it all. Finally, I got so disgusted the Rolleiflex came to mind since I would be FORCED to use

the lens on the camera. After that summer I've never loved another camera more.

The simple design but uncompromising image quality make an unbeatable photographic tool.

I recently bought a Hasselblad 500c/m and I think I found the one. It is fast to use (compared to 4x5), compact and a mechanical delight. I also appreciate that it makes me spot meter properly. My second is a Canon Elan 7 with a 50mm and an 85mm lens, I wish canon had a decent, reasonably priced 35mm lens in its stable, but it doesn't. Maybe I'll get the 28mm someday.

 

Oh yeah, my XA is pretty hard to beat in the shirt pocket catagory!

Leica M-3

I have always loved to use cameras that come as gifts. Especially those that were used by the givers. My first SLR was a russian made brick, and took great photos, but I loved to use it because it reminded me that the young boy who first used it, lived in poland not far from the russian border.

 

This summer, I havent let my F4 out of my sight, much. I like the heft. You can feel that the engineers cared about quality.

I took the first pictures as a school kid using a Kodak 620 Box. The things I remember about it; the shutter lever went back and forth for successive shots, two view finders one for portrait and another fro lands cape and the spools were made partly of wood as was the camera. Then the Brownie Reflex 127, a very strange film size to recall! I learnt some more in a Fed 2 with darkroom work etc., in college. It took some good pics. Canon TL and FT followed with horrible experience and high prices. Sold them to buy Exakta VXIIb abd RTL 1000. My best cameras till today. Have some very good Prakticas too. Like them a lot for simple mechanical elegance and efficiency. Not likely to go in for any DSLR. Will stay with the compact. Have not exploited its potential fully. Have been less active with photography for a long time.

You really must try a Yashica Electro G

The Contax RX. You can have our MF advantages with an AF assist.

Look through the viewfinder of a Pentax Super Program. Largest and Brightest I have ever seen...makes me mad at dslr's.

I've probably shot more photos with a Canon AE-1/A-1 than any others - but second (third?) place on purely numerical fronts goes to a Zenit-EM, which for several years was my camera of choice; the AE-1 I used to own had meter issues, which would crop up at the worst possible moments, so the Zenit bore the brunt of the use, especially when light conditions weren't fast-changing. (I was young, I was broke, and I owned three cameras - the Zenit, the flaky Canon, and an Argus C-3.) You learn so much more about photography with an all-manual monstrosity like that, than with some sort of all-knowing electronic... toy.

Olympus OM1. I cannot get enough of this camera and every time I pick up a different camera I wish I was shooting with that one. It makes me really wish Olympus had made some medium format gear in the 1970s.

It is gratifying to see the kudos bestowed upon the Konica auto S2. The Konica was the first 35 mm camera I ever owned, purchased in vietnam in 1966 for US $35. It is all you could wish for in a fixed lens 35 mm rangefinder. I still have the my first version and it is still working well. It is much more convenient to use than any screwmount Leica. The lens is very sharp. Great camera.

 

For 35 mm SLRs, it is hard to top the Canon T90. Close behind are the Minolta XD11 and the Nikon FE2.

Tops would be a Leica M (I prefer M4x or M6).

 

Classics would be a Zeiss Ikon Contessa.

 

SLR would be a Canon EF.

 

Medium format: Hasselblad SW/C.

 

Large format: Sinar X or P.

Leica M6. Any Rolleiflex TLR.

I'm with Kevin on the Nikon FE2. Just enough automation when it iis needed. I would pick the Nikkor 20mm AI lens to go with it.

 

My MPP 4x5 metal field camera is great fun with Schneider Super Angulon lenses.

 

...and also my current Canon 5D.......

any lens shutter hasseblad 500 series camera is awesome, you have to try it.

 

leica M6 with summicron 35 and 50 is also awesome and you have to try it.

 

Those two

Olympus OM2, Olympus 35RC, Kodak Retina IIa

Kowa 6MM

Andy,

 

Funny I have had this conversation and result with my father too. And just last night pondered which of my many cameras my father might want to shoot when he comes to visit me this summer?!?

His own enthusiasm some 30 years ago for a "Speed Graphic" certainly influenced me. And to some extent my great love of older hardware. I also have really enjoyed reading/seeing the responses. I accept the compromises of using

all manual cameras because I want to be involved in a thinking process. That said, I also appreciate some niceties.

I like the compactness of the Contessa but the RF window is so small...the Yashica 5000E is easier to focus and has a meter. Using either is a joy.. Why have vanilla, when you can have chocolate, or strawberry? I love to use the 6x7 Speed Graphic, but the somewhat sharper Hexanon lens with parallax adj viewer/rangefinder on the Koni Omega are very convenient too. The little Exa feels just fine in my hands ergonomically, but the XD7 feels equally good and

is all you could ever want for an SLR. I've noticed others replying that the "next" camera is expected to be "the one"

I've got my eye on the Canon QL17 GIII. Also consider the actual emotional relationship to the camera. My Exa and Pentacon were presents. The Speed Graphic as payment for helping prepare an exhibit. The light meter I'm using and how through my brother's friend's grandfather etc. It's part challenge, part joy, part adventure. All these things play a role in the "ya gotta try this camera" .. Now what camera am I going to "insist" my father use when he comes. He speculates a lot on a digital.... ..Naaahh ...old school!!!... film cameras Dad!!!.. that's the way it's done!!