The Voice of God: Your Ultimate Classic Camera Kit

<p>Wow, what a remarkable response. Thank you all for searching your hearts, and your camera shelves, to present your ultimate system. There is a lot of interesting data here. The things that strike me are: Most of the gear is from the "1950's onward. A smattering of large and medium format but the bulk is 35mm. Some folks, like me, selections are based on pure functionality, some on light weight, some on high quality optics, some on sentimental value. I'm not sure of what other inferences can be drawn but one thing that stands out above all else is the overall snapshot of some of the finest classic cameras/lenses ever made.<br>

Someone starting out, looking for a manual focus film system, would find this thread a wealth of good information.</p>

<p>The camera I'd take if instructed to choose by The Almighty probably doesn't count as a classic from the point of view of the criteria for this forum, as it'd be the Contax RX with a small assortment of CZ lenses.</p>

<p>If He insisted on classic manual, no frills, I think it'd be my Yashica Lynx 14e. Fast, sharp lens, solid construction, rangefinder focussing, good meter with full manual control. I merely hope He'd have too many other things on His mind to notice the Oly 35RC in my other pocket.</p>

<p>hmmmm, hmmmm well i would have to choose my medalist II, i love that thing. </p>

<p>I'll chime in as the Konica flagbearer. :) Autoreflex T3, 21mm f4 lens, 50mm 1.7 lens, and the 85mm 1.8 lens. My T3 is a rock. A tank. It simply *feels* reliable. Like an old friend you can trust with anything.</p>

<p>Same as WJ Gibson, above: "Pentax Spotmatic, Super Takumar 28 f3.5, 50 1.4, 105 2.8"</p>

 

<p>Greetings, everyone! So glad I came across this site: the posts are knowledgeable, friendly, and occasionally, poetic.<br>

Having caught the vintage collecting bug a year ago, I just had to respond to this Abrahamic challenge. For me, picking only one 'favourite' manual camera and a set of lenses is like being asked to pick a favourite offspring, but here goes.... <br>

I am the proud owner/user of several Canon FL and FD mounts (including the unusual Pellix with a working meter), Nikon F/F2 (no collection is complete without these), OM1 and Pen F (both are precision jewels), Minolta SRT 202 (which never disappoints), and several Spotmatic variants. But if push came to shove, my choice would have to be the 1966 Konica Auto-Reflex (note the hyphen) with the following Hexanon lenses: 135mm/f.2.5, + 52mm/f1.8 + 28mm/f3.5. This camera was the precursor to the Autoreflex T and the venerable Autoreflex T3. I agree with another poster that Konica's of that era were built like tanks, and note that the shutter-priority feature and multiple exposure switch were years ahead of Canon and others. But the best thing about the Auto-Reflex is that it was the only SLR ever produced that could switch from full frame to half-frame mid roll. This is not just a gimmick. When paired with the superb Hexanon lenses (which I believe were the standard reference lenses used by the Japanese export control agency -- the ones responsible for the little "JMDC" stickers on all of your old gear), the results are superb. As a fan of half-frame cameras, I humbly submit that with this camera you get the all of the upside without any of the downsides....I own two of these and will try to post some pix shortly for your perusal. </p>

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<p>Another view of the Auto-Reflex... </p><div></div>

<p>...and an example of a shot taken by the Auto-Reflex. I find it really good for taking casual portraits...</p><div></div>

<p>I kinda like my Graphics, any one of them can be used like any of the others, and I would hang onto my faithful 135mmOptar, one of my Schneider wide angles, and the classic 203mm Ektar. </p><div></div>

<p>A Great Thread -- I'm still thinking.<br>

But I'll tell you one thing -- if "<strong>the heavens opened and a great voice boomed out" </strong>then I'd have a lot more to think about than what camera I want to keep! :-)</p>

<p>It's funny, I thought that I was engaging in this exercise when I started to put together my Bronica ETR-Si kit. With a 50mm, 75mm and 150mm. For me, it's the most practical, enjoyable combination of things I want in a camera. It's an SLR that still allows contemplative ground-glass shooting when I want it... exposing a nice big piece of film (at least, bigger than 35)...<br>

The only issue is I didn't have "The Big Guy" booming from the sky that the rest of my gear has to go! So now, with the pressure on, I might change my mind! Maybe I will keep my nice black Pentax MX, and a set of 28mm/2.8, 40mm/2.8 and 85mm/2.</p>

<p>Dont had to choose and it would be difficult when I allready have the Mamiya universal press, the Nikon F2, the Tomiyama 6x24 and some other larger ones. :-)</p>

<p>http://hi5.com/friend/photos/displayManageAlbum.do?ownerId=151542796&albumId=284840744</p>

<p>That is simply an impossible question..it depends on "what" you shoot! Far and above all, for me, my Leica M3(1967),the collapsible 50mm Summicron f2.o,Tele-Elmarf4.o and the goggle-eyed 35mm Summaron f2.8.All the lenses use same size filter. i have carried this box (M3) all over the world. News-events,history in the making, fashion,weddings,portraits..to simple but most important images of my daughter's birth to her wedding and later images of my grandson. Tri-x or HP-5 film.The Leica-M is the only camera that has soul. It becomes part of you.Leicas cannot do everything! SLRs are needed.That for me teeters between my Pentax Spotmatic,the unbelievable 50mmf1.4., and the original Nikon-F. The Nikkor lenses a real pleasure. The 50mmf2.o,the 105mmf2.5(beautifully soft for portraits) the ultra sharp 35mmf2.8 and my most used wide angle the 28mmf3.5. I also occasionally use a Pentax Takumar 200mmf3.5 long focus on my Nikons. It ain't a tele..it is big and long.Modified by previous owner(Magnum photographer).There is no "ideal" system.<br>

My biggest worry-thought is that i own a Rolleiflex.I hate the use of the square format, the use of only 12 or with much manipulation,24(220).Loading reels a nightmare only compared to being in the clutches of a Demon. So why the heck,with a format that takes me months to finish a single roll(1 year the record) i get so many perfect photos.. Rats!Just processed a 220 roll. 23 out of 24 negatives worth making BIG.</p>

<p>Louis, I'm afraid that would be a voice from Hell, not Heaven. So I get to keep all MY toys!</p>

<p>My favorite camera today is a toss-up between several, and likely not the same one I would choose next week. Strangely, if I could only keep one camera it would not be one of my current favorites; it would be one that was most adaptable to the kind of shooting I enjoy. So where my current favorites include the XD-11, Nettar, and EOS RT, if asked to choose I would unhesitatingly reach for my T90 and cradle it to my bosom.</p>

<p>Some of these cameras I've never even heard about.</p>

<p>I'm a bit boring. I would probabl go with a Leica M and 35-50-90, because that is what I have the most experience with.</p>