Do you prefer them big and heavy or svelte and light?

I have a pretty wide range in my little collection of 35mm SLRs from the Olympus OM-1 at one extreme to a Leicaflex SL-2 at the other. My logical side tells me that when I'm heading out for a long walk-and-shoot session I should grab the OM-1 or Nikon FE, but I always seem to end up with the F2 or a Leicaflex (I also have a SL) on my shoulder. I never seem to notice the extra mass, though when carrying my F4 I do start feel it after a couple of hours!

 

You?

I vote for big and heavy. :)

 

I started off with an OM but found that larger, heavier SLRs are easier for me to grip and hold steady, especially with longer/bulkier lenses. The small systems like the OM or Pentax MX can be a plus if you are carrying a lot of gear. If weight and size are going to be that much of an issue, though, then I'd rather carry a good pocket camera or small rangefinder rather than a reflex.

Smaller and lighter.

 

I started with Zenits, if you run out of film, you can always use them to drive nails. I loved the earlier, 'leica based' Zenits and the Zorki rangefinders, hard to beat a ltm mount rangefinder with a collapsing lens as a pocket camera.

 

Then I decided that I wanted auto exposure for the street/reportage type stuff I was doing at the time, after several false starts, I settled on Konica, specifically the Autoreflex TC, small, light and fast, with wonderful glass.

 

I'd still go back to the classic, brick like Zenits from time to time though.

 

Now, I like small, digital camera have too many buttons though, always pressing them by mistake. Small is good, bit it needs to feel 'reassuringly well built'.

Heavier rather than lighter. Having rather large hands, I find something like the Pentax ME Super about as small as I'm comfortable with, and I usually use it with a winder to give it a little more bulk. My ideal is probably the Canon T90, definitely hefty with it's load of AA batteries, but it has a really comfortable grip and is consequently a stable shooting platform. While I appreciate the fine results from cameras like the Olympus XA or the Minox 35, I'm not really at home with having to hold them with my fingertips.

The Nikon FM2n is my favorite.

My absolute favorite among small & light SLR's is the Contax 139Q. (It does use a battery & has aperture priority AE, but I believe it still qualifies as a "Classic".).

Hard to make a call right now. Most of this year I'd been using a m4/3 - light, but 2 weeks ago I replaced the Contax RX (big & heavy) which I had sold several years ago - so I guess at this instant I'm neither fish nor fowl.

I suppose I adapt to whatever kit I'm using. I don't care as much about the weight as I do bulk. I rarely carry more than three lenses, whatever I'm using.

Like Steve, the old 39mm Zenits are among my favourites: small, but not very light. I also have some Canon A-series cameras. I guess I notice those cameras being bigger, but not as much as I notice the better focusing screens, and in-camera metering, and loading through the back!

The little Retina IIIc is a great carry camera in its case. OTOH, a Mamiya C330 with a man-sized grip and potato masher flash makes a bigger impression. Or a Graphic.

I like them in all sizes and weights. Small and light I like my Konica TC-X and Yashica FX-3 Super 2000. Both with compact normal lenses (40mm f 1.8 Hexanon and 45mm f 2.8 Tessar) will fit in a jacket pocked. Even more compact, but heavy for its size is the Pentax MX. Super compact with Pentax M 40mmm f 2.8. I like my OM-1 with 35mm f 2.8 Zuiko. Also nice is the compact, but somewhat heavy Minolta XD-5 with 45mm f 2. Larger and heavier any of the Minolta SRT series (I have 8), Minolta XE series, Nikkormat FT3, Nikon FE2, and Konica Auto Reflex T3N.

My two heaviest SLR's are Maxxum 8000i and Maxxum 9xi.

Sometimes I mix a heavy camera body with compact lenses.

Minolta XE with MD Rokkor-X 45mm f 2 with Sigma 24mm f 2.8 and Sigma 90mm f 2.8

One combination I have that is light and somewhat pocketable is a Yashica FX-7 with a Zeiss Tessra 45 f2.8. One oddity to the camera itself is that while the leatherette covering is long gone the meter still works perfectly on the original battery it came with!

That leatherette covering was definitely a weak spot on some Yashica and Contax models. At my family's camera shop we had to have the covering replaced on our display model Contax 137. Otherwise, a great series of cameras. We never stocked the Tessar 45mm so I got mine years after we closed the store from KEH. It is an especially light combination on the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 (which I think was made by Cosina).

Mike - great combo.

That leatherette covering was definitely a weak spot on some Yashica and Contax models. At my family's camera shop we had to have the covering replaced on our display model Contax 137. Otherwise, a great series of cameras. We never stocked the Tessar 45mm so I got mine years after we closed the store from KEH. It is an especially light combination on the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 (which I think was made by Cosina).

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The Tessar is a really lovely little lens. As mentioned in another thread, the first camera I bought with my own money was a Contax RTS (which very quickly became a RTS II). I couldn't afford a 50 f1.8 at the time let alone a f1.4 so the combination I shot with exclusively for a few years was the RTS II/Tessar. When I sold off the Contax system a few years ago I kept the little Yashica as it wasn't worth selling and one of the two Tessars I had to go with it.

At the other extreme, my Agat 18k half frame weighs only 4 oz., so I guess I like 'em small and light, too. :)

 

I just don't like using big lenses on small SLR bodies.

 

If your into the FSU LTM rangefinders like me, it is always Heavy Metal ! I find the Fed-2 and early Fed-3 to have the perfect fit for my big paws. . Always have them on a wide neck strap. My 6x6 folders are just right for putting into the cargo pockets of my Hawaii shorts / T outfits.

As is often said, the best camera is the one you have with you.

 

If it's compact, I'm more likely to have it with me so that's my preference. I have an Olympus XA with me a lot of the time, but yeah sometimes it's a little too small, - ergonomically speaking.

 

I've been testing a medium format folder for the last few weeks and I've been intrigued enough with it to question whether or not I want to keep my boxy TLR.

 

I also have an SLR (OM-1) that I'll bring along to special occasions where I know I'll want to take pictures on film and need the flexibility of having different lens options, but frankly that isn't that often.

As is often said, the best camera is the one you have with you.

 

If it's compact, I'm more likely to have it with me so that's my preference. I have an Olympus XA with me a lot of the time, but yeah sometimes it's a little too small, - ergonomically speaking.

 

I've been testing a medium format folder for the last few weeks and I've been intrigued enough with it to question whether or not I want to keep my boxy TLR.

 

I also have an SLR (OM-1) that I'll bring along to special occasions where I know I'll want to take pictures on film and need the flexibility of having different lens options, but frankly that isn't that often.

Which medium format folder might this be, praytell?

I used to go big and heavy with the Nikon F2.

But now as a senior citizen, I am appreciating the lighter Olympus OM1.

 

Also the extras. IOW, the TOTAL kit.

A F2 with a 35-105 would be lighter than an OM1 + 5 lenses.

So I have to assemble the kit to manage the weight.

 

But distance and length of carry makes a difference.

Short distance or wheeled cart, and I can still use the heavy camera/kit.

Long distance or long time of carry, and I want the lighter camera/kit.

 

Then there is when I want bigger, and I pull out the MF SLR.

Easily carried with ONE lens. With the wide and tele, same rule applies, how far and for how long?

I've downsized quite a bit (though I've never had a lot of cameras or collected them) and currently have just 2 35mm slr's: Nikon FG and Nikon N90s. The Fg is small and lite, (just a little bit more than the Pentax ME super), and the aperture priority has spoiled me, (compared to the FM - which I used for years) and is a good walk around camera. The N90s by contrast is big and heavy but offers more stability and just feels good in my hands...

Which medium format folder might this be, praytell?

 

It's a pre-war Agfa Isolette that I was given along with a 1/2 dozen other cameras a few years ago. It sat on the shelf until recently when I decided it was time to do something with it. My intent was to fix it and sell it, - which I still intend to do but I liked it enough that I'll probably get another MF folder at some point.

 

When I first got it I thought it was interesting from a vintage/historical perspective but I honestly didn't think much of it as a camera. But I've had a change of heart. A medium format camera that slides into your pocket is pretty cool.

It's a pre-war Agfa Isolette that I was given along with a 1/2 dozen other cameras a few years ago. It sat on the shelf until recently when I decided it was time to do something with it. My intent was to fix it and sell it, - which I still intend to do but I liked it enough that I'll probably get another MF folder at some point.

 

When I first got it I thought it was interesting from a vintage/historical perspective but I honestly didn't think much of it as a camera. But I've had a change of heart. A medium format camera that slides into your pocket is pretty cool.

There is something to be said for having that big negative, plus the "look" of a 120 camera and have it fit in your pocket.

 

I have a bit bigger 120 folder coming my way soon, a Fuji 645 Pro. It was my father's and has been sitting in the closet at his house since his passing. It should be coming down the pipeline to me before long in company with a pile of MF SLR cameras, some 4x5 and a bunch of Nikon gear. I used the camera a few times and the results were superb.

There is something to be said for having that big negative, plus the "look" of a 120 camera and have it fit in your pocket.

 

I have a bit bigger 120 folder coming my way soon, a Fuji 645 Pro. It was my father's and has been sitting in the closet at his house since his passing. It should be coming down the pipeline to me before long in company with a pile of MF SLR cameras, some 4x5 and a bunch of Nikon gear. I used the camera a few times and the results were superb.

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That's quite a coincidence, since that is exactly the camera I had in mind to replace the Isolette. Only problem is the cost. They're not cheap but I'm not in a particular hurry so I'm keeping my eye out for a good deal. It doesn't have that classic folder look but it's a nice blend of old and new(er).

 

It's great that your father's equipment will be passed on to one of his own and that it will be appreciated. I try to keep my collection limited since I know my kids won't be that interested in it and will be just extra work for them to deal with.

 

Is it pocketable or a little too tall/wide for that? The Isolette will fit in my pants pocket but its presence there is definitely felt. :)