Goodyear
Happy-snap ninja
I certainly do: a K1000 and a Canon 300D, plus the Bronica SQ-A that was the result of my wife's (!) most recent GAS attack.
Anyone still shoot with their SLR's?
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S
Socke
Guest
lynn said:
Let me guess, Frank Granovski from Vancouver, BC?
S
Socke
Guest
GeneW said:
My neighbour gave me an OM-2n. Very dusty with depleted battery and no flash shoe and a Sigma 35-135, closest focusing distance a whopping 1,8 meters!. I put a pair of batteries in and the meter is fine. I have to put a roll through it some time.
principe azul
Ian
Sold my Nikon gear last year to go RF. Loved Nikon to bits - feels right, looks good, does the business - but didn't want two systems.
This year, saw a bargain black F2AS. After that folded, I had to have an F3. I convinced myself I needed it for macro, longer focal lengths, etc., despite never having done so in my old Nikon days. When I had an F4s, big, heavy automatic thing that it is, I metered manually (spot on palm in same light and open up, the poor man's incident meter) and shot from the hip. So all that rationale about the F4's brilliant, 100% finder had gone to waste, too....
And despite the fact that one of my reasons for going RF was the bigger magnification at 35mm, my standard length, I'm thinking about a Nikkor 28/2. But I'd love to have my old Nikkor 35/1.4 back, too, even though I think my CV 35/1.7's a better lens.
Now the RF is my default camera, and I use the F3 for minutes-long automatic exposure in low light, or if I have the wrong film in the M4, or just for a change.
I figure I don't need an SLR at all, or the F3's MD-4 motordrive. In fact, I use the MD-4 more as a stand for the camera when I don't have a tripod (which is permanently behind a wardrobe).
But I like using SLRs. They're cool. They have more bits to play with, especially if you have one with a removeable finder. Sorry, but a KMZ turret finder just doesn't appeal to the gadget freak in me. And you can check your teeth for spinach in a removeable finder. 😀
At least the Nikon acquisition has killed all thoughts of a Visoflex...
One serious reason for an SLR is the ability to do experimental photography more easily (photographing through slits, bottles, telescopes), but I still need to get my backside out of bed on that one.
This year, saw a bargain black F2AS. After that folded, I had to have an F3. I convinced myself I needed it for macro, longer focal lengths, etc., despite never having done so in my old Nikon days. When I had an F4s, big, heavy automatic thing that it is, I metered manually (spot on palm in same light and open up, the poor man's incident meter) and shot from the hip. So all that rationale about the F4's brilliant, 100% finder had gone to waste, too....
And despite the fact that one of my reasons for going RF was the bigger magnification at 35mm, my standard length, I'm thinking about a Nikkor 28/2. But I'd love to have my old Nikkor 35/1.4 back, too, even though I think my CV 35/1.7's a better lens.
Now the RF is my default camera, and I use the F3 for minutes-long automatic exposure in low light, or if I have the wrong film in the M4, or just for a change.
I figure I don't need an SLR at all, or the F3's MD-4 motordrive. In fact, I use the MD-4 more as a stand for the camera when I don't have a tripod (which is permanently behind a wardrobe).
But I like using SLRs. They're cool. They have more bits to play with, especially if you have one with a removeable finder. Sorry, but a KMZ turret finder just doesn't appeal to the gadget freak in me. And you can check your teeth for spinach in a removeable finder. 😀
At least the Nikon acquisition has killed all thoughts of a Visoflex...
One serious reason for an SLR is the ability to do experimental photography more easily (photographing through slits, bottles, telescopes), but I still need to get my backside out of bed on that one.
richard_l
Well-known
The F3 is a fine camera, but it's too electronic for me. I don't like the Leica M7 either, for the same reason.kiev4a said:
doubs43
Well-known
darkkavenger said:
I also have a Pentacon Six and it's a fine performer. In fact, only today I received an angle finder for it and also the early Praktica 35mm cameras with a pentaprism finder. I have extension tubes (automatic) and a Pentacon bellows unit too.
Walker
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I curse my SLR when using deeply colored filters for black & white;
I curse my rangefinder when using a polarizer...
Excelsior, you fathead!
-Chris-
I curse my rangefinder when using a polarizer...
Excelsior, you fathead!
-Chris-
Vickko
Veteran
My most recent photos were with a Hasselblad, before them, Alpa 10D, before them, Leica R6. Hmmm. Shooting SLR a lot. My next photos will be with a Topcon DM. But the Leica's get their fair rotation too.
...Vick
...Vick
C
ch1
Guest
wblanchard said:
That was the original post....
After a 100+ responses I read through - the vast majority of which were "YES" - it seems safe to say that, by and large, RRF'ers are not "exclusive" and are quite willing to embrace SLRs and various other forms of both film and digital photography.
To paraphrase my favorite response to this post: "Different tools for different purposes"
There sure are times when I like to use my manual Nikon SLR (currently F3 plus several of the Nikkormat series - my first camera was a FT-2), and other times when I opt for my AF Nikon SLRs (F5 and F100), and I also enjoy using my Nikon DSLRs (D100 and D70) for shooting a lot of pics quick and to stay "current" with technology. *
But I espescially like this site because there are also a growing number of times when I enjoy using my "new"/old Nikon S2.
Guess the theme for me is Nikon, the camera.
The "tool" of choice is variable.....
Regards,
George
*Note: This "laundry list" of cameras is a result of serious GAS problems and because we have three residences and I prefer to keep relatively equivalent gear at each one rather that transporting it.
Well, I'm traveling by car on vacation right now, and I brought a Pentax 6x7 with 45, 75, and 165mm lenses, mostly for daylight use with slower films for landscapes and closeups. I also brought two Bronica RF645 bodies and three lenses, one for use with fast color film indoors and the other with Tri-x @1000 and an orange filter for outdoors that can be removed for indoors B&W. I no longer carry the Pentax when I'm flying somewhere, as the kit just gets too bulky, but for this car trip it's fine. It has a grid screen and a bubble level to help me keep things straight. I still prefer the RF cams for impromptu people pics...
stephen_lumsden
Well-known
I still use my EOS 300v for sports occasions and sunny days occasionally.
Will wait til D-SLRS go full frame or get a Fuju S-3 when the price comes down.
regards
Stephen
Will wait til D-SLRS go full frame or get a Fuju S-3 when the price comes down.
regards
Stephen
W
wblanchard
Guest
I shoot weddings and 9 out of 10 requests are for me to shoot with film. I have a brand new 20d sitting in a bag itching to come out and play. My Canon ELAN 7NE is whisper quiet in the church and lets me get close to people without them hearing a click or rewind.
Speaking of my 20D, a friend told me to use it at one of the film requested weddings and see if the customers could tell by the prints if it was from a film or digital camera. I told him that the digital is good, but I think the exposures from the fuji NPH 400 film would look better...but it is a tempting thought to try.
Speaking of my 20D, a friend told me to use it at one of the film requested weddings and see if the customers could tell by the prints if it was from a film or digital camera. I told him that the digital is good, but I think the exposures from the fuji NPH 400 film would look better...but it is a tempting thought to try.
ErnestoJL
Well-known
I started back in 1962 with a foldable Wirgin 6x9, then switched to a Voigtländer Vitomatic IIb well up to 1970 when I got my first SLR: a Miranda Sensomat, of which I thought it was the ultimate system, as nothing can compare to a reflex finder. But some time later after buying two other SLRs (A Praktica Nova I and a Fujica ST 801) I bought the Kiev 4.
This was the rediscovering of RFs.
Actually I still have some more SLRs, a Praktica Super TL, a Zenit 12 XP, and some other cameras I bought for just tinkering....
In fact, I use mostly RFs today, but for certain purposes I will use only SLRs... say macro work, telephoto, or some techical or specialized work.
I think that every camera type should be used in accordance to the job, or purpose.
For example, I was one week in the south of the country, and brought one SLR plus two tele lenses (200 and 350 mm) two wides (24 and 35 Macro), one RF and a simple Auto VF, thus covering all possibilities.
Anyway I still adhere to the principle of using my feet as tele-wide switch... it allways works and needs no batteries...
Ernesto
This was the rediscovering of RFs.
Actually I still have some more SLRs, a Praktica Super TL, a Zenit 12 XP, and some other cameras I bought for just tinkering....
In fact, I use mostly RFs today, but for certain purposes I will use only SLRs... say macro work, telephoto, or some techical or specialized work.
I think that every camera type should be used in accordance to the job, or purpose.
For example, I was one week in the south of the country, and brought one SLR plus two tele lenses (200 and 350 mm) two wides (24 and 35 Macro), one RF and a simple Auto VF, thus covering all possibilities.
Anyway I still adhere to the principle of using my feet as tele-wide switch... it allways works and needs no batteries...
Ernesto
T
tedwhite
Guest
My kit bag's contents are:
1. Bessa R with cv35/2.5
2. Bessa L with cv25/4
3. Black Pentax Spotmatic SP (1964) with Super Takumars 135/2.5 & 55/1.8.
This arrangement of bodies and lenses isn't particularly heavy and gives me a lens range from 25mm through 135mm without having to constantly change lenses. (same film is in all the bodies)
The 55/1.8 is for very low light situations, of which there aren't too many in Arizona.
Ted
,
1. Bessa R with cv35/2.5
2. Bessa L with cv25/4
3. Black Pentax Spotmatic SP (1964) with Super Takumars 135/2.5 & 55/1.8.
This arrangement of bodies and lenses isn't particularly heavy and gives me a lens range from 25mm through 135mm without having to constantly change lenses. (same film is in all the bodies)
The 55/1.8 is for very low light situations, of which there aren't too many in Arizona.
Ted
,
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
The only SLR I have now is my Arax-60. I have owned and used 35mm SLRS(Miranda,Pentax,Vivitar,Canon, and Nikon) and am sort of looking for one now. The Contax 167 is tempting but the glass is pricey.
Rob
Rob
T
tedwhite
Guest
Rob:
What's your opinion of the ARAX 60? I'm thinking of buying one.
Ted
What's your opinion of the ARAX 60? I'm thinking of buying one.
Ted
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I think it's one of the best medium format bargains around. Yes Hassleblads are getting cheaper but the lenses are still too much $ for me. The 30mm Arsat lens is what led to me picking the Arax, actually. I got mine a year ago last February and have not had any problems yet. I also got several other lenses at the time and the only one I'm not happy with is the 45mm Mir--it is a nice focal length but the one I have is very soft and mechanically not on the same level as the other lenses. I own only FSU glass for this camera but I want to get the Flektagon 50mm eventually.
Mr. Vartanyan(the owner of Arax) was excellent to deal with--I bothered him with questions for about six months before I decided on just what I wanted and he was unfailingly polite and helpful.
I ended up picking Arax because his prices were much better than Kiev USA and I never got a response from them to some questions I had.
Here's a LINK to a picture of my Arax-60. If you're into subtle cameras this might not be to your taste but I've been happy with it.(And I almost went for the "leopard chamois" 🙄 but changed my mind at the last minute. If the "violet glossy" had been offered when I bought mine, I would've chose that! 😀 )
Rob
Mr. Vartanyan(the owner of Arax) was excellent to deal with--I bothered him with questions for about six months before I decided on just what I wanted and he was unfailingly polite and helpful.
I ended up picking Arax because his prices were much better than Kiev USA and I never got a response from them to some questions I had.
Here's a LINK to a picture of my Arax-60. If you're into subtle cameras this might not be to your taste but I've been happy with it.(And I almost went for the "leopard chamois" 🙄 but changed my mind at the last minute. If the "violet glossy" had been offered when I bought mine, I would've chose that! 😀 )
Rob
T
tedwhite
Guest
All I've got to say is "Wow!" you're right. Not one you could stroll through a crowd unnoticed.
I'm considering the ARAX-60 MLU standard kit. Is the price still $299? Also, did you get it with the ARAX 80/2.8, and if so, is the lens a good one?
Ted
I'm considering the ARAX-60 MLU standard kit. Is the price still $299? Also, did you get it with the ARAX 80/2.8, and if so, is the lens a good one?
Ted
K
Krasnaya_Zvezda
Guest
I love my SLRs. As much as I love my RFs.
When I travel, as I am now, I *always* have at least three cameras:
No order of importance or affection, I would sleep with all as soon as sleep with one.
a)Nikon N75 with Nikkor 50mm 1.8, 28-80, and 70-300. Covers about everything.
b)Bessa R, with 35mm Color Skopar, plus a Jupiter 8. Would like to add a Jupiter 9.
c)Leica Digilux 2.
I also frequently use my Praktica MTL 3, super-solid Zenit TTL, and my plastic chunker Zenit 212k.
Like I said, I love my SLRs.
When I travel, as I am now, I *always* have at least three cameras:
No order of importance or affection, I would sleep with all as soon as sleep with one.
a)Nikon N75 with Nikkor 50mm 1.8, 28-80, and 70-300. Covers about everything.
b)Bessa R, with 35mm Color Skopar, plus a Jupiter 8. Would like to add a Jupiter 9.
c)Leica Digilux 2.
I also frequently use my Praktica MTL 3, super-solid Zenit TTL, and my plastic chunker Zenit 212k.
Like I said, I love my SLRs.
Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
No you aren't. I admit I own a F80 . And I love it ! 🙂SolaresLarrave said:
Bertram
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