robert blu
quiet photographer
I'm thinking which camera to buy, if I'll decide to buy a new one (GAS? Maybe!).
Of course it depends on the style, the kind of photography I'm doing. Therefore I reviewed my own pictures and discovered that many times my best are not taken with my best cameras but with something simpler or smaller.
Of course a lot depends on your definition of a good (best) photo: for me it's not a technically perfect razor sharp with 11 tones of grey but a pictures which communicates something. And yes, I like out of focus or blurred pictures...
Just curious howis with you? Do you have any photo you like you took with not "your best" camera?
robert
I discover among my own I like this, Polaroid sx 70
This, taken with a 41/2 years old Leica x1
Rollei 35T, expired xp2
or this taken with the Zeiss Super Ikonta...
Of course it depends on the style, the kind of photography I'm doing. Therefore I reviewed my own pictures and discovered that many times my best are not taken with my best cameras but with something simpler or smaller.
Of course a lot depends on your definition of a good (best) photo: for me it's not a technically perfect razor sharp with 11 tones of grey but a pictures which communicates something. And yes, I like out of focus or blurred pictures...
Just curious howis with you? Do you have any photo you like you took with not "your best" camera?
robert
I discover among my own I like this, Polaroid sx 70
This, taken with a 41/2 years old Leica x1
Rollei 35T, expired xp2
or this taken with the Zeiss Super Ikonta...
nightfly
Well-known
When I go out with my "good" camera, it is usually with the intention of taking photos. It puts me in a certain mode and good photos happen for me in that mode.
The grab shots I take with my phone or even my point and shoot (GRD) very often aren't worth much. But it's more a question of intention than equipment.
I find always having a camera on me isn't really a way to get good photos as much as going out specifically to take photos.
Not really an answer to your question but food for thought.
The grab shots I take with my phone or even my point and shoot (GRD) very often aren't worth much. But it's more a question of intention than equipment.
I find always having a camera on me isn't really a way to get good photos as much as going out specifically to take photos.
Not really an answer to your question but food for thought.
Swift1
Veteran
I used to find that using my "good" camera made me feel pressured to make only good photos, and so quite often I would end up not taking any photos at all.
Nowadays, I just try to think of any camera for what it is, just a camera. I feel like I can make a good photo (at least a photo that I like) with any camera.
Quite often a simpler camera allows me to relax and be in the moment more, and so I see photos easier.
I kinda wish my Contax G2 had Program mode for just this reason.
Nowadays, I just try to think of any camera for what it is, just a camera. I feel like I can make a good photo (at least a photo that I like) with any camera.
Quite often a simpler camera allows me to relax and be in the moment more, and so I see photos easier.
I kinda wish my Contax G2 had Program mode for just this reason.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I like all your posted images Robert. 
I think to answer the topic question. Yes
It's the same old cliche really. Ones best camera is the one they have in their hand when they take their picture. So it has to be a yes.
That said.
It seems like for me I take my best pictures with my most practical camera.
It's usually with a Mju2 or Hexar AF. These cameras auto focus and expose yet are easy to control the end result.
I seem to have great luck with my Fuji GF670 but I think that is because it comes out only for events where there may be many great opportunities (or in fact a "job").
So I guess I would say my best pictures don't come from my best camera but rather from my best opportunities
I think to answer the topic question. Yes
It's the same old cliche really. Ones best camera is the one they have in their hand when they take their picture. So it has to be a yes.
That said.
It seems like for me I take my best pictures with my most practical camera.
It's usually with a Mju2 or Hexar AF. These cameras auto focus and expose yet are easy to control the end result.
I seem to have great luck with my Fuji GF670 but I think that is because it comes out only for events where there may be many great opportunities (or in fact a "job").
So I guess I would say my best pictures don't come from my best camera but rather from my best opportunities
uhoh7
Veteran
Yes, of course.
I don't use the crappier ones.
I don't use the crappier ones.
Samouraï
Well-known
I like this post in the way it sort of contradicts the old "best camera is the one you have with you" adage, which has always annoyed me as it seems to me like reductio reasoning. Not wrong, but can justify lazy shooting. I think good photos are more luck and purpose (rather than just luck--by which I mean being prepared for a moment). And even more than that, familiarity with the camera.
As for OP's question, well that seems more of a question of aesthetics. Sometimes imperfect frames or crappier media have the right look. I'd like to see this thread evolve into a gallery for wabi-sabi photography.
kxl
Social Documentary
So I guess I would say my best pictures don't come from my best camera but rather from my best opportunities
100% agree and would add "and from my best execution of technique," given that I can be inconsistent.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Absolutely in absolute form.
Once we purchased advanced DSLR for our family and I started to use it, soon I was nominated in international contest and some of my pictures were recognized locally and went stolen on the internet.
So, I produced pictures what others find to be best. With best available and affordable camera for my family. But I wanted different one.
Now, for me. We went to delivery room and I took old, cheap film RF camera I'm emotionally attached to. In addition to DSLR as above. I have two bw darkroom prints from this day and I find them as the best for my taste.
Lucky you if you have just one best, not others best and your own best. If you are same as me, it might be different cameras. So, I'm trying and weeding out to keep the best for me cameras.
Once we purchased advanced DSLR for our family and I started to use it, soon I was nominated in international contest and some of my pictures were recognized locally and went stolen on the internet.
So, I produced pictures what others find to be best. With best available and affordable camera for my family. But I wanted different one.
Now, for me. We went to delivery room and I took old, cheap film RF camera I'm emotionally attached to. In addition to DSLR as above. I have two bw darkroom prints from this day and I find them as the best for my taste.
Lucky you if you have just one best, not others best and your own best. If you are same as me, it might be different cameras. So, I'm trying and weeding out to keep the best for me cameras.
Spanik
Well-known
With me, good photos just happen. Doesn't matter the camera, being at the right time at the right place and in the right mood with the right light is more important.
However it is important to have film in your camera.
However it is important to have film in your camera.
Hsg
who dares wins
This image with a Nikon D40 and Nikon 55-200mm vr lens.
daveleo
what?
No, for me, my "best" pictures came out of a wide range of cameras and lenses. There really is no pattern here.
filmdood
-
Who has the best spouse, car, or hounddog? There is no best.
Hsg
who dares wins
Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm zoom lens.
Nikon D40 Nikon 18-70mm zoom lens
Nikon D40 Nikon 18-70mm zoom lens
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Yes, usually! It's usually a Leica, maybe because those are my favorite to use, and I feel great with one in my hand. That said, I do get a fair amount of keepers with my phone.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
The most expensive cameras i owned were the Leica M7s and the Hasselblad 203FEs. I got crap out of the Leicas, and some of my favorite pictures from the Hasselblads. But, i also got stuff i liked out of a 'cheap' Nikon FE2 and a $30 'amateur' lens. And, ironically, the $30 lens results are what i had been seeking for too many years from $2000 Leica lenses.
After spending a lot of money, i eventually recognized the Character of the camera was what was important to me. No use fighting with a body system that didn't make sense for the way i think and want to see (rangefinders). And, also that sharper, newer lenses don't always give the rendering i want. I don't want 'soft,' but there are diminishing returns when you're shooting handheld, 35mm film with grain. If i look through a Steve McCurry book, i have to recognize 95% of those shots are made with a pretty pedestrian 50mm lens. $500. Did i really think i was going to do better with an ASPH-Summilux? Same with Salgado.... The pictures i liked most, from "Africa" were probably shot in his pre-Leica days. Pentax and Nikon F?
After spending a lot of money, i eventually recognized the Character of the camera was what was important to me. No use fighting with a body system that didn't make sense for the way i think and want to see (rangefinders). And, also that sharper, newer lenses don't always give the rendering i want. I don't want 'soft,' but there are diminishing returns when you're shooting handheld, 35mm film with grain. If i look through a Steve McCurry book, i have to recognize 95% of those shots are made with a pretty pedestrian 50mm lens. $500. Did i really think i was going to do better with an ASPH-Summilux? Same with Salgado.... The pictures i liked most, from "Africa" were probably shot in his pre-Leica days. Pentax and Nikon F?
Lucadomi
Well-known
To reverse the argument I would say that those that allow me to take the best pictures become my best cameras. If the cheaper camera gives me better results then I stay with the cheaper camera.
isorgb
Well-known
Very interesting answers and stories.
And your question, robert blu, interesitng too.
I think, I don't have own best of the best picture. I still waiting for killer-photo. But I know that my best picture probably will not be razor sharp etc. Like you, perfection is not my purpose, I prefer "communication" (your word) from photo and camera wouldn't be most important.
And your question, robert blu, interesitng too.
I think, I don't have own best of the best picture. I still waiting for killer-photo. But I know that my best picture probably will not be razor sharp etc. Like you, perfection is not my purpose, I prefer "communication" (your word) from photo and camera wouldn't be most important.
Texsport
Well-known
It depends on if you are taking a planned photo, as in a portrait, or just walking around, don't you think?
If you can't get good results with your "best" cameras, which I assume are chosen specifically for the task at hand - then you'd better demote the failure to the second string.
Unplanned captures are just that - and must be accomplished with what is at hand.
The worst occurrence is if you have no camera to use when a great opportunity presents itself.
I get my best pictures when planned, and some of my most unique ones by chance.
Texsport
If you can't get good results with your "best" cameras, which I assume are chosen specifically for the task at hand - then you'd better demote the failure to the second string.
Unplanned captures are just that - and must be accomplished with what is at hand.
The worst occurrence is if you have no camera to use when a great opportunity presents itself.
I get my best pictures when planned, and some of my most unique ones by chance.
Texsport
f16sunshine
Moderator
Oh man I like that a lot!
Mju2, XA3, Hexar AF, Yashicamat A.... these all are among my best producers while they started as lowly experiments. The Cheapies I would say.
Excellent Lucadomi. That's the perfect thought for this subject... Best Camera.
Cheers!