Bill Pierce
Well-known
There are a lot of cameras in my toolbox because I earn my living taking pictures for other people. In addition to my Leicas, I use Canon DSLRs a lot. But, even for personal work, there are some cameras that are not Leica M's that I love to use.
I use a little Minilux with its fixed lens and its Zeiss Contax counterpart because they are small and automatic. They eliminate every excuse for not always having a camera with you from "The camera is too big." to "By the time I focus, the picture's gone."
My other "fun" camera is an 8x10 view, because it's sharper than a Leica.
I wondered what cameras outside of Leicas other members of the forum use. And most especially, why they use them, what advantages they have over Leicas. I guess the big question is what advantages. I'd love to hear from everybody.
Bill
I use a little Minilux with its fixed lens and its Zeiss Contax counterpart because they are small and automatic. They eliminate every excuse for not always having a camera with you from "The camera is too big." to "By the time I focus, the picture's gone."
My other "fun" camera is an 8x10 view, because it's sharper than a Leica.
I wondered what cameras outside of Leicas other members of the forum use. And most especially, why they use them, what advantages they have over Leicas. I guess the big question is what advantages. I'd love to hear from everybody.
Bill
vrgard
Well-known
While certainly no great revelation given the amount of discussion directed to it on this forum, the first camera that comes to my mind is the Olympus XA-2 (even more than the XA rangefinder because the XA-2 has zone focusing). With its amazingly small size and tough plastic clamshell case it completely eliminates any excuse about difficulty in carrying a camera at all times.
Of course, lately I've been having more fun with a Minox 35ML although I've read comments from others about its fiddly nature. Yet in my experience (knock on wood) it has worked flawlessly and has the advantage of aperture-priority albeit with the concomitant challenge of scale-focusing. The advantage I'm experiencing over use of my M3, M4, M6 and CL is the autoexposure capability. It's a nice change to be able to simply set a desired aperture for depth of field purposes, scale focus accordingly, and then let the camera figure out the exposure. As much as I like the all manual nature of my Leica's, I have to admit to enjoying the almost point-and-shoot nature of the Minox.
-Randy
Of course, lately I've been having more fun with a Minox 35ML although I've read comments from others about its fiddly nature. Yet in my experience (knock on wood) it has worked flawlessly and has the advantage of aperture-priority albeit with the concomitant challenge of scale-focusing. The advantage I'm experiencing over use of my M3, M4, M6 and CL is the autoexposure capability. It's a nice change to be able to simply set a desired aperture for depth of field purposes, scale focus accordingly, and then let the camera figure out the exposure. As much as I like the all manual nature of my Leica's, I have to admit to enjoying the almost point-and-shoot nature of the Minox.
-Randy
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Finder
Veteran
Mamiya 6 and 6MF - It is the Leica equivalent of a Hasselblad. It is also compact; one of the smallest medium-format cameras made.
Horseman SW612 - A very cinematic format. Very compact and easy to handhold. The negative is a nice size.
I like the interplay between the 6x6 and 6x12 formats. I can put a 6 and SW612 in a small lumbar pack and move around, whether it is in 10,000 ft mountains for a few months or an 800 odd mile hike.
Horseman SW612 - A very cinematic format. Very compact and easy to handhold. The negative is a nice size.
I like the interplay between the 6x6 and 6x12 formats. I can put a 6 and SW612 in a small lumbar pack and move around, whether it is in 10,000 ft mountains for a few months or an 800 odd mile hike.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Well - rather than a leica, I use a Canon P - but it's basically the same thing.
I also have in my pocket a Rollei 35 or an Oly XA - just to make sure I always have a camera. Eliminates the "its too big" argument certainly.
I have Nikon dSLR's but I rarely use them. For me they are mostly a tool of convenience when my clients need large numbers of files quickly - Most of the work I do these days doesn't fit that mold.
My primary workhorse cameras for professional work are my Horseman VHR and my Wisner 4x5 - shooting in studio or on location, products and architecture. With a basic kit of a 90, 135, and 210, I can handle most interiors down through portrait lengths and macro. Thought I should probably start stockpiling wider lenses for if (when) I have to make the switch to digital capture. Image quality is very high, the VHR allows me to use roll-film or sheetfilm with movements - and is just barely hand-holdable with a built in RF if I need it. The wisner is beautiful, sturdy, and has very flexible bellows allowing for both wide-angles (optional bag if needed) and a long bellows for close up studio work. I'll probably get a monorail soon - and additional wides but for now, I've been in pretty good shape with this kit.
I loaned my Wista 8x10 to my sister, I should probably ask for it back.
I also sometimes use a Rolleiflex for environmental portraiture and landscapes. It's still quite portable, and the "normal" lens suits the way I work.
Sometimes for kicks I throw a minox C (8x11) in my pocket - but processing that film is such a bear.
I also have in my pocket a Rollei 35 or an Oly XA - just to make sure I always have a camera. Eliminates the "its too big" argument certainly.
I have Nikon dSLR's but I rarely use them. For me they are mostly a tool of convenience when my clients need large numbers of files quickly - Most of the work I do these days doesn't fit that mold.
My primary workhorse cameras for professional work are my Horseman VHR and my Wisner 4x5 - shooting in studio or on location, products and architecture. With a basic kit of a 90, 135, and 210, I can handle most interiors down through portrait lengths and macro. Thought I should probably start stockpiling wider lenses for if (when) I have to make the switch to digital capture. Image quality is very high, the VHR allows me to use roll-film or sheetfilm with movements - and is just barely hand-holdable with a built in RF if I need it. The wisner is beautiful, sturdy, and has very flexible bellows allowing for both wide-angles (optional bag if needed) and a long bellows for close up studio work. I'll probably get a monorail soon - and additional wides but for now, I've been in pretty good shape with this kit.
I loaned my Wista 8x10 to my sister, I should probably ask for it back.
I also sometimes use a Rolleiflex for environmental portraiture and landscapes. It's still quite portable, and the "normal" lens suits the way I work.
Sometimes for kicks I throw a minox C (8x11) in my pocket - but processing that film is such a bear.
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drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
Me too. I use Nikon SLR equipment- film and digital, though it's 95% digital these days; the film Nikons are lonely- but I rarely use them for any personal work. My Mamiya RZ still gets a certain amount of excercise, though it's wanning. I'd like to get a Rollieflex and retire the RZ, since it's mostly a portrait camera with a normal lens for me these days.Bill Pierce said:
I carry an Olmpus XA for those times I don't want a larger camera, but the Leicas are my main carry around gear. I use them as a notebook, to shoot whatever strikes me. Sometimes I get those serendipitous moments that you can't really re-create, but much of what I shoot ends up being a sort of preliminary sketch for when I go back with a large format camera. Most of my own "real" photography is done with a Toyo 4x5 field camera. I'm saving my pennies for an Arca Swiss- partly for the modularity so that I can move into larger formats as I can afford lenses. Large format is where it's at for me. I love my Leicas, but I get the most pleasure from LF. All the rest of my cameras are just tools, but these are the ones I love- the Leicas, both for the pictures and as fine tools; and I love the LF gear purely for the process and the results. In photographic terms, working with LF is where I most feel like myself.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Alpa MF. Not only gorgeous quality: also ideal for out-snobbing camera snobs who think they have expensive cameras. I have a 12WA I use mostly with the 38/4.5 Biogon and 44x66mm; my wife prefers her 12 S/WA with 35/5.6 Apo-Grandagon on 6x9cm.
13x18cm/5x7 inch'half plate Linhof (Tech V) and Gandolfi (Variant). The ideal LF size for most applications. Mostly 210/5.6 Apo-Sironar; also 165/6.8 Dagor, 110/5.6 Super-Symmar and 300/9 Nikkor.
8x10 De Vere monorail. Ideal studio portrait camera with 21 inch f/7.7 Ross and Thornton Pickard shutter.
Retina IIa with f/2 Heligon. Goes in a pocket.
Pentacon Six TL. Surprisingly good camera with a reasonably fast (f/2.8) standard lens at a giveaway price. Not as sharp as my KowaSIX but the Pentacon has a prism.
Nikon F with 200/3 Vivitar Series 1, always with orange filter. Great landscape set-up.
The other 143 cameras, including the Pen W half-frame and Gandolfi Universal 12x15 inch, I really should get rid of...
Cheers,
Roger
13x18cm/5x7 inch'half plate Linhof (Tech V) and Gandolfi (Variant). The ideal LF size for most applications. Mostly 210/5.6 Apo-Sironar; also 165/6.8 Dagor, 110/5.6 Super-Symmar and 300/9 Nikkor.
8x10 De Vere monorail. Ideal studio portrait camera with 21 inch f/7.7 Ross and Thornton Pickard shutter.
Retina IIa with f/2 Heligon. Goes in a pocket.
Pentacon Six TL. Surprisingly good camera with a reasonably fast (f/2.8) standard lens at a giveaway price. Not as sharp as my KowaSIX but the Pentacon has a prism.
Nikon F with 200/3 Vivitar Series 1, always with orange filter. Great landscape set-up.
The other 143 cameras, including the Pen W half-frame and Gandolfi Universal 12x15 inch, I really should get rid of...
Cheers,
Roger
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Leica Minilux, and Olympus OM2-SP.
And a Zero Image for when I fancy pinhole photography.
And a Zero Image for when I fancy pinhole photography.
dpetrzelka
Well-known
I love my Mamiya C330 TLR with 135mm Mamiya-Sekor.
It works beautifully for portraits. The C330 is neither lightweight, nor stealth, however the 6x6 format is a fun change, and the camera is rock steady.
Working with a waist-level focusing screen is also an fun change from the viewfinder.
It works beautifully for portraits. The C330 is neither lightweight, nor stealth, however the 6x6 format is a fun change, and the camera is rock steady.
Working with a waist-level focusing screen is also an fun change from the viewfinder.
back alley
IMAGES
regarding photography, i am strickly an amateur and sorta like it that way.
i mostly use rf cameras and none of them are leicas. i have a zeiss ikon, a bessa r4a and an r4m and a cle that needs some work. i have an olympus 35rc that was my first 'good' camera and it still works great.
to answer the question...for a carry all the time camera that is small & truly pocketable i use the ricoh grd. it's perfect for me...wide angle, reasonably fast lens and sharp enought for my needs.
i mostly use rf cameras and none of them are leicas. i have a zeiss ikon, a bessa r4a and an r4m and a cle that needs some work. i have an olympus 35rc that was my first 'good' camera and it still works great.
to answer the question...for a carry all the time camera that is small & truly pocketable i use the ricoh grd. it's perfect for me...wide angle, reasonably fast lens and sharp enought for my needs.
V
varjag
Guest
I use a Contax II rangefinder as a backup 
It has not any real advantages over M4, but it has some sentimental value to me.
There are cetrain odd pieces and camera systems that the geek in me would like to try someday, but I don't really *need* much stuff over an M Leica with a nice fast 50.
It has not any real advantages over M4, but it has some sentimental value to me.There are cetrain odd pieces and camera systems that the geek in me would like to try someday, but I don't really *need* much stuff over an M Leica with a nice fast 50.
FrankS
Registered User
For paid and personal work: medium format cameras of various types for family and individual portraits, and when I still did weddings, for B+W images, while the colour was 35mm in the Nikon F4. MF gives me enlargement quality I just can't get in 35mm, even with Leica.
For personal work I sometimes use a Contax RF just cuz it feels different and I like variety.
Finder, you go on 800 mile hikes, and spend months at a time on 10,000ft mountains? Awesome!
(I like the interplay between the 6x6 and 6x12 formats. I can put a 6 and SW612 in a small lumbar pack and move around, whether it is in 10,000 ft mountains for a few months or an 800 odd mile hike.)
For personal work I sometimes use a Contax RF just cuz it feels different and I like variety.
Finder, you go on 800 mile hikes, and spend months at a time on 10,000ft mountains? Awesome!
(I like the interplay between the 6x6 and 6x12 formats. I can put a 6 and SW612 in a small lumbar pack and move around, whether it is in 10,000 ft mountains for a few months or an 800 odd mile hike.)
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M4streetshooter
Tourist Thru Life
I have a slew of Deardorffs including an 8 x 10 that Harry Callahan kinda cristined for me. I use my Epson R-D1s a lot and also an Olympus 510 digital because it's sooo much smaller and lighter than my Canon 5D....
other stuff around but not getting any use.......shooter
other stuff around but not getting any use.......shooter
Finder
Veteran
FrankS said:
The reality is not as glamourous as it sounds. But I am grateful for the experience - usually after the blisters heal and the backache goes away.
Tuolumne
Veteran
I am mostly using a Fuji GA 645Zi which I have a hard time putting down. It is as convenient as a 35mm RF but has the image quality of a medium format. The images it makes are sock-knocker-offers. Since it takes 33 images with 220 film and is small and light weight I take it alot of places where a MF wouldn't usually go. I also carry a Ricoh GX-100 everywhere. Small, light, 25-75mm zoom, excellent quality digital at low ISOs and quite servicable at higher ISOs with Noise Ninja.
T
T
Finder
Veteran
I am surprised at the number of folks who use 8x10.
(Probably too cheap to buy an enlarger. :lol: )
(Probably too cheap to buy an enlarger. :lol: )
MikeL
Go Fish
I'd love an 8x10 for more detail, but I don't think the balloon I've been using would carry it. I've been using a light Nikon D40 for work. It's not mine, but I'd like to get a 28mm for the D40 since it's pretty small and quiet.
I've been using a light Nikon D40 for work. It's not mine, but I'd like to get a 28mm for the D40 since it's pretty small and quiet.
monochromejrnl
Well-known
Hasselblad SWC - smallest, widest, most corrected wide angel lense for MF, fantastic travel camera when ultralight weight isn't a necessity... allows me to make images that 'places' the viewer into the environment...
Ricoh GRD - small, quiet, reasonably fast and more than enough image quality for street and candidate photography where composition is more important that sharpness, noise or other technical qualities... B&W mode is fantastic is most closely approximates 'grain' of any digital P&S or dSLR i've used (minimal requirement for post-processing).
Yashica T4 super - excellent compact film P&S, perfect for long hikes or when weight and weather conditions are a concern... my wife loves it for it's simplicity ...
Ricoh GRD - small, quiet, reasonably fast and more than enough image quality for street and candidate photography where composition is more important that sharpness, noise or other technical qualities... B&W mode is fantastic is most closely approximates 'grain' of any digital P&S or dSLR i've used (minimal requirement for post-processing).
Yashica T4 super - excellent compact film P&S, perfect for long hikes or when weight and weather conditions are a concern... my wife loves it for it's simplicity ...
FrankS
Registered User
Finder said:
Maybe not glamorous, but cetainly impressive! (tip of the hat to you)
robertdfeinman
Robert Feinman
Well I used to carry a Tessina sub-35 in my pocket, but I sold it when I stopped working because I no longer traversed mid-town Manhattan on a regular basis.
I find my Bessa small enough to carry when I'm going out. I keep thinking about sticking something in the glove compartment, but haven't done so yet. I gave away most of my simple cameras.
I find my Bessa small enough to carry when I'm going out. I keep thinking about sticking something in the glove compartment, but haven't done so yet. I gave away most of my simple cameras.
Pakmanpdx
Member
I use my Rollei 35S alot. I have a little Optech belt bag that holds it nicely and it has a primitive but useable meter- and the Sonnar lens is ocassionally stunning! Lately I have been using My voigtlander Bessa 1 6X9 (i love pulling that one out and popping the lens!)and am itching to use my rolleicord IV. I have far more cameras than a sane person should have. I was carrying my little Contax T2 for awhile as I love the lens on it as well but I find that my pictures suffered from automatic everything syndrome- poor framing, throw away shots and too many shots of the same old boring things!