Best camera ever made and why?

[Benjamin Marks]

If I had to do with one camera on a desert island, and could wish away all the other practical problems, I would wish for a 5x7 or 8x10 view camera. Contact printing - ho! Oooh, how about an 11x14 view camera? Well, there you have it. Ultra Large Format is best, QED.

 

[Archlich]

If you were stuck on a desert island with no electricity...............

If then, your priority would not be bragging how reliable your mechanical beast is..

And why and how often would someone be stuck on a desert island with no electricity?

 

[Moriturii]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

 

[rover]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

An example of why there is a back button.

You would have been better just keeping this to yourself so that those who want to can respond as they wish as opposed to worrying about the opinion of others.

 

[bhop73]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

You did waste your time by responding..

 

[Ronald_H]

Easy: Nikon FM2. Everything I need and nothing more. Compact, all mechanical but with a meter. Classic, intuitive control lay-out. I would say tough as nails or solid as a rock too, although I suspect some nails and rocks wouldn't be able to keep up.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

Well, this is play time; recreation. For my own part I thought about not playing, but was amused by others' responses. So: I'll play.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Most beautiful woman ever? And why?

Ah, you are a wise rascal! LOL. And here I was going to answer, "all of them." ;-)

 

[Corto]

Well, this is play time; recreation. For my own part I thought about not playing, but was amused by others' responses. So: I'll play.

Exactly.

No need to get all bent out of shape over a silly forum question.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Easy: Nikon FM2.

One of the only cameras, along with the Pentax LX that I sold and then, at some later point, repurchased. Sold the LX again. Kept the FM2.

 

[anjoca76]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

Well, aside from this being a rude comment and insulting to anyone who responded to the OP's obviously lighthearted question, it's also misinformed. Considering some of the longtime RFF members and very experienced photographers who responded to this exact thread, it must not have been that horrible of a question.

I was a dreaded "noob" not all that long ago--and I still am compared to most on here--but I feel I have learned an extraordinary amount of knowledge on here from everyone who contributes regularly, and I am forever thankful. And quite often it's the noobs who pose the questions that prompt the best responses. For example, I was just reading a long thread started by someone who wanted to know why she should consider a screw mount Leica over an M, and she got tons of really great advice. I ended up learning some things I did not know. I realize that might not be the same as asking what is the best camera ever, but it is still a novice question nonetheless.

Some folks here get annoyed by the Leica bias. Others by the film-centric bias. Others by the tendency to talk gear more than photographs. And so on. But the truth is, everything is represented here. If you would rather talk about photos themselves rather than the cameras that made them, or whatever your cup of tea is, then only click on those threads. Pretty simple. There is plenty for everyone.

 

[jsrockit]

Out of what I've owned... it was the M6 in the film world and the M9 in the digital world.

 

[jsrockit]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

 

[red snapper]

Mine is is either an Nikon F3P or Leica M4-P, both with 20/21, 35 and 85/90 mm lenses, loads of Tri-X and a Sekonic light meter, the one that doesn't need batteries.
Not having reliable electric supplies is a reality in many parts of the world, so digital cameras, laptops, etc. are pretty useless.
Regards
RS

 

[nikon_sam]

Okay...being stuck on a deserted island (happens more often that you might think) I would want my most beautiful camera...the Zone VI 4x5 View Camera...
Being stuck on this island gives me all the time I need to properly compose, meter and focus...win-win...

 

[OwenStegemann]

Obviously the iphone 4s. Most peripheral features of any camera to date. Angry birds? Check. Web browser? Check. Streaming nudie flicks? Check. SLAM DUNK APPLE!!!!

 

[wjlapier]

What an ignorant question. I'm not even going to waste my time. God damn this forum has started to turn into a "noob fest", I see now why people like Brian left.

You did waste your time, and that is not why Brian left.

 

[rover]

Ok gentlemen, our friend had a bad moment. Let's get back on topic.

 

[BobYIL]

Depends on the format.. For film the timeless beauties are:

For 8X10... Deardorf for field (Mmmmmmmm...)

4X5 ... Linhof Master Technika, universal! (Arizona Highways Magazine)

MF... Rolleiflex for steet (matchless) , all others Pentax 645N with Zeiss and some Pentax lenses (the smoothest MF SLR.. Hasselblad is rather for tripod)

Rangefinder: Leica M2, M3, M4.

SLR: Nikon F (to some extent F3 too)

Digital: Many alternatives changing with time..

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I would say a 4x5 Speed Graphic, if only for it's adaptability:

-You can fit just about any lens from a pinhole or magnifying glass up to maybe a 250mm on it.

-There are some camera movements available depending on the lens.

-It works well handheld or on a tripod.

-It can be loaded with multiple films and formats: sheet film, roll film (in many aspect ratios), paper negatives, instant films, plates, etc.

On top of that, if it's of the Pacemaker variety, you can even focus it in complete darkness!