Cameras with personality ?

[John Bragg]

I guess this may sound far fetched to some but I believe some cameras have a certain feeling about them that I can only describe as "soul" . In my case I think my M6 and Fm2n. I guess anything with a bit of age would qualify, especially a camera with mechanical shutter. The sound of long speeds on a clockwork mechanism is just mesmerising. What would you compare this to ? Vintage musical instruments or cars or motorcycles ? What cameras do it for you ?

 

[charjohncarter]

I'm not sure my Mamiya Super 23 does it for me, but it certainly has a unique personality. I would say the Mamiya is like German WWII tank.

 

[CliveC]

The Kodak Retina folders feel this way (Retina IIa, IIc, IIIc etc.). It may not be fastest, most comfortable or most expensive, but it feels good to shoot.

The Olympus XA has some of that magic too because it's always there in the pocket.

 

[Morry Katz]

for Clive C;
And that Retina IIIc opening action is marvelous. We also have to add Leica M's to the list.

 

[Sylvester]

Soul in my cameras come more from the memories I have attached to them then from their sound...

 

[John Bragg]

Interesting views. I have also just aquired a bargain XA3 and it also seems to have a certain charm in use. Again it is down to build and perhaps the shutter sound.

 

[tunalegs]

I think any camera that does not fall completely into a pattern tends to have some personality.

Cameras like Alpas, Exaktas, Focas, etc. Then you have the plainly freakish. Things like the Univex Mercury or the Perfex Speed Candid...

 

[literiter]

My Pentax Spotmatic, bought new in 1966 certainly has personality. It still works fine.

Then, I guess it, would have to be my Nikon F2 or Leica M2.

 

[hausen]

I shot a couple of rolls late yesterday evening with my Linhof 612 and the shutter sound at 1/2 second and 1 second made me realise why I still use mechanical cameras.

 

[GaryLH]

Voitlander perkeo, baby Linhof and kw patent eui 6x12 come to mind..

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

I'm not sure my Mamiya Super 23 does it for me, but it certainly has a unique personality. I would say the Mamiya is like German WWII tank.

In the tank category would also be Kodak Medalist, baby Linhof and Linhof 70.

Gary

 

[Godfrey]

cameras I own that have character (not in any particular order):

- Olympus E-1
- Minox C
- RoBoT II, Star 50
- Hasselblad SWC, 500CM
- Voigtländer Perkeo II
- Balda Baldix
- Polaroid SX-70
- Rollei 35S
- Leica CL
- Leica M9, M4-2
- Ricoh GXR

I'll stop there... ]'-)

G

 

[bsdunek]

I'm not sure my Mamiya Super 23 does it for me, but it certainly has a unique personality. I would say the Mamiya is like German WWII tank.

I have one of those with many accessories that I love. Even though it's made in Japan, I agree, it is very German in personality.

 

[rrohe]

I don't have an extensive collection - but the one that I think has the most personality/character, for me at least, is the Mamiya 500 DTL that I got from my father. He got it on his way to Vietnam in 1969 when he shipped out. I know that old cameras have a history all their own. I mean, they're old; they've been around. This one, though... I have an idea of the places it's been and the things it's seen. It makes that "personality" a little more tangible.

 

[bsdunek]

My Minolta 110 Zoom is kind of like a Banty Rooster. It can do good work, but you never know what to expect.

 

[CliveC]

- Ricoh GXR

It's certainly unique. I always get people asking questions when they see me swap a lens module. The stealth-fighter black finish also makes it look fantastic but unfortunately I ruin the look by running a chrome Soviet Jupiter 8 on it. 😱

 

[GaryLH]

If we are also talking digital, I would add dp Merrill and Ricoh gxr.
Gary

 

[noisycheese]

I get the feeling that vintage film cameras have soul or their own distinct personality. I Also get that same feeling about vintage automobiles.

I don't get that feeling from digital cameras or newer model autos.

My Nikon F3hp and FM2n cameras have their own distinct personalities. So do my Leicas (M4-P and MP). I can't really define or quantify what I mean by a camera's personality but it is there.

YMMV.

 

[Sunti]

I don't know about soul, but some cameras absolutely have unique personalities. For me, I perceive these cameras to have good personalities, whatever that means: Leica film M except M5, Hasselblad SWC, Nikon FE, Contax T3, Olympus OM's, and to a lesser extent, Fuji GF670.

Interestingly, those I perceive to have bland or unattractive characters don't get used much. Just can't bond with them, although they give good or even great results. Illogical, I know, but I'm only human.

 

[clayne]

Nikon F, SRT-101, any non-digital Leica M, K1000, so many out there...