gho
Well-known
I think that impression is not tied to a specific brand or object. But if for example the camera is quite old, was well used and well cared for and is still in functionally - not necessarily optically (mint) - good shape one could say it has something of a 'soul'. A brand new object does not have that quality to me.
nanthor
Well-known
A black paint trim voigtlander bessa RF (pre bessa II) folder with heliar lens. It's not only a very beautiful camera, it can produce spectacular negatives with very unique rendering. Bob.
back alley
IMAGES
i thought that I was the one with the personality!!
I'm a Nikon man (F through DSLR) but as far as sauce, my 110-film-size shocking green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles camera have you all whupped.
barnwulf
Well-known
Probably the top of my list would be my Super Ikonta III and IV and my Leica IIIc. I would probably also include my Nikon F that I bought new in 1968. - jim
chathaway
Established
iiig......
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
I'll add my vote for the Retina IIIc... mesmerizing little camera in so many ways. If I was going to have one film camera around, the Retina would be very high on my list, along with a Barnack.
jbielikowski
Jan Bielikowski
Well, most of my cameras have female names... and they act accordingly.
flagism
Newbie
I've owned/rented most of these...
Nikon F3 HP (with the motor drive for studio and outdoor tripod work, without the MD-4 for compact street shooting, without the prism for the feel of a Japaneese 35mm Hasselblad ;-))
Nikon EM
Nikon FG (bright crisp viewfinder but low eyepoint)
Rollei SL 126? - its been too long) interchangeable Zeiss lenses and 126 cartridges
Rollei SL 2000 (too boxy for me, though great for a its removable 35mm back system concept)
Rollei SL 66 (the one with a built-in bellows that could do Scheimpflug-like maneuvers)
Exacta 66 (the revised model (rubberized))
Holga (if plastic can be said to have much of a "personality")
Zeiss Ikon (the one/rangefinder with aperture priority, I'm not sure if its still in production)
Leica SL-2
Leica M3
Leica M4 (in particular, Garry Winogrand's with its lovely 28mm Canon Serenar (sp?) lens, lovely rendering in both black and white and color)
Leica M5 (larger but cheaper than an M6)
Kodak Retina Reflex (superb Schneider lens)
Canon VII (rangefinder, a cheap man's Leica)
Maxxum 7 (the height of analog technology, always wanted but could never afford the Nikon F6)
Minolta X-700 (small compact well built bright crispy viewfinder but lousy eyepoint)
Minolta CLE (nice lenses too)
Konica FT-1 (built-in motor drive but never got along with only shutter priority as the main auto mode)
Pentax Super Program (very small, decently sturdy, multiple exposure modes and TTL flash witha motor drive that was too honk'n big!... Speaking of which...)
Contax AX (more of a balloon with a built-in movable film plane that did AF than a camera ;-))
Contax ST (largish but nice)
Contax RTS (both II and III)
Pentax ME Super (lovely large viewfinder and aperture priority/manual)
Pentax 645 (large, automated, solid and nice large/exc quality slides/negs)
Pentax 67 (same comments as above, not automated but with a mirror slap that could launch you into orbit)
Mamiya RZ 67
Fuji 6x8 (like a more advanced RZ on steroids)
Hasselblads (on a tripod only, I never got along with their viewfinders whether waist level or prism the image felt like it was always off to me, either I was tilting or the camera was, the perfect 2 1/4 for Garry Winogrand's proteges for those who don't want to use a Mamiya 6 or 7 or one of Fuji's Texas Leicas)
Canon QL17 (compact, solid and a lovely lens/bokeh, not thrilled with its having shutter priority as only auto mode)
Olypmii(? plural) OM 1
and 2
Ricoh (there was a 35mm SLR by this company that actually powered off of the sun(light)
Olympus E-3 (well built, nice image quality/sensor, but way way too big for a 43rds camera body)
The first Olympus 4 or 5 MP digitals with the built-in zooms (E something...)
Rather than "personality" my current camera, a Pentax K-r, seems more of a perfect extension of my own personaility/vision - its only fault is that its very hard to fit Kodachrome 25 or 64 into the battery chamber!!!
Too many other cameras to remember... ...Any old camera that still works has some "personality" as long as it doesn't end up decorating a shelf or somesuch...
Nikon F3 HP (with the motor drive for studio and outdoor tripod work, without the MD-4 for compact street shooting, without the prism for the feel of a Japaneese 35mm Hasselblad ;-))
Nikon EM
Nikon FG (bright crisp viewfinder but low eyepoint)
Rollei SL 126? - its been too long) interchangeable Zeiss lenses and 126 cartridges
Rollei SL 2000 (too boxy for me, though great for a its removable 35mm back system concept)
Rollei SL 66 (the one with a built-in bellows that could do Scheimpflug-like maneuvers)
Exacta 66 (the revised model (rubberized))
Holga (if plastic can be said to have much of a "personality")
Zeiss Ikon (the one/rangefinder with aperture priority, I'm not sure if its still in production)
Leica SL-2
Leica M3
Leica M4 (in particular, Garry Winogrand's with its lovely 28mm Canon Serenar (sp?) lens, lovely rendering in both black and white and color)
Leica M5 (larger but cheaper than an M6)
Kodak Retina Reflex (superb Schneider lens)
Canon VII (rangefinder, a cheap man's Leica)
Maxxum 7 (the height of analog technology, always wanted but could never afford the Nikon F6)
Minolta X-700 (small compact well built bright crispy viewfinder but lousy eyepoint)
Minolta CLE (nice lenses too)
Konica FT-1 (built-in motor drive but never got along with only shutter priority as the main auto mode)
Pentax Super Program (very small, decently sturdy, multiple exposure modes and TTL flash witha motor drive that was too honk'n big!... Speaking of which...)
Contax AX (more of a balloon with a built-in movable film plane that did AF than a camera ;-))
Contax ST (largish but nice)
Contax RTS (both II and III)
Pentax ME Super (lovely large viewfinder and aperture priority/manual)
Pentax 645 (large, automated, solid and nice large/exc quality slides/negs)
Pentax 67 (same comments as above, not automated but with a mirror slap that could launch you into orbit)
Mamiya RZ 67
Fuji 6x8 (like a more advanced RZ on steroids)
Hasselblads (on a tripod only, I never got along with their viewfinders whether waist level or prism the image felt like it was always off to me, either I was tilting or the camera was, the perfect 2 1/4 for Garry Winogrand's proteges for those who don't want to use a Mamiya 6 or 7 or one of Fuji's Texas Leicas)
Canon QL17 (compact, solid and a lovely lens/bokeh, not thrilled with its having shutter priority as only auto mode)
Olypmii(? plural) OM 1
and 2Ricoh (there was a 35mm SLR by this company that actually powered off of the sun(light)
Olympus E-3 (well built, nice image quality/sensor, but way way too big for a 43rds camera body)
The first Olympus 4 or 5 MP digitals with the built-in zooms (E something...)
Rather than "personality" my current camera, a Pentax K-r, seems more of a perfect extension of my own personaility/vision - its only fault is that its very hard to fit Kodachrome 25 or 64 into the battery chamber!!!
Too many other cameras to remember... ...Any old camera that still works has some "personality" as long as it doesn't end up decorating a shelf or somesuch...
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I dunno about personality but I've owned or used some cameras that were noisy and some that were awkward or plain old fashioned bloody minded. Does that count?
But the best were invisible or neutral and just existed and took pictures. The one I miss the most was/is the K1000, don't ask why.
Regards, David
I dunno about personality but I've owned or used some cameras that were noisy and some that were awkward or plain old fashioned bloody minded. Does that count?
But the best were invisible or neutral and just existed and took pictures. The one I miss the most was/is the K1000, don't ask why.
Regards, David
mfogiel
Veteran
There are some gold standards out there, and there are some interesting cameras, that excelled at something, but never got to the top of the list.
For me, the gold standards are:
Linhof Technika, Rolleiflex TLR, Hasselblad V, Leica M, Nikon F/F2/F3, Widelux.
For me, the gold standards are:
Linhof Technika, Rolleiflex TLR, Hasselblad V, Leica M, Nikon F/F2/F3, Widelux.
oftheherd
Veteran
Just noticed this thread has cropped up again. I like Mr. Hicks' differentation of personality from soul. Lots of cameras have personality. I think not all have souls.
I have some folders that sure have soul to my way of thinking. My 9x12 VAG with aftermarket RF seems to. My Welti sure seems to, but maybe that was just a bonding because the first one I had I inherited from my father. and it got lots of use in Vietnam.
I have some folders that sure have soul to my way of thinking. My 9x12 VAG with aftermarket RF seems to. My Welti sure seems to, but maybe that was just a bonding because the first one I had I inherited from my father. and it got lots of use in Vietnam.
Kent
Finally at home...
When trying to answer this question for me, personally, I realized that I first needed to define what a camera needs to have in order to possess a "personality", a "character" or a "soul" - whatever you'd call it.
I think it needs to be attractive of some kind (not necessarily beautiful in the classical sense), just with that "something special". Then it needs to be reliable but with that certain quirk that doesn't make it too convenient and comfortable.
The NEX-7 for example is an amazing camera which I really like, but I wouldn't say that it has "soul". It is just too perfect, if you know what I mean.
OK, here the list of cams with "personality" (which I own):
- Leica IIIa snyc
- Zorki-4
- Kodak Retina 1c
- Vivitar Ultar Wide & Slim (despite the plasticky built)
- Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII
- Yashica Electro 35GS
- Leica M8
- Sigma DP1s
- Nikon D1 (the first and original version!)
And others I do not own but have shot with:
- Leica M2 (perhaps the one with the most personality of all)
- Leica M4-P
- Rollei 35
I think it needs to be attractive of some kind (not necessarily beautiful in the classical sense), just with that "something special". Then it needs to be reliable but with that certain quirk that doesn't make it too convenient and comfortable.
The NEX-7 for example is an amazing camera which I really like, but I wouldn't say that it has "soul". It is just too perfect, if you know what I mean.
OK, here the list of cams with "personality" (which I own):
- Leica IIIa snyc
- Zorki-4
- Kodak Retina 1c
- Vivitar Ultar Wide & Slim (despite the plasticky built)
- Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII
- Yashica Electro 35GS
- Leica M8
- Sigma DP1s
- Nikon D1 (the first and original version!)
And others I do not own but have shot with:
- Leica M2 (perhaps the one with the most personality of all)
- Leica M4-P
- Rollei 35
thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
Mechanical cameras, and looking through the viewfinder of medium format and the viewing glass of larger formats always does it for me.
Also... accessories. I love when people personalize their cameras to make it their own, especially modern digital.
Also... accessories. I love when people personalize their cameras to make it their own, especially modern digital.
I had a Praktisix 6x6 Single Lens Reflex, built like a 35mm camera, with an 80mm f2.8, 180mm f2.8 Sonnar and a Kilfit 400mm f 4.5. With that big negative I felt whatever I shot it would be better than what you got. It was fast to use, the optics were first class and I miss it a lot. It had pizzaz. Anything I went to shoot looked better with it.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I'd generally be reluctant to label a digicam as having personality ... but the Sigma DPMs have it IMO.
furbs
Well-known
Mamiya 7 is like the quiet, shabbily-dressed 8-year-old who can tell you every world capital.
M4 doesn't have much personality, but boy does it have soul.
M4 doesn't have much personality, but boy does it have soul.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Adding:
- Leicaflex SL :: Built like a tank; controls, shutter release, and wind are smooth like butter.
G
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Under which circumstanses we will say, it is camera with personality and soul?
IMO, only when it is connecting with our personality and soul.
My soul and personality was grown then I used our family RF.
So, no (D)SLR personal connections to me.
Last Friday I sold EOS 3, which i managed to have for few weeks.
Best SLR I could imagine, sorry to OM and Nikon MF fan boys. But it was nothing, but well build box loaded with functions to me. Perfect SLR, no soul.
Within one hour after letting EOS3 go, I purchaised my very first Leica RF.
Don't know if we will become connected.
My soul belongs to my parents FED-2. It is working, beautiful camera.
I'm still using it. Makes me happy.
Our first daughter gave me her hard working earned money as present gift for my Bd. I purchased Oly XA with those money. This camera feels very personal to me. And it is true street kick a.. RF.
My Bessa R was delivered to my house by its previous owner, because I wasn't able to meet him on time. I went to delivery room instead.
I'm thinking to sell this R to get R-something, but I can't. The way it came to me is very personal...
IMO, only when it is connecting with our personality and soul.
My soul and personality was grown then I used our family RF.
So, no (D)SLR personal connections to me.
Last Friday I sold EOS 3, which i managed to have for few weeks.
Best SLR I could imagine, sorry to OM and Nikon MF fan boys. But it was nothing, but well build box loaded with functions to me. Perfect SLR, no soul.
Within one hour after letting EOS3 go, I purchaised my very first Leica RF.
Don't know if we will become connected.
My soul belongs to my parents FED-2. It is working, beautiful camera.
I'm still using it. Makes me happy.
Our first daughter gave me her hard working earned money as present gift for my Bd. I purchased Oly XA with those money. This camera feels very personal to me. And it is true street kick a.. RF.
My Bessa R was delivered to my house by its previous owner, because I wasn't able to meet him on time. I went to delivery room instead.
I'm thinking to sell this R to get R-something, but I can't. The way it came to me is very personal...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The absolute winner for me has to be the Panon Widelux ... and I now have two, an F7 and an F8.
I've never been that attracted to panoramic imagery but these things do it so uniquely with that swing lens system ... the cameras are beautifully made and a pleasure to shoot with once you figure out the routine for success. To hand hold one of these things at 1/15 sec and hear the whirr of the turret mechanism as you press the shutter is quite an experience!
I've never been that attracted to panoramic imagery but these things do it so uniquely with that swing lens system ... the cameras are beautifully made and a pleasure to shoot with once you figure out the routine for success. To hand hold one of these things at 1/15 sec and hear the whirr of the turret mechanism as you press the shutter is quite an experience!