Cameras you bond with, or that have "soul"

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mdg137

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I read a number of articles this weekend about cameras that have "soul"-- and it got me thinking-- absolutely, a camera is a tool, but I cannot deny that we bond with some tools more than others, and for me at least, this makes a difference in the final product.

I complied a list of some of the cameras I have used over the last 30 years to see which ones I truly enjoyed using, and which ones ...less so.. to see if there was a clear pattern.

Cameras Ive Bonded with

Canon A1
Canon EF
Nikon F2AS
Nikon F5
Nikon D3x
Contax G2
Nikon D2x
Leica M6TTL
Leica M240
Hasselblads (various)

Cameras ... less so..

Canon Eos A2E
Nikon F6
Nikon D3
Nikon D800E
Contax G1
Nikon D200
Leica M4-P
Leica M9
Rolleiflex 2.8F

No real pattern that I can see-- but the visceral feeling about them is certainly real enough.

What have you bonded with, and why?
 
Bonded With
Ricoh GR1s compact, incredible ergonomics, exposure comp and aperture priority offered enough control for me, semi-quiet and quick to use, especially with the SNAP feature, and good enough for me IQ. I would give up my current combo of the Oly Mju-II and Nikon 28ti just to have a working GR1s again if someone could guarantee it would live a full life...my favorite advanced P&S of all time, possibly my favorite camera ever. went everywhere with me, but as a student I just can't afford to risk buying another.

Olympus 35RC: My first and favorite RF. Compact with full manual operation available. Quiet and unassuming.

Canon WP-1: so fun to use underwater and on land...unfortunately lost at sea and a bit bulky.

Pentax Espio Mini/Konica Big Mini: both compact and did exactly as a point and shoot should...but both suffered electronics issues. needed to have a physical switch for the flash though.

Currently Bonding With
Fuji GA645W: Ergonomics good, compact for basically a 645 P&S with fully manual operation (even if that is a bit of a pain to use). Great VF and fairly quiet and light.

Olympus Mju-II: almost as compact feeling as the Ricoh GR1s, and faster. a flash switch would be appreciated over a button. starting to really like it.

Nikon 28ti: Not as "pocketable" as I'd like, but the IQ and metering are simply incredible. time will tell how reliable it will be but for now the results are excellent. Size and noise are the only thing keeping it under the Ricoh GR1s for now.

Never Bonded, But Great Results
Mamiya Super 23: Great IQ, big negatives so much fun...honestly fun to operate. Just so bulky and heavy!

Rolleiflex 2.8D: Same as the Super 23, great IQ and fun to operate. Never got along with the square format personally.

I suppose the pattern I see here is that I desire good enough IQ in something quick and compact enough to carry daily. A physical flash switch and some semblance of control via aperture or shutter speed or exposure comp is also valuable. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for me to try next when the funds are available?
 
SWC and Plaubel 670

The lenses work and the ergonomics feel comfortable to me (for some reason). Nothing gets in the way.
 
FED-2 as family camera from country I came from. I'm using it now same way as in eighties.
And few years ago, M4-2 as camera of the land to where my family came.

I offered M4-2 for trade once, but I'm very thankful to this guy who never replied.
Never again!
 
Bonded:
- Ricoh GR (V)
- Ricoh GRD (I)
- Leica M2
- Pentax LX
- Olympus E-3


Not so much:
- Fuji X100
- Sony A100
- Minolta SRT100
- Konica C35
- Panasonic GH2
- Pentax K20D
- Pentax MX
- Pentax Spotmatic SP F
 
Bonded :)
Konica Hexar AF
Mamiya RZ67 Pro
Fujifilm GF670
Ricoh GRD4
Nikon D3s

Failed to bond :(
Fujifilm Klasse W
 
The one that comes immediately to mind in this context is the Pentax 6x7... Big, friendly, easy handling, big bright viewfinder, looks good, sounds impressive, great results. :)

And I can add the Minolta CLE and Bronica RF645, upon reflection. Easy users.
 
Bonded with:
Canon TX
Canon F-1n
Canon 6D
Nikon F4s
Leica M6TTL
Leica M2S
Leica M8.2
Leica M3-SS
Nikon D4
Nikon F

Not so much:
Nikon N90S
Nikon FM2n
Nikon D100
Nikon D700
Leica M3 DS
Nikon F2
Nikon 1 V2
 
I really loved to work with these ones:
Leica M4-2
Leica M5
Leica M6TTL
Contax G1
Nikon S2
Nikon F80 (or N80)
Nikon F100
Nikon D700

Not so much with these...
Nikon F5
Fuji X100
Fuji XPro 1
Leica M3
Nikon 35ti

Why? Maybe because of the experiences or emotions associated to the camera in some point of my life? Who knows... I tried to like my Nikon 35ti, but it just didn't work. I tried to get to like my Leica M3... and there wasn't a chance there. On the other hand, the other ones just fit in my hands like gloves and there they stayed. Except, sadly, for the Nikon S2; it's an entirely different system and the infatuation is over, but there was a time when we were inseparable... :( Not now... It's for sale.
 
Bonded with:
Nikon F4 & F5
Pentax MX
Yashicamat 124g
Olympus 35-S
Mamiya m645
Zone VI 4x5
Nikon FE


Not so Much:
Nikon F, F2, F3 & FM
Pentax ME
Olympus 35-SP
Spotmatic
Canon A-1
Even though I've used all of these camera on the Not So list & still have them I will continue to use them just not as much as the Bonded list...
 
Anything with the Sigma logo on it. I really admire that little company's attitude towards it's quirky products ... and photography in general.
 
Bonded:
Leica M-A,0-series
Hasselblad 501c
Minox AX
Ricoh GR-1s, GR-D

Work-horses:
Leica M6,M9,MM
Olympus OM-D E-M5
iPhone

Disliked:
Nikon FM2n
Ricoh GRD ( MkI )
Olympus E-3
Minox GTE
Hasselblad 203FE, Flex Body
 
My love life since 1976...

Woke up the next morning and knew it was a fling:

Fuji GSW690III
Mamiya 6
Agfa Super Isolette
Pentax K1000
My boss’s Bronica
My buddy’s RB67

Dated for awhile but knew it was merely a chapter:

Nikon FM2N
Nikon F2AS
Nikon F4
Nikon F5
Leica M8
Leica M9
Pentax 6x7
Shenhao 4x5
Fuji X100, S & T

Sorry honey, but you were (are) purely maintenance, at least I paid ya:

Kodak / AP NC2000
Nikon E2S
Nikon D100
Nikon D1H
Canon 10D
Canon 20D
Canon EOS1D
Canon 5D
Nikon D700
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
Nikon D750
Leica M240?

Sweetheart, would mind being one of my wives?

Nikon F3
Nikon FM3A
Leica M3
Leica M6TTL
Leica M240?
Hasselblad Xpan
Hasselblad 500 series
Hasselblad CFV50c
Chamonix 45N2
Rollieflex 2.8D

TMI?
 
Bond with now and forever: Leica M6, Nikon FM2N, CV Bessa R2S, CV Bessa T

In the bonding stage right now: Nikon SP 2005

Know I will likely bond with it once I use it more: Hasselblad SWC/M, Nikon F3, Zeiss Ikon SW

Let's bond again like we did in the past: Nikon S2, Leica MP

Putting our bonding on hold just a little bit longer: all of my Canon rangefinder cameras

Dream bonding: Plaubel Makina 67
 
i have soul...the camera not so much!
i have the vision, the joy and disappointment, the shared moments...the camera has bits and pieces, plastic and metal, smooth lines and some comfy places to hang onto...but it has no soul.
 
BOND:

Leica M2
Leica M6 (sold when M2 arrived)
Rolleiflex 3.5F

Not so much bond:
Leica M3

The reason may be because I am very fond of 35mm focal length lens. Even though I shoot with the 3.5f not so often but I am always amazed with its IQ and industrial design and precision mechanic.


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