Cameras you bond with, or that have "soul"

Minolta XG1: loved it when I used it for a few years after I had bought it new in the late 70s. simple, clear cut, reliable, and friendly looking ;)

since my comeback to photography it has been digital only, and the
Konica Minolta A2 always will remain very special for me. Never ever have I encountered any other camera that had felt that much an extension of the body than this amazing cam, changing settings felt like playing on a piano, and that while never taking my eye off the articulating EVF.

Pentax *istDs, my first digitalSLR bought cheap second hand, was among the smallest and lightest, and that is important to me, dSLR with APS-C sensor in it's time, great handling, very good IQ. Together with my first Takumars that I had bought very cheaply too it was the perfect understatement that fit me well.

Ricoh GXR M, it's handling has the power to elevate my feelings, not as much as the K-M A2 but nevertheless, great plaything, good IQ. Since how many years smarta..es explain to me that this camera is obsolete, as usual strongest critiques of this unique camera comes from people who have never used it.

and the biggest surprise, even to myself:
Sony NEX5n. had bought it for being small, light, working well with adapted lenses. The Konica Minolta A2 had taught me many advantages of an articulating EVF, so I liked that and that it is sticking out did not disturb me. When I started to use it I first had difficulties to accept that this thing feels more like a computer than a camera, that it got Sony printed on top + my small mind didn't help neither. But over the years it just kept on serving me so very well that by now I really feel for it! Such a small and powerful beast!
Of the current digital cams that I have been using, NEX5n, Ricoh GXR M and Sony A7, the NEX I have been using longest and most. It has proven to be the sturdiest, most reliable and most universally usable of the bunch. It has changed my view of modern, digital cameras. For me their design should focus on how best to incorporate modern technology and forget about trying to look like an analogue camera of the past.
 
Digital Camera: Nikon D300. Bought one when it came out, bought a second when the price dropped below $400 on the used market. I wish it had more (more pixels, more ISO), but newer models that have it just don't do it for me.

Film Camera: Tough. FM-2 has been the pinnacle of reliability and ease of use. Wouldn't say it has soul. I have my Father's Contax II, and oh the sights it's seen and photographed... Mechanical things like to b3e used, and in the digital age, they've all been neglected.

I want to like my Nikon F4 and F5, but every adjustment seems to require pressing some button here or there just to unlock the capability. Very frustrating. The F5 has to go into service to have the film sprocket rewind button fixed - I may discuss modifying it so the lock buttons are defeated. I guess I'm spoiled by my D300 when it comes to being able to switch PSAM modes or even turning on the camera without also depressing an interlock button.
 
rodt16s said:
I have one M2 that I will always use, it feels right. I have an identical M2 built the same year (58) actually the first M I bought so should have some sentimental draw, not used it for a considerable time.
There are also nicer condition M's that will be ignored in favour of this M2.
So I cannot generalise to a type, but only to some unknown characteristic(s) or feeling that holds the answer
Click to expand...

I am very much like this too except for it is a F2 with Mt Fuji finder. I have had three. The first one was close to perfect condition but it just didn't have that whatever it is. Sold it to a RFF member. Currently I have two of these cameras. One of them I am 'bonded' with and the other one gets treated like an ugly stepchild. It is sort of a strange thing.

I have certain tools at work that I treat in the same fashion.
 
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