Chronological Lists of Cameras

[Frank Petronio]

A chronological list of cameras since childhood many years ago:

http://frankinstan.tumblr.com/post/66224153819/chronological-list-of-cameras-that-ive-owned

I know that I am nowhere near the worst case scenario. I think it is interesting how many times I've repurchased the same model over and over. And, for the past couple of years, I have settled down on some basic, simple gear. But the Fuji XPro2 may catch my eye next season ;-p

 

[hausen]

That is a pretty stellar list Frank, seems to be a lot of 6x6 in there. Thought 3 times Mamiya 6 was interesting, always regret selling my kit.

 

[mfogiel]

I don't understand this post... I've only bought cameras, rarely ever sold anything... 😀 And the more I bought, the fewer cameras were out there that I was interested in buying, as film cameras are a known quantity nowadays...🙄

 

[stompyq]

Interesting and somewhat scary list frank. Looks like you seem to really like the Pany GX-1 a lot. Any reason why? and also whats with the Nikon D200?

 

[Frank Petronio]

That is a pretty stellar list Frank, seems to be a lot of 6x6 in there. Thought 3 times Mamiya 6 was interesting, always regret selling my kit.

Back when it first came out I bought the entire Mamiya 6 system and dedicated one of the bodies to a NPC ProBack for Polaroids. I thought I was valued for my vision and spontaneity (rangefinder Leica ethos) but the unfortunate reality was that a medium format SLR was a lot more versatile for general commercial/corporate photography (graphic close ups of widgets for annual reports).

The Mamiya 6 with the 50 and 75 lenses is great, the rest isn't worth bothering with. If I wanted a medium format now though I think the Fuji 6x9 series is the best all around.

Interesting and somewhat scary list frank. Looks like you seem to really like the Pany GX-1 a lot. Any reason why? and also whats with the Nikon D200?

They are both dirt cheap (under $200). I shot a GX7 and it was nice but it seems that the GX1 is 98% the camera and smaller without the EVF (same or similar 16mp chip). I thought I would prefer the EVF but in both models it creates a lot of bulk that catches on your pockets, whereas the GX1 w/o EVF is quite compact. Then after using it all Winter I found that for most of the kinds of quick shots I do, I don't need or want the EVF. Mostly it is a pocket camera because I can close it up in a jacket and avoid condensation when I come inside from the cold. With larger cameras I am always using plastic bags to wrap them up and it's a pain.

The D200 with the 50/1.8 G is quite a nice portrait camera, I leave a 24/2.8 on the D300 for general purpose. I liked the look of my older portraits at low ISO with the CCD chip so I'm giving it another shot, at least for anything under ISO 400. Admittedly the D300 (or later) cameras are better general purpose shooters and if I decide that I'm not loving the look of the D200 then I will probably just buy another used D300 since it appears Nikon will never make another good yet reasonable solid DX body again.

 

[t.s.k.]

Funny, I figured you'd be a dead ringer as someone who would have owned a Gowlandflex.

Also, the Veriwide seems to be the most curious based on your work. I'd love to see some of the images.

 

[stompyq]

Back when it first came out I bought the entire Mamiya 6 system and dedicated one of the bodies to a NPC ProBack for Polaroids. I thought I was valued for my vision and spontaneity (rangefinder Leica ethos) but the unfortunate reality was that a medium format SLR was a lot more versatile for general commercial/corporate photography (graphic close ups of widgets for annual reports).

The Mamiya 6 with the 50 and 75 lenses is great, the rest isn't worth bothering with. If I wanted a medium format now though I think the Fuji 6x9 series is the best all around.



They are both dirt cheap (under $200). I shot a GX7 and it was nice but it seems that the GX1 is 98% the camera and smaller without the EVF (same or similar 16mp chip). I thought I would prefer the EVF but in both models it creates a lot of bulk that catches on your pockets, whereas the GX1 w/o EVF is quite compact. Then after using it all Winter I found that for most of the kinds of quick shots I do, I don't need or want the EVF. Mostly it is a pocket camera because I can close it up in a jacket and avoid condensation when I come inside from the cold. With larger cameras I am always using plastic bags to wrap them up and it's a pain.

The D200 with the 50/1.8 G is quite a nice portrait camera, I leave a 24/2.8 on the D300 for general purpose. I liked the look of my older portraits at low ISO with the CCD chip so I'm giving it another shot, at least for anything under ISO 400. Admittedly the D300 (or later) cameras are better general purpose shooters and if I decide that I'm not loving the look of the D200 then I will probably just buy another used D300 since it appears Nikon will never make another good yet reasonable solid DX body again.

That makes a lot of sense.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Funny, I figured you'd be a dead ringer as someone who would have owned a Gowlandflex.

Also, the Veriwide seems to be the most curious based on your work. I'd love to see some of the images.

I always wanted a Gowlandflex and even spoke on the phone to Peter a few times before he died. Cool cameras. But in practice I fear they aren't nearly as spontaneous as hoped. In fact all my experiments with Graflex SLRs (which are more practical than any Gowlandflex btw) and other handheld, rangefinder large format cameras came to an end when I finally realized that nothing gets you close to accurate focus with a wide aperture. All I was doing was burning through film faster. So I slowed down and use slower, ground glass focusing only now. And if I want more spontaneity then I use a more spontaneous camera, i.e. roll film or digital with a fast lens. Frankly I see a lot of people trying to reinvent the wheel in this quest and no matter what advice I offer, they ignore it. Even if their stuff is always out of focus, but at least they keep Kodak and Ilford making film ;-p

I had the first model Veriwides and they are good performers but poorly designed and horribly built so it is hard to recommend them. I have a few 30x40 prints from scanned film that are excellent and they would be wonderful cameras with some refinements. I think the refined versions are called "Mamiya 7 with 43mm lens" or "Hasselblad SWC" or "Noblex 150" lol.

 

[hepcat]

Great list, Frank. I see more than a few on there that I've had several times as well. It'd be interesting to see your list categorized by year. I may have to follow your lead and do one as well... just for the nostalgia... if I can remember what I've had over the years!