Does it really matter what camera you use?

[tyrone.s]

Cameras are really quite similar. You use what you've got. You use the best you can. And the results give rarely give many clues as to which brand you used.

Cheers,

R.

To the original poster, this comment is priceless. Moving between Zorki, Leica and Contax is going to be like moving between different brands of quality tools and moving between tools that all provide much the same functionality.

If you want to develop as a photographer take enough photos with what you have until you can identify what you can't achieve in terms of your vision for a final photographic image.

If you like 35/50 then what you have will be fine. If you want to go to either the extremes of macro or telephoto then there are better tools for you.

If you want to skip film and the process of developing then digital will be a more rapid type of tool solution for you (arguments about time spent photoshopping aside).

I often wonder: "Am I a photographer that likes cameras or a camera collector that happens to take photos?" Really I'm the later, but then I'm also a dad who likes to get attractive photos of his children with some background isolation or a guy who likes to take photos of barbed wire or flowers or landscapes - pretty much any camera lets me achieve those modest goals.

 

[sirio174]

Have fun with your Zorki 4 camera! The only limit is the lack of an exposure meter in the winter season. But you can use an old compact digital camera as exposure meter, as I do.

After a CLA my is a very reliable camera. I bought my first one from a Russian sailor when I was 16 years old, and the camera is still 100% working. Here an example from my Lomography album
www.lomography.it/search/photos/18108755

 

[sirio174]

When I use a Zorki or a LC-A or another old camera people are curious and friendly.

 

[robert blu]

I heard a story of a famous photographer who was invited to a dinner. To be kind he brought a book with his photographs for the housewife. When thanking she commented : "wow, very nice photos, you must have very good cameras"

The food was good and they had a pleasant evening.

Before going home the photographer wanted to thank the housewife and commented :"wow, the food was very good, you must have very good pots!"

Not sure if this is true but there is something real in it 🙂

robert

 

[giganova]

There's a big difference whether you are talking about digital or film cameras.

For digital cameras it matters because of the sensor and how the electronics plays well with the sensor.

For film, it doesn't matter because all the camera is doing is hold the film and open the curtain.

 

[MIkhail]

Ever since I started doing photography I always had this thought in my mind that "if you have a great camera, you'll have great pictures" and honestly that thought messed me up and is still messing me up. Right now I have a Zorki 4K as my main because I'm a student and at the moment it was all I could afford. At the time I was super excited to get the camera as for anyone who buys a new camera well new anything, and as time goes on I constantly had the urge to go on EBay, Keh, and the classifieds to find a new camera not because I needed one but because my camera was a copy and I felt it wasn't good enough for the big boys. I'm not saying I don't love my Zorki I'll keep it for as long as I could. But back to my question does having a Leica, Zorki, or Contax... Really matter? I want to hear what you guys have the say, I know this question may a bit silly to some and I'm sorry, I'm just a kid wanting to be a photographer when he grows up and this thought is ruining everything. :bang:

-RobertJ

Are you looking for confirmation of what you feel?

Keep in mind, you are asking the opinion of people, who gathered on this site largely based on principles what camera they own, so the opinions will be mostly "yeah, right, camera does not matter but Leica can't be beat" or something like that, I suspect.

My advise if you are asking for one: whichever camera you are more comfortable with, so it gets OUT OF THE WAY as you are hunting for the shot. Not "pleasure to use" and other bull... Unless, that is, the process of taking pictures is more important than picture itself...
"Not that there is anything wrong with that..."(c).

P.S. With all that being said, Zorki is not a very reliable camera, and you dont want to be caught in Mexico somewhere, with the shutter stuck forever.. Get a better (that is more reliable) camera...

 

[sirio174]

After a nice CLA my Zorki 4 (1964), my Zorki 6 (1965) and my Fed 2 (1960) never fail a shot in more than 20 years, while my Canonet QL17 had slow times problems and stuck shutter 3 times in 3 years (so I need to repair it 3 times)! If you want a nice and very reliable camera with an exposure meter, you can try an Olympus 3 RC. Great camera also! But I'm so used for many years to shoot with Zorki (TLR) and Praktica (SLR) that for me these are the best cameras in my hand! You have to be comfortable with your camera, you an your camera should feel like a single body, whatever model you use! Enjoy your Zorki! Try to obtain the maximum possible from your camera!

 

[bence8810]

I agree with most posters here, as long as the camera works / shutter speeds more or less accurate - you won't be able to detect the difference in your end result - were you to shoot the same scene at the same time with two cameras.

However, it's very important how you feel towards your camera as it is going to be used a lot and you need to look forward to picking it up from the table top when going out.

My favorite photo I took so far was with my first Minoltacord TLR which I have hanging on my wall enlarged to 50x50cm.

Since then I sold the Minoltacord and shoot with a Rolleiflex. Not because it gives me better pictures but because I wanted it and it feels great.

Same with small format, started out with a Konica IIIa which gave me many great shots I really like but since then I shoot with a Leica M3 because that's what I prefer holding in my hands.

Ben

 

[vladimir]

It never ever matters if you show the pics without telling what camera they shot with. That tells something.

I am all for it not to include info as to what camera was used, but sometimes it works in favour of ‘lesser’ camera taking winning image proving it is not the camera, but the photographer.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I may be able to achieve the same image with a zorki and a Contax Rx. But I will hate using the zorki, and love using the Contax. But, that's just me. Some people delight in using 'just anything' because they might feel it's an added accomplishment to do so. Some people are more tactile/sensual, and the experience is more impactful.

Two parallels: my first guitar. Bought by my parents when I was 11 or 12. A cheap copy of a classic electric. But it was bought almost randomly, without any knowledge of guitar quality or what would be best for the kind of music I wanted to play or how other guitars might feel. I hated that guitar. I feel it stifled my learning. 30 years later, after five other guitars, I have one that both sounds and feels right. I enjoy it.

I had an old mechanical can opener when I moved into my first apartment. It was functional. After it broke, I bought one of those new, ergonomic things. A revelation. It's not really a big deal, as I open cans like once a week. But when i do, i notice the difference.

So, yeah, shoot the zorki until you can get something that makes you happy and inspires you, but don't be fooled into thinking that camera will be the elite, most expensive item. I used Leica Ms and Rs for ten years or so, but I get much more satisfaction, and better results from a Contax or Nikon FE2 with a cheap lens.

 

[lxmike]

if you enjoy your camera and get results you like then what more could you want, l keep telling myself this and then the gas attack happens

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

All cameras have problems at times, mostly related to age and sometime poor design. Since almost all film cameras are second-hand the owners before you will have contributed to the problems or joys; some look after them and some neglect them.

And then someone buys a poor example and blames the camera makers for it. And posts it all over the internet and people believe it. But FED and Zorki made millions of cameras starting in the 1930's, it's no wonder that a small percentage will be neglected and need work done on them. It happens to every make and model of camera. Being realistic most sensible users realise that a second-hand camera is not typical of the factory's output, especially 50, 60 or 70 years later. And they get the camera checked and so on by a technician and it comes back a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

Try reading about Leica M's, Contaxes or the older screw mount ones and you'll see what I mean and somewhere in RFF there's some posts about dreadful problems with some Canon lens that made me wonder if it was the worst I've heard of. Or try getting a modern electronic film camera repaired...

Look at post no. 4 here for example:-

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153421

Regards, David

 

[HuhYashica]

Hey everybody, I just want to say thank you so much for your input I really do appreciate it. I recently took my camera out and shot a roll, hoping to get the excitment as I did when I first purchased it. Here are some of the shots I got and its safe to say I am truly satisfied with the camera/lens. I will keep this camera for as long as I can!

 

[sirio174]

Great start! A master told me, many years ago: is better to buy a 30 $ camera and 2000 $ on books of masters like Robert Frank, Cartier Bresson, Eggleston... than a 2000$ camera and a 30$ general photography manual. He was right!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I can make similar images with any camera/lens.
What I can't do is make more time for photography. 🙁

Chris

 

[Capt. E]

Lately I have pulled out my 1955 Nikon S2 and rediscovered what a great camera it is. The viewfinder is large and the 50 1.4 is a great lens (as is the 35). I like it every bit as much as my M-6, though an in-camera meter is helpful (I just pocket my Luna-pro and am fine). I find it very important to have a comfortable relationship with the cameras I use (and even pride in ownership helps). Walking around with uncommon equipment produces a certain "private club" kind of feeling and satisfaction in having mastered using it. There are times when I think the new digital cameras are just "too easy" and don't challenge my photography skills enough.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

As you say "There are times when I think the new digital cameras are just "too easy" and don't challenge my photography skills enough".

I couldn't agree more and one of the reasons I use my old cameras is so that I don't forget how to take a photograph.

Regards, David

 

[Contarama]

I started slr with a Nikon FE later I had a F2 to go along with it. The F2 was better. It matters.

It reminds me of pistols. If the pistol doesn't fit you then you'll never be able to hit the target consistently. One could have some tricked out balanced and blueprinted Colt 45 match pistol and miss on the quick draw every time. Same person might pick up a cheap Saturday night special .38 and hit the bullseye every time.