High Risk Environment? What camera to sneak along....?

[sepiareverb]

I'd suggest bringing the camera you most want to use in these situations and insure it against theft/damage.

 

[mpaniagua]

Leica LTM has dropped in value a bit, so I would bring one of those.

Otherwise, +1 for Kiev. Quite robust cameras, nice quality (especially early serial numbers) and not that expensive. Jupiter 12 is quite good, but would stick to 50mm to avoid the finder.

Regards

Marcelo

 

[Dante_Stella]

For a film camera, a Konica Genba Kantoku (Site Manager) is a 35mm construction site camera designed for precisely the conditions you mention: it's designed to be shockproof, sandproof and substantially waterproof. And it autofocuses. There are about seven models with 28, 35, 40, and 40/60mm lenses.

A Stylus or XA? Too fragile.

An SLR? Easily damaged by shock.

Nikonos? Not shockproof and only if you like zone focusing.

Dante

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Camera for a risky environment? One that you can risk.

I like the suggestions for a film P&S. Faced with a risky environment a few days ago, I took an older Canon digital very-compact P&S. Still makes good photos in good light.

If you want a camera that doesn't get noticed (as a camera), then today that's a mobile phone.

 

[Ccoppola82]

I would just hunt thrift stores and Craigslist ads and pick up all the m42 cameras you can. Get a couple lenses. They are usually dirt cheap. I like the spotmatics, they are all mechanical and the glass is small and takes nice photos. When you drop one, maybe it works. If it breaks, who cares, you have another lying in wait 🙂 I like that the spotmatics are wired so they regulate the battery voltage for the meter, so batteries are always easy to find.

 

[Huss]

Nikonos? Not shockproof and only if you like zone focusing.

Dante

Not shockproof? Mine has taken multiple headers onto concrete falling off bikes and skateboards and works perfectly. It's about the most shock proof camera out there.

 

[Dogman]

Just buy the cheapest point and shoot you can find that does the job. Film or digital, your choice. It's a sacrifice camera, all it has to do is take pictures. Not a big decision.

 

[leicapixie]

,
With all due respect, My Pentax Spotmatics and K-1000, MX, ME-Super
have Never been serviced or reqd a service, repair or adjustment!
My Leica have a need to seek first aid at any moment!
My advice to wannabe Leica owners is be prepared for service charges..
I used my Pentaxes in a changing South Africa, the cameras on the floor of my car, harder to steal, than on seats!
Rough and tumble.
The Stylus and XA I've found in trash shops, seem to be pretty hardy.
A film camera will be a conversation piece, get known where you work, buy coffees whatever and share.
Dress similar to your subjects.
My favorite camera are "toy" Digital compacts.
Small, pretty shockproof, some have great sensors (Kodak Easyshare).

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm, in any environment you are most likely to drop the camera or else have the strap over your shoulder or round your neck catch on something (or it could be stolen).

When I used to take a camera with me all day I used an XA at first but soon discovered how fragile they are even when you don't notice that it's knocked against something. So when the XA2 came out I traded in the XA and got the XA2 and haven't regretted it (but I've subsequently gone back and bought an XA). Both have the advantage of being pocketable.

As for the 47 ton monster; I can't see it trashing the camera and not you. So you can, I hope, draw your own conclusions...

Regards, David

PS Nice to see the Konica wotsit has its fans. I mostly use mine when scrambling about in the Welsh hills. We call it the bomb proof camera but I have my doubts.

 

[jarski]

My advice - unless it’s part of your actual job, leave the camera at home and focus on your new career path. Then once you’ve established yourself there, maybe broach the subject of photography with your superiors. At least that way you’d have built a track record (excuse the pun!) of employment with them, and if they went along with the photography then you’d have an ‘official’ endorsement without having to ‘sneak’ anything.

agreed. gadgets take attention from where it should be. another railway pun: asleep at the switch 🙂

 

[bcostin]

If you want a reasonably rugged yet cheap film rangefinder then I'd suggest trying a Soviet Zorki I (very compact) or a FED 2 (nicer RF) with a collapsible FED/Industar 50mm lens.