Ong
Well-known
Having started a new career path with the rail, I've always been having this urge to bring a Leica along with me everyday for work.
Needless to say, working with a 47 tonne ungainly hunk of steel is probably going to end up badly when things do go wrong, or worse, people breaking into secure areas and stealing your stuff. To which the GRD3 somehow satisfies part of urge, but nothing that a film rangefinder would.
But it's led me to the question, What kit would you bring, be it realistically with your work, or hypothetically to such an environment where a 2m drop onto hard ballast, an unfortunate accident with steel or just people breaking in and stealing your stuff is just a dice roll away and yet satisfying this need to take photos (Or even worse, working on oilrigs or hazardous,in the middle of the ocean and wanting to buy gear for your nephew... I kid on that last part)
What's everyone's thoughts on this?
Needless to say, working with a 47 tonne ungainly hunk of steel is probably going to end up badly when things do go wrong, or worse, people breaking into secure areas and stealing your stuff. To which the GRD3 somehow satisfies part of urge, but nothing that a film rangefinder would.
But it's led me to the question, What kit would you bring, be it realistically with your work, or hypothetically to such an environment where a 2m drop onto hard ballast, an unfortunate accident with steel or just people breaking in and stealing your stuff is just a dice roll away and yet satisfying this need to take photos (Or even worse, working on oilrigs or hazardous,in the middle of the ocean and wanting to buy gear for your nephew... I kid on that last part)
What's everyone's thoughts on this?
maddoc
... likes film again.
A Nikonos V with the 35/2.5 lens.
lonemantis
Well-known
There are practically no cameras out there that are guaranteed to survive the conditions you're describing, so you may as well bring something you won't mind losing. A cheap film P&S will be pocketable and easily replaceable, especially if you go for a model that hasn't achieved cult status yet. If you're set on a rangefinder, something like a Canonet 28 can still be found for under $100, and there are still plenty of them out there if you lose it.
jarski
Veteran
How bout your phone with good protective case on it? 
pyeh
Member of good standing
I say Olympus XA because it's light and has a rangefinder that you want. Keep it in your top pocket and tether it with one of those zip-reel key keepers. Agree with lonemantis, no camera is going to survive being run over by 47t stock.
Second choice: Leica CL (the film one) with an MS Optics lens, for proper rangefinding. Heavier but perfectly good in jacket pockets.
Otherwise, for digital, the Ricoh GR. That camera is sheer genius.
Second choice: Leica CL (the film one) with an MS Optics lens, for proper rangefinding. Heavier but perfectly good in jacket pockets.
Otherwise, for digital, the Ricoh GR. That camera is sheer genius.
tbhv55
Well-known
If it needs to fit in a pocket, then one of the Olympus XA(x) models would be a good choice. Note that only the XA is a rangefinder - the XA2 and XA3 are zone focus, while the XA1, and XA4 are fixed focus.
Otherwise, how about an Olympus Trip (zone focus), or a Konica c35 (rangefinder)?
Otherwise, how about an Olympus Trip (zone focus), or a Konica c35 (rangefinder)?
grouchos_tash
Well-known
Ilford disposables
Brilliant idea!Ilford disposables
Otherwise an XA as Pete mentioned.
Pentode
Well-known
A Kiev and a Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 12 from a reliable dealer is a lot of camera for very little money. You could lose it and replace it several times before you come anywhere close to the cost of that Leica.
Contrary to many's beliefs, a well-maintained Kiev - especially an early one - is a very reliable camera and Jupiter lenses may not be Leitz glass but they're pretty damn good.
Contrary to many's beliefs, a well-maintained Kiev - especially an early one - is a very reliable camera and Jupiter lenses may not be Leitz glass but they're pretty damn good.
Bill Clark
Veteran
I very rarely bring a kit.
With my business, I’m retired now, I would bring a Pelican case and park it somewhere, usually in a closet or under a table.
One camera, one lens; at most two.
Traveled Europe last fall with my wife. Brought two cameras one film, one digital. Each had a 50mm lens. That was it for cameras and lenses. Had a small camera bag.
I don’t use camera straps.
Decades ago, while serving in military I dropped a 135 Nikkor 2.8 lens, only plastic is lens shade, on the gangway while returing to the ship. Did no harm, no dents or bruises. I still have it and use it. Since then I have been a minimalist relative to equipment.
Works for me.
Thought it might help you.
With my business, I’m retired now, I would bring a Pelican case and park it somewhere, usually in a closet or under a table.
One camera, one lens; at most two.
Traveled Europe last fall with my wife. Brought two cameras one film, one digital. Each had a 50mm lens. That was it for cameras and lenses. Had a small camera bag.
I don’t use camera straps.
Decades ago, while serving in military I dropped a 135 Nikkor 2.8 lens, only plastic is lens shade, on the gangway while returing to the ship. Did no harm, no dents or bruises. I still have it and use it. Since then I have been a minimalist relative to equipment.
Works for me.
Thought it might help you.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
XA was an alternative years ago. Now it's tiny electronics from seventies won't last long.
It just in the Minox 35 territory now.
If you can't have camera with you what is the point to keep it in the locker? To take pictures after work?
Why it has to be dropped? Are you not using stripes or not having pockets?
Victor Kolar worked and lived in place where he was afraid to be killed.
But nobody stole his father's Leica. You could order its copy from Oleg with collapsible Indistar.
Similar to those cameras went in Arctica and were in use at WWII.
It just in the Minox 35 territory now.
If you can't have camera with you what is the point to keep it in the locker? To take pictures after work?
Why it has to be dropped? Are you not using stripes or not having pockets?
Victor Kolar worked and lived in place where he was afraid to be killed.
But nobody stole his father's Leica. You could order its copy from Oleg with collapsible Indistar.
Similar to those cameras went in Arctica and were in use at WWII.
shawn
Veteran
I was thinking something from the XA series too. XA4 is zone focus, not fixed focus. It has 5 (if I am remembering correctly) different focus positions compared to 3 on the Xa2/3. The extra two are close up and the strap is used to measure focus distance.
Shawn
retinax
Well-known
Pick what you like best among the thousands of options that are cheap enough. For me it wouldn't be a rangefinder because the cheaper fixed lens ones tend to be too fiddly and/or fragile for such use. If something with nice haptics and a big viewfinder, many cheap SLRs to chose from. If you have little time for fiddling or don't want to be seen fiddling by co-workers, a point and shoot. If dirt and dust, use with gloves is a concern, one of the Konica off-roads or equivalent Fujis.
Wouter2
Established
Olympus 35SP or 35SPn. Konica S2 or S3. Have them overhauled and you're good to go for years to come.
narsuitus
Well-known
These are the 35mm film cameras I may use when I know I will be shooting in a hostile environment where my equipment may be lost, stolen, or damaged:
1. Aqua Pix 35mm plastic underwater camera (very low cost and expendable)
2. Nikonos III with 35 and 80mm lenses (lenses can be used on land or under water)
3. Nikon N70 with Tamron 28-200mm lens (expendable auto focus lens and body)
4. Pentax ME with 28-70mm f/3.5 – f/4.5 Kiron and 80-205mm f/4.5 Marexar—CX
5. Pentax Spotmatic with 28, 50, and 135mm M42 lenses
6. Fuji ST705 with 28, 50, and 135mm M42 lenses
7. Canon Canonet QL17 G-III rangefinder
8. Canon Sure Shot compact camera
9. Minolta Hi-Matic 9 rangefinder
10. Nikon EM with Series E lens
11. Nikon L35 AF compact camera
12. Vivitar 35mm P&S plastic toy camera with 27mm lens
Hostile Environment Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr
1. Aqua Pix 35mm plastic underwater camera (very low cost and expendable)
2. Nikonos III with 35 and 80mm lenses (lenses can be used on land or under water)
3. Nikon N70 with Tamron 28-200mm lens (expendable auto focus lens and body)
4. Pentax ME with 28-70mm f/3.5 – f/4.5 Kiron and 80-205mm f/4.5 Marexar—CX
5. Pentax Spotmatic with 28, 50, and 135mm M42 lenses
6. Fuji ST705 with 28, 50, and 135mm M42 lenses
7. Canon Canonet QL17 G-III rangefinder
8. Canon Sure Shot compact camera
9. Minolta Hi-Matic 9 rangefinder
10. Nikon EM with Series E lens
11. Nikon L35 AF compact camera
12. Vivitar 35mm P&S plastic toy camera with 27mm lens
Hostile Environment Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr
Out to Lunch
Ventor
Hi Ong, not clear what you are looking for...a 35mm camera or anything else? If the latter, I'd bring a phone with a sturdy jacket.
Ronald M
Veteran
Judging from what I own, D40 Nikon & either kit 18/135 or 35 1.8 for 28 2.8. Six MP does pretty well for 11x14.
35 mm Rollie super small with 40 mm 3.5 Tessar. Forget the exact model but from 1960`s. It is a zone focus job.
35 mm Rollie super small with 40 mm 3.5 Tessar. Forget the exact model but from 1960`s. It is a zone focus job.
lynnb
Veteran
Canon Sure Shot Owl for under $20
