How Did You Choose?

One reason I hate dabbling a bit into everything is I lose consistency in my work. Maybe it just happens to me. The images I make while trying out new stuff made me focus too much on the gear rather than the photos. I never want to go into that again... If that is possible...
 
Practicality

Practicality

For my "shooting" cameras . . . .

I picked a Panasonic LX3 for carrying around, picnics, hikes, etc, because it makes very nice pictures for such a small camera.

For :rolleyes: my artistic stuff :rolleyes:, I stumbled into a used Nikon D60 two years ago and one prime lens. I was very happy with the images and extremely happy with the price at the time. Recently traded it for a new D5100 on sale (even nicer pictures! and not very much $$$$ ).

The images out of cameras and lenses (and computers) these days are more than my skills need. So I buy stuff on a practical, cost-effective basis when a bargain pops up. But at the moment, I am locked into Nikon stuff.
 
Have done a lot of switching between different types of camera, not because I'm looking for something better, but rather because I just like playing around with new (new to me) toys :)
 
All my cameras were given to me, or inherited in some way or another. I have my mom's old Canon ftb for which I've recently purchased a 17mm Tokina. I have my grandfather's Pentax MX for which I found a 50/1.4. Also from my grandfather is an Olympus trip, an Exakta Thagee (haven't used yet) and some Prakticas (haven't used). Then my friend's girlfriend gave me her old Nikon FG-20 and I came across a great deal for a 24/2.8 ais. The only serious money I've spent was an olive Bessa R2 and a new Nokton 35/1.4.

On the flea market I bought a Yashica GX for €10, but I need to get a battery fix for it. My father in law gave me his old Minolta Hi-Matic 7, but there doesn't seem to be a battery fix for this one and I'm not confident enough to use a meterless camera. Besides, there are plenty of other toys I'm playing with. Furthermore I splurged on a Rollei 35SE as my take everywhere camera. After two rolls I found out the modern battery was underexposing, so I'm curious how my next roll will look now that I've adjusted the ISO one stop slower than the box speed.

I too am looking into medium format, and my friend's stepfather apparently has a TLR lying around somewhere waiting to be used.
 
All I know is that once I used rangefinders (Leica M), rangefinder like cameras (Contax, Fujifilm, etc.), and high-end P&S cameras (film in the 90s, digital now), I never felt good about a SLR/DSLR again. I'm trying to force myself to use a DSLR again right now, but it isn't working out. Great quality, but no fun.
 
For me it's practicality, to be able to take it anywhere and not worry about scratching it or something. The glass quality is far better than I ever will be, so no worries there.
Exactly, and I would add to that reliability. My path has been Pentax SP -> Nikon F3 -> Leica M all used with B&W film. Once I found rangefinders 10 years ago I switched out of SLRs for good as I like the simplicity and connection with the subject matter through a rangefinder VF. My only problem has been the unreliability of Leica's modern ASPH lenses and I've cut down to just four of them that I think are OK. I'll be sticking to what I have now because I like the process with my current equipment and in particular some of the pictures I get. I just wish I had more time to shoot.
 
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