How Did You Choose?

[pvdhaar]

Lot's of trying stuff out... etc..

You saved me a lot of typing 😉 Same answer for me, just different brands, everything else the same..

 

[Vincent.G]

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...

 

[daveleo]

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 🙄 my artistic stuff 🙄, 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.

 

[Mcary]

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 🙂

 

[Griffin]

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.

 

[jsrockit]

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.

 

[peter_n]

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.