How do you deal with minimal gear? Serious question.

[emraphoto]

Amateurs are not required to have an identifiable and marketable style like most artists and professionals do. They have more permission to try out different gear and not settle on any one thing. That’s not to say that experimentation isn’t necessary for everyone at certain times, but hobbyists don’t have the bottom line of selling work hanging over their heads making them commit to a visual and technical franchise.

Well said and i concur

 

[emraphoto]

With that said, I have always preferred a single focal length and 1 body approach.

My bag currently has two 500 series Hasselblad bodies, 3 backs and a 50. Two meters, 2 283's and about 20 rolls.

Pretty much redundancy in case

 

[B-9]

Still using the old 283's?

It seems the Strobist community has collapsed with the creation of so many camera sub groups I have not seen many if any 283's in peoples kits.

I kept two of my 283's both I modified to be barebulb units with household sync bases.

I sold a huge box of modified 283's this past Winter. Maybe 5$ a piece or less.
I remember a time when a 5$ 283 was a bargain only had at the thrift shop.


Btw. used to be a business that sold optical triggers (Zebraflash...FlashZebra?) I purchased a few of their HH triggers as well as their dedicated Vivitar port triggers and have used them exclusively on my 283/285's with great success. Plus they are orange.. I like orange!

 

[sjones]

I use one camera, an M2, and one lens, a 50mm. I have some other cameras, but they now serve as seldom-used backups if the M2 is in for repairs/CLA. The last time I used a 35mm lens was about five years ago.

There is nothing restrictive or ‘disciplined’ about any of this, as it just fits my style. When I first started shooting film (after switching from digital), I rotated among three or four cameras, finding myself gravitating more and more to the Leica iiif. The M2 followed a few years later.

Ultimately would rather not think about which camera to choose; perhaps I get to compulsive about it, like I did with zoom lenses.

Anyway, it really was just a natural process of elimination based largely on ergonomics (as all my other cameras were equally capable).

Likewise, a normal lens best suits my view; not necessarily averse to a wide, but the 50mm is versatile enough, and I never feel the need for anything longer.

Things might change down the road, but a rangefinder, Tri-X, and a 50mm is all I need now.

 

[michaelwj]

Does anyone here have just one or two primary cameras, and if so, what is it, and how do you find a path between multiple shooting environments and minimal gear?

I have only one camera (X100F at the moment, but previously it has been an M6, M4, etc). I find that it suits my type of photography well, and is easy. But, if I was to get into bird photography then I’d obviously need more kit. I think in that case I’d keep them separate, so in effect I have two kits - they’re different things, so I’d have a bird kit, and an everyday kit. They can both be minimal if needed, and I wouldn’t take it all everywhere.

 

[Hari]

I'm a leica guy, coll. summicron 50mm with either M2 or tiny leica II black
or uncoated 50mm elmar in the pocket

 

[oftheherd]

Still using the old 283's?

It seems the Strobist community has collapsed with the creation of so many camera sub groups I have not seen many if any 283's in peoples kits.

I kept two of my 283's both I modified to be barebulb units with household sync bases.

I sold a huge box of modified 283's this past Winter. Maybe 5$ a piece or less.
I remember a time when a 5$ 283 was a bargain only had at the thrift shop.


Btw. used to be a business that sold optical triggers (Zebraflash...FlashZebra?) I purchased a few of their HH triggers as well as their dedicated Vivitar port triggers and have used them exclusively on my 283/285's with great success. Plus they are orange.. I like orange!

I still have a 283, and two 285s, as well as a Sunpak 322 and a Sunpak 622. I have filters for them as well. The 322 was a big favorite of mine due to its power settings (and I could afford a couple). The 622 was for when I wanted to scare the sun.

I also had/have several Tilt-a-mite style flashes and flash bulbs, including several boxes of IR bulbs.

One of my favorite flash photos was flash with bulbs and painting with flash inside a military chapel that had been set afire. Went there at night, set up my SLR (Fujica ST 901) on tripod in the choir loft on the bulb setting and proceeded to walk around using the flash bulbs. Bulbs just have a look to them that flash can't match.

Flash has other uses too of course. Wish I still had time and health to be heavily involved in photography. I miss using flash.

 

[oftheherd]

I don't do much photography any more due to life circumstances, and health. I have a variety of camera, but only three "kits." Four lens max in one, one with three fixed lens cameras, 35mm, 6x6, and 9x12, and one with multiple lenses and one camera.

 

[Huss]

I have a lot of gear. But for my trip to England, Switzerland and Austria last week I only took a Leica M7, the new CV 40 1.2 and Fuji NPS 160.

 

[Doug]

I have a lot of gear. But for my trip to England, Switzerland and Austria last week I only took a Leica M7, the new CV 40 1.2 and Fuji NPS 160.

Sounds like fun... How did that work out for you, Huss?

Though I have "several" cameras, I chose to bring only the Leica M-D 262 and 35mm Summicron v.1 on this snowy vacation to the Canadian Rockies. A useful choice!

 

[emraphoto]

Still using the old 283's?

It seems the Strobist community has collapsed with the creation of so many camera sub groups I have not seen many if any 283's in peoples kits.

I kept two of my 283's both I modified to be barebulb units with household sync bases.

I sold a huge box of modified 283's this past Winter. Maybe 5$ a piece or less.
I remember a time when a 5$ 283 was a bargain only had at the thrift shop.


Btw. used to be a business that sold optical triggers (Zebraflash...FlashZebra?) I purchased a few of their HH triggers as well as their dedicated Vivitar port triggers and have used them exclusively on my 283/285's with great success. Plus they are orange.. I like orange!

I suppose old habits die hard. They continue to do the job, i can operate them in my sleep and they are cheap as chips. What more could you ask for?

 

[taemo]

Sounds like fun... How did that work out for you, Huss?

Though I have "several" cameras, I chose to bring only the Leica M-D 262 and 35mm Summicron v.1 on this snowy vacation to the Canadian Rockies. A useful choice!

nice, how was the trip?

I was in Moraine Lake on Sunday morning and there was less crowd than the previous week. (larch season is almost done and a lot colder now)

35mm focal length is so versatile for general travel lens but I still like to pack my 21mm and 50mm for specific shots that I long for

 

[Huss]

Sounds like fun... How did that work out for you, Huss?

Though I have "several" cameras, I chose to bring only the Leica M-D 262 and 35mm Summicron v.1 on this snowy vacation to the Canadian Rockies. A useful choice!

I'll soon find out when I get my film back! Weather sucked in Austria, last year later than this time it was glorious.

nice, how was the trip?

I was in Moraine Lake on Sunday morning and there was less crowd than the previous week. (larch season is almost done and a lot colder now)

35mm focal length is so versatile for general travel lens but I still like to pack my 21mm and 50mm for specific shots that I long for

Mostly business but so nice to get out of my regular LA bubble!
I find it very easy to use the 40mm lens, I just frame between the 35 and 50 lines.

 

[taemo]

I'll soon find out when I get my film back! Weather sucked in Austria, last year later than this time it was glorious.



Mostly business but so nice to get out of my regular LA bubble!
I find it very easy to use the 40mm lens, I just frame between the 35 and 50 lines.

Agree, I have the Nokton 40mm 1.4 MC and find that it is a nice in between 35mm and 50mm lens. Also plenty sharp at f4 or f5.6.

Looking forward to see pictures from your trip

 

[Calzone]

I'm not there yet, but I'm hedged with mucho Leica digital, small format film, and medium format film cameras. It took a while to assemble this herd, but one day I figure will be the cull down. A lot depends on if I can build out a darkroom in my retirement.

Know I also leave open the possibility of maintaining my analog and digital possibilities. So far I've avoided camera austerity.

I have a lot of good stuff (film gear) that I acquired used over time that is likely unable to be secured today at good prices. Pretty much I could get my money back or make a profit, but once sold could not or would not be replaced.

As far as being practical, all I need is a wide and a normal, and generally because I don't like changing lenses I prefer keeping two rigged cameras.

Also I have been thoughtful in my lens selections. Certain lenses like My Noct-Nikkor and 50 Lux-R "E60" fit my SL (digital) and Nikon and Leica film bodies. I also have a Leitax adapter so that I can even mount the 50 Lux "E60" on my F3P. M-glass also can be utilized on my SL.

Cal

 

[ptpdprinter]

It is pretty straight-forward. You use what you have with you and get on with the business of creating interesting images.