If you want to take good pictures use one camera lens combo

Definitely something to be said for it, I would sometimes like to only have my Rolleiflex, and use it exclusively. But then I think I need a smaller camera I can more easily carry about, so I got a Rollei 35. Then I think I need a wider lens, so I get a Horseman Convertible. Then I end up with an Olympus OM2n in a trade.

I'll end up with another 4x5 camera soon I'm sure.

I like the idea of only having one camera, but I really like cameras though, which is a problem. For me I think the key is to just try to keep a lid on the number I own, and try to ensure as little overlap as possible, so I'm not wondering what to take with me anywhere, it's just an obvious choice.
 
If it works for you, stay with it.
I pretty much agree with the op, let's say 90% agreement level.
I use the x100 about 90% of the time , but I need other lenses too in some cases for
specific shots.
I am thinking of a variation of Pareto's (sp?) Law : 90% of success is accomplished by 10% of your toolkit.
 
Hey I did my year 😀 so im now free to buy gear as I please. I think I need a d800 for studio use.


I was just thinking to myself about how much I learned by just using one camera. This post was originally just going to be a tweet but I thought I would elaborate.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135072

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135072

It looks like a change of heart! OP😀
Personally i own way too much, most were gifts..
A friend has only ever shot with his Leica M and 50mm Summicron.
Since the 1980's. Black and white only except for a few color assignments.
To watch him work, to see the images later..Magic. Bliss.
No DSLR with all the lenses would work for him.
I use one camera, daily,mostly. Freedom is precious..
No being a porter, no logistics of gear. No heavy bags..
In an age of market driven photography equipment,
with camera of the month, it's a brave concept.
 
Last edited:
koven said:
Hey I did my year 😀 so im now free to buy gear as I please. I think I need a d800 for studio use.


I was just thinking to myself about how much I learned by just using one camera. This post was originally just going to be a tweet but I thought I would elaborate.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see.
So the one year thing is just a delayed strategy to get a D800 in the end 🙂

Pretty smart!
 
I'm a big fan of using one camera/lens *at a time*. Meaning, I'll go out with my X100, or M6 with 50/1.5, or X-Pro1 with the 18, or Mamiya 7 and 80/4, and explore that combo for a time.

Then I'll switch to something else tomorrow.
 
The one camera, one lens thing is about reducing complexity. At least that's the way I see it.

Choices I have to make when I see a subject to take an image of with my CL-CronC-Combo:
- point of view
- aperture
- shutter speed

Choices with my DSLR with a zoom or any other digital camera with multiple focal lengths:
- point of view
- focal length (which itself depens on the POV and vice versa)
- ISO
- aperture
- shutter speed
- EV compensation

One single and simple camera with one single focal length enables you to concentrate on the image you want to take. For me life itself is complex enough, so I like to reduce complexity whenever I can.

As a result, I use my DSLR when I'm in "documentation mode", eg. family gatherings or some events at work. And I use my Leica CL for the "fine art mode", when I go out just having fun taking images.
 
I'm taking soccer pictures for my oldest daughter's team this morning. I'll not be shooting the X100 much, but I do agree with the general point of view expressed. I usually only leave the house with one camera/lens. The exact combination may vary, but mostly 35mm equivalent lens/camera.
 
"One camera, one lens" for a period of time is an excellent learning exercise. It removes distractions, forces you to be creative in seeing, and can teach you a lot of things about what you can do with a camera that are beyond what the camera can do for you. I've done this exercise many many times, for varying periods, and always come out of it with a refreshed vision and sense of purpose.

For some, it can become the central theme to their photographic aesthetic, and the way they prefer to work all the time. My photographic interests are a bit too broad to go that far with it, although the thought is always appealing to me. I like the way different cameras see, and like to change what I'm doing based on how another camera or lens sees too often, to stick to the "one camera-one lens" aesthetic for too long at a go.

I'd suggest to anyone that they give it a shot and see how it goes. It often allows you to discover things about your photographic vision, and about your abilities as a photographer, that you didn't realize before.

G
 
It's a romantic idea to use one camera and one lens but I am with Godfrey. I do far to many things to limit myself like that. My kids play soccer and and my bread and butter is landscape work.
If you limit yourself for years with one lens and then are thrown into a situation where you need to do something else you might find it difficult to have to learn to say, use an ultra wide, on the fly.
You will be a far more versatile photographer if you can use and understand different cameras, lenses and techniques.
 
It may be a week of coldmeds-induced delusion, but have not most of us actually sorta' done this already?

At least in my case, prior to the 'net and the stupidly easy access to the goods (lots for fractions of what they used to sell for) and the articles to support why you absolutely have to have them ... I had one camera and one lens for 20 years.

Hell, here in my bed, soaked in sweat and between shivers -I could select the kit du jour and have it shipped overnight for free in fewer keystrokes than it took to pound this out on my iPad.

Not sure where I am headed with this. Back to coma. Carry on.
 
burancap said:
It may be a week of coldmeds-induced delusion, but have not most of us actually sorta' done this already?

At least in my case, prior to the 'net and the stupidly easy access to the goods (lots for fractions of what they used to sell for) and the articles to support why you absolutely have to have them ... I had one camera and one lens for 20 years.

Hell, here in my bed, soaked in sweat and between shivers -I could select the kit du jour and have it shipped overnight for free in fewer keystrokes than it took to pound this out on my iPad.

Not sure where I am headed with this. Back to coma. Carry on.
Click to expand...

Hey, feel better soon Jeff!

G
 
I can see the wisdom of one lens, one camera if your main interest is in one particular genre of photography. In my case, I am mostly doing street, so a 50mm (or thereabouts) is often all I need. The OP is, judging by his website, doing mostly street/people in their environment type photography. So that concept works for him. But it is not only the limitation to one focal length, but really getting to know one's camera that's important. The more you work with one lens/camera combination, the more intuitive you become. To use a cliche, that combination becomes an extension of yourself. That may not only result in more good pictures, but that feeling of being "in the zone" may also result in feeling more satisfied with the entire process.
 
A typical lineup for me:

M3/21mm/f4 Tri-x @ 1600
IIIf/50mm/f2 Tri-x @ 400
Canon 7/50mm/f1.4 Portra @ 400

That is actually not too bad to carry, and it covers the bases pretty well.

However, I truly believe in the one camera - one lens philosophy .

(I am a pretty lousy Catholic too.)

Randy
 
I have two 35mm film slr's, lately I have been using my Mamiya NC1000S, its light and the lens are on the small size. With a 28mm and 50mm plus camera I only need a vest or windbreaker. Over the past 2 years I sold off lots of gear, and managed not to buy something else. It had become a problem for me on deciding what to take, and I even started second guessing while out.

David
 
these threads pop up all the time
it's worth trying, but i don't think worth preaching. i don't think the OP was. i use all kinds of cameras and lenses, and am glad i have the options. i agree with whoever earlier said one camera/lens for that day.
 
Like burancap and David Hughes, above, I went for 20 years with one camera and one lens. It worked out okay - I certainly got to know what the camera and lens could do.

It has long-since been time for me to move on to greener pastures, though, and I have.

Using one camera and lens is certainly valuable as a beginner's step, or as an educational step. Once that step has been taken, going back to it is not really necessary. It would be like putting training wheels on a bicycle again, wouldn't it?
 
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