If you went back to film - what camera ?

[filmdood]

I own a Minolta AL rangefinder film camera that -- for me -- beats the two Leicas I used to own, a 3f and an M2r. Solid. A 45mm f2 lens, shutter to 1/1000. One lens only. I don't like using other lenses on a rangefinder. Too distracting. Then there is my new (to me) Rolleiflex. Two lenses only. I'm off to Joshua Tree next week with these gems.

 

[Out to Lunch]

-- Leica M6 or M7 and/or Zeiss Ikon ZI
-- Nikon FM3A or Nikon F6

 

[splitimageview]

Plenty of variety, film cams are essentially free rentals since they don't depreciate: various fixed lens RFs, Barnacks and clones, F100, and current fave: Pentax ME Super which still has the clear plastic on the baseplate and looks absolutely new. What a tiny gem with a superb viewfinder.

 

[lynnb]

I might be holding a Nikon F, IIIc or an OM1... and a Perkeo II in my pocket 🙂

 

[BW400CN]

Never really stopped shooting film - but if I had to reduce to one cam or now should start with a cam it would be my Kodak Retina IIIs.


Kodak Retina IIIs
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Igls Bobbahn
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Ötztal
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Schloß Ambras
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Schloß Ambras
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Cafehaus Spielereien
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Innsbruck
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


Innsbruck
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr


shopping
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
​

 

[kshapero]

I love my RF's. I love my Nikon's, but I just discovered the Pentax MX. You must check it out. Oh my.

 

[Nokton48]

I love my three Plaubel Makiflexes. They are fun to use and I have adapted about thirty different lenses to fit these. Gratiying to collect and use.

A trio of Plaubel Makiflexes by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[newspaperguy]

Canon P, OM2n, Bessa L w25/4 or one of a pair of FSUs (Kiev II & Zorki 1d).

For years I would have said Rolleiflex*, but these old bones are getting tired.
I've downsized my digital to an Oly C-5050Z and a Canon G5... small enough to carry, big enuf to hold on to. Plus - they both have VIEWFINDERS!

*Only downside to the Rollei, aside from their bulk, is unless you do your own processing, you're out of luck. With 35 mm, even B&W is as close as your neighborhood store.

Recent G5 shot:

 

[raid]

I love my three Plaubel Makiflexes. They are fun to use and I have adapted about thirty different lenses to fit these. Gratiying to collect and use.

A trio of Plaubel Makiflexes by Nokton48, on Flickr

This is a rare sight indeed! What type of lenses can be adapted to such cameras?

 

[Vics]

I'd go straight back to my M3 w/coll 'cron. sigh...

 

[Nokton48]

This is a rare sight indeed! What type of lenses can be adapted to such cameras?

Large format lenses (these cameras go from 35mm to 4x5"/9x12cm film). Schneider Xenars, Tele-Xenars, Symmars, Tele-Artons, Componons, Xenotars, G-Clarons etc. Also have complete sets of Rodenstock Imagons (soft focus), Apo-Ronars, and some other rare process lenses

Here are a few of them

My collection of Makiflex Lenses. by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[f16sunshine]

Inspired by a few threads skirting this question .....

If digital stopped existing 😀 and in place of your current digital camera(s) there was an equivalent pile of cash in your bag, and if we caught up to you shooting pictures next week, what camera body would you be holding?

In my case, probably a "user grade" Leica M6 loaded with Tri-X (my long forgotten friend). "What lens?" I'd have to think more about.

All cameras. I like them all.
Right now it's really about the Hexar AF, Canon Eos 630 and RT with 50mm and 100mm, and most of all The Fuji GF670 😀

 

[FrozenInTime]

I know my answer is unimaginative but ; the small size and exquisite handling make the film leica M bodies such a pleasure to use.
The M-A with the collapsible 50/2.8 lens did it for me - outstandingly minimalist and understated.

 

[littleearth]

A Pentax 67 + 105mm obviously !

 

[splitimageview]

Here's a size reference...what's really impressive is how huge the viewfinder is. Shutter is highly damped and quiet, the MX is more of a clack.

 

[MV72]

Rolleicord Vb and Leica IIIf
or
Nikon FE2 with 28; 50 and 105 plus Voigtlander Perkeo II for 120 film

Well I have them all already...And use them.

 

[zuiko85]

Well, having not ever left film then just what I have now. That is Olympus OM and Pen F for half frame.

 

[Jay Decker]

Went digital and then came back hard to film. Today I shoot 8x10, 5x7, 4x5, MF, and 35mm. Love them all, but the most keeper prints come from MF work. The MF comes out more than the LF cameras and the tonal quality is better than 35mm. And, there are many great and affordable MF choices today.

 

[robert blu]

Without thinking too much I think I'll go back to the two camera/system I have and frequently, hmmm now not so much use: M7 and Nikon FM2. Lenses? 35-50 on the M7 and 20-50 on the FM2.

robert

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Barely shooting digital as it is and the digital camera I possess is on loan so there wouldn't be a pile of money there. That said, I'd use my F2, F3, pair of Mamiya 6s, Retina IIa and maybe even pick up my Leica M4 a little more.

Phil Forrest