Is there much of a point in seeking out a better camera?

[Fixcinater]

I would not put up with a Barnack or Barnack derivative for any amount of actual shooting. I wear glasses and it just doesn't work for me. Could I do it if I had to? Sure, but I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as shooting regularly with a decent/modern viewfinder/RF combo.

A Canon 7 is nearly as good as a Leica M in a lot of ways (aside from the blurry edges of the focusing patch) and better in some ways (film door, no spool to lose), and not much worse in most ways. And you can find them for dirt cheap.

 

[FrankS]

Bessa R, Canon 7, and Canon P = ltm

 

[Richard G]

I admire your restraint. I am down to a 50mm lens 90% of the time. This afternoon I am going into the city with a 1932 Leica II and the collapsible Nickel Elmar 50 and Rollei Retro 25. But in the same bag yesterday I had along with it the M9 with a 50. And I love using the TLR and recently I recharged the batteries for my 2002 Nikon Coolpix 4500, best macro of any camera I've tried. Can I add a recent discovery which might be analagous? My eight year old touring bike needed new tyres. Or rather, I thought they ought to be replaced. I was looking for ages for the same trye but couldn't find them: Bontrager, kevlar puncture proof strip, 110 psi max pressure. Instead I went with the local shop's Vittoria Randonneurs max pressure 75 psi and double case puncture resistance. With the lower pressure and the shape of the tyre the ride is even more glorious and comfortable on this steel framed work horse, and the lower pressure does not lead to any noticeable increase in rolling resistance. My message is that change offers up advantages you can't anticipate.

 

[tunalegs]

I wish I had the same restraint with SLRs, I have ten on the shelf a few more packed away! But I realized I only really use three of them with any regularity so I may as well be cautious if I feel like buying rangefinders. I also went through a number of fixed lens RFs years ago, but I haven't looked back.

 

[jsrockit]

It is understood there are many cameras which are better in this or that way - the question is whether they're better enough to be worth paying for.

Only you can decide that. Sounds like it isn't for you and that's a great place to be when it comes to equipment. Outside of ergonomical and G.A.S. concerns, what you want to accomplish with your photography will dictate what equipment upgrades you may need.

 

[Aapo]

I would not put up with a Barnack or Barnack derivative for any amount of actual shooting. I wear glasses and it just doesn't work for me. Could I do it if I had to? Sure, but I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as shooting regularly with a decent/modern viewfinder/RF combo.

Earlier this month loaded my Zorki 1 and sadly have realized how cumbersome it can be with glasses.. FED 2 with couple RF/VF is so different beast but Zorki just needs different approach and I love it too much so it'll stay with me

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi tunalegs,
Your question -getting a "better" camera or not- can be correctly answered with "yes" and with "no"...
You don't really need a different camera, and you like what you have... 1/1000th top shutter speed and LTM lenses are more than enough for great photographs... Enough for any of us and for any master... That, about "no"...
Now about "yes"... With other cameras you could get a few improvements, but you can't get all of those improvements in a single camera... I wish we could! And it all depends on what you like, not on what we like... Less weight comes to mind, and faster shutter speed, smaller size, black body, different internal finder, back door loading, metering, AutoExposure, metal shutter curtains, lower shutter noise, M mount lenses use, etc...
But what you have is great for most situations...
In my case, I'd get one or two more bodies for sure, because they're tools for different things, and because cameras are toys to me and I like playing with them: for example, going out with just one no matter if it can't do everything...
Anyway, as you say you've been about to get another camera, and it has happened more than once, I think a part of you is needing it, and you'd enjoy it, so why not?
In some way at least it would be fresh air for your shooting... Depending on how much you want to spend, there are lots of nice options... A black canonet, a CL, a Bessa, a ZeissIkon, a black M5 with speeds visible inside the finder, great metering, vertical position for carrying, very low sound... It's all about pleasure...
Cheers,
Juan

 

[emraphoto]

limitations breed creativity (or something like that)

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

It's the absence of limits, what in an artist's opinion goes against art, in reference to the whole creative concept behind a new a work of art. I can't imagine Picasso having weak works because of owning two brushes instead of one, or Salgado being unable to express his subjects because of his several cameras.
Using a single camera doesn't mean worse or better photographs.
Cheers,
Juan

 

[shadowfox]

I got the LTM bug years ago, went through a couple FSU then a Leica IIIc.

I finally sold the Leica because my Zorki 1f is just as smooth and almost identical in operation. Then I got a Canon P and to me, it's the most practical, and enjoyable LTM camera. So I stopped looking and just keep using it.

 

[Scrambler]

Regarding the original question, not much for function. If you want to shake up the mix, consider other FSU focal lengths. Then decide whether the Z4 works for you in that context. I haven't owned a Z4 but from owning a range of other LTM cameras, I wouldn't get overly excited by possibilities either.

Remember that the compatibility cuts both ways. Get a Leica and your J8 is now unable to accurately focus either close-up or at infinity. In practice, for slower lenses, it doesn't matter either way. For faster lenses, the J3 if well kept is best value for money.

 

[pgk]

Define 'better'. If what you have delivers results that you are happy with, then its 'fit for purpose'. If you want to move on and the camera limits you then you need to decide what the limiting factors are and how to overcome them and buy accordingly. In my experience, change for change's sake isn't necessarily a satisfying procedure and may produce as many problems as it solves.

 

[Wulfthari]

It's the absence of limits, what in an artist's opinion goes against art, in reference to the whole creative concept behind a new a work of art. I can't imagine Picasso having weak works because of owning two brushes instead of one, or Salgado being unable to express his subjects because of his several cameras.
Using a single camera doesn't mean worse or better photographs.
Cheers,
Juan

I don't remember the name of the famous photographer that in all his career always used a Leica M3 and a 50 mm Summicron because he got confused with lenses of other length and for his the M3 was practical and sturdy enough, he didn't need a better film reload and a 35 mm finder (M4) or a lightmeter (M5) so he never upgraded.

So I don't think there's nothing wrong using just a Z4 in good working conditions, even if it's not my favourite Soviet rangefinder (I prefer the Z6), even if for the sake of variation I would get another different body just to change shooting experience some time.

Remember that the compatibility cuts both ways. Get a Leica and your J8 is now unable to accurately focus either close-up or at infinity. In practice, for slower lenses, it doesn't matter either way. For faster lenses, the J3 if well kept is best value for money.

I think that's a legend or just some borderline specimens in bad condition or "born" in the worst case tolerance: I've three J8 and at least on my Leica IIIb they all focus correctly, same thing for my I-61, same thing with the slower collapsible I-50. I also used several time a J-12 on my M3 via adapter and never had focusing problems, BUT there is some slight focus shift when I use the I-61 on my Canon 7s.

 

[rfaspen]

Well, I didn't notice if tunalegs has given consideration to another camera.

But...I just have to chime in here. I have FSU gear (Zorki 4, Zorki 1, Zorki-C, Zorki-6, Fed-1, Fed 2, Fed 3, Fed-5, Mir, and likely others, along with lenses. J-8, J-3, and J-12 being favorites). I also have Leica LTM (IIIa, IIIf, IIIc, and lenses to go with them). Oh, and I also have Canon LTM (IIf, IVSB, 7, others?, and Canon lenses to go with them). I love them all and enjoy using them. I like being able to interchange all lenses and bodies (except long FSU lenses). However, its like having lots of children, they all deserve your affectations, but so little time.

Now, it doesn't end there; I also have a Bessa-R. That little Bessa has really changed things...

Lens quality, camera reliability, familiarity, and handling make for the complete experience. With that in mind, the Bessa is such a joy to use. It would be the only LTM camera that I would honestly suggest as a genuine improvement to tunalegs current happy kit. And, I would not suggest replacing the Zorki, but giving it a brother/sister. I can also say that I have yet to have a problem using the J-8 on the Bessa. I seem to nail focus with that lens on *any* of my LTM gear, FSU included. Only the longer FSU lenses seem to have any amount of incompatibility leak through...and it's not horrible if you plan for it.

My Bessa-R was $175 a couple years ago. I still see them at the price, occasionally lower. Deal of the decade if you ask me. Yes, it uses a battery (only if you want the meter, but I recommend it). The battery is a widely available, common A76 size. I use silver oxide...everyone should. Oh, and did I mention hotshoe flash? If its of interest...

Now, we will simply not discuss my M Leicas, Rollei, LF, MF folders, Nikon....oh, I have a problem.

 

[kxl]

Life's too short to worry about the little things.

If you have the finances to spare, then scratch the itch and go for a Bessa R to sate your curiosity.

If you have to justify spending money on a camera versus using that money for something else, then it's not worth the purchase.

If you cannot afford it, then it's a moot point.

 

[tunalegs]

I honestly have no interest in the Bessas. I like something with brass and chrome. I've been looking at a few of the different types of Canon rangefinders, but I think for now I'm just going to keep using the Zorki. When I get bored of it, or it breaks I'll spring for a more refined camera.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

The only really good reason I can see to upgrade the Zorki is if you're having reliability issues with it. If it's holding up just fine, you are comfortable with the viewfinder on it, and the ergonomics don't interfere with your making images with it, then I'd keep using it until one of those factors becomes an issue.

 

[nongfuspring]

I've always wanted a Zorki 4, and the Jupiter 8 is a really nice lens. I agree about the Canons being more interesting than the Bessas.

I think you should only buy another camera if you want to take different kinds of pictures - using a TLR, SLR or a P&S etc. I wouldn't bother with upgrading to another LTM if the Zorki is working well.

 

[hausen]

If whether something is worth paying is the only parameter then stick with what you have in my mind. Me personally it is as much about the user experience for me as the result. My favourite users rotate through MM, 903SWC, Nikon F6 and Sony RX-1. Do I need all of the cameras? No. Were they worth paying for? Certainly for me because I love using them all and they are all stellar systems so there are no excuses from the User's point of view. Each to their own I suppose but if you are tempted to look at other systems regularly there must be a desire for something better. Again it is wants and needs. Do you need something better or do you want something better?

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The problem with finding something better, based on sometimes bitter experience, is that finding it can be expensive and time consuming. You have to own and use cameras a while and several rolls of film to find one that's better and often we have to get them repaired and so on.

In your shoes I'd stick to the Zorki, unless you have the time and cash to play around. In your shoes I might just look at a P&S for those times you want a decent camera in your pocket and don't want the weight of the Zorki or any other RF for that matter. Or else, for longer lenses, a complementary SLR.

But if you are happy with the Zorki then stick with it.

And, have you sorted out why you often think about another camera but them do nothing?

Regards, David