one camera, one lens, one film: what would you choose?

[msbarnes]

I want to do something like this.

I'm thinking of a Leica IIIc/IIIf + 35mm Summaron + tri-x.

I'd like to use this combination to show to people that you don't need the latest and greatest to produce good pictures. I thought about a Rolleiflex Automat but I think those images are too static (from the way I focus/compose atleast).

So if you were to use a camera/lens/film for a year, which would you use?

EDIT: It doesn't have to be a camera you own. If you want an MP + Noctilux, then that is fine. My reason for doing a blog isn't for technical quality.

 

[Spanik]

Fuji G690BL + 50mm + Provia 400X

But I would never do that as not using the right tool for the job is just too frustrating. Whatever combination you select you are going to run into situations you just can't take a photo because there are only bolts and nuts and you brought only a hammer.

Like your selection, how are you going to convince people that you can take good macro's or do some sport or wildlife shooting?

 

[msbarnes]

yes I agree with what you are saying.

I won't do macros, sports, or wildlife shooting 🙂

My intention is to use this for day-to-day shooting: a mix of street, landscape, and candid portraits. Nothing planned, really.

 

[pschauss]

Zorkii 1/ Industar-22/ Eastman Double-X (shot at ISO 650 and developed in Diafine or shot at 250 and developed in Rodinal).

 

[msbarnes]

One of the blogs that intrigued me was actually this one

http://rollei35andpolypanf.blogspot.com/

(by RFF member petronius)

My plan is to use one primary camera/lens/film for a year and blog about only that settup. If I want to use other cameras/lenses/films then I would use them, but just not include them for my blog. So I'm not really going to do this purely. I'm mostly interested to hear what you guys would use and possibly why.

 

[L Collins]

M6, 35 of your choice, HP5.

 

[TennesseJones]

M6, 50 f2 (hex because that's what I have. M6 ditto!) tri-x...

In fact for quite a while I did use just this.

 

[msbarnes]

Hypothetical is fine. I don't even have an LTM body or any glass. I sold a bunch of my stuff so I may pursue them, perhaps.

I mean, even if I were to have access to an MP + Noctilux, I would find that boring, you know?

I find blogs with not-so-easy cameras the most interesting, like the Rollei 35 + Polypan F. I mean, who uses an f3.5 scale focus + ISO 50 film 🙂

This would also be an excellent way to curb gas for a year...

 

[Peter_Jones]

Rolleiflex 3.5F , Planar, not sure of the film - but a slow to medium speed.

 

[Vics]

Nikon FM, Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4, Kodak Gold 400.
EDIT: Just 'cause that's what I'm mostly shooting these days.

 

[zuikologist]

Olympus 35SP - auto or manual, excellent finder, stellar lens, everyday usable.

 

[ferider]

Hexar AF + TMY.

 

[Bill Clark]

Leica M 4

Summicron 50mm

Ilford FP4

 

[redisburning]

for me legitimately only one lens ever means that it has to be a 50 macro.

so I guess an fm2n and a ZF 50/2 MP or an OM1 and a zuiko 50/2 on acros or velvia 50.

oh who am I kidding give me an MP and a 50 Lux ASPH please 😀

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Nikon F4, Tamron 35-210mm, FP4.

...well, you did ask 😀

 

[redisburning]

oh you want a challenge in that case a super graphic, tmax 100 and a 135mm tessar.

boy I would have fun doing that and trying to adapt it to all of my usual shooting lol.

 

[bobkonos]

Leica M6TTL 0.58 and 28mm f2.8 Elmarit-M with Ilford HP5 film, all of which I have and use as such.

 

[Pioneer]

M6 - Sonnetar 50/1.1 - TMX100

M6 - Sonnetar 50/1.1 - TMX100

I am doing this right now. I started on February 27 but took two days out to test a Leica Monochrom rented from Lens Rental. So I am now 3 weeks in.

I am using the Leica M6, the MS Optical Sonnetar 50/1.1 and Kodak T-Max 100 film. I am hand rolling this film and have enough to shoot a touch over 50 rolls before I buy more. I'll make that decision when I get a bit closer but so far, to be honest, the problem is more with me learning how to use my equipment than with the film.

I am currently developing in Rodinal 1+100 for 20 minutes, agitating for 30 seconds every 3 minutes. Based on recent results I seem to be getting a bit more contrast than I would like, so I may reduce my agitation to about 15 sec every 3 min and see how it works out.

So far I am finding that I don't really know as much about photography as I thought at the beginning (probably a holdover from my cocky digital days.)

I actually prefer to use my Contax II and IIIa rangefinders but I am trying to stick as closely as possible to the recommendations that Mike Johnston published in his post in the On Line Photographer back in 2009. His premise was that there were a number of cameras that could work for this project, but with a Leica you could never say that your problems were the result of the camera.

I do have to say that my very first hurdle has not been the camera, rather it is trying to photograph springtime in black and white! But, I am sticking to it and it certainly is making me use my imagination. But I would certainly accept any suggestions from the peanut gallery on how to photograph spring this way.

 

[bgb]

Nikon F

50mm f 2

Tri-X

Funny thing is I have an F on the way to me now ;] one of the early ones with the clip on meter. Could be a good time to try getting back to basics. The light meter will be dead so I need a small hand held meter and I want to try to use my brain to judge metering as well.
That means developing my own film too something I haven't done in a while, could be an exciting year.

Are you going to actually do this or is it just thinking out loud?

 

[tonyramos]

m6, 35mm summicron, tri-x

have been using tri-x almost exclusively for the past 40 years and still couldn't say i have mastered it. oh well.