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

msbarnes said:
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.
Click to expand...

If I HAD to do one body/lens, I'd do an M4 with a 50mm Nokton f/1.1 and probably Tri-X or T-Max 400. I'd rather do a 35mm Nokton f/1.2 (v1) and a 90mm Summicron tho. Not much you can't cover with that combo.
 
Any of my film Leica bodies would do fine (CL or M4-2).
Any 35 to 50 mm lens, f/2.8 or faster.
Ilford XP2 Super for the most flexibility.

Either that or get more extreme and do it with the Voigtländer Perkeo II or Balda Baldix. Tri-X or Ilford XP2 Super again.

With either of them, you can't cheat on the lens ... 🙂

G
 
Leica M6TTL ~ Summilux-M 50 f1.4 ASPH ~ Kodak Porta 160


. . . . . so many and too many options, the configuration could change easily right up to the time of making an actual commitment to only use a single camera and lens for a year.

Good luck with your decision if you go with the new blog!
 
A number of members here have done such an exercise, IIRC. A year is a long time to limit oneself to one camera, one lens, and one film, but I think it can be a useful exercise in self-discipline and, as you say, seeing what you can accomplish photographicall using vintage gear.

So if I were to do something like this, I would choose one of the following three combinations:

Leica IIIc, CV Skopar 50/2.5, Tri-X

Leica M2, Canon 50/1.5, Tri-X

Leica M4-2, Minolta Rokkor 40/2.0, Tri-X

I currently use each of those camera/lens combinations, but it would be interesting to drill down and see what I could do using just one combination for an extended period. I choose Tri-X not b/c it's my favorite bw film (I actually prefer Plus-X and TMY) but b/c of its versatility: I can shoot it from 250 to 1200 and get good results.
 
grapejohnson said:
Canon New F-1, FD 28/2, HP5
And, going the extra step, D-76
Click to expand...

Make that the FD 35-105 f/3.5 and I'd agree - that was the best 35mm travel kit I ever had. Second option: Fuji GA645Zi. Third: Makina 67. Fourth: Contax IIa and 50/1.5

Nikons and Leicas always worked best as a system for me - something felt missing whenever I used them one camera, one lens. Probably a matter of habit more than of the cameras or lenses themselves.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom