One camera, one lens?

[boojum]

Agree, in my case the X100F.

They have a great track record and most folks with them are happy. The effective full frame focal length is ~35mm, I believe. That can be wide at times.

 

[Archiver]

Thinking about it, the one camera one lens option depends on a number of things. You want an optimal blend of camera body, lens quality and characteristics, operation and file quality. This will be different for everyone. You want a camera that you feel pleasure to use, a lens that makes you want to take photos, files that please you, and a process that is appealing to you, whether it's slow and methodical or instant.

I've shot with numerous cameras over the years, and the closest that I've come to a OCOL is the M9 with Distagon 35. I already had and loved the M9 for 10 years, and when I acquired the Distagon, that lens was glued to the camera for ages. I don't think I took the Distagon off the M9 for at least a year and a half, which is unheard of for me. I could go on trips and use it as my primary camera/lens combination, with a compact as backup. Walking out the door? M9 and Distagon. Lunch with family? M9 and Distagon. Stills camera for documentary work? M9 + Distagon.

The M9 has a number of limitations, including poor high ISO performance, the need for manual focus, and rapid buffer filling. But the quality of files produced by the M9 and Distagon 35 were like nothing else I'd had, which made it incredibly compelling. I love the way the M9 feels in the hand, the feel of the lens, and the way it shoots. Even the SL2S doesn't give me the same feeling - it's still a super camera, but just different.

What eventually stopped me from using the M9 plus Distagon as sole/main camera is my need to record video. There have been any number of times that I've been so keen on using the M9 that I simply haven't shot any video, which I've regretted later on. Having a usable video function in the same camera that I use for stills is a huge benefit. So now I use the SL2S with a number of lenses, usually either the Distagon 35 adapted, or the Summicron 35 SL ASPH.

The other possible OCOL is the Ricoh GR. I love the GR series for their image quality and ergonomics, but I've had bad experiences with their mechanical longevity. I'd still use them if it wasn't for that.

 

[Dogman]

To quote Nobel laureate Robert Zimmerman (AKA Bob Dylan), "It ain't me, babe!"

I can't do it. For years as a working stiff I was pretty happy with whatever pro model Nikon was making at the time. But even then I strayed...Leica, Olympus, Mamiya and a couple of 4x5 models. When I retired from being a pro and discovered the joy of being an amateur, it was a wonderful life. No more demands, no more requirements. Whatever I wanted to do, Do It! So I play with cameras and lenses. None are perfect but all can bring joy. I find a lot of that joy just in viewing the image on the screen on the camera. More in viewing it on the computer screen. And if someone would build a reliable and affordable and durable photo printer, I could once again find joy in viewing a beautiful print on high rag content matte art paper done with pigment inks. But I've given up on that last one.

If I absolutely had to, I could probably muddle through with one camera/lens combination. Mike's solution of an X100 is a good one. Fuji makes great cameras and excellent lenses. But then I would want another 35mm lens instead of the Fujinon, just for something different to try. Maybe a Voigtländer or Zeiss or Leica. Nope. Can't do it.




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[Bob Michaels]

This was the last camera I bought new. It was back in the '70s. Actually, the only camera I bought before that was a Canonet G3 QL 17.I photographed with that AE-1 for years.

I have recently bonded with is a run-of-the-mill, not worth much to anyone Canon AE-1 (and not even the Program version) with a 50/1.8 lens

 

[38Deardorff]

To quote Nobel laureate Robert Zimmerman (AKA Bob Dylan), "It ain't me, babe!"

I can't do it. For years as a working stiff I was pretty happy with whatever pro model Nikon was making at the time. But even then I strayed...Leica, Olympus, Mamiya and a couple of 4x5 models. When I retired from being a pro and discovered the joy of being an amateur, it was a wonderful life. No more demands, no more requirements. Whatever I wanted to do, Do It! So I play with cameras and lenses. None are perfect but all can bring joy. I find a lot of that joy just in viewing the image on the screen on the camera. More in viewing it on the computer screen. And if someone would build a reliable and affordable and durable photo printer, I could once again find joy in viewing a beautiful print on high rag content matte art paper done with pigment inks. But I've given up on that last one.

If I absolutely had to, I could probably muddle through with one camera/lens combination. Mike's solution of an X100 is a good one. Fuji makes great cameras and excellent lenses. But then I would want another 35mm lens instead of the Fujinon, just for something different to try. Maybe a Voigtländer or Zeiss or Leica. Nope. Can't do it.




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Dog, I'm not selling off my small group of cameras....but i do go out with typically one camera & lens..... even on travel trips (flight or road) I don't take the kitchen sink....
And Mike's suggestion is a good one....but that doesn't mean he's only got one. Being in Japan he's always the first one we hear about with the latest Voigtlander Cosina offering. So are we talking about owning or using. Back in my university days i only had an M4 with a 35mm Summicron....for years.

 

[Perkeo Vaskar]

Dog, I'm not selling off my small group of cameras....but i do go out with typically one camera & lens..... even on travel trips (flight or road) ii don't take the kitchen sink....

I need to discipline myself in this regard. I find myself grabbing "just one more bag," then end up with three or more cameras (and lenses for each) stuffed in my car.

 

[Pioneer]

Over the years I've chewed on this issue like a dog on a good bone. I have gone through a lot of cameras and a lot of lenses but I have never solved it. Let me know when you do. 😀

I think the closest I have ever come with a rangefinder is the Leica III and Elmar 50.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have always pretty much photographed all day with one camera and one lens. And, I tend to use that one camera and one lens pretty much every photo day with few exceptions. That combo has been Canon AE-1 / 50mm f1.8, Canon F-1 / 35mm f2.8, Contax G / 35mm Biogon, Bronica SQA / 65mm. Mamiya 7 65mm. ZI / Zeiss 35mm f2.0, and now Fujifilm XT-1 / originally 19mm f2.0 but now 23mm f2.0. I have never hesitated to set out on a day of photography using the camera of the time. When I shot film, it was either Neopan 400. Tri-X or HP5 which I used the same. I would simply buy 50-100 rolls at a time when the price was right.

Basically, I seem to be more into photographs than cameras. So I just pick one combo and learn how to use it in just about every occasion. That way I never am stuck with the wrong lens or the wrong film.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

This will probably nauseate some people but my one lens one camera solution would be the Fujifilm X100VI.

As an all around camera It gets the job done. And, done well!

View attachment 4873962

All the best,
Mike

The x100vi is also on my list of ‘possibles’. I had a couple of the earlier iterations and loved them.

 

[jpressman]

I think you could find a Leica Q2 for a "reasonable" price. I got a great deal on one some months ago and am very happy with it. Pretty much the only camera I use since I got it. I use the 35mm digital zoom and it puts the 35 frame lines in the viewfinder, very similar to a rangefinder where you can see outside the frame. It's plenty fast enough and the images are great, and very flexible. I think the lens is the is wonderful. Definitely worth a look-see.

 

[besk]

I have a Sony mirrowless but if I can't record the image on film I am not very interested. That's just me.
One camera, one lens - I could get by with a Nikon of some sort and a 40 or 45mm lens.

 

[deadrangefinder76]

Franken Leica M34DaZ6 + 28mm Canon Serenar 3.5

 

[Hans Berkhout]

D-Lux 4 with spare battery and spare card, LR4

and other options, it just depends.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Not sure a 23mm f/2 on a APS-C body ( X100V etc. ) will bring back that glorious look of a 50/1.4 on 135 film.
I remember your Wabi-Sabi Xpro-1 days . Perhaps the Voigtländer 40/1.2 on the ZF will get you even closer.
Rarely using digital these days, but the VM 40/1,2 on a M10 always hits the right balance of minimal carry and character when I want color.

 

[Ken Ford]

I think you could find a Leica Q2 for a "reasonable" price. I got a great deal on one some months ago and am very happy with it. Pretty much the only camera I use since I got it. I use the 35mm digital zoom and it puts the 35 frame lines in the viewfinder, very similar to a rangefinder where you can see outside the frame. It's plenty fast enough and the images are great, and very flexible. I think the lens is the is wonderful. Definitely worth a look-see.

That is exactly how I have used my Q2M for three years, and that good experience led me to recently buy a Q2 as a color body. There are times I question whether I still need my digital M bodies, the Q2 is that good.

 

[JohnWolf]

That is exactly how I have used my Q2M for three years, and that good experience led me to recently buy a Q2 as a color body. There are times I question whether I still need my digital M bodies, the Q2 is that good.

Ken, as an M user you’re good with the EVF? I’ve never looked through one, but that’s what gives me pause.

 

[Ken Ford]

Ken, as an M user you’re good with the EVF? I’ve never looked through one, but that’s what gives me pause.

I absolutely love the EVF!

 

[boojum]

We have a listing of what various people think would work. They are right, their lens - camera combos would work. You have to be happy and comfortable enough with your gear that you don't think about it but just shoot. If you are not comfortable it will show. And do not worry about winning the Pulitzer, I already did. LMAO

 

[Archiver]

What's interesting is how opinions and tastes change over time when exposed to new gear. For example, I once thought that if I got a 5D Mark II and a 35L, I'd never need another camera.

5DII - Spice Market by Archiver, on Flickr

This was because my previous cameras were tiny sensor compacts and an aps-c DSLR, and the thought of a full frame camera thrilled me no end. I bought a Mark II body that separated the body from the 24-105 kit lens, much to the consternation of my dealer who expressed doubt about my plan. Sure enough, I was back in another few weeks and bought a 24-105 because I missed the 17-55/2.8 on my 30D. For the next year, the 5D Mark II with 24-105 and 35L went everywhere with me - not exactly a OCOL, but close.

5D Mark II - Southgate Of The Past by Archiver, on Flickr

Let's not bring up the various compacts I toted at the same time, like the Canon G10 and Sigma DP1. The 5D Mark II wasn't an OCOL after all. I even tried to make it more compact by getting the Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 SL II. It was fun, but manual focus on the 5D was patchy at best. The following year, I got a M9, and found myself switching lenses regularly, often during the day. No OCOL until the Distagon entered my life.

M9 - Early Edition [explore 2024 07 11 #175] by Archiver, on Flickr

 

[Jamie Pillers]

This will probably nauseate some people but my one lens one camera solution would be the Fujifilm X100VI.

As an all around camera It gets the job done. And, done well!

View attachment 4873962

All the best,
Mike

The x100vi is also on my list of ‘possibles’. I had a couple of the earlier iterations and loved tgem

Not sure a 23mm f/2 on a APS-C body ( X100V etc. ) will bring back that glorious look of a 50/1.4 on 135 film.
I remember your Wabi-Sabi Xpro-1 days . Perhaps the Voigtländer 40/1.2 on the ZF will get you even closer.
Rarely using digital these days, but the VM 40/1,2 on a M10 always hits the right balance of minimal carry and character when I want color.

you remembered Wabi Sabi! Amazing memory.