One camera!

[FrankS]

I have too many cameras and I'm okay with that.

If there is something in your life causing you grief/uncomfort and you can change it, do so.

 

[presspass]

I don't think I could do it. There are just too many variables. For instance, I was shooting for the local volunteer fire company at a house fire two weeks ago. Not a major incident, but one camera would have required too many lens changes in a less than favorable environment. The light was low, there was some debris flying, and everybody's moving fast. That's no time to juggle lenses.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I don't see the point nor quality of limiting oneself to one camera and one lens.

Peter for me it"s the way I see. No need for anything else.(this is in regards to my personal work) And I find it just the opposite of limiting.

 

[dave lackey]

Whew! It is hot today in the Deep South. I just returned from shooting a roll of Eastman 5222 film of some new art pieces on the square. Nothing exciting but cool to see an active downtown. I hope I can get my mind together to develop said roll of film this weekend,

What I can say without waiting is the F6 is the easiest and fastest camera I have ever used. The AF is perfect for my uses, the VF is magnificent and the handling is very nice, even without a strap. I can also say that not a single person noticed or said anything as I walked for blocks shooting with the F6. I doubt anyone would notice if I was carrying any 35 mm camera. The Rolleiflex would be a different matter though.

Having said that, I can easily live with my M3/M6 for life. Except for that little problem of needing tele lenses for grandkids and their sports. A 50 lens on the M6 just isn't quite what I need. The F6 feels rather small in the hand with the AF 50 1.8. And with the 45 2.8 P, it is really a smaller form. With the AF I really never thought about focusing, just composition and the 8000 shutter speed came in handy.

One can only hope my developing a single roll will produce decent photos.😱

 

[back alley]

for active grandkids get something like a sony rx100...fast af, sharp lens, short zoom and it will fit in your pocket...and then keep the leicas!

 

[Darthfeeble]

Boys and girls require toys. Look at history. Say what you want about their utility, beyond one is a toy. Toys don't require justification, have as many as you want. As long as your obligations are being met what's the problem?

 

[Canyongazer]

As much as I enjoy and am inspired by the members' pictures threads these "Words/No Pictures" discussions are wonderful....I love to read and appreciate the different points of view. A lot of thoughtful, articulate contributors out there.

I, too, enjoy having different cameras for different reasons but, in the digital world at least, there is a rather large drawback, at least for me:
Going from one camera to the next to the next means I'm forgetting how to operate some aspect of each and often hesitate, sometimes for a looong time. ("Where's the color balance? "Photometry ON/OFF?" WTH is photometry? how do I format the card?" etc.)

Remember when, if you could operate one brand/model camera you could pretty much operate them all. "Focus, aperture, shutter speed," done.

Yes, it's possible to minimize menu diving ... minimize but not eliminate.

I am considering advice from previous posters and keeping the Nikon 800e (like Keith, I have a lot of Nikon lenses, plus the IQ is so good....)
That plus two identical Fuji X bodies and I should be set. Or so I say today....🙂

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Seriously, one camera? No. When I take photos of family members I have one camera for B&W and one for color. (We are talking film cameras. With a digital an M240 would suffice but $7k+ is out of the question.) A third camera for those days in the pool, ocean, boating, etc. Here is where the Nikonos V comes in. Even with an M240 you would still need one for diving, snorkeling. Then there are those days with the kids in sports...autofocus, motordrive. The Nikon F4 was right on for focusing on track events, baseball, etc. With a lesser camera autofocus was too slow. Then, of course, there will be the times when the camera goes to the shop for repair. There were years when I got through with one camera and 3 lenses but when I had the money I moved to a second camera, and on and on.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I don't see the point nor quality of limiting oneself to one camera and one lens.

And that's great for you Peter and the way you work and you might feel that one camera/one lens is limiting and for you it certainly may be. For me, when talking about my personal work, it's B&W an a 35mm F/L. Finding equipment that matches the way you see and the way you work is what it is about. And for me at this point in time it's an MM and a 35mm lens.

That certainly does't mean this is right for anyone else but me though other photographers have had similar experiences. Ralph Gibson prefers a normal F/L. A Lot of photographers prefer say a Rolleiflex and an 80mm lens. There is no right or wrong answer here so find what works for you but I am not limited in any way for my choices.

I own several cameras but for my personal work for the past 2 1/2 years it has been one camera/one lens.

 

[kxl]

Going from one camera to the next to the next means I'm forgetting how to operate some aspect of each and often hesitate,...

This... 🙂

 

[dave lackey]

if You really must then I would keep One Film and Your X1

it would be crazy to part with the X1...its such a damn good, effortless digi to use
🙂

Absolutely!!! The X1 stays! It really is complicated simplifying so it will be interesting to see how it evolves. Thanks, Helen.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes, one camera in the past, which wasn't really used by my parents.
I'm using it today. And not just this Saturday.
It is the only camera I like to keep. To use... It is different now, what it was in the past. No reason to emulate it n the present.

 

[dave lackey]

The film camera short list:

1. Nikon F6 - the most versatile and capable
2. Nikon FM3a - the most fun
3. Leica M3/6 - the most "soul" and correspondingly character results

Without grandkids, a manual focus camera would be all I need. At least until my eyes can no longer do the job. Until then, I would be hard pressed to do anything else but stay with the Leica kit. The lenses are giving me exactly what I want in final results.

But then the FM3a is so easy and effortless to use with results that I am finding to be perfectly wonderful.

Nikon FM3a with 45mm 2.8 P lens and Acros 100:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101926&d=1428400487

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101927&d=1428400649

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101928&d=1428400776

If I only have one camera, then the F6 "should" be it.

But...😕 ... I have an idea!

 

[FrankS]

I'd keep all 4 cameras mentioned above.

 

[Frida]

I don't see the point nor quality of limiting oneself to one camera and one lens.

It just feels natural. I like knowing how the camera will react in different situations, how things will be framed, and being able to focus more on what I want to shoot than what I'm going to use to shoot it. Lots feel differently, of course.

 

[Frida]

And if you were very Rich, would you ask yourself "why all these Ferraris?"? I know I wouldn't.

I personally don't try to go minimalist at all cost. Because I'd end up giving away an unneeded Kidney to charity as well.

If I were very rich (and compared to the rest of the planet, I am!), I'd still stick to one car, and it wouldn't be a Ferrari. To be honest, my minivan is my dream car, and I already have it!

 

[noisycheese]

@Dave,
If you really want to commit to one camera, I would say keep your M3. If you have a 50mm and a 28mm or 35mm lens to go with it, you are covered for the majority of photographic situations and subjects.

JMHO.

 

[Out to Lunch]

airfrogusmc....as long as you are happy with your current set-up, good on you. It' s not for me but that's beside the point. Cheers, Peter

 

[GaryLH]

I'd keep all 4 cameras mentioned above.

+1

To me u have 2 worthwhile pairings.
- F6 should pair very well w/ fm3a
- m3/6
I would initially start w/ the idea of keeping both sets.. Over time, u may decide differently, but to me this represents a good usage range.

Gary

 

[dave lackey]

+1

To me u have 2 worthwhile pairings.
- F6 should pair very well w/ fm3a
- m3/6
I would initially start w/ the idea of keeping both sets.. Over time, u may decide differently, but to me this represents a good usage range.

Gary

You guys stole my idea!🙂

The M bag has a fully mechanical backup to the exquisite M6.
The N bag has a fully mechanical backup to the superb F6.

M camera(s) for most things from documentaries to portraits.
N camera(s) for everything including macro to tele.

The X1 will be my bride's camera with user privileges for me.😛

All other gear goes into a bookcase for display and sharing with family and friends.

Down the road, things can always be changed as needed.

Positive result:
I need only think of RF or SLR, pick a bag and go. Gear will be checked and exercised frequently over the course of the year and seasons.
Just two bags. Simple enough and takes up little space. This is about as close to one camera as I can get for the moment as I hate using RFs for those things they where they do not excel like field sports and macro.

Horses for courses.