Tool or toy ?

Spider67

Spider67

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OK some we use because we need them....but some for the sheer love of feeling them, hearing their shutters work etc.

So which of your camera is a tool and which of it is rather a toy?

Here's my list

Tools:

Nikon FM/Contaflex IV/FG (let's batch them together so no one will notice)

Bessa R

Olympus 35 RC (has nearly replaced the Retina as a backup cam)

Retina IIc

Kiev 4AM (but only thanks to the great lenses! will soon get replaced by a Kiev 5)

Toys:

Zorki C (althogh a strong pretender for tool!)

Zorki 4/4K

Fed 3 (once a tool but now there's some banding)

Leica IIIc (it's the rangefinder patch)

Moskva 5

Moskva 4

Pentax auto 110 (cute, good...but oh my the films!)

Zenit C

several Retinas of prewar vintage

Caution! If a cam is an FSU it doesn't automatically make it a toy!:angel:

regards from Vienna and curious for your choice!

Des
 
Er, I think of all mine as both - they are "toys" in the sense I could manage with just one or two but they are tools in the sense that they all get used, at least sometimes, for taking pictures. I have my favourites of course!
 
wolves3012 said:
Er, I think of all mine as both - they are "toys" in the sense I could manage with just one or two but they are tools in the sense that they all get used, at least sometimes, for taking pictures. I have my favourites of course!
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I am not a pro, so technically all of my cameras are toys. Hobbies are nothing more than play for adults. But if a "Tool" is defined as "a camera used for regular picture taking" and "Toy" is "a camera used infrequently", here's my list:

Tools

SLRs:
  • Cosina 4000S (a.k.a. Vivitar 420/SL)
  • Praktica MTL3
  • GAF EL-ES (a.k.a. Chinon CE Memotron)
  • Olympus IS-300 (a.k.a. IS-30) (fixed zoom lens SLR or ZLR)
Rangefinders:
  • Kiev 4
  • Petri Computor 35
Point & Shoot, prime lens:
  • Konica Big Mini F
  • Olympus µ-II (a.k.a. Stylus Epic)
  • Pentax PC35 AF-M SE (how's that for a convoluted model name?)
  • Yashica T3 Super
  • Nikon L35AF2
Point & Shoot, zoom lens:
  • Pentax Espio (IQZoom) 140
  • Olympus µ (Stylus) Zoom
  • Konica Revio Z3 (APS)
MF Folders:
  • Zeiss Ikon Nettar
Digital Point & Shoot:
  • Canon A80


Toys

SLRs:
  • Mamiya DSX 1000
  • Minolta Vectis S-1 (APS)
  • Praktica PL Nova 1
MF SLRs:
  • Kiev 6C
  • Kiev 60
Rangefinders:
  • Rollei 35XF
  • Yashica Electro 35 GSN
Point & Shoot, prime lens:
  • Canon AF35M (a.k.a. Sure Shot)
  • Canon AF35MII (a.k.a. New Sure Shot)
  • Canon Top Shot (a.k.a. Sure Shot Supreme)
  • Konica MT-11
Point & Shoot, zoom lens:
  • Canon Prima Super 135 (a.k.a. Sure Shot Z135)
  • Olympus Superzoom 80G
MF Folders:
  • Franka Solida II
  • Agfa Isolette III
  • Moskva 2
MF "Toy Camera":
  • Agfa Isola I
I have written the ones in italics that might get upgraded to "Tool" category after repairs/CLA or because of a simple desire to use something else for a change. Some cameras would be downgraded to the "Toys" category in turn, but I don't know which ones, yet.
 
Tools:
1938 Leica Standard
1964 Kiev 4

Toys:
FED-4 (sluggish rangefinder tab/arm)
Voigtlander Brillant TLR (unreliable back cover)

Roadtesting:
FED-2 (seems useable, just avoid the 1/60 setting)
1953 Kiev 2 (uncertain shutter, possible CLA required)
Zorki-4K
Zeiss Ikon 850/16 "Coffee can" TLR (next in line for testing)
Holga 120N (no, seriously, this could end up in the "Tools" list)
 
Thanks for your answers.
Just to clarify: "Tool" means those are cameras you would use because you need reliable results. "Toy" means that you harbour a motherlike affection for i´t ("I know it has ist shortcomings but deep inside it's agood camera). By the way I sometimes refer to a camera as "she" which made a reapirman who handed me my cam say: "Here's your bride". That led to the Moskva being "The Russian Bride" and the 35 RC "Zhe Geisha"....but that's another story perhaps the next poll will be "Bride or Geisha?"
 
shadowfox said:
You are my hero :D (on being Done).
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Yes; I felt almost ashamed for my long list of cameras after reading HSI's very short list. My only solace is that I know some people could post even longer lists :D
 
Hello.....

Hello.....

Dr. Strangelove said:
Yes; I felt almost ashamed for my long list of cameras after reading HSI's very short list. My only solace is that I know some people could post even longer lists :D
Click to expand...

my name is Des and I have a habit of amassing gear under ridiculous pretexts!
 
Dr. Strangelove said:
I am not a pro, so technically all of my cameras are toys.
Click to expand...

This about sums it up for me as well. If I were a pro I'd likely list other stuff, which I don't have. Occasionally I may sell the odd pic, but that doesn't make me a pro.

"Tools":

Nikon F3HP, two F2s and a bunch of lenses.
Hasselblad 501CM w/ 80 and 150
Hasselblad SWC
Super Ikonta B


"Toys":

Leica M2 and M4-P w/ 35,50,90, and 135mm lenses ( I wear these to impress the girls on my street )
Olympus XA
Certo 6
Super Ikonta Cs ( a small selection)
Moskva 2,4 and 5. (another small selection in various stages of decomposition)
Very nice Welta Welti

Vincent
 
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