What camera would you choose as a special gift?

[TennesseJones]

Someone has very kindly offered to buy me a new camera, to mark a special life event. They like my pictures as well, so rather than a watch or something they have suggested a camera.

So it's something that needs to have a bit of meaning and some sort of longevity I suppose. I could choose anything really I think, within reason.

This is not the sort of thing that usually happens to me, so I throw it open to the RFF panel. In fact I've never bought a new camera, and all the ones I own have been carefully saved for and selected from second hand stock.

For info I use a heavily battered m6, well worn m9 and occasionally a beaten but unbowed nikon f3: all of them well loved.

What do you think?

 

[Rodchenko]

What sort of budget have they in mind?

 

[jsrockit]

What is that one camera you've always wanted, but never got?

 

[defconfunk]

I think jsrockit is right on the money; What have you loved/wanted, but never gotten for yourself? You list all 35mm, so maybe a classic MF camera. I'm thinking a classic Hassy if the budget allows, mostly because it seems to be the spiritual equivalent to the Ms you have.

 

[Roger Hicks]

What sort of budget have they in mind?

Exactly.

And, of course, what sort of pictures does the OP want to take? Personally I wouldn't even look at a Hasselblad (and yes, I've owned and used them), but I'd consider a Linhof. Or a (modern) Alpa. The key word is PERSONALLY.

Cheers,

R.

 

[lynnb]

Think of the images that you've always dreamed of taking. What format/camera/lens would you take them with?

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Hmmm, well; you've a decent CRF and decent SLR and a digital CRF so that suggests you need a P&S from the top of the range stuff, like a Nikon 35Ti or 28Ti or a Leica mini III. Those three P&S seem desirable to this old git*. Or equally nice an Olympus mju-II, because we don't know your budget: but I won't suggest a mint Hermes edition Leica with the three lenses you'll need.

OTOH how about something like Billingham bag for them?

Or to match the Leica a pre-war model II perhaps and some Ilford FP4+.

Or a lens for the Leica M's, or even a FED 1 - they usually come well worn and you seem to like cameras with a few battle honours showing. OK only a joke...

Regards, David

* I'd suggest a Contax T something but had a lot of trouble a while ago discovering no one would touch my Tix when it needed a little attention.

 

[Gary Sandhu]

For longevity I'd recommend a lens - with the nikon and leica you have, you have a wide range of prices.

 

[mfogiel]

This is the famous desert island question. Assuming I would not already have this camera, for me the choice would be pretty straightforward: a Rolleiflex F with the Planar 2.8.
However, this might not be everybody's cup of tea. In 35mm , if you don't fear little electronics, it would surely be an M7, if you do, then an MP. I have excluded digital cameras, as they are basically disposable products.

 

[iamzip]

I can't say for sure why, but for some reason the Rollei 35 sticks out in my mind.

 

[Peter_S]

A black Contax T3.
Why?
- it is a camera a few people buy, but one that most who do, just love;
- its pretty and the best-made camera (OK, that is subjective) I ever owned (which includes an M6 and M7);
- its a timeless classic and perfect addition to whatever the person will buy by their own choice.
- mine was a gift too. All others cameras I owned I had chosen and bought myself...and many I sold again. The T3 will stay.

 

[helen.HH]

Coukdn't AGREE more
Compact, superb rendering, not too Expensive for You to request as a Gift

And Its FILM....sexy Film !

A black Contax T3.
Why?
- it is a camera a few people buy, but one that most who do, just love;
- its pretty and the best-made camera (OK, that is subjective) I ever owned (which includes an M6 and M7);
- its a timeless classic and perfect addition to whatever the person will buy by their own choice.
- mine was a gift too. All others cameras I owned I had chosen and bought myself...and many I sold again. The T3 will stay.

 

[littleearth]

A clean Rolleiflex !

 

[jonmanjiro]

And Its FILM....sexy Film !

What??? Didn't you just buy an M8???

Both Tom A and Helen shooting digital... the world's gone stark raving mad 😱😱😱

For longevity I'd recommend a lens - with the nikon and leica you have, you have a wide range of prices.

Agreed. Get a nice lens to stick on one of the great cameras you already have.

 

[nongfuspring]

I really like luxury point and shoot 35mm, but most are a bit long in the tooth and a growing number of them are no longer serviced by manufacturers. I would go for something either smaller than an M (like a IIIG) or medium format, Rollei in particular. LTM Leicas and Rolleis I would be much more confident in recommending for longevity and long term serviceability.

 

[helen.HH]

What??? Didn't you just buy an M8???

Both Tom A and Helen shooting digital... the world's gone stark raving mad 😱😱😱



Agreed. Get a nice lens to stick on one of the great cameras you already have.

Haha,
You Caught Me 😱 ...Haha on Me !!

Crazy Mad Indeed !!!!
xo- H

 

[furcafe]

I would second this & expand it, as others have suggested, to lenses.

If your benefactor is rich, maybe a Monochrom body? You have a lot of strong B&W work in your flickr stream & website & it would work w/your M9 accessories/batteries.

What is that one camera you've always wanted, but never got?

 

[paulfish4570]

seems you like the 50mm FL, tj, if i remember your gallery photos correctly. with that in mind, i'd suggest a sound ltm, with a sound elmar 50/2.8 collapsible ...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

This is probably the time you want to experiment with medium format. And the camera that comes to mind is a Mamiya 645 with the traditional 80mm f2.8 lens. There's a number of well cared for cameras for sale in the *bay and in KEH, and, given that you shoot 35mm, the format would not freak you out (it's a nice, large negative in rectangular shape).

In fact, were I asked the same question, I could answer it this way: Mamiya 645 Pro, with metered finder and 80mm (or wider) lens. If possible, with grip (just to think about it makes me drool) and film backs (preferably two, but not necessary).

Otherwise, a Nikon RF kit. Sometimes they go for very reasonable prices (outside the auction site, of course). My own Nikon S2 kit was about $520 two years ago, bought from Igor Camera Exchange in Cleveland OH.

In any case, be considerate and take care!

 

[Frank Petronio]

A Linhof 4x5 Master Technika with rangefinder, zoom finder, anatomical grip, 150mm Schneider Symmar-L lens, ten Toyo film holders, Pentax digital spot meter, Silverstri tilting loupe, Harrison Pup Tent and dark cloth, F-Stop backpack.