What camera?

[Bill Pierce]

I have no idea why, but I’ve gotten a lot of questions as to what brand cameras I use. No problem, but this is not an endorsement. Good pictures are taken with all kinds of cameras.

In the studio and for commercial work, which is not that often and mostly portraiture, full frame Canon DSLR’s and an 8x10 view. The Canons are also used for fast moving action. In the old pre digital days, most of my non-studio work was done with Leicas - 3 bodies with 3 different lenses, a back up body or two in case of theft or breakdown, and a body or two in the shop getting cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. That’s a little expensive with Leica digitals; so, I traded in my digital Leica for the Fuji X-Pro. Image quality was more than acceptable for my work. I wasn’t that impressed with the bright line finder on the X-Pro in dim light. Today I use several X1 and X2’s with Leica accessory bright line finders in the accessory shoes. I was more pleased with the X-100s bright line finder and the X1 and X2 with Leica bright line finders than I was with the X-Pro, which is now my emergency back up body.

I looked at Fuji looking for an affordable multi body system with a bright line viewfinder similar to those on a Leica. The one thing I didn’t switch was my collection of Leitz bright line finders which slip into the accessory shoes of a lot of cameras.

I certainly would like to hear what other rangefinder photographers are doing when they go digital. Face it; digital Leicas are a bit expensive.

 

[gilgsn]

Hello,

I went from M4-P to X100S, but the M4-P is still my favorite. I only have one lens for it, a Color Skopar 35. Now I wish for a Leica lens. The X100S is very good, but digital doesn't render skin tones like film.

Indeed Leica digitals are too expensive. I could have bought an M8, but they are old for a digital camera, and the electronics and sensor could not be repaired if broken. Too much of a risk. I can still get my IIIc fixed, but the older digital models if they break are expensive paper weights...

If I was to do any work, I would get a Nikon D3 on Ebay, since I have an F3 and can swap lenses.. But photography is a hobby now. I also love my Pentax 6x7!

Gil.

 

[helen.HH]

I have 'settled' down with an M6 for the Majority of my shooting
for Digital a Leica X1 with a leica 35mm VF...The leica X1 is Compact and a simple no frills easy to access & use menu

 

[Lss]

Indeed Leica digitals are too expensive. I could have bought an M8, but they are old for a digital camera, and the electronics and sensor could not be repaired if broken. Too much of a risk.

They are expensive.

A Leica M8 can still be serviced in case of most failures. Even if it could not, it would still be my preferred choice. Once I upgrade, it will be for a newer Leica or a true functional alternative that is not yet on the market.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

I've owned M6 and M6TTL Leicas but gave up on those bodies as I never really took to the loading system. As a long-term SLR user, I am much more comfortable with that style of film loading. Therefore, I've gone to a Bessa R4M with 21mm/f4 and 35mm/f1.2 CV lenses.

As I also enjoy shooting digital, I went with a Fuji XPro-1 with 18mm/f2 and 35mm/f1.4 which, if you take into account the crop-factor, "fills in the gaps" as they are the equivalent of 28mm and 50mm. I just take whichever kit I think is most suitable or that which I fancy using on the day.

My other rangefinder is a Hasselblad XPan + 30mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses. It's a bit of a niche product but I'm getting into the pano format and these lenses are stellar, if a bit slow.

 

[rybolt]

I'm using the X Pro 1 cameras with Fuji, Zeiss, Leica and Nikon lenses.
In the last firmware update on the X Pro 1 cameras Fuji added a feature that allows the ability to preview exposure in manual. Since that update I've been working in manual exposure and using the EVF. It's basically changed the way I approach photography and made it much more enjoyable to me.

 

[jsrockit]

I've gotten over it... I use many cameras; Sony A7r, Olympus E-M1, Ricoh GR, and Fuji X-Pro1... they all work well for something or other. I've learned to adapt.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

and an 8x10 view

- sweet!

Once I was asked for pictures from local Remembrance Day event, but they didn't took it because it was b/w film... I continue to do it digitally and in color after it.

I have Canon FF for portraits, reportage and Canon cropped sensor body for long distance and macro. Once they quit, I'll have another more advanced, but second hand FF DSLR.

No desire for modern non-DSLR cameras due to their hardware and firmware issues. If I need digital picture for my personal use - iPhone and free apps on it.

 

[Mcary]

After using/trying a couple of Leica M film cameras and a Fuji X100 I finally settled on a Leica M8. Sure its old and outdated but it meets my needs and that all that really matters.

 

[cz23]

I parted with my Leica digital gear a few years ago. It felt like too large an investment for my relatively modest hobbyist needs.

Now I'm pretty content with an X-Pro and XF35 and a GR. I rarely have a need beyond 28 and 50, and they also cover the need for full size and small bodies. That kit in an Ona Bowery bag and I'm good to go.

I sometimes think I could split the size and FOV differences and get by with an X100S only, but I'm too enamored with the GR.

And I'm working hard to keep my focus on the creative aspects of photography, rather than on gear.

John

 

[willie_901]

For a variety of reasons important to me, about two years ago I decided to adopt the Fujifilm X-system. Right now I'm using the X-Pro 1 as I used RF cameras and Nikon FX DSLRs for gigs. I only own Fujinon XF lenses now.

Essentially the X-Pro 1 replaced my Zeiss-Ikon ZM body, a couple of Zeiss M lenses along with a couple of Voigtländer LTM lenses.

I tried M4/3 and a D200/300 before acquiring my first Fujifilm (X100). Since the X100, I never looked back.

 

[back alley]

i'm currently using a couple of xe1 bodies along with a few fuji lenses.
i enjoy using them, i have confidence in the gear and like the image quality i get from it.

 

[robert blu]

Beside my M7 which was my first Leica and it is not used very much now I bought three year ago the leica x1: not perfect but small, simple with a good image quality. Now if I only could fix that rubber ring in the Leica viewfinder!
Thinking about a Fuji x something in a future because more versatile
robert

 

[Addy101]

With my EOS system I use mainly my EOS 1DsII - great camera, but a bit heavy. As my light take along system I use a Sony NEX F3 with EVF, love my Sigma 19mm and Sony 50/1.8, the jury is still out on the Sony 35/1.8; for the missing FL I have a MD-NEX adapter.

But the camera I use most is my Sony A900. I love the handling, it never gets in the way. Using those wonderful Minolta primes and G-lenses gives wonderful results. So, it is my favourite camera.

 

[kshapero]

I bought a Fuji X-Pro1. I give it a B+ coming from a long time rangefinder shooter. Since I am mainly a B+W guy, I usually shoot Ilford XP-2 on my M3 with my 21, 50, 90 setup. My Leica Brightline VF for the SA 21mm will never leave me.