what will it be?

[back alley]

let us suppose that you have made the decision to commit the next full year to creating images.
not that you haven't been serious up to this point but now your soul is moved to focus all your energy and creative juices toward the single goal of image making.
for this exercise you must choose one camera and one lens...can be film or digital...primes or zooms...any format...

so tell me, what might you choose?

 

[pechelman]

the exact choice in gear isnt hugely important so long as it lets you focus on your project. E.g. taking an 8x10 view camera to do "decisive moment" street photography or a fuji camera with only 2 batteries to a polar region to do long exposures arent really ideal.

One can accomplish almost anything with a 28, 35, or 50. Pick one or two and forget about it. Digital is obviously more convenient.

 

[Timmyjoe]

A photographer I respect was looking at my work and mentioned I should shoot with a 35mm (in full frame/film) more often (a focal length I never felt comfortable with, I'm a 28mm-50mm guy). So for the past month and a half I've been shooting exclusively 35mm (full frame /film) and am learning a lot.

 

[rfaspen]

Does it *have* to be just one camera and lens?

I'm currently trying to focus on one project and I find it useful to use more than one camera and lens. The project is "Scientists" and aims to show people doing science (scientists) as it really happens. Trying to dispel the myth that scientists are stiff, uppity, nerdy men (yes, I excluded women there) with horn-rim glasses and white lab coats. Of all the images, only one such person that looks anything like that: a woman in a genetics lab. She has the white lab coat, but the glasses are stylish and she's....well... not a man.
The upshot is, I find myself using lenses in the 90mm, 50mm, 35mm, 28mm, and 21mm focal lengths that match the kind of image I want from each scientist. The camera is mostly one digital, but about 25% of the time its film; again to match the kind of image I want. The focused energy is definitely on the project, not so much the gear.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[cz23]

I'd be inclined to take the experiment one step further (for me) and shoot film, something I've not done in ages. So Tri-X, pretty much any M, and my ZM 35. I think it would be a good year.

Are you asking hypothetically or is this your plan for the year?

John

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Good point! Where is taking of images and creating images.

My creative image making kit for few years now is with M4-2 and 35mm lens on it. For my own limited and sloppy exploring of creativeness, which is within bw film as media and darkroom prints as final results.

I was trying other focal lengths and formats. Minox, MF, LF, Polaroid...Always ending by trying, selling it.

I'm keeping few digital cameras for more predictable, less creative, but guaranteed results I have to get in focus. For taking of images. Now I'm thinking of digital RF just as one the the tools for it, but with more soul in it and technicalities matching how I see it around.

But it is M4-2 and 35mm lens I feel free and comfortable to get to the groove and have some funk.

Poutine for food and lith for prints foreva! Ko.

 

[BillBingham2]

For digital I'd choose either a Fuji X100T or Fuji X70, odds are I would go with the X100T.

If film was a must I'd go with a Fuji GS645.

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

I'd be inclined to take the experiment one step further (for me) and shoot film, something I've not done in ages. So Tri-X, pretty much any M, and my ZM 35. I think it would be a good year.

Are you asking hypothetically or is this your plan for the year?

John

both!
i find myself 'day dreaming' about one camera/one lens quite a bit...i also want to start an "abstract" project...
i'd love to use a leica monochrome with a 24/25 mm lens or just keep at it with my fuji xe2 and 16...

 

[cz23]

both!
i find myself 'day dreaming' about one camera/one lens quite a bit...i also want to start an "abstract" project...
i'd love to use a leica monochrome with a 24/25 mm lens or just keep at it with my fuji xe2 and 16...

I'd say go for it. What's one year out of your photographic life?

(I've got a nice Monochrom and Voigtlander 25 I'll sell you. Seriously.)

John

 

[back alley]

I'd say go for it. What's one year out of your photographic life?

(I've got a nice Monochrom and Voigtlander 25 I'll sell you. Seriously.)

John

i'd have to sell all my gear to fund the new kit...not sure i want to do that...

 

[Darthfeeble]

For me, the M9 and 28 elmarit. I'm actually thinking of selling off some of the other lenses as this is the combination that I use a good 90% of the time.

 

[ramosa]

While I have had different Leica RFs and assorted lenses over the past eight years, I am now down to just a M6 Classic and Cron 50 v5. So there's my answer.

 

[FrankS]

What would happen Joe, if you get through a month or so and realize you've chosen the wrong gear?

 

[kxl]

I went birding last week for the first time in a long time, and I had forgotten how much fun it is. So if I had to commit to one body and one lens, then it would be the combo that best suits birding. Right now, that means my D800e and Nikon 200-500/5.6. However, I do plan to buy a D500 (for greater reach) later this year.

Wood stork (Mycteria americana)

 

[daveleo]

If film and processing were magically free, I'd shoot the Minolta MC 50mm/f1.4 on (probably) an X700 body using Tri-X.

Digtial, I would use my XE1 & 35mm/f1.4. (If someone gave it to me, I'd use an X-Pro2 instead).

 

[mervynyan]

this is just an excuse to change gears-🙂

 

[Pfreddee]

For me, I think I've found The One, a Canon F-1 (Old Style). I've wanted one for decades and finally found one with the 50mm /f1.4 FD lens. Film? I'm leaning toward Ilford FP5 or Delta 100. Subject? Around Buckingham County, Virginia, where I live. The Canon looks like it's going to live up to its billing: built like a tank, weighs as much as a tank. It's a winner for me. My default lens is 50mm, but I also really like 40mm as well.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

PS: is there some kind of award or star or ribbon when I hit 400 posts?🙄

 

[rfaspen]

I'm surprised at the number of responses advocating just one body and one lens. Unless its a zoom lens, I would find that much too limiting. I could probably be pressed to just one body, but that would take some of they joy out of photography.

Still, I do get the idea of keeping it simple with the kit that you most "connect" with, both for the handling and use, as well as the images that result. Many would say the image is "king" in this equation.

And then, as hinted by Keith, I have wide interests in life. That includes birding for me as well. So of course I have a complete other camera setup mostly for that (birding). I feel pretty lucky to be in a position to have different cameras and lenses to suit my flakey lifestyle...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I wouldn't choose. I refuse to limit myself arbitrarily. You shouldn't either, Joe. You're a good enough photographer that you don't need to do that to yourself.

 

[back alley]

What would happen Joe, if you get through a month or so and realize you've chosen the wrong gear?

smoke a lot of dope?