Steve M.
Veteran
Anything w/ Leica or Nikon written on it.
What would you consider a rugged camera ?
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Guess what? I'm whooping out the Chinon Memotron CE-II again!
Stepless shutter from 1/1 to 1/2000th, all mechanical speeds if the battery runs out.
Paint job as nice and tough as a Black Paint Leica M, full brass top and bottom plates. Hotshoe, exposure compensation, double exposure switch, AE lock, and M42 lenses on the thing.
HA! Try to beat that 😀
EDIT: almost forgot: wide open focusing and stopped down metering with ALL M42 Auto lenses. Like the Fujica cameras had with Fujica lenses, only then with all brand Auto lenses.
HA! HA! 😀 😀
Stepless shutter from 1/1 to 1/2000th, all mechanical speeds if the battery runs out.
Paint job as nice and tough as a Black Paint Leica M, full brass top and bottom plates. Hotshoe, exposure compensation, double exposure switch, AE lock, and M42 lenses on the thing.
HA! Try to beat that 😀
EDIT: almost forgot: wide open focusing and stopped down metering with ALL M42 Auto lenses. Like the Fujica cameras had with Fujica lenses, only then with all brand Auto lenses.
HA! HA! 😀 😀
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nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
I would say that my Nikon F2 is one tough camera and my FE has seen a bit of action too...
tightsqueez
Well-known
In terms of ruggedness, there are so many factors to consider; one camera may be better suited to a particular environment while others may not and vice versa.
Personally, I own some damn rugged cameras given what they have endured.
My M6 and M7 have been through two Iraq deployments, with over 500+ combat missions. Many of those missions lasted 16 hours or more, some stretching into the 48 hour mark.
When I picked up an M8 early March of 2007, it arrived in Iraq and lasted one stinking mission! Easy fix; sent it back for replacement and continued using the film M cameras. Luckily for me Leica sent me the "combat" version of the M8 and to this day that thing has been solid as a tank. Overall, I think me and that camera had been blown up over 20 times. And that doesn't even include just the usual soldiering wear and tear, not to mention the dozen times it's been dropped within a 25 ton armored vehicle. Hey, sometimes manning the crew served weapon (our main gun up in the turret) was more important than worrying about dead weight with the red dot on it!
I wouldn't think twice - I'd take another into combat. But if I was to go to Iraq or Afghanistan again, I'd be dumb not to pick up an M9.
When I got home I picked up a Canon 5D Mk II (just for fun). During a walk with it and the M8, it began to rain like nothing I've seen before... and I was an hour away with only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Figuring what the heck, I said to myself, "Let's see what these can do." After half an hour of downpour the Canon lost all control of the rear controls, minus the preview button for some odd reason. About the same time the M8 did the same thing except when you hit the preview button it cycled through all the images so fast you couldn't tell what they were. Both cameras still worked and captured images just fine. After 45 minutes the Canon died completely (batteries were fresh). I was able to shoot with the M8 until I arrived home and took out both cameras' batteries and let to dry.
So while there are some rugged features of many models, Leica is king in my house. And by the way... That Canon has now been in Iraq for the last six months and is doing just fine.
Personally, I own some damn rugged cameras given what they have endured.
My M6 and M7 have been through two Iraq deployments, with over 500+ combat missions. Many of those missions lasted 16 hours or more, some stretching into the 48 hour mark.
When I picked up an M8 early March of 2007, it arrived in Iraq and lasted one stinking mission! Easy fix; sent it back for replacement and continued using the film M cameras. Luckily for me Leica sent me the "combat" version of the M8 and to this day that thing has been solid as a tank. Overall, I think me and that camera had been blown up over 20 times. And that doesn't even include just the usual soldiering wear and tear, not to mention the dozen times it's been dropped within a 25 ton armored vehicle. Hey, sometimes manning the crew served weapon (our main gun up in the turret) was more important than worrying about dead weight with the red dot on it!
I wouldn't think twice - I'd take another into combat. But if I was to go to Iraq or Afghanistan again, I'd be dumb not to pick up an M9.
When I got home I picked up a Canon 5D Mk II (just for fun). During a walk with it and the M8, it began to rain like nothing I've seen before... and I was an hour away with only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Figuring what the heck, I said to myself, "Let's see what these can do." After half an hour of downpour the Canon lost all control of the rear controls, minus the preview button for some odd reason. About the same time the M8 did the same thing except when you hit the preview button it cycled through all the images so fast you couldn't tell what they were. Both cameras still worked and captured images just fine. After 45 minutes the Canon died completely (batteries were fresh). I was able to shoot with the M8 until I arrived home and took out both cameras' batteries and let to dry.
So while there are some rugged features of many models, Leica is king in my house. And by the way... That Canon has now been in Iraq for the last six months and is doing just fine.
filmfan
Well-known
"combat" M8 ? Care to elaborate?
You have some excellent shots on your flickr page by the way.
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Roger Warren
AddlepatedWight
70mm Combat Graphic
70mm Combat Graphic
Introduced in 1953 by Graflex, the 70mm Combat Graphic fulfilled a longstanding goal of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Lab. Since World War II, the Signal Corps had worked to develop a camera specifically for military needs. After specifications were released to camera manufacturers, Graflex assigned Hubert Nerwin, formerly of Zeiss Ikon, to the task. Following several prototypes, his result was a large, rugged, spring motor-driven rangefinder camera that produced 5.5x7cm images on 70mm roll film and shot ten frames in six seconds.
70mm Combat Graphic
Introduced in 1953 by Graflex, the 70mm Combat Graphic fulfilled a longstanding goal of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Lab. Since World War II, the Signal Corps had worked to develop a camera specifically for military needs. After specifications were released to camera manufacturers, Graflex assigned Hubert Nerwin, formerly of Zeiss Ikon, to the task. Following several prototypes, his result was a large, rugged, spring motor-driven rangefinder camera that produced 5.5x7cm images on 70mm roll film and shot ten frames in six seconds.
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Frank Petronio
Well-known
Rugged could also mean "disposable" in which case I'd load up on a bunch of old user Nikon F3 bodies and a rack of Olympus Stylus point & shoots. They're great values and just as capable as any other 35mm. For digital a handful of blister-packed generic >$100 8mp P&Ss would be just as good.
The toughest camera I know of is my daughter's 4-yr old Fisher-Price 640x480 digital. Absolutely bulletproof.
Seriously though, I think a Nikon SLR will be more reliable than a Leica RF in the here and now but it will ultimately fail with a hazy mirror box or fried electronics/LCD. The Leica will last forever but requires regular and preventative maintenance.
The toughest camera I know of is my daughter's 4-yr old Fisher-Price 640x480 digital. Absolutely bulletproof.
Seriously though, I think a Nikon SLR will be more reliable than a Leica RF in the here and now but it will ultimately fail with a hazy mirror box or fried electronics/LCD. The Leica will last forever but requires regular and preventative maintenance.
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raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
Something I remembered.
Not that long ago eg. in the eighties to early nineties, the US funded ASEAN countries which in turn provided material and training to the resistance forces in Cambodia (the Funcinpec, KPNLA but not the KR) against Vietnam. The early attempts at providing the Cambodians with cameras did not go down well as many of the film were prematurely exposed due to incorrect handling.
I saw some of the snapshots, it was most interesting, the soldiers would be in camouflage carrying the AK-47, but most of them wore rubber slippers and not boots. The belief was that stepping on the landmine with Slippers would result in amputation to the ankle and not to the knee had the unfortunate person wore boots instead.
I actually took a couple of photos in '96(?) of the refugee camp near Aranyaprathet at the Thai-Cambodian border. I shot this with a OM-10. Let me search for the photo.
Not that long ago eg. in the eighties to early nineties, the US funded ASEAN countries which in turn provided material and training to the resistance forces in Cambodia (the Funcinpec, KPNLA but not the KR) against Vietnam. The early attempts at providing the Cambodians with cameras did not go down well as many of the film were prematurely exposed due to incorrect handling.
I saw some of the snapshots, it was most interesting, the soldiers would be in camouflage carrying the AK-47, but most of them wore rubber slippers and not boots. The belief was that stepping on the landmine with Slippers would result in amputation to the ankle and not to the knee had the unfortunate person wore boots instead.
I actually took a couple of photos in '96(?) of the refugee camp near Aranyaprathet at the Thai-Cambodian border. I shot this with a OM-10. Let me search for the photo.
GoneSavage
not actually
My Pentax LX is the most reassuring camera I have owned. I feel like I could take it anywhere without worrying for a moment. Just Last week I had it around my neck for three straight hours while tobogganing in the middle if the night; the thing was covered with snow and ice from several falls, and took a few impacts as well, but never stuttered for a moment.
Upon bringing it inside, the camera iced over in a matter of seconds. I couldn't hold it without gloves it was so cold, yet the advance remained smooth and the shutter and meter worked seamlessly. Made me proud a little.
Upon bringing it inside, the camera iced over in a matter of seconds. I couldn't hold it without gloves it was so cold, yet the advance remained smooth and the shutter and meter worked seamlessly. Made me proud a little.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
The ultimate in rugged cameras:
I'm told there were documented cases, during WWII, of Kodak Medallists being used as weapons -- presumably, in self defence, since a camera would not be an obvious weapon of choice -- without damage.
I'm told there were documented cases, during WWII, of Kodak Medallists being used as weapons -- presumably, in self defence, since a camera would not be an obvious weapon of choice -- without damage.
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Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
gm13
Well-known
The Canon F1N and the 1VHS, are well built, rugged cameras but the Nikonos V is just a tank. The housing is thicker material, aluminum or magnesium and as an aside, it is the quietest film camera I've heard.
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
"...but the Nikonos V is just a tank. The housing is thicker material, aluminum or magnesium and as an aside, it is the quietest film camera I've heard..."
I just checked up on the Nikonos. It uses scale focusing, isn't that quite difficult underwater and does that make it suitable more for wide angle lens ?
I just checked up on the Nikonos. It uses scale focusing, isn't that quite difficult underwater and does that make it suitable more for wide angle lens ?
gm13
Well-known
Yes apparently it does. The wide angle lenses are reportedly the ideal for underwater. I don't dive (yet) but do sail and am around salt water frequently so it seemed a logical choice for those applications. The other reason was street photography in the rain with impunity, which the amphibious 35/2.5 does well and with ease.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
In Nepal in the early nineties my Canon AE-1 Program flew out of my belt case when I slipped over at the top of a very steep slope of iced over snow with the odd rock jutting through. The camera cartwheeled and bounced it's way several hundred meters downwards before reaching the bottom where I rescued it none the worse for wear!
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Morry Katz
Established
Re Larry Burrows. When Mr. Burrow's remains were found in VIet Nam a badly damaged Leica M3 was found with him. Both were returned to the US. Life magazine confirmed that the Leica had been issued to Mr. Burrows, according to the still visible serial number.
Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Canada
Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Canada
daveywaugh
Blah
I think that's the best analysis Frank. An FM2 is about as good as it gets 'in the field' but I'd imagine after a decade of heavy use it would be almost a throw-away item. A Leica M3 say or Hassy 500cm with regular maintenance should last a lifetime.
toylas
Newbie
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Always interested to see samples of documented cases where cameras are used as defensive weapons. Having handled a couple of Medallists, I'm sure the weight is convenient to bludgeon someone into submission, but personally I feel some of the mechanics are too sensitive for that kind of abuse, even if it was nicknamed the 'Tank'....
The Argus C-3 is an indestructible 'Brick' in my opinion 😉
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