NicoM
Well-known
Nikon D80 ( Sold )
Canon 5D Mark II
Leica M3
Canon 5D Mark II
Leica M3
zuiko85
Veteran
1969- Minolta HiMatic 9
1970- Miranda D
1971-Olympus Pen viewfinder camera, first model
1972-Olympus Pen F
1974-Fujica ST701
1975-Olympus OM-1 (still with this system)
<big gap>
1989-Olympus OM-1 (extra body)
1990's-more Olympus Zuiko lenses and stuff plus Yashica D and finally a Mamiya C220 w/4 lenses
2000's-odd bits of photo related junk and cameras
2009-first and only DSLR, an Olympus E-410
2010-my retirement present to myself, a Leica M4-2 w/2 CV and 1 Leica lens
2011~2012-more odd bits and cameras given to me or purchased cheap at second hand stores (personal spending limit $5~$20 per camera), whatever strikes my fancy.
1970- Miranda D
1971-Olympus Pen viewfinder camera, first model
1972-Olympus Pen F
1974-Fujica ST701
1975-Olympus OM-1 (still with this system)
<big gap>
1989-Olympus OM-1 (extra body)
1990's-more Olympus Zuiko lenses and stuff plus Yashica D and finally a Mamiya C220 w/4 lenses
2000's-odd bits of photo related junk and cameras
2009-first and only DSLR, an Olympus E-410
2010-my retirement present to myself, a Leica M4-2 w/2 CV and 1 Leica lens
2011~2012-more odd bits and cameras given to me or purchased cheap at second hand stores (personal spending limit $5~$20 per camera), whatever strikes my fancy.
Frontman
Well-known
Nikon FE, F2, F3, F, Fm, FM2, FM3A, S, S2, S3, lenses beyond count.
Canon F1, FTb, A1, AE1P, 7, 7SZ, black paint 7, lenses from 17mm to 50/.095.
Leica D11, 11F, IIIc, IIIa, IIIf, M3 x 3, M4, M4 black paint, M4 MOT, M6 TTL,
Rolleiflex 2.8a, 2.8c, 2.8d, 2.8e,
Pentax 67, Mamiya Super 23, Universal, RB, and RZ. BLack Pentax SV, SL, S2, S3, SP,
Graflex, Toyo, Linhof, Wista
Yashicas, pretty much all, even the Rapide and YL Leica copy,
Olympus Ace, M1, OM1/2/3/4/ti, SP, etc.
Too many cameras....
Next? A black paint Nikon SP
Canon F1, FTb, A1, AE1P, 7, 7SZ, black paint 7, lenses from 17mm to 50/.095.
Leica D11, 11F, IIIc, IIIa, IIIf, M3 x 3, M4, M4 black paint, M4 MOT, M6 TTL,
Rolleiflex 2.8a, 2.8c, 2.8d, 2.8e,
Pentax 67, Mamiya Super 23, Universal, RB, and RZ. BLack Pentax SV, SL, S2, S3, SP,
Graflex, Toyo, Linhof, Wista
Yashicas, pretty much all, even the Rapide and YL Leica copy,
Olympus Ace, M1, OM1/2/3/4/ti, SP, etc.
Too many cameras....
Next? A black paint Nikon SP
Sid836
Well-known
I had started with a Civica RX-7 (if one can call it a camera):
Then, after being a crybaby for a year or so, my dad bought me a Canon A-1!
Then, Canon EF-M with a 50mm EF lens, a Zenit 11, Nikon FM3A, Nikon D70 and now a Nikon D90.
I also have many rangefinders that I use them mostly for fun, not as my primary cameras (Canon A-1 and Nikon D90 are my everyday ones).
Then, after being a crybaby for a year or so, my dad bought me a Canon A-1!
Then, Canon EF-M with a 50mm EF lens, a Zenit 11, Nikon FM3A, Nikon D70 and now a Nikon D90.
I also have many rangefinders that I use them mostly for fun, not as my primary cameras (Canon A-1 and Nikon D90 are my everyday ones).
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I'm all for running lean, but if possible I would really hold on to the M4.
As tough as M cameras are, they do break and of course there is always good old Mr. Murphy lurking out there. There's nothing worse than being without a camera for a few weeks or months while it's getting repaired... I've really been lucky on a few occasions to have a backup body.
Here is another thing to consider.
I also have an M2 and M4 and they are two of my favorite cameras. The M2 is hitting 50 at this point and the prism block in the RF unit is glued with Canadian Balsam.
Cue Mr Murphy.
My nightmare scenario is the camera accidentally getting a good whack, which could result in the balsam giving out and the prism block separating.
The only way to fix that problem is to send the camera to CCR Lutton in the UK, who can recemented the prism for a small fortune. On the other hand the prism in the M4 is cemented with UV cured glue. That glue is synthetic and doesn't weaken with age like the balsam.
Now, I am not a gear polisher and I'm not predicting that the sky is falling. My cameras get used daily. They are used, but not abused and wear their scratches and dings with pride. But that is why I have at least one backup body. Crap happens all the time.
Bill58
Native Texan
My road map is to hold on (and use) to my vintage Nikon SLR and Canon RF gear as long as film (especially B+W) is available at reasonable prices.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
My roadmap is to keep things simple, balanced and as future proof as possible.
Simple:
At this point I really don't need another camera.
I am only adding something for three reasons.
1) A camera needs to be replaced.
2) It's dirt cheap.
3) There is a specific need for a task or job.
Balanced:
Backup bodies in case something breaks.
Future proof:
As time goes by it will become increasingly difficult to get a lot of gear serviced. Parts will run out and service technicians will eventually retire.
Both Hasselblad and Leica in particular will probably service their film bodies for as long as they are in business. That means the V-series and Leica M and most R bodies. You could do a lot worse if that was all you were forced to use for the next few decades.
Nikon will still service the FM3a, F100, F6 and maybe the FM2, F3, F4, F5. There is a guy in the UK that will rebuild an F2 from scratch.
I believe Rollei will service newer Rolleiflex bodies for as long as they are around. About two years ago they brought my badly damaged 2.8GX back from the dead.
Obviously there are some cameras that can be self-serviced, if you have a modicum of technical skills. It should be possible to keep something like a 4x5, Speed Graphic or even a Leica LTM running for a long time.
Simple:
At this point I really don't need another camera.
I am only adding something for three reasons.
1) A camera needs to be replaced.
2) It's dirt cheap.
3) There is a specific need for a task or job.
Balanced:
Backup bodies in case something breaks.
Future proof:
As time goes by it will become increasingly difficult to get a lot of gear serviced. Parts will run out and service technicians will eventually retire.
Both Hasselblad and Leica in particular will probably service their film bodies for as long as they are in business. That means the V-series and Leica M and most R bodies. You could do a lot worse if that was all you were forced to use for the next few decades.
Nikon will still service the FM3a, F100, F6 and maybe the FM2, F3, F4, F5. There is a guy in the UK that will rebuild an F2 from scratch.
I believe Rollei will service newer Rolleiflex bodies for as long as they are around. About two years ago they brought my badly damaged 2.8GX back from the dead.
Obviously there are some cameras that can be self-serviced, if you have a modicum of technical skills. It should be possible to keep something like a 4x5, Speed Graphic or even a Leica LTM running for a long time.
OddE
Recovering GAS addict.
Hm, lessee...
1985 - A hand-me-down Kodak Instamatic (133, I think. Still own. Nice paper weight, even if a bit on the light side.)
1988 - Fuji compact, a DL-15, I believe. Still own.
1990 - Pentax MG (Major Grief) Still own.
1991 - Pentax P30 (Felt great after the MG) Still own.
1993 - Nikon F3 (Press-used, did not get an easy retirement in my hands! Still own & use occasionally)
2000 - Nikon F4 (Still own, use often)
2007 - Nikon D80 (Wondering if this new-fangled digital thingy was anything for me) Since given away.
2008 - Nikon F5, offered for a song and I'd wanted to try one for years. Still my favourite camera for shooting slides.
2008 - Nikon FM, given to me by a colleague who claimed film was dead. Still own. Lovely little work horse.
2009 - Nikon D3 (As everybody were offloading theirs to buy a D3s... Still own, my sole digital camera.)
2010 - Nikon FM3a (Utterly lovable, compact and capable SLR - used almost daily)
2010 - Leica M3 (Owned two - both SS and DS, DS since sold)
2011 - Leica M4-P, since sold to finance the M4 (below)
2011 - Leica M6, thought I'd love having a metered Leica. I was wrong. Since sold.
2012 - Leica M4 - Daily use. I am pretty confident I've found my fav M, and the M3 is quite likely to be sold in the near future.
1985 - A hand-me-down Kodak Instamatic (133, I think. Still own. Nice paper weight, even if a bit on the light side.)
1988 - Fuji compact, a DL-15, I believe. Still own.
1990 - Pentax MG (Major Grief) Still own.
1991 - Pentax P30 (Felt great after the MG) Still own.
1993 - Nikon F3 (Press-used, did not get an easy retirement in my hands! Still own & use occasionally)
2000 - Nikon F4 (Still own, use often)
2007 - Nikon D80 (Wondering if this new-fangled digital thingy was anything for me) Since given away.
2008 - Nikon F5, offered for a song and I'd wanted to try one for years. Still my favourite camera for shooting slides.
2008 - Nikon FM, given to me by a colleague who claimed film was dead. Still own. Lovely little work horse.
2009 - Nikon D3 (As everybody were offloading theirs to buy a D3s... Still own, my sole digital camera.)
2010 - Nikon FM3a (Utterly lovable, compact and capable SLR - used almost daily)
2010 - Leica M3 (Owned two - both SS and DS, DS since sold)
2011 - Leica M4-P, since sold to finance the M4 (below)
2011 - Leica M6, thought I'd love having a metered Leica. I was wrong. Since sold.
2012 - Leica M4 - Daily use. I am pretty confident I've found my fav M, and the M3 is quite likely to be sold in the near future.
icebear
Veteran
Canon AE-1 [sold]
2 Canon T90 [sold]
M6
MP
M3
M9
MM
2 Canon T90 [sold]
M6
MP
M3
M9
MM
Marc G.
film loving student
Olympus OM-10 (borrowed by grandfather, still has it)
Olympus Stylus Epic black (still have it... somewhere)
Sony small compact digital (gave it away)
Canon EOS 600D (sold)
Fujifilm X100 (about to sell it)
Leica M6ttl (still have and love it)
Leica M-E (brand new and love it)
Olympus Stylus Epic black (still have it... somewhere)
Sony small compact digital (gave it away)
Canon EOS 600D (sold)
Fujifilm X100 (about to sell it)
Leica M6ttl (still have and love it)
Leica M-E (brand new and love it)
clachnacuddin
Established
1986 started with a Zenith 11 then
Pentax ME Super & MX
Minolya Hi-Matic 7sII
Gave up photography for years!
Came back with a Canon Eos 650 (Didn't like it)
Pentax Z1
Minolta Dynax 700si
Olympus E620
Pentax K100D
Quite a few other cameras, but these are the ones that got the heaviest use
Pentax ME Super & MX
Minolya Hi-Matic 7sII
Gave up photography for years!
Came back with a Canon Eos 650 (Didn't like it)
Pentax Z1
Minolta Dynax 700si
Olympus E620
Pentax K100D
Quite a few other cameras, but these are the ones that got the heaviest use