Bill Pierce
Well-known
What’s your dream camera? I’m pretty satisfied with the cameras I have, but I dream.
For me, my dream camera would be a camera that takes my stockpile of M mount lenses, a collection that started a long, long time ago. For now, I use a Ricoh GXR A12, an affordable APS C sensor camera that accepts M mount lenses. It is unique in having a sensor that deals with the problem of vignetting and loss of resolution in the outer areas of the frame caused by the steep angle of the edge rays from a short focal length rangefinder lens. Of the cameras available, it does, by far, the best job in the image quality department of handling M lenses on a non Leica body.
I love that camera and dreamed of the day that Ricoh might make it even better with a full frame version or the addition of a bright line or built-in eye level finder or a better high ISO or a sensor with more than 12 Mpixels. (There, I’ve said it. I don’t mind focusing manually.) But, with the acquisition of Pentax by Ricoh, my dream camera will probably remain a dream.
So, do you have a dream, a dream camera?
For me, my dream camera would be a camera that takes my stockpile of M mount lenses, a collection that started a long, long time ago. For now, I use a Ricoh GXR A12, an affordable APS C sensor camera that accepts M mount lenses. It is unique in having a sensor that deals with the problem of vignetting and loss of resolution in the outer areas of the frame caused by the steep angle of the edge rays from a short focal length rangefinder lens. Of the cameras available, it does, by far, the best job in the image quality department of handling M lenses on a non Leica body.
I love that camera and dreamed of the day that Ricoh might make it even better with a full frame version or the addition of a bright line or built-in eye level finder or a better high ISO or a sensor with more than 12 Mpixels. (There, I’ve said it. I don’t mind focusing manually.) But, with the acquisition of Pentax by Ricoh, my dream camera will probably remain a dream.
So, do you have a dream, a dream camera?
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
From the title I thought it wasn't restricted to gear, but to answer that specific question I'd say...my current setup !
Leica MP black paint .58, 35mm Summicron ASPH
Leica MP black paint .58, 35mm Summicron ASPH
Mcary
Well-known
Well since we're dreaming I'd really love to have one of those 20x24inch Polaroid cameras 
giulio stucchi
Well-known
Mike, don´t forget to dream some polaroid film material to go with the 20x24 camera
edge100
Well-known
My dream cameras already exist. I just have to figure out a way to obtain them, and to find the time to use them.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
I too would love a more affordable M mount option as I too enjoyed the GXR. I'm happy with my M-E and would probably never know about the Leica as an option if I hadn't owned a GXR.
daveleo
what?
I don't actually have a dream camera. My photographic dream is that my . . . .ummm . . .
creative spirit (jeees, did I actually say that?) gets turned loose some day
before I die, and I have a camera with me when that happens.
But to answer the question- at the moment, I'll dream about a Fuji x200
which is the X100 with a simplified menu, that stupid rear selector dial removed and a
23mm-35mm zoom (f2.0 - f4.0). For $1500 discounted to $1350 for seniors.
creative spirit (jeees, did I actually say that?) gets turned loose some day
before I die, and I have a camera with me when that happens.
But to answer the question- at the moment, I'll dream about a Fuji x200
which is the X100 with a simplified menu, that stupid rear selector dial removed and a
23mm-35mm zoom (f2.0 - f4.0). For $1500 discounted to $1350 for seniors.
thegman
Veteran
My dream cameras at the moment are affordable and easy to come by, my dream is having the time and freedom to use them as I'd like. That would involve travel to exotic locales, and have all other humans disappear for a moment whilst I take the photo.
If I did have to choose a dream camera which is restricted by price, it would be an Alpa 12TC.
If I could invent a camera, my dream camera would be a 4x5 RF, along the same lines and size as a GF670. Basically, 4x5 with the ease of use and portability of a 120 camera.
I think Razzledog, PolaroidConversions.com etc. are getting pretty close to that though.
If I did have to choose a dream camera which is restricted by price, it would be an Alpa 12TC.
If I could invent a camera, my dream camera would be a 4x5 RF, along the same lines and size as a GF670. Basically, 4x5 with the ease of use and portability of a 120 camera.
I think Razzledog, PolaroidConversions.com etc. are getting pretty close to that though.
mgilbuena
San Francisco Bay Area
Digital negative in the form of 120 and 35mm rolls.
For digital cameras: don't need bell and whistles.. just give me shutter speed, aperture control on the lens and possibly a third dial for ISO. Do not desire a LCD screen or menu options. If so needed, give us bluetooth in the camera and an app for the phone/computer to remotely configure these system options.
For digital cameras: don't need bell and whistles.. just give me shutter speed, aperture control on the lens and possibly a third dial for ISO. Do not desire a LCD screen or menu options. If so needed, give us bluetooth in the camera and an app for the phone/computer to remotely configure these system options.
den_sh
Established
Okey, if we are clearly dreaming here:
1. new medium format digital rangefinder body with
- 60mp 6x4.5 cmos sensor with 16bit color
- iso dial, shutter speed dial, aperture on the lens (all in 1/3 of a stop)
- accurate iso values to make camera easily usable with external meter
- body isn't much larger than new M.
- hybrid viewfinder with 0.8x magnification OVF and 1080p EVF
- 400 shots battery life
2. and matching fully manual lens:
- 35mm f/4 (21mm f/2.5 equiv)
- 55mm f/2 (35mm f/1.2 equiv)
- 80mm f/1.6 (50mm f/0.95 equiv)
- 150mm f/2.8 (90mm f/1.8 equiv)
1. new medium format digital rangefinder body with
- 60mp 6x4.5 cmos sensor with 16bit color
- iso dial, shutter speed dial, aperture on the lens (all in 1/3 of a stop)
- accurate iso values to make camera easily usable with external meter
- body isn't much larger than new M.
- hybrid viewfinder with 0.8x magnification OVF and 1080p EVF
- 400 shots battery life
2. and matching fully manual lens:
- 35mm f/4 (21mm f/2.5 equiv)
- 55mm f/2 (35mm f/1.2 equiv)
- 80mm f/1.6 (50mm f/0.95 equiv)
- 150mm f/2.8 (90mm f/1.8 equiv)
Rodchenko
Olympian
Make that two!
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Well since we're dreaming I'd really love to have one of those 20x24inch Polaroid cameras
I was lucky enough to see one up close & personal at a Calumet Event years ago...I also met and got to know Tracy Storer, one of few people who were caretakers of a Polaroid 20x24 camera...
As for my Dream Camera...I do believe I own that one right now...
My Zone VI 4x5 View Camera was one of those purchases that I put a lot of research into before buying...mine was bought brand new from Calumet Camera back in the early 90's.
I loved shooting not only film but the Polaroid film that was so easily available back then...Along with the camera I also bought a 75mm, 90mm, 150mm & 210mm lens...since then I've picked up a very nice 190mm Tessar and a 127mm Kodak Ektar lens...
I pulled it out a few weeks ago and exposed 12 sheet of Tri-X 320 film...
I've made contact prints of them and gave some away to a friend...
I love what that camera will allow you to do...only being limited by your imagination and a few real crazy camera movements...
If you've never done a portrait with a 4x5 camera you really are missing quite an experience...
Murchu
Well-known
Non-tubby, full frame Leica digital rangefinder with upgradable electronics (that are economically viable), no lcd, no menus, and same controls as a film M except with the addition of a dial for iso. Battery level and frames remaining will be indicated via a minimal overlay in the viewfinder. Camera internals to be as durable as the camera shells on old school film camera bodies, and camera setup settings will be adjustable by connecting the camera to a computer via usb cable. While we're at it, throw in a full frame foveon sensor to round out the dream
lonemantis
Well-known
A new Leica film M (preferably M3-styled) with the hybrid AE/mechanical shutter from the Nikon FM3a. I would pay all kinds of money for that. 1/4000th shutter speed is a must too!
zuiko85
Veteran
My dream is to find an Olympus Pen FV in like new condition with these Pen lenses;
20mm f3.5
25mm f2.8
38mm f2.8 pancake
40mm f1.4
70mm f2
250mm f5
And to have the funds to purchase them outright.
If you watch carefully I will now flap my arms and fly to the moon.
Either outcome has the same probability.
20mm f3.5
25mm f2.8
38mm f2.8 pancake
40mm f1.4
70mm f2
250mm f5
And to have the funds to purchase them outright.
If you watch carefully I will now flap my arms and fly to the moon.
Either outcome has the same probability.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
An awful lot of "dream cameras" are based on a refusal to accept either the laws of physics or the laws of the marketplace.
Personally I'd rather like an M240 with proper frame line illumination (easy) and if at all possible a little slimmer (quite a lot more difficult).
But I'm not fantasist enough to expect it would be cheap as well.
Cheers,
R.
Personally I'd rather like an M240 with proper frame line illumination (easy) and if at all possible a little slimmer (quite a lot more difficult).
But I'm not fantasist enough to expect it would be cheap as well.
Cheers,
R.
rhl-oregon
Cameras Guitars Wonders
I'm with Bill. I want the GXR not to have been suddenly retired, but to deserve further development like the GRD (and like Fuji seems to be doing in its X-cams), even if that meant steadily rising prices for steady technical refinement. As it is, I'm taking care of my 3 GXR bodies, the last purchased for an absurd $214 from Henry's--with a second M-mount for an extra $274, for a grand total under $400 (down from the $1000 paid for my first GXR/M mount, which I was very very happy to have).
So I suppose I dream that the joint forces of Ricoh-Pentax will be able and willing to introduce something more like the Next GXR, for even though it's a niche without the historical cachet of Leica, it also does not need to compete at a same price point that excludes most users without sufficient disposable income or a photography/imaging business that permits them to amortize equipment costs in the $3K-$30K-and-up range.
So I suppose I dream that the joint forces of Ricoh-Pentax will be able and willing to introduce something more like the Next GXR, for even though it's a niche without the historical cachet of Leica, it also does not need to compete at a same price point that excludes most users without sufficient disposable income or a photography/imaging business that permits them to amortize equipment costs in the $3K-$30K-and-up range.
Eric T
Well-known
I like the ergonomics and IQ of the Leica S. Given its price and the prices of the S lenses, it is definitely a dream.
Peter_S
Peter_S
Digital:
- one Leica X3 with f/2 45mm (equiv) lens [ideally a bit closer in rendering to the Contax T3 than the current Elmarit], with APS-H-sized sensor, no AA-filter, nice EVF, and a good MF solution (similar to X100s); retractable lens so I can operate it with one hand (I shoot a lot while climbing); a sensor similar in design to the Foveon would suit it well, also.
- another X, with (equiv) 21mm lens; I really would love a compact, capable super wide-angle camera.
Both should have about the same size and form as the current X bodies, which I find perfect.
Analog:
A modern Zeiss Ikonta or V. Bessa IV; similar to Bessa III but with the f/2.8 80mm Planar lens of the TLR Rolleiflex and a wider RF base...
- one Leica X3 with f/2 45mm (equiv) lens [ideally a bit closer in rendering to the Contax T3 than the current Elmarit], with APS-H-sized sensor, no AA-filter, nice EVF, and a good MF solution (similar to X100s); retractable lens so I can operate it with one hand (I shoot a lot while climbing); a sensor similar in design to the Foveon would suit it well, also.
- another X, with (equiv) 21mm lens; I really would love a compact, capable super wide-angle camera.
Both should have about the same size and form as the current X bodies, which I find perfect.
Analog:
A modern Zeiss Ikonta or V. Bessa IV; similar to Bessa III but with the f/2.8 80mm Planar lens of the TLR Rolleiflex and a wider RF base...