Who else deliberately uses cheap or simple cameras for most everything?

Cheap to me conotates the possibility of not being made well, or having those features one would normally hope for. For a camera like the Contax 167mt, I would prefer the normal ebay cost of $80 to $120, to be called an inexpensive purchase. The camera would hardly be called cheap as to construction.

But for the OP's question, as I think he means pretty much what I do, in today's market, as pointed out above, there are a lot of very good cameras that don't cost so much now, like when they were new. I like many of those myself.

But I tend towards Fujica, Yashica, and Contax. (Sadly, Fujinon and T* lenses aren't inexpensive.) Those are the cameras I have the most experience with. I also tend towards folders. I was lucky to acquire some neat 9x12 cameras in the $40 range 2 to 4 years ago. I also have several 6x6 folders. Despite being old, they produce nice photos.

I haven't been crazy about digital, but I find myself getting more and more interested. As much as I enjoy film and a wet darkroom, the ease of getting photos with digital and post processing on a computer intrigues me.

But I am still stuck mostly with film and film cameras, always the cheap/inexpensive ones, and mostly unusual folders. 35mm film cameras I really don't need to buy any more. I can't use all I have now. Anyway, I guess that means I use cheaper cameras more. :p
 
Frida said:
1. Having expensive stuff makes me uncomfortable. Our D700s are the most expensive things we own (our cars cost less) besides our house. It also seems silly to buy something expensive when I'm using it personally rather than professionally.

2. I'm more likely to take a cheaper camera everywhere, since it's not such a big deal if I break or misplace it; the lack of a need to protect it is freeing.

3. I only shoot digital, and I don't fancy the idea of buying a camera that loses half of its value in a year or two. Starting from a cheaper or used camera means less money is lost, which makes me happy.

Now that you know where I'm coming from...

Who else enjoys using cheap or simple cameras for most daily photography? And if so, what do you use and why?
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I'm not sure I agree. My personal photos of family and friends, places I've been, etc, are amongst the most treasured output of any camera I've owned, from toy to Hasselblad.

For me, I buy the best equipment that I can afford and keep using it as much as I can. If you buy good quality equipment, digital or film, there's little reason to sell it or change it for many years to come. I've never "worn out" a digital camera.

I bought a Leica X2 last summer. It's not a cheap camera, but it is small and high quality. I expect it will pay me back the extravagant price in great photos for about five to ten years. It's already made about 8000 or so great photos of friends and family, places I've been, and even contributed a bunch to my portfolio. Over time, it will prove to be much less expensive than a cheap camera that never produces great results. And twenty years on, poor photos will not make me as happy as great photos will.

Having expensive stuff doesn't making me uncomfortable.
Having expensive stuff and not appreciating it by not using it does.
The value in things is not what they cost but what you do with them... ;-)

G
 
Sell everything and keep one of the D700's.. then stick a 2nd hand 50 1.8AFD on it..
A D700 is a good (great) cheap camera these days
 
rodt16s said:
Sell everything and keep one of the D700's.. then stick a 2nd hand 50 1.8AFD on it..
A D700 is a good (great) cheap camera these days
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Hmm.. $1500 is not exactly cheap. And that's about the going rate for a used D700 with reasonable shutter clicks.
 
some of my camera bodys are really cheap like OM-2 for around 40$ but I usually go for the higher end side lenses even if I have to save for them, they make the difference imo. the body is usually just the box to transport film.
 
I have definitely gravitated towards simpler gear these days, although it isn't necessarily cheap in terms of quality or money; my daily use cameras are my iPhone, a Fuji Natura S Black, and a Ricoh GR Digital III. I have other cameras I use, but those are the frequent flyers.

I occasionally think about buying into full SLR system or a rangefinder body with several lenses, but then I realize that I'm just not willing to carry around a bag filled with all that stuff anymore. I just want a solid camera with a good lens that I can throw into a pocket along with an extra roll of film (or SD card) and head out the door.

I find that this has allowed me to actually enjoy photography more. I can just relax and shoot and nothing about what I'm carrying screams "photographer," just "guy taking photos."
 
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This thread certainly took off!

I'm still reading everyone's thoughts, but I wanted to note that I'm not selling all the DSLR gear because we're short of cash, but because I'd like a lighter and smaller setup to take everywhere, and I know we're not going to use all the DSLR gear since it's just too big and heavy and serious looking to use on a whim.

I love the image quality I get from my D700 + 35/2; I've never used a camera with such rich colors. However, I don't take it anywhere with me because of its heft, and I'm less likely to pick it up around the house for the same reason.

There are lots of great film options, but I don't want to deal with chemicals. Digitally, I'm thinking of something like an x100, x100s, or x20. Something small with a viewfinder, good ISO reach, and lots of manual controls. Oh, and a fixed lens; I don't want to get into lens-chasing or lens-changing.

I think I'm really just looking forward to getting back to the basics, digitally.
 
As other say cost is very relative and it depends a lot on your income and on whether you make money or not with your gear and in case you do how much you make and how much of this depends on your gear but I understand what you mean about feeling uncomfortable carrying around expensive gear. For my everyday photography I feel the same and now use only my E-1 (few hundred dollars) and the K-01 (also few hundred dollars now) because I feel freer without having to think always that I could be robbed or who knows what (in this respect the toy look of Pentax helps). As for the work I have a question: don't you ever have your clients asking or complaining about you going to work with only a cheap camera? Where I live the Megapixel question always comes out at some point.

GLF
 
You have said you shoot digital only, so here are a couple of options:
1. Keep one d700 and your most often used lens and most often used accessories, sell the rest.
2. Sell both bodies, keep the lens and accessories from option 1, get an earlier Nikon or N mount body selected on the basis of IQ/price.
3. Sell it all! Pick up an m4/3 system cheap. The G1 Panasonic is going for nada. Get it with the 14/45mm zoom. Even better, the GH1 has the best sensor from that series of cameras and covers both still and video for babykins, and is very affordable.
4. Same as 3, but you decide you must have pocket/purse/diaper bag sized kit. Pick up your choice of the OLY m4/3 bodies and one or two good lenses.
5. Same as 4 but NEX based. Get the NEX 5n for high IQ sensor and most bang for the buck, or the NEX 6 if you can't get by without an EVF and want most current tech.
Note that option 2 is probably the least cost (out of pocket) option and leaves you with equipment you know how to use and that can be used for pick-up work, even though you are closing down the business. Also, don't forget that the new family member is going to suck all the flex out of your budget, so you may be using this kit for quite some time.
 
Frida said:
This thread certainly took off!

I'm still reading everyone's thoughts, but I wanted to note that I'm not selling all the DSLR gear because we're short of cash, but because I'd like a lighter and smaller setup to take everywhere, and I know we're not going to use all the DSLR gear since it's just too big and heavy and serious looking to use on a whim.

I love the image quality I get from my D700 + 35/2; I've never used a camera with such rich colors. However, I don't take it anywhere with me because of its heft, and I'm less likely to pick it up around the house for the same reason.

There are lots of great film options, but I don't want to deal with chemicals. Digitally, I'm thinking of something like an x100, x100s, or x20. Something small with a viewfinder, good ISO reach, and lots of manual controls. Oh, and a fixed lens; I don't want to get into lens-chasing or lens-changing.

I think I'm really just looking forward to getting back to the basics, digitally.
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With those thoughts in mind, my Leica X2 fits the bill nicely. I'm not very partial to zooms or the Fuji X cameras (bought two and returned them, just didn't like working with them or with the raw files). Unfortunately the Leica is expensive. The new Leica X Vario could be a very good pick as a long haul user too, although quite expensive. Best controls in all of the compact cameras: simple, easy to learn and remember, etc. A 'back to basics' digital camera for sure.

Personally, I like manual focus and prime lenses more than AF. The M-bayonet lenses from Voigtländer, Leica, and Zeiss are the most satisfying around for that. A NEX 6 fitted with M-bayonet adapter and a Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2.8 could be a perfect camera. Or just go with the Sony/Zeiss Sonnar 24mm f/1.8 if you want autofocus too. Or, a little less expensive, the Olympus E-P5 that's just coming out fitted with their lovely 17mm f/1.8 and VF-4.

Just because the lens is interchangeable doesn't mean you have to buy more lenses. ;-)

G
 
DougK said:
I occasionally think about buying into full SLR system or a rangefinder body with several lenses, but then I realize that I'm just not willing to carry around a bag filled with all that stuff anymore. I just want a solid camera with a good lens that I can throw into a pocket along with an extra roll of film (or SD card) and head out the door.

I find that this has allowed me to actually enjoy photography more. I can just relax and shoot and nothing about what I'm carrying screams "photographer," just "guy taking photos."
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I can definitely relate to this - I sold my DSLR because of its size (with lenses) and tendency to attract attention. Lately I keep multiple lenses for my camera bodies but never leave the house with an alternate - that way I don't have to waste time changing them and missing shots. I don't find myself wondering "what if" since the lens I do bring is always at least halfway decent.
 
If you think a D700 is hefty, just wait'll your kid comes along.

I use a Canon ELPH SD1000 when I'm not feeling like toting a BIG camera around.
 
I was craving a Ricog GR1v or T3 - badly. But then I figured I'd try an XA first, and now I'm hooked. I've stopped fantasizing about a 500$+ P&S camera and am more happy than ever with my 10€ XA-2. What more could I want?
 
Nothing beats a dslr in terms of af acquisition speed (af lock) and your d700 is amongst the best, let alone high iso and dynamic range.. If u do not at least keep one then think about a min. Lens setup w/ a much cheaper dslr body.

In terms of lighter and cheaper there are plenty of choices from small p&s sensors to m43 to apsc... I would suggest maybe keeping a dslr plus a cheaper camera that would be easy for other to use as well who may not be into photograhy (easy to put into p&s mode and has good lcd).. Most of these cameras are under or in around the $300 area on sale..
- p&s sensor
-- Panasonic lx5 or lx7
-- x10 used
-- when the next gen rx100 starts shipping, current model may drop to around 399 range
- m43 sensor
-- Panasonic gx1 w/ kit lens (when there's a sale $399 or so..)
-- Olympus ep series prior gen or used
-- Panasonic GF series last gen or used
- apsc
-- Nex 5n used
Of all the ones above, I think rx100 would be good myself IMHO.

The advantage of m43 and csc cameras is w/ third party adapters u can use which ever Nikon lenses u may want to keep.

The Fuji cameras u mentioned are quite good as well but even used we are talking over $450 for the x100.. There is a rumor about a June 25 announcement for an entry level Fuji camera w/ only LCD live view plus kit lens that is suppose to sell for 400-600 range.

Good luck
Gary
 
GaryLH said:
Nothing beats a dslr in terms of af acquisition speed (af lock) and your d700 is amongst the best, let alone high iso and dynamic range.. If u do not at least keep one then think about a min. Lens setup w/ a much cheaper dslr body.

In terms of lighter and cheaper there are plenty of choices from small p&s sensors to m43 to apsc... I would suggest maybe keeping a dslr plus a cheaper camera that would be easy for other to use as well who may not be into photograhy (easy to put into p&s mode and has good lcd).. Most of these cameras are under or in around the $300 area on sale..
- p&s sensor
-- Panasonic lx5 or lx7
-- x10 used
-- when the next gen rx100 starts shipping, current model may drop to around 399 range
- m43 sensor
-- Panasonic gx1 w/ kit lens (when there's a sale $399 or so..)
-- Olympus ep series prior gen or used
-- Panasonic GF series last gen or used
- apsc
-- Nex 5n used
Of all the ones above, I think rx100 would be good myself IMHO.

The advantage of m43 and csc cameras is w/ third party adapters u can use which ever Nikon lenses u may want to keep.

The Fuji cameras u mentioned are quite good as well but even used we are talking over $450 for the x100.. There is a rumor about a June 25 announcement for an entry level Fuji camera w/ only LCD live view plus kit lens that is suppose to sell for 400-600 range.

Good luck
Gary
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Dear Gary,

Unless of course you learn to anticipate and prefocus...

Then, any manual focus is at least as fast. And probably sharper.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear Gary,

Unless of course you learn to anticipate and prefocus...

Then, any manual focus is at least as fast. And probably sharper.

Cheers,

R.
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I actually quite agree about pre-focus and/or focus to a spot. Just did not want to add any additional variables to the final equation.. In terms of range of possible camera choices.

Gary
 
My expensive camera is the low priced D-3100, my favorite users are 2 TLR's which were given to me:^) Or my ebay Lynx, Mamiya, or Nikon FG.

David
 
I just bought a Minolta Hi Matic 9 for $32.00, because I am a cheap b******d. And I can always use a new film camera just because I need it.
 
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