Roger Hicks
Veteran
Even though it wasn't what made HCB the last HCB... Where did this rumour come from that he used only one camera and one lens?
Cheers,
R.
why the aura that surrounds the one camera/lens idea?
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Cheers,
R.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Why does a preference get folks panties in a bunch. And who would want to be anybody but themselves.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
He didn't use just one camera or one lens. But he did have a preference.
samsnch
Figital Storyteller
On OP's question: Aura? Maybe it's more of a philosophy. Having one lens is for some just as natural as home one pair of eyes. It's "syncing" one's physical vision with that of the camera's.
I'd rather use typography as a good analogy. It's like using one typeface for the whole alphabet.
I'd rather use typography as a good analogy. It's like using one typeface for the whole alphabet.
Rodchenko
Olympian
I think we know where the rumour came from. HCB himself. He was a great self-publicist, and was prepared to be economical with the actualite.
Exdsc
Well-known
Its better to make boring and bad photos that represent you as a person than to go out there and try to copy HCB or some other famous photographer.
The frustrating life of a hack who copies others is never fun, I can say that as a hack myself. I don't know how many photos I have wasted trying to photograph other people's photographs. Sad but true, so I spin it in my mind as 'a learning experience'.
Forget famous people, what you think is what matters.
The frustrating life of a hack who copies others is never fun, I can say that as a hack myself. I don't know how many photos I have wasted trying to photograph other people's photographs. Sad but true, so I spin it in my mind as 'a learning experience'.
Forget famous people, what you think is what matters.
cody.wms
Member
I've mostly used a single prime for years. Various 50s on a Nikon D90, 20 1.7 on m4/3rds, a Fuji X100, and a 14 2.5 on m4/3rds. A BIG difference between the 50 on the D90 and the 14 2.5, but I've found I quickly adapt to the lens with my feet.
BUT, I've recently started using more zooms, simply because my three ongoing series --lighthouses, trains, and Rock City barns -- possible shots can be limiting. If I show up with just the 14 2.5 on my OM-D, I might not be able to make it work. Distance to the subject, fences, powerlines, and all kinds of weird crap in the way means that there may only be one spot where I can make it work, or make it appealing, and that might require a 30mm lens or a 150mm lens... This was why I eventually sold my X100.
BUT, I've recently started using more zooms, simply because my three ongoing series --lighthouses, trains, and Rock City barns -- possible shots can be limiting. If I show up with just the 14 2.5 on my OM-D, I might not be able to make it work. Distance to the subject, fences, powerlines, and all kinds of weird crap in the way means that there may only be one spot where I can make it work, or make it appealing, and that might require a 30mm lens or a 150mm lens... This was why I eventually sold my X100.
cwalton
Established
Simplicity.
I suppose for most, photography is a hobby. If fewer lenses make that hobby simpler and therefore more enjoyable then that to me is an advantage, despite the fact that in some instances I will not be able to take the picture I want to due to focal length limitations.
It is not a phenomenon unique to photography. For example, the popularity of single speed and fixed gear bikes, especially in recent years.
I suppose for most, photography is a hobby. If fewer lenses make that hobby simpler and therefore more enjoyable then that to me is an advantage, despite the fact that in some instances I will not be able to take the picture I want to due to focal length limitations.
It is not a phenomenon unique to photography. For example, the popularity of single speed and fixed gear bikes, especially in recent years.
DominikDUK
Well-known
Using one focal length isn't really all that limiting imo. I often go out with a Zeiss Ikon TLR that only has one focal length, but due to the size of the neg I am not limited to one focal length. I can still crop. So in my opinion the single focal length thing is a myth, I can change the focal length at the printing stage (to a longer focal length that is).
Dominik
Dominik
John Bragg
Well-known
Probably extrapolated from the fact that he liked to travel light ?
One lens for a particular job is how I usually work. Mostly a 28 or 50 and sometimes a 90...
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Why do fairies never wear boots?
Hauling stuff around weighs you down. Slows you down. You tire, return home early and miss out on moments, and photos.
OTOH, when you go that extra mile, you run into more moments, and photos, that could require other gear... Oh oh. 😀
Committing to one body and one lens I find liberating. You find that certain photos cannot be taken since you carry a lens that does not allow for them to be taken. And be at peace with that.
My W-Nikkor 1.8/35mm still needs to grow on me. But it is purposely my only 35mm lens and I will master it and make it sing over time. Others did too. And when I do master it, it will be an extension of my hand and eye 😎
Yet, there are a 28 and a 50 in my bag too, and they have earned their right to be there. I made sure my carry-around kit is as small as can be, to limit distraction and optimize radius!
My 2cents take on your question Joe. Hope you liked reading it.
Hauling stuff around weighs you down. Slows you down. You tire, return home early and miss out on moments, and photos.
OTOH, when you go that extra mile, you run into more moments, and photos, that could require other gear... Oh oh. 😀
Committing to one body and one lens I find liberating. You find that certain photos cannot be taken since you carry a lens that does not allow for them to be taken. And be at peace with that.
My W-Nikkor 1.8/35mm still needs to grow on me. But it is purposely my only 35mm lens and I will master it and make it sing over time. Others did too. And when I do master it, it will be an extension of my hand and eye 😎
Yet, there are a 28 and a 50 in my bag too, and they have earned their right to be there. I made sure my carry-around kit is as small as can be, to limit distraction and optimize radius!
My 2cents take on your question Joe. Hope you liked reading it.
icebear
Veteran
ROFL, the first time (at least that I remember 😉) about changing lenses "in the field". I was on vacation last week and carried 2 bodies and 4 lenses most of the times and I didn't count the times I have changed lenses in the field indeed 😀.
Back to Back Alley's orig. question:
Some like to simplify things, it's a ZEN thing...
redisburning
Well-known
oh I thought we were talking about for like a year or something.
I dont take extra lenses with me, ever. 50 is good enough for me, I just want to have different 50s at my disposal.
I dont take extra lenses with me, ever. 50 is good enough for me, I just want to have different 50s at my disposal.
back alley
IMAGES
i'm enjoying all the replies.
since having the 35 (50fov)) 'forced' on me with the fuji i have been really liking the 18/35 combo (28/50)...i never cared for it before. so i can and adjust.
despite having a bag of lenses i rarely go out with extras...i mostly carry 2 bodies with a lens attached to each. many times i carry only one body/lens at a time as well.
i prefer 2 bodies/lenses but also enjoy one/one...
since having the 35 (50fov)) 'forced' on me with the fuji i have been really liking the 18/35 combo (28/50)...i never cared for it before. so i can and adjust.
despite having a bag of lenses i rarely go out with extras...i mostly carry 2 bodies with a lens attached to each. many times i carry only one body/lens at a time as well.
i prefer 2 bodies/lenses but also enjoy one/one...
msbarnes
Well-known
I find it simpler.
hausen
Well-known
I like to go out with one camera and one lens at a time now. Used to take a film and digital option and it messed with my head because I tried to get the same shot with each platform. Not a good way to go. But never have been good at limited myself at anything I have ever done. Nice thought but I am a realist🙂
leicapixie
Well-known
A friend said that "the camera and lens" that you grab,
running late to some shoot, should always be the one you use.
The consistency and regular look of one's images are refreshing.
Unlike the ultra wides with distortions and the super teles with another distortion, the 50mm is so ordinary.
Lazy? No it takes harder work to find better, more expressive angles and viewpoints. Are these better ways.. it depends on each person.
In my small P/S digital i do have zoom, a macro feature and a reasonable flash. My RF pix with my old( ya gotta see it) M3 and collapsible Summicron, give me the photos i want. Usually mistaken for SLR/DSLR viewing.
Knowing your equipment is mandatory.
running late to some shoot, should always be the one you use.
The consistency and regular look of one's images are refreshing.
Unlike the ultra wides with distortions and the super teles with another distortion, the 50mm is so ordinary.
Lazy? No it takes harder work to find better, more expressive angles and viewpoints. Are these better ways.. it depends on each person.
In my small P/S digital i do have zoom, a macro feature and a reasonable flash. My RF pix with my old( ya gotta see it) M3 and collapsible Summicron, give me the photos i want. Usually mistaken for SLR/DSLR viewing.
Knowing your equipment is mandatory.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I hate to keep harking back to my DP2M (I really have had a little to much Sigma kool aid I think) but currently I'm understanding why this theory actually works. You tend to eventually stop sweating over the images you can't take due to focal length or ISO limitations and look for stuff that you know will work ... and it subsequently helps to define your eye IMO.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
Yep, you learn to see other shots. The ones appropriate for the F/L you have on your camera. For me I find it freeing. We go to the Fla Keys usually once sometimes twice a year. I usually take a crap load of camera equipment. I had just received my 35 lux and my MM had not come in yet. A good buddy let me take his M9 so I took that and my 35 lux only and got the best images I have ever gotten in all the years we've been going down there. It was freeing in the fact I didn't have a lot of equipment and enjoying finding the shots that were appropriate for the 35 lux which is a FoV that really pairs well with the way I see. So now for my personal work its just the MM and the 35 lux and its been working very nicely.
grapejohnson
Well-known
i like being able to not let the cameras i use define me, and being able to get similar results on multiple systems. sure, i do have a few cameras too many, but i like knowing what kind of camera or lens will be able to suit a certain situation best and having that.
if i am shooting pictures of fast moving things, rangefinders usually just aren't the right tool. if i'm taking candids of my friends and trying to be unobtrusive, i bring the bessa. sometimes i need a 28, sometimes i need an 85. getting to know all of your gear well and using it to suit you best is a great thing.
if you prefer the simplicity of one camera and one lens, kudos to you. i think i'd rather try a one film/developer regimen (which i'm sort of working towards anyhow) if i wanted that kind of consistency.
if i am shooting pictures of fast moving things, rangefinders usually just aren't the right tool. if i'm taking candids of my friends and trying to be unobtrusive, i bring the bessa. sometimes i need a 28, sometimes i need an 85. getting to know all of your gear well and using it to suit you best is a great thing.
if you prefer the simplicity of one camera and one lens, kudos to you. i think i'd rather try a one film/developer regimen (which i'm sort of working towards anyhow) if i wanted that kind of consistency.
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