why the aura that surrounds the one camera/lens idea?

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grapejohnson said:
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.
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For me there is nothing better for fast moving things. Great DoF scales and I've found being pre focused is faster than any auto focus.
 
I went to the memorial cemetery here yesterday and took an SLR, a 35, and an 85. EVERY TIME I saw something to shoot, I had the wrong lens on the camera! I came home frustrated and with no good pix. So I ate lunch and went back out, this time with an RF and its 35. I shot up half a roll and felt I was getting good pictures. One camera and one lens just works for me. Every time I try a multi-lens/camera kit, I'm unhappy.
 
Vics said:
I went to the memorial cemetery here yesterday and took an SLR, a 35, and an 85. EVERY TIME I saw something to shoot, I had the wrong lens on the camera! I came home frustrated and with no good pix. So I ate lunch and went back out, this time with an RF and its 35. I shot up half a roll and felt I was getting good pictures. One camera and one lens just works for me. Every time I try a multi-lens/camera kit, I'm unhappy.
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Dear Vic,

Ah, well, two bodies and two lenses -- that's another matter. My most convenient outfit ever was an MP and an M4-P with a 35 and a 75.

Cheers,

R.
 
I have an idea for a Masterchef season: one spatula, one frying pan, choose one ingredient on episode 1. The soup episode for sweeps week would be awesome :D
 
PKR said:
I think Mike Johnson at TOP got it started (as per web stuff). It's a common art school/photo composition thing-- learning one lens at a time, and learning it really well, before adding another. This usually applies to core lenses 28,35,50, 100 etc. Once you get into the short and long glass the changes are more easily learned - they were for me anyway. I find a difference, but not much difference between a 300 and a 400mm. With wides, backing up or getting closer often is very similar to changing Lens AOV. I would rather back up with a 28 than switch to a 24 if i have room. Better corner correction in my 28. Learn your lenses. I hate zooms, but use them for work - work. My clients don't seem to care.

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/05/a-leica-year.html

What Mike suggests is what I got in school and likely what he got in school. I think Mike went to an art school, I went to an academic school with a very small photo department that had a semi famous Dept. head. The guy knew his stuff.
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This. Learn the tool. Stop worrying about gear and make the picture. Also, often use one film and only temporary, though a year is a long time if you're a gear nut:)

I think Henry Wessel use only a 28 on his old film Leica

Short slideshow

Video on making photos

I reckon you can only work like this if you know your lens

Mike
 
sojournerphoto said:
This. Learn the tool. Stop worrying about gear and make the picture. Also, often use one film and only temporary, though a year is a long time if you're a gear nut:)

I think Henry Wessel use only a 28 on his old film Leica

Short slideshow

Video on making photos

I reckon you can only work like this if you know your lens

Mike
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That short video by Henry Wessel makes a lot of sense ... I've never really thought about the process that way.
 
Vics said:
I went to the memorial cemetery here yesterday and took an SLR, a 35, and an 85. EVERY TIME I saw something to shoot, I had the wrong lens on the camera! I came home frustrated and with no good pix. So I ate lunch and went back out, this time with an RF and its 35. I shot up half a roll and felt I was getting good pictures. One camera and one lens just works for me. Every time I try a multi-lens/camera kit, I'm unhappy.
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I went to a place called Marymont Park in Richmond VA this past Saturday and took an M8, a 28, and a 75. Kept the 28 on the camera for the majority of the day and only pulled out the 75mm for specific shots and then put it away and went back to the 28mm I had very enjoyable day and got a some nice shots.
 
This works for some and not for others... imagine that. I'm a fan of one camera and one lens myself.
 
thegman said:
Agree 100%, it's amazing how something so simple can lead to insults flying.
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I don't think it's so much insults, as a desire to point out exactly the point you make: that "one camera -- one lens" will only work for some, and that there's no sense in falling in love with the idea, and flagellating yourself for a year (as many recommend) if it doesn't work for you. Overall, I suspect that there are very few for whom it does work.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
I don't think it's so much insults, as a desire to point out exactly the point you make: that "one camera -- one lens" will only work for some, and that there's no sense in falling in love with the idea, and flagellating yourself for a year (as many recommend) if it doesn't work for you. Overall, I suspect that there are very few for whom it does work.

Cheers,

R.
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Roger, I agree with everything you're saying except that I think I think calling people 'lazy' without knowing anything about them qualifies as an insult for me. I'm not suggesting that you have insulted anyone, but I think insults have been present in this thread.

Although it's an unusual online forum where insults are not present in at least 50% of threads.

Cheers

Garry
 
thegman said:
Roger, I agree with everything you're saying except that I think I think calling people 'lazy' without knowing anything about them qualifies as an insult for me. I'm not suggesting that you have insulted anyone, but I think insults have been present in this thread.

Although it's an unusual online forum where insults are not present in at least 50% of threads.

Cheers

Garry
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Dear Garry,

Well, I think that anyone who believes in 'magic bullets' probably IS lazy, though of course the 'magic bullet' may be 'one camera, one lens' or 'if I just buy one of these AS WELL..."

But yes, it is a remarkably and agreeably civil forum most of the time.

Cheers,

R.
 
thegman said:
Agree 100%, it's amazing how something so simple can lead to insults flying.
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I think sometimes it comes down to how an idea is presented. Personally I'm much more open to something if isn't presented as the one and only true path :)
 
Mcary said:
I think sometimes it comes down to how an idea is presented. Personally I'm much more open to something if isn't presented as the one and only true path :)
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Dear Mike,

You're wrong, of course....

THERE IS ONLY MY WAY!

Do you know the definition of a wardroom argument? Flat statement; followed by flat contradiction; followed by personal abuse.

Cheers,

R.
 
back alley said:
this is not about if you like the idea of one camera/one lens...that has been hashed to death already!

what i wonder is...why is that idea so appealing to so many people...?

i have to admit that it is my number one recurring thought/fantasy involving image making.
i get caught up in the thinking that by being that simple an approach that my pics are going to be 'different' than they were before...that the quality is going to improve...

why do you think this idea just stays with so many?
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can i remind you all of my initial post...
 
Why is it appealing? Convenience? Most of the one camera & one lens people tend to have/use a small camera & a small lens, so they can more conveniently bring it everywhere they go.
 
There something to be said for being able to walk up to what you are about to photograph and know exactly where to stand to get your framing....before you ever bring your camera to your eye. That is why I like one camera and one lens.
 
I always follow these threads. It's interesting how frequently they come up and how serious people seem to take them.

I've pretty much always used just one camera/lens, but it isn't the result of any plan or idea about the virtue of simplicity or becoming one with my kit. I just simply never felt a need or desire for more. I never felt limited by it. There are infinite possibilities even just standing in the same spot so I've always felt more overwhelmed with what to shoot than limited. I understand the right tool for the job and wouldn't argue with that, but I never really had a job to do or specific photo I wanted to make...Perfectly happy just to see what I can do with the tool in hand.

So Joe. It isn't that it is appealing to me. It's more that I just don't see the appeal of having another lens, camera, etc. It wouldn't add anything for me.
 
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