Your ideal camera (Ergonomically speaking)

Several of the Contax SLRs feel very good in the hand. Although some of the models experimented with rather unusual user interfaces, such as the Contax NX and the 167MT.

I currently have a 159MM, and the contours on the front and the back make it quite comfortable to hold all day without hand cramps. Also like the location of the exposure compensation dial; using the traditional location of the shutter speed dial.
 
The Olympus Power Focus or some such name was very, very easy to use for what is really a semi manual focus system. A pity there are/were so few lenses.


Regards, David
 
Keeping in mind that nothing in this world is perfect and this is all subjective anyway...

Film. The Contax G1 or G2. Anyone who has handled one will immediately understand this. My G1 are, to my mind, just about the perfect instrument to handle and shoot with. Everything in its place, a minimal yet well thought out array of adjustments, and of course the superb results from those Let's Pretend Contax lenses made in Japan, but every bit as good as the German versions.

Why Contax didn't follow through with the G line is beyond me to work out. Possibly the bean-counting MBAs on their staff put too much emphasis to the fast profit side and not the ongoing market. A few minor adjustments to the line would have ensured them a lasting market until the sad day when film becomes as prized as gold ingots, in which case my darkroom freezer will guarantee my financial security for the rest of my life.

Digital. My Nikon D800 hits almost all the right buttons in my right brain - or should that be the left brain? I can never make up my mind about that. Apart from the weight which can be a distraction to an over-70 years old photographer, it has much the same well planned layout. And always produces the goods with a minimum of fuss.

Everyone else's cameras are just as good, of course, or at the very least nearly so. There, disclaimer done with!
 
The Ricoh GR/GRII (not the GR III) had near perfect ergonomics, I just would have changed a little bit of the back buttons (a clickable rear dial like Panasonic GX line possess instead of the jog and +/- toggles) and slap a viewfinder on it somewhere. I'd even love an updated GXR Leica-mount camera in this form factor.

I do appreciate the GR III, it's miles above anything else of similar size, but it is different and without the same depth to the grip as the GR/II.
 
The camera your hands are used to is the ergonomically perfect one. At least if you accept the old-fashioned advice that the left hand holds and the right hand just pushes the button. For one-handed operation, the differences are very significant of course.
 
I've used exclusively the GR III for the past year. Took my GRD3&4 out for a spin last month, but found it's hard to go back now.

The touchscreen pairs naturally with this type of "screen only" cameras.
 
Archlich said:
I've used exclusively the GR III for the past year. Took my GRD3&4 out for a spin last month, but found it's hard to go back now.

The touchscreen pairs naturally with this type of "screen only" cameras.
Click to expand...

Touch screen is a must in the modern camera world in my estimation - as long as it's fast and intuitive. The GR III is actually one of the best implementations out there, Along with Panasonic's M4/3 cameras.

Except: I'd be just as likely to buy a digital camera with a viewfinder and NO screen. I know this is a pipe dream, but clearing the room on the back of the camera for a nice large EVF or OVF and some extra-tactile controls would be a reasonable swap for me.
 
Most SLRs feel good to me; a few that I favor ergonomically:

Nikon F4s
Canon EOS Whatever
Leicaflex SL

Rangefinders:

Yashica Lynx 14E
Leica M5 (which I don't have ... yet)

M3, M6, Barnack, are a bit too small
 
I think you can get used to most cameras, and what's ideal depends on the scenario. A few I'd mention as standing out for me -

I like the sigma dp merrills and sd quattro operation. Simple controls, big buttons decently labelled, uncomplicated menus. I bought an SD14 recently and was wowed by its operation. All comfortable in the hand for me too.

The GRII is great because it's so customisable, so you can make it ergonomic for how you want to use it.

Bought an EM5mkii recently, now that is really comfortable to hold and has the fully articulating screen.
 
Nikon F90 - right size and weight plus I like the aperture ring on the lenses in combination with auto focus.
 
Like an idiot I sold mine, now they are selling for crazy prices.

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I liked the feel of my Contax G2, it fitted nicely in the hand, the viewfinder was a bit rubbish though, compared to the Leica Ms.
Output wise I liked my Sony A7, super sensor for silly money really.
Handling wise my Ricoh GXR is still king in my mind.

The closest I have found is my Fuji X-Pro2, which I'm quite happy with. But for perfection for me, I think the G2 with Fujis hybrid finder, get a full frame sensor in there are give it to whoever designed the interface for the Ricoh GXR to stitch it all together and make it work.

Actually someone just make a full frame GXR system with a hybrid view finder, I liked the swapable sensor setup, I'll take a monochrome sensor, an A7s version for video and night shooting and a super fast crop with mad AF for when I want to shoot sports stuff.
 
I've never had a camera that works in my hands as well as my M4, and I find it nearly as easy to load as most SLRs. For SLRs, I love using my Pentax ME Super, especially with a half-case to provide better grip. It's a small camera, and I don't have big hands, so that makes a difference. But it's easy to reach all controls, it meters very well, and it's nice and light. I have "better" pro SLRs, but I always come back to the Leica and the ME Super. A real joy to use either.
 
35mm SLR: Minolta X700 or Olympus OM-1, both with motor drives.
Rangefinder: Leica M3
Medium format folding camera: Takane Mine Six III S
TLR: Rolleiflex 2.8E
Medium format SLR: Mamiya 645 Pro with Power Grip
 
Leica M except M8 Or M9 Or 240. 8&9 are just ok and I own and use them.

Nikon D3, heavy but fits well, D750, D800. Thinking about a D780 but not real serious.

Plain prism Nikon F2

Pentax Spotmtics were ok for their time.
 
I really love shooting my Contax iia. My recently acquired Kodak Retina IIIc is growing on me for a similar feel and precision, but a bit more compact, and better built-in viewing (with the Contax iia I prefer accessory viewfinders).
 
For me the Minolta CLE is pretty good, ergonomically - small, big and bright viewfinder, AE capable, hinged door, strap lugs on both sides of the body, M-mount, rangefinder.

There are still a number of things that if done would make it perfect - quieter shutter like an M, framelines for 35 and 50 lenses, no lock button on the speed dial, proper manual metering or better, AE lock on the shutter release.
 
splitimageview said:
Several of the Contax SLRs feel very good in the hand. Although some of the models experimented with rather unusual user interfaces, such as the Contax NX and the 167MT.

I currently have a 159MM, and the contours on the front and the back make it quite comfortable to hold all day without hand cramps. Also like the location of the exposure compensation dial; using the traditional location of the shutter speed dial.
Click to expand...

My recollection is that the 139Q was comfortable in my hands. The 167mt has been too after I got used to it. When I first got it, it felt uncomfortable and I considered I must have made a mistake in getting it. I agree the interface takes some getting used to. I think with a little use it gets much easier to use without much thought.

I think there is some room for any of us to get used to a camera's feel in holding and outlay of controls, especially when we begin to get used to, and to like other things about the camera, like abilities such as shutter speeds, lenses, other things. In fact, to begin to really like it.

But for me at least, I had no such problem when I first got my Fujica ST 901. Everything just seemed comfortable in holding and using.
 
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