Curious as to how many cameras landscape photographers use

MrBrowning · Jun 21, 2016

I carry one of the following:
Speed Graphic
Bronica SQ-Ai (lenses ranging from 40mm to 250)
Canon T-90 with a 35-70 Zoom

Then I add to that either a Holga or a Diana (with the 35mm back).

Most days It's the Bronica (w/ 50mm, 80mm & 150mm & 250mm Lens plus 2 film backs) and the Holga.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 21, 2016

Katherine J Gillis said:
I'm a traditional B&W retoucher & spotter and have worked on landscape photographs for years. Some of the most beautiful shots ever. Never thought of asking this and would love to know.

One;the biggest I'm willing to carry.

removed account4 · Jun 21, 2016

hi katherine:

i am not really a traditional landscape photographer. i use hand coated papers and glass or metal
and sometimes film or photo paper ( from a box )... i don't have a MF camera and don't usually use 35mm or half frame
for this sort of stuff ... if i get the urge, i bring one of about 5 cameras with me ... 4x5 or larger.
i don't usually photograph "landscapes" but the coastline, and suburban/urban landscapes and other stuff, that doesn't require exotic locations, dramatic clouds or dramatic land formations/vistas.

Jim Noel · Jun 21, 2016

One at a time.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 21, 2016

What I bought to use (if I ever start shooting again) is a lightweight 4x5 field camera, a few DDS, a 6x12cm RFB, lenses and the typical accessories. I'll have enough trouble just carrying one camera and all the things needed for it. I'll be purchasing some sort of cart to transport from my vehicle to the shooting spot no more than a few yards away. So, just one camera.

Alan9940 · Jun 21, 2016

Depends on what my primary camera choice is... If LF (4x5 or 8x10), I usually bring along one of my roll film cameras, too--one of my folders or my GA645Zi. If my intention is to be foot loose and fancy free, then I'll usually have just one camera--again, one of my folders, the Fuji, a Rolliecord Vb, or a 35mm outfit. Sometimes...when I have nothing in mind...I'll simply carry my iPhone or one of my instant film cameras. It's always a though choice, though!!

BradleyK · Jun 21, 2016

In the past (the Kodachrome Era), I used my Nikon system for the majority of my landscape/nature shooting. If I felt the urge to shoot black and white, I schlepped a 4x5 (long gone from my arsenal). For the past several years, however, I've relied on a Hasselblad system (a pair of 500c/m bodies, eight lenses (50-250mm) and a half-dozen A12s, for probably 75-80 per cent of my landscape/nature work, using the Nikons only when shooting with E100G/VS/Velvia50.

DREW WILEY · Jun 21, 2016

Unless it's an extended trip, I generally don't decide on my gear until the evening before the outing. Depends on the weather, my mood, the specific
location, what type of film I have packed in what kit, what kind of load I want to carry (I often deliberately keep my kits quite heavy for training purposes - it sure beats working out like a rat on a treadmill in some stinky gym, regardless). Often I like to carry the 8x10 one weekend up some
steep hill, then alternate that with a minimal Nikon the next weekend for the sake of a fast pace, to exercise muscles differently. But then there are
those seasons when color is particularly intriguing when I need to ration 8x10 color film very carefully due to its expense, and default into 4x5.
Right now, I'm getting in shape for the summer backpacking season in the high country, so the heavier the pack, the better. All that being said, once
I'm actually in the darkroom, the bigger the film, the better. I'd rather print from sheet film any day rather than flimsy 120 roll film or itty bitty 35mm. But it's just that certain types of shots are more easily had with them lil' buggers. My 6x7 sure hit pay dirt last weekend. Just didn't have the
time to put in the mileage plus fiddle with the 8x10. So I threw in two full 6x7 kits to keep the pack heavy.

papagene · Jun 21, 2016

Depends upon my mood, where I am going, and with whom I am going with as luggage space can be limited. For hikes in Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park I carry my two Fuji rangefinders, GW670 II & GSW690 III... solo trips around the Quabbin Reservoir (I already miss that place!) I'll usually take either a 4x5 or 5x7 because it is usually about a 1.5 mile loop I hike. If I just want a light weight camera to carry while I explore photo opportunities, it is a Rolleiflex. I have just acquired a Bronica S2A kit, in great condition, and I a can't wait to give it a run around the park.
I don't like carrying different formats (film sizes) because it just complicates matters too much for my old and feeble brain.

Arklatexian · Jun 21, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
I know that feeling.

From AA's images (among others) I was inspired to make photographs and improve. I felt I could makes images I was proud of.

Looking at David Muench's color work, about 20 years ago (before digit*l), I felt overwhelmed: that he'd done it all, that there was nothing for me to do and I should just put my cameras away.

I was a fan of David's father (or was it grandfather?), Josef. The Muench family's work was reason enough to buy Arizona Highways whenever they came out. Of course they mostly shot color with Linhofs and the articles printed with the pictures were usualy written by Joyce Rockwood Muench, Josef's wife. The AA exhibits that I have attended reinforced my feeling that yes it was possible for a human to take and print pictures that I still enjoy. There was even hope for me. I am not there yet and at 85 don't think I ever will be but it sure is something to dream about...........Regards!

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 22, 2016

Theo Sulphate: Digital is much older than 20 years. We switched to digital at Reese AFB (defunct) back in the early 1990's and we were relatively late adopters within the Air Force. Of course, it was utter crap back then.

I'll feel lucky to be able to ambulate with one lightweight 4x5 kit.

DREW WILEY · Jun 22, 2016

My older brother went out shooting sometimes with Emil Muench, with his own Linhof. There were some "interesting" stories. I'll leave it at that. But I've never personally cared much for the photography of the Muench clan. Too predictably postcardy for my taste.

DREW WILEY · Jun 22, 2016

... but I'm glad to see that digital has been so consistent. It still looks like utter crap to me.

Maris · Jun 22, 2016

Three landscape cameras:
Tachihara 810HD 8x10 field view when I've already surveyed the subject matter in advance.
Tachihara 45GF 4x5 field view camera when I'm just cruisin' for snaps.
Mamiya RB67 when the weather is too bad for a view camera

John_Nikon_F · Jun 23, 2016

Since I'm currently exclusively 35mm, unless I'm on a roadtrip, going to a Seattle Flickrites meetup, or maybe a photo event being put on by a shop, I only have one body on me, maybe with one or two lenses. I'll of course have the off-topic body and kit lens with me, tho.

Lately, it's been the F5, which has Portra 160, rated at ASA 100, in it. Tomorrow, weather's supposed to be meh. I may swap the F5 out for the F with its roll of Tri-X that needs to be finished up. Back in 2007, I once brought every camera I owned at the time on a trip to Salem, OR. Only camera I shot with? FM2n with a 50/1.4 Nikkor-S on it. Took photos of the capitol grounds. The rest of my gear stayed in the room, in the camera bag.

-J

darinwc · Jun 23, 2016

When I am out for serious landscapes, I take my Shen-Hao 4x5 with 65mm, 127mm, and 300mm lenses. All for black and white.
I will also take my fuji digital for color.

rpsawin · Jun 23, 2016

Katherine J Gillis said:
I'm a traditional B&W retoucher & spotter and have worked on landscape photographs for years. Some of the most beautiful shots ever. Never thought of asking this and would love to know.

I have three main systems I use when shooting landscape/seascape. They are different formats: 4x5', 6x7 and 6x6. Personally, I prefer to concentrate on one format at a time when on a shoot. I find I work better when staying with one one format and not switching around.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 23, 2016

Old-N-Feeble said:
... Digital is much older than 20 years. We switched to digital at Reese AFB (defunct) back in the early 1990's ...

Mmm-Hmmm. Cleverly disguising the fact that digit*l is Alien technology (Lubbock Lights, you know [*]).

Of course, it was utter crap back then.

Of course. *wink*

[*] no, I don't really believe in Alien UFO's.

Arklatexian · Jul 10, 2018

DREW WILEY said:
My older brother went out shooting sometimes with Emil Muench, with his own Linhof. There were some "interesting" stories. I'll leave it at that. But I've never personally cared much for the photography of the Muench clan. Too predictably postcardy for my taste.

Emil was Josef's brother if I am not mistaken. I also think that he did mostly black & white and was an amateur. I believe Emil and Josef both lived in Santa Barbara, CA in those days. Emil would occasionally enter our Salon here.....Regards!

Theo Sulphate said:
Mmm-Hmmm. Cleverly disguising the fact that digit*l is Alien technology (Lubbock Lights, you know [*]).

Of course. *wink*

[*] no, I don't really believe in Alien UFO's.

Then what you are really saying is that the "UFOs' were actually made in the USA. Is that correct?........Regards!

Theo Sulphate · Jul 10, 2018

Arklatexian said:
...
Then what you are really saying is that the "UFOs' were actually made in the USA. Is that correct?........Regards!

Mostly so, yes. Even the recent "tic-tac" craft reported by commercial pilots and some U.S. Military, I believe those craft are most likely our own Spook aircraft that are being real-life tested just to see how stealthy or evasive they can be.

Of course, the Russians and the Chinese could be playing with us as well.

GLS · Jul 10, 2018

I only use one format at a time. I could probably fit more than one system + a lens each in my bags, but I don't typically like to limit myself to one focal length.

So, for 35mm it's a D810, and for landscape work I typically take a 70-200 f2.8 zoom along with Zeiss 2.8/21, 2/35 and 2/50 primes.

For 6x6: Hasselblad 501CM with 4/50, 2.8/80 and 4/120 lenses.

For 6x7: Pentax 6x7 MLU with 4/55, 2.4/105 and 2.8/165 lenses.

Nodda Duma · Jul 10, 2018

My Speed Graphic is my workhorse, but there aren't many sweeping landscapes nearby in the 2nd most forested state in the nation. I have hauled it up to the top of Mt. Monadnock before.

Old-N-Feeble said:
Theo Sulphate: Digital is much older than 20 years. We switched to digital at Reese AFB (defunct) back in the early 1990's and we were relatively late adopters within the Air Force. Of course, it was utter crap back then.

I'll feel lucky to be able to ambulate with one lightweight 4x5 kit.

The Navy where I used to work was testing systems with digital imagers (CCD) in the 1980s. The fundamentals are fairly straightforward, and the basic technology was improved over time just like photographic film was. The branch I worked in had an FPA development lab to support this, which was shut down before my time when development in the commercial world began to outpace the lab's capabilities.

Here's an interesting perspective: Imagine the improvements in film photography that occurred between 1871 and 1900 and compare that to the time-frame of digital photography improvement between 1975 and 2004. The time-frames are similar.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 18, 2018

Katherine J Gillis said:
I'm a traditional B&W retoucher & spotter and have worked on landscape photographs for years. Some of the most beautiful shots ever. Never thought of asking this and would love to know.

I go out with one but have many to chose from.Typically, I find a reason why to take the Hasselblad or the MAMIYA6

jtk · Jul 18, 2018

Sounds like few of the "landscape photographers" on this thread hike any significant distance from the road.

I rarely want to photograph scenes from the road, but Saint Ansel often did.

grahamp · Jul 18, 2018

I will do landscapes with whatever I have with me. I have access to everything from 6x4.5 and 24x58 (a Horizont) up to 8x10. I pick the camera based on what I am planning on doing and what the conditions support (I would not want the 8x10 out in a wet gale, for example).

Curious as to how many cameras landscape photographers use

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency