How often do you use "toy" cameras that you have?

DWThomas · Jul 6, 2009

Hmm the definition of "toy" appears to be in some question here! Only two of my collection I would consider toys, the Brownie Target Six-20 and a Toyoco 16. I have used the Brownie once in recent years just to see what it could do. And besides a film issue, the Toyoco, in spite of only one shutter speed, apparently needs a CLA!

The OP mentioned the Argus brand; I have a C3, but I hardly consider that a toy. I've been using it once a year for Argus day the last few years. It's not terrible but not my first choice anymore for "serious" 35 mm work -- after all, I upgraded from it in 1963.

But then again, perhaps they are all toys!

DaveT

Peter de Groot · Jul 10, 2009

I have a agfa clack and a Evo box cmera. And I use them frequently because I love the old looks the pictures have. I had some other simelar cams as wel but didn;t use those so I sold them of. O yeah I bought a Polaroid 600 a while go and shot one pack of film. I want to use it again but 22 euro for 10 photo's is a bit much for my taste. But it is cool stuff.

Chaplain Jeff · Jul 10, 2009

Hello,

Over the past 25 years shooting for pleasure and as a profession, I have owned nearly every Nikon "pro" body and every Minolta "amatuer" body made. After owning everything from a Nikon F through Nikon F5 and everything in between in the Nikon world (whoops, never had an F2) I have thinned down to only the cameras I enjoy shooting with - a Minolta XE7 and others, a Nikon F3HP and an assortment of Leica M mounts.

I own others, but these are the cameras I find myself using. They consistently shoot well and the Minolta / Leica glass is superb for portraits (not getting into a flame war, just sharing my experience and preference).

If I had to thin down to only one SLR and one set of lenses, the "real" cameras - as the poster poses the question - would go in the for sale bin and I would keep the Rokkors. I'm at a point in life where I no longer care what anyone thinks about the camera around my neck - I want a great camera, good glass and wonderful pictures. For that, I find Leica and Minolta to be my first and second choices. Nikon is a distant third.

flatulent1 · Jul 12, 2009

I have three Holgas, but after the first couple of months I hardly ever use them. I also have a Holga 5D that sees periodic use, but doesn't get out as often as it should. I have three folders that see limited use, and my dad's C3 that I've never used. My go-to cameras these days seem to be an assortment of Canon FD, EOS, and Nikon F4. I'm attempting to assemble a working Minolta MD kit to add to the users, including a couple of XD-11 and an XE-7.

dougjgreen · Jul 12, 2009

Chaplain Jeff said:
Hello,

Over the past 25 years shooting for pleasure and as a profession, I have owned nearly every Nikon "pro" body and every Minolta "amatuer" body made. After owning everything from a Nikon F through Nikon F5 and everything in between in the Nikon world (whoops, never had an F2) I have thinned down to only the cameras I enjoy shooting with - a Minolta XE7 and others, a Nikon F3HP and an assortment of Leica M mounts.

I own others, but these are the cameras I find myself using. They consistently shoot well and the Minolta / Leica glass is superb for portraits (not getting into a flame war, just sharing my experience and preference).

If I had to thin down to only one SLR and one set of lenses, the "real" cameras - as the poster poses the question - would go in the for sale bin and I would keep the Rokkors. I'm at a point in life where I no longer care what anyone thinks about the camera around my neck - I want a great camera, good glass and wonderful pictures. For that, I find Leica and Minolta to be my first and second choices. Nikon is a distant third.

I can totally relate to this post. I use Nikons, film and D......l, and the system is the most capable one for my needs. But I have never loved them. On the other hand, when shooting film for pleasure, I have never had any cameras that I enjoyed using more than my Minoltas - SRT-102 and 202, XE-7, XD-11, X-570 and CLE. Everything about the ergonomics is just right.

PatTrent · Jul 16, 2009

I use my Holga regularly.

msdemanche · Jul 16, 2009

I use my holga and diana on a regular basis. I find I can get some effects with their lens that is very unique. I have "serious" images the holga or hassy may be used because of my feelings not because of techique.
All my cameras are my tools, and they are all used.

Pumal · Jul 16, 2009

nsurit said:
Frequently. My kit usually includes at least one toy camera (Holga, Diana, Altered Brownie Hawkeye or an assortment of pinhole camers.) Oh, there is usually also an Olympus OM of some sort or another. Bill Barber

To consider an OM a 'toy' camera makes me laugh. They are among my best cameras and I have more than 200. I prefer the OM-2n, but I have 2 M-1, 3 OM-1. 2 OM-1n, 3 OM-2 and 2 OM-2n. I also use a lot the Nikon FM, FM2, FE, FE2, F3, F4, F5 and F6, Mamiya RB6X7 Pro S, (had 3 Hasselblads but got rid of them); Mamiya M645, etc, etc

How often do you use "toy" cameras that you have?

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