What Are Your GOAT Cameras?

[Drew B.]

Walker Titan 4x5 XL covers all categories (well, I like the F4 and RB as well)

 

[Drew B.]

This thread has given rise to selling prices of Argus C3's.
They have gone from an average price of $40 to an amazing $63 !

I'll sell you the C4 for 50 bucks, and it is much better than the C3

 

[MattKing]

Very cool. Are you the little fella in the middle or the one on the right?

I'm the older child
A couple of months before turning 5!
That was taken on or just before the day we left Toronto to head out to the wilds of British Columbia - my Dad was part of the group that opened up the Canadian Kodak Ektachrome and Kodachrome lab in (North) Vancouver - slightly more than three years before I was given my first camera!

 

[BobUK]

I give in.

What is a GOAT camera?

The only thing that springs to mind is an......................... Agfa Billy GOAT

 

[Don_ih]

What is a GOAT camera?

Greatest Of All Time

It's something new the kids are saying.

I find it hard to imagine Muhammad Ali crying out, "I'm the goat!" .... Actually, I can easily imagine that.

 

[BobUK]

Thank you Don.

Hopefully in a thousand years some one will find a second Rosetta Stone with plain English and text messaging abbreviations on it.

 

[chuckroast]

I'm the older child
A couple of months before turning 5!
That was taken on or just before the day we left Toronto to head out to the wilds of British Columbia - my Dad was part of the group that opened up the Canadian Kodak Ektachrome and Kodachrome lab in (North) Vancouver - slightly more than three years before I was given my first camera!

What a wonderful memory. I have some negatives from when I was a kid on my grandparents' farm in central AB. Sadly, they are long gone. So is the Argus C3 that took them.

 

[dokko]

Thank you Don.

Hopefully in a thousand years some one will find a second Rosetta Stone with plain English and text messaging abbreviations on it.

It‘s already here in several forms…. Google, ChatGTP and Gemini being some of them (and they are fantastically good at it too!).

PS: that actually made me ask ChatGTP:

What is a GOAT camera?

A "GOAT camera" typically refers to a camera that is considered the "Greatest of All Time" in terms of its performance, features, and overall reputation. This term is often used in the context of discussions about high-end cameras in the photography and videography community. It can refer to a camera that excels in various aspects such as image quality, build quality, versatility, and innovative technology.

Examples of cameras that might be referred to as GOAT include:

1. **Canon EOS 5D Mark IV** - Known for its outstanding image quality and reliability, especially among professional photographers.
2. **Nikon D850** - Praised for its high resolution, dynamic range, and fast performance.
3. **Sony A7R IV** - A mirrorless camera celebrated for its high-resolution sensor and advanced features.
4. **Leica M10** - Renowned for its build quality and the iconic status of the Leica brand.
5. **Fujifilm X-T4** - Known for its versatility and excellent film simulation modes.

The designation of a camera as the "GOAT" can be subjective, depending on individual needs, preferences, and the specific type of photography or videography being considered.

 

[dokko]

That actually made me curious and here‘s the answer to the OP question:

what are the Greatest Of All Time analog film cameras in each of the following categories and why?
- Most Reliable?
- Best Utility?
- Most Elegant?
- Most Beautiful?
- Most Innovative?
- Best Output?
- Weirdest?
- Most Beloved?


Certainly! Here's a rundown of some of the greatest analog film cameras of all time in various categories, along with reasons for their acclaim:

### Most Reliable: Nikon F (1959)
**Why?** The Nikon F is renowned for its durability and reliability. Introduced in 1959, it was one of the first successful SLR cameras and became the professional's choice due to its robust build and dependable performance. Its modular system allowed for various attachments, making it versatile and reliable under different conditions.

### Best Utility: Canon AE-1 (1976)
**Why?** The Canon AE-1 is praised for its ease of use, affordability, and advanced features for its time. It popularized automatic exposure in SLRs, making it accessible for amateur photographers while still offering enough manual control for professionals. Its versatility in both automatic and manual modes made it highly practical.

### Most Elegant: Leica M3 (1954)
**Why?** The Leica M3 is often regarded as the epitome of elegance in camera design. Its precision engineering, smooth mechanics, and minimalist design make it not only a joy to use but also a beautiful object to behold. The rangefinder mechanism is highly accurate, and its build quality is unparalleled.

### Most Beautiful: Hasselblad 500C (1957)
**Why?** The Hasselblad 500C is celebrated for its stunning design and iconic status. The clean lines, chrome accents, and modular build contribute to its aesthetic appeal. The medium format quality it provides also adds to its allure, making it a favorite among portrait and fashion photographers.

### Most Innovative: Polaroid SX-70 (1972)
**Why?** The Polaroid SX-70 was groundbreaking with its integral instant film technology. It was the first instant SLR camera, folding down to a compact size for portability. Its innovation lies in its ability to develop prints instantly, revolutionizing the way people captured and shared photos.

### Best Output: Mamiya RZ67 (1982)
**Why?** The Mamiya RZ67 is renowned for the exceptional quality of its medium format images. The 6x7 cm negative size offers incredible detail and resolution, making it a favorite among studio and landscape photographers. Its rotating back and bellows focusing system provide superior control over composition and focus.

### Weirdest: Lomography Lomo LC-A (1984)
**Why?** The Lomo LC-A is known for its quirky characteristics and the 'Lomography' movement it inspired. Its unique optical vignetting, unpredictable exposures, and vivid colors produced a distinct, often whimsical style of photography. The camera's design and effects were unconventional, leading to a cult following.

### Most Beloved: Pentax K1000 (1976)
**Why?** The Pentax K1000 is one of the most beloved cameras due to its simplicity, reliability, and affordability. It became the go-to camera for photography students and enthusiasts. Its all-manual operation provided a perfect learning platform, while its robust build ensured it could withstand years of use.

These cameras have each left an indelible mark on the history of photography, revered not only for their technical capabilities but also for their influence and the joy they bring to photographers.

 

[chuckroast]

Thank you Don.

Hopefully in a thousand years some one will find a second Rosetta Stone with plain English and text messaging abbreviations on it.

In my defense (that's defence to you, sir), I did spell it out in my original post starting this thread

 

[chuckroast]

It‘s already here in several forms…. Google, ChatGTP and Gemini being some of them (and they are fantastically good at it too!).

... if you trust the people who put together their large language models and learning algorithms.

I don't, given the way we've seen Google, pre-Musk Twitter, Bing, Apple, and the rest of the tech plutocrats jiggering their "facts" to support political and social agenda.

That said, I do use these tools, but with skepticism, and validation.

I prefer perplexity.ai, because it cites its sources. That's not a guarantee of balance, but at least you see how they got there.

 

[BobUK]

In my defense (that's defence to you, sir), I did spell it out in my original post starting this thread

Oops!

 

[ic-racer]

It‘s already here in several forms…. Google, ChatGTP and Gemini being some of them (and they are fantastically good at it too!).

PS: that actually made me ask ChatGTP:

What is a GOAT camera?

A "GOAT camera" typically refers to a camera that is considered the "Greatest of All Time" in terms of its performance, features, and overall reputation. This term is often used in the context of discussions about high-end cameras in the photography and videography community. It can refer to a camera that excels in various aspects such as image quality, build quality, versatility, and innovative technology.

Examples of cameras that might be referred to as GOAT include:

1. **Canon EOS 5D Mark IV** - Known for its outstanding image quality and reliability, especially among professional photographers.
2. **Nikon D850** - Praised for its high resolution, dynamic range, and fast performance.
3. **Sony A7R IV** - A mirrorless camera celebrated for its high-resolution sensor and advanced features.
4. **Leica M10** - Renowned for its build quality and the iconic status of the Leica brand.
5. **Fujifilm X-T4** - Known for its versatility and excellent film simulation modes.

The designation of a camera as the "GOAT" can be subjective, depending on individual needs, preferences, and the specific type of photography or videography being considered.

Wow, it got that wrong!

 

[flavio81]

Let's continue this great thread!

Most Reliable: Nikon F, F2 and Canon F-1. I have seen extremely beat examples of those cameras work without major problems.

Best Utility: Bronica ETRSi, simply because it's the most versatile I have.

Most Elegant: My Contax IIa.

Most Beautiful: Zeiss-Ikon Contessa Folder. Oh yeah!

Most Innovative: That one must be the original Contax III camera.

Best Output: Pentax 6x7 when it's correctly focused and on a stable platform, otherwise, if handheld, Mamiya RB67.

Weirdest: I have no weird cameras. Perhaps my Rollei 35 is the weirdest since everything is backwards.

Most Beloved: How can you love one of your children more than the other?

 

[Pioneer]

Most Reliable: Argus C3, ever seen one broken?

Best Utility: Argus C3, does everything you need it to do and nothing you don't

Most Elegant Design: Argus C3, everything is at your fingertips.

Most Beautiful: Argus C3, it's an art deco brick. Need I say more?

Most Innovative: Argus C3, put a high quality camera in the hands of everyman.

Best Output: Argus C3, more photos were made on that camera by regular people than anything else.

Weirdest: Argus C3, it's in Harry Potter for a reason.

Most Beloved: Argus C3, it's a brick that'll take photos.

I have to agree that the good old C3 is very, very hard to beat in any of the categories above. My aunt is still regularly using one she bought new years ago. She loves it and uses it still today. Her daughter bought her a digital point and shoot years ago that, as far as I know, is still in the box. I don't know when she bought it was but she has baby pictures of me from that camera that were taken over 70 years ago. I have a Argus of my own that was assembled before WWII. It is being cleaned and adjusted right now. It is a little rough looking but it was still taking pictures when I sent it off for cleaning a couple of weeks ago.

Personally I think my K1000 is just as good. Mine was bought used in a Reno pawn shop in the 70s and is still working wonderful in the middle of the Nevada desert many hundreds of rolls of film later. It looks a bit rough as well but it is still running. Goodness only knows how many high school students used one those cameras during photo classes in school.

As for design I am very fond of my Contax II. It took a few dollars fifteen years ago to get it running again but it was still taking pictures yesterday when I had it out. It is one of the classiest looking cameras and I am constantly stopped by people when I am carrying it around!

 

[Cholentpot]

I have to agree that the good old C3 is very, very hard to beat in any of the categories above. My aunt is still regularly using one she bought new years ago. She loves it and uses it still today. Her daughter bought her a digital point and shoot years ago that, as far as I know, is still in the box. I don't know when she bought it was but she has baby pictures of me from that camera that were taken over 70 years ago. I have a Argus of my own that was assembled before WWII. It is being cleaned and adjusted right now. It is a little rough looking but it was still taking pictures when I sent it off for cleaning a couple of weeks ago.

Personally I think my K1000 is just as good. Mine was bought used in a Reno pawn shop in the 70s and is still working wonderful in the middle of the Nevada desert many hundreds of rolls of film later. It looks a bit rough as well but it is still running. Goodness only knows how many high school students used one those cameras during photo classes in school.

As for design I am very fond of my Contax II. It took a few dollars fifteen years ago to get it running again but it was still taking pictures yesterday when I had it out. It is one of the classiest looking cameras and I am constantly stopped by people when I am carrying it around!

It the world of SLRs the K1000 is the Argus C3 of SLRs. But the Argus C3 still beats the K1000

 

[flavio81]

Personally I think my K1000 is just as good.

I think the K1000 / KX / KM and associated SP / SPII / SPF (all these cameras share almost the same mechanism) are worthy candidates for most reliable cameras of all time too, however if there is lack of maintenance, the mirror mechanism gets stuck due to its design, while the ones I've listed ("Nikon F, F2 and Canon F-1.") are more tolerant of lack of proper maintenance. Other than that little detail, they're as reliable as they come, and moreover they're far easier to disassemble for a CLA!

 

[Pioneer]

I think the K1000 / KX / KM and associated SP / SPII / SPF (all these cameras share almost the same mechanism) are worthy candidates for most reliable cameras of all time too, however if there is lack of maintenance, the mirror mechanism gets stuck due to its design, while the ones I've listed ("Nikon F, F2 and Canon F-1.") are more tolerant of lack of proper maintenance. Other than that little detail, they're as reliable as they come, and moreover they're far easier to disassemble for a CLA!

People who repair cameras or use them professionally are certainly aware of issues that have an effect on reliability, and that is an important part of the equation. But personal experience from those who have used the equipment for long periods of time in the amateur field is just as important, because that is the other part of the equation. In my circle Argus, Kodak and Pentax cameras and many others are the ones that seem to just keep on keeping on in the hands of non-professional users. I feel it is a mistake to ignore 50 and over 70 years of experience that supports the continuing reliability and ability of some simpler camera designs to continue working and creating great personal memories in the hands of the Moms and Dads of the world.

Face it, I think that the Graflex 4x5 Speed and Crown Graphics would have to be included as one of the Greatest Cameras of All Time just because of what was done with those cameras in the professional world far before the Nikon was ever heard of. But I did not see the Graflex mentioned but once or twice.

 

[chuckroast]

People who repair cameras or use them professionally are certainly aware of issues that have an effect on reliability, and that is an important part of the equation. But personal experience from those who have used the equipment for long periods of time in the amateur field is just as important, because that is the other part of the equation. In my circle Argus, Kodak and Pentax cameras and many others are the ones that seem to just keep on keeping on in the hands of non-professional users. I feel it is a mistake to ignore 50 and over 70 years of experience that supports the continuing reliability and ability of some simpler camera designs to continue working and creating great personal memories in the hands of the Moms and Dads of the world.

Face it, I think that the Graflex 4x5 Speed and Crown Graphics would have to be included as one of the Greatest Cameras of All Time just because of what was done with those cameras in the professional world far before the Nikon was ever heard of. But I did not see the Graflex mentioned but once or twice.

As the culprit responsible for this thread, in retrospect, I should have included an "Honourable Mention" category as well.

My 4x5 Crown and 2x3 Speed Graphics would have 100% fit there. As you say, they are superb workhorses that still deliver today.

 

[loccdor]

The Pentacon Six is the 80s Corvette of cameras. The Kiev 60 is the tow truck she rides upon.

 

[GregY]

The Pentacon Six is the 80s Corvette of cameras. The Kiev 60 is the tow truck she rides upon.

looks more like the Edsel to me

 

[loccdor]

looks more like the Edsel to me

Hmm, yes.

 

[Cholentpot]

People who repair cameras or use them professionally are certainly aware of issues that have an effect on reliability, and that is an important part of the equation. But personal experience from those who have used the equipment for long periods of time in the amateur field is just as important, because that is the other part of the equation. In my circle Argus, Kodak and Pentax cameras and many others are the ones that seem to just keep on keeping on in the hands of non-professional users. I feel it is a mistake to ignore 50 and over 70 years of experience that supports the continuing reliability and ability of some simpler camera designs to continue working and creating great personal memories in the hands of the Moms and Dads of the world.

Face it, I think that the Graflex 4x5 Speed and Crown Graphics would have to be included as one of the Greatest Cameras of All Time just because of what was done with those cameras in the professional world far before the Nikon was ever heard of. But I did not see the Graflex mentioned but once or twice.

Because part of greatest of all time is that they're still relevant. I enjoy using my Crown and Century but they went obsolete for a reason. And I mean dead obsolete not DSLRs killed film obsolete. I shoot 4x5 a few times a year. I shoot 35mm every day and 120 weekly.

4x5 in general was never an everymans format.

 

[Drew B.]

Cameras I use the most...Olympus Pen F, Nikon F3, Mamiya RB and Walker Titan 45XL Love 'em all.

 

[baachitraka]

I don't own many but Pentacon Six TL with 120mm biometar or Rolleicord in medium format and Olympus OM-1n are my beloved ones.