My first camera was a Nikkormat FTn (in black). Bought 30 years ago, when it was already 20 years old, and I still love and shoot it. It haven't needed anything, even a new battery, in that time. It sat unused for 15 years in a drawer when I was not doing photography, when I took it back out--I just needed to exercise the shutter for a half hour and everything stated working perfectly.
What is it about your favorite camera...
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My first camera was a Nikkormat FTn (in black). Bought 30 years ago, when it was already 20 years old, and I still love and shoot it. It haven't needed anything, even a new battery, in that time. It sat unused for 15 years in a drawer when I was not doing photography, when I took it back out--I just needed to exercise the shutter for a half hour and everything stated working perfectly.
Usually my favourite camera is my newest acquisition. So for now it is the Topcon Super D, amazing quality. Fascinating that Nikon survived and Topcon faded from photographic equipment. Only have one Topcor lens, the 135mm, and am really enjoying using a short telephoto to fill the frame.
I'd have to say it is the Nikon F6. It is such a refined system and barely sounds any different from a modern DSLR, even though the film is advancing at the same time. Has the ability to use the great modern glass I have and does such a great job at metering.
Topcon made really good cameras, including the Uni and 100, entry level leaf shutters bodies, my two 100 meters are still good, the 50 F2 is sharp with good contrast, the 200 large a a bit slow still sharp as any Nikon 200 I've had. There was the Horseman press type camera and lens. The Navy tested both the F and the D to destruction or failure, the D beat out the F. On the other hand the Air Force tested both and found the F to have better build quality. The story that was passed around at the time was that Bessler who marketed the D and Super D in the USA had Bessler on the name plate, similar to Honeywell and Canon, and Navy procurement thought the Topcon was made in the U.S. I attended a conference in San Francisco sponsored by the Navy and that topic came up. The chief of Navy photography, an officer was present and who made the final decision said that that completely untrue. The Topcon had a built in light meter, the Super DM had the motor drive, and the lens were every bit as good as Nikon and with a hinged back loading film was much easier in the field. My understanding was that the Marinas like the Air Force picked Nikon, while the Navy replaced Topcon with Canon F1s.
The Olympus OM4 is my main camera right now. I have an OM1 and 2 as well. I am not super stuck on the Olympus cameras.. the advance is a bit rough, the viewfinder is big *for a small camera* but lacks some contrast or brightness, and it has some oddities.
I do like the compact size, the very reliable and accurate shutter. But it is really the lenses that draws me to the system. They are compact, well made, and have a good blend of high accutance and background effects.
I can have 2 bodies or 1 body and an extra lens in the same bag that used to fit just one camera and lens.
But many other cameras have a combination of features that I like.
I do like the compact size, the very reliable and accurate shutter. But it is really the lenses that draws me to the system. They are compact, well made, and have a good blend of high accutance and background effects.
I can have 2 bodies or 1 body and an extra lens in the same bag that used to fit just one camera and lens.
But many other cameras have a combination of features that I like.
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I've sold and given away so many cameras, intending to leave myself with just a Nikon F6 to use for 35mm, and a Hasselblad 500cm for medium format. Then life happened, and some would not sell. So I also have a pair of Olympus OM-2ns, a Chamonix 4x5, an Olympus Pen F and a few Pentax SF-1n bodies. Why did I pick the the F6 and 500cm to be my last* cameras? Just because they do exactly what I want—in the case of the F6 I want it to help me with as much automation as I am comfortable with (focus and exposure), and with the 500cm it is because there is no assistance, just leave it to me and let me take the blame for the mistakes. I see the F6 and the 500cm as ultimates in those two directions.
*Maybe it is an advantage in making such decisions, and maybe it isn't. I keep expecting to be dead and sometimes buy expensive equipment just because it's my last chance, and sometimes I sell it all to make things simpler for those left. Currently a bone marrow transplant seems to be keeping me going for a while. I don't think I will stock up again just to have to sell it when the next crisis comes. But I don't see much wrong with making sure I have enough Nikon and Hasselblad lenses!
*Maybe it is an advantage in making such decisions, and maybe it isn't. I keep expecting to be dead and sometimes buy expensive equipment just because it's my last chance, and sometimes I sell it all to make things simpler for those left. Currently a bone marrow transplant seems to be keeping me going for a while. I don't think I will stock up again just to have to sell it when the next crisis comes. But I don't see much wrong with making sure I have enough Nikon and Hasselblad lenses!
I love that my M4 makes me slow because I detest the culling and selection process. I'd probably love large format but thankfully its a rabbit hole I haven't jumped down quite yet.
Any tips on doing that, what did you do?
Rolleiflex 3.5f Planar. Beautiful optics in a light, compact reliable package
55 years ago I bought a Leica IIIf BD with a 50/3.5 Elmar lens. Five years later I added an unmetered Nikon F. I still have and regularly use both cameras today, along with additional bodies and nice collections of lenses for each.
Over the years I have bought many other film and digital cameras, ranging from a Minolta 16 to a 4x5 Crown Graphic. After looking at the prints I make from them I eventually end up selling them, or giving them to extended family members, and going back my manual-everything LTM Leicas and Nikon F's.
Over the years I have bought many other film and digital cameras, ranging from a Minolta 16 to a 4x5 Crown Graphic. After looking at the prints I make from them I eventually end up selling them, or giving them to extended family members, and going back my manual-everything LTM Leicas and Nikon F's.
The one I grab the most is a Leica 1A close focus. It’s been CLAd, reskinned and has lots of Brassing. Despite being over 90 years old, it’s absolutely perfect as a camera. .......and IF you meet someone out also with a film camera, you’ll impress the helll out of them 
I do not buy cameras that are crappy. I already know most of those and a little research reveals the rest.
Within the last year my Minolta 600 quit working, although I have a Minolta 9, my current fav for general shooting is the Minolta 800si. Easy to see readout in the viewfinder, really good AF, and with battery grip uses AA batteries.
I see many great cameras mentioned.The truth is, there are many great cameras out there.
Lately I'm enjoying my Contax IIa rangefinder. It is small, extremely well made, the rangefinder is very clear and precise and it can shoot some superb made-in-germany Zeiss lenses plus some really good Soviet lenses.
I also have a Zeiss Contessa folder, and, while it's in some senses the most un-ergonomic camera out there, it also has some special qualities.
In the past my Kodak Retina IIIc was my absolute favorite camera until I found out it was suffering from lack of contrast. I've cleaned the lens again and will have to try it again!!
Lately I'm enjoying my Contax IIa rangefinder. It is small, extremely well made, the rangefinder is very clear and precise and it can shoot some superb made-in-germany Zeiss lenses plus some really good Soviet lenses.
I also have a Zeiss Contessa folder, and, while it's in some senses the most un-ergonomic camera out there, it also has some special qualities.
In the past my Kodak Retina IIIc was my absolute favorite camera until I found out it was suffering from lack of contrast. I've cleaned the lens again and will have to try it again!!
The Canon T90 is my long-time favorite camera. I studied photography at university with it, took it on road trips, etc. I had a blast with that thing. Was it the best camera I ever had? Oh hell no. I have two Leicas that vie for that honor. But I intend to be buried with a T90 in my hand, preferably after my demise.
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