What is your favourite camera to SHOOT with, regardless of format/looks

[Ellis666]

Favourite camera EVER to use, disregarding format, film size, aesthetics, price, design faults.

Even if it looks like a brick with a hole in it or even if it IS a brick with a hole in it, what is your favourite camera to USE, that you can shoot all day and never get annoyed at a single feature.

 

[GRHazelton]

Perhaps a tossup between the Pentax LX with winder and the Pentax ME Super with winder. Both are small, light, big clear viewfinders, and "wieldy", that is they fall readily to hand and are almost intuitive in use.

 

[snapguy]

Don't

I don't have one. A camera is a tool to get a job done. Ask me what my favorite monkey wrench is. It's the one that fits the nut I'm trying to tighten. However I did have a Standard Rolleiflex that was a lot of fun. Speed Graphics are a blast. Nothing beat the Nikon F in its day for versatility. I adore the feel of rangefinder film cameras like the Leica M2R I had, the small Canon Canonets (I have a half dozen of those) and so on.

 

[Dave in Kansas]

Maybe that depends if "Favourite camera to use" means the most "fun" camera to use. As far as fun, I always have fun with my Speed Graphic, but for all around favorite it might be my Bronica SQ-A in medium format and my Nikon FA in 35mm. But if I think on this long enough I might come up with a different camera.

Dave

 

[Hatchetman]

Leica III. Feels good just to fondle it. Not the easiest to use though. That would be my Spotmatic.

 

[Rick A]

The "one" that I enjoyed the most, used to be my Mamiya 6 folder, until it was stolen. Now, no favorites. I loaded an Olympus OM-1, shot a couple of frames, and it sits on the shelf. I rolled out the other day with my 4x5, didn't expose any film.

 

[Chrismat]

This is tough, especially when I have more cameras than I need. For medium format, I'd have to say my favorite is my first, my Pentax 6X7. For 6X6, I really do like using my Kodak Reflex II tlr despite having to re-spool 120 film on 620 spools. I've gotten some really nice images with it. I've used Rolleiflexes, Yashicas, etc., but there is something about the Reflex II that I really like. For 35mm, I do like my Pentax KX slr, and for a rangefinder, my Yashica Lynx 1000. I've got others that I love using, but those are probably my favorites.

 

[munz6869]

It's mostly the Wista 5x4"... followed by Fuji GW680III, followed by Rolleiflex...

Marc!

 

[OptiKen]

I was trying to give this a lot of thought. My Ensign 220 Auto folder has a gorgeous lens, is easy to focus, has a film counter (rare on older cameras) and a coupled rangefinder. No flash sync or shoe, however. My Yashica 44LM is a joy...I love the size...the viewfinder screen is bright and clear..it has a cold shoe and flash sync and a film counter. When I get or cut down film for it, it always goes out with me.
My favorite, however, is probably my Zenobia folder. It lacks all bells and whistles but guess focusing seems to be spot on all of the time and it fits easily in my back pocket and is always a conversation starter. It really feels very natural to hold and use and consequentially is also a very fast shooter.

I'm sure tomorrow my answer will be different.

 

[goodfood]

Minox GT. Small in size, high quality.

 

[nsurit]

The safe answer is "Whichever one I have in my hands at the time." The real answer would be Olympus OM 2S with an 85mm f2 Zuiko lens attached, followed the same camera body with an 180mm f2.5 Tamron SP attached would be a close second. Both just feel "right." Bill Barber

 

[Amfooty]

RZ67. It feels and looks like a cinder block, but the negs are beautiful. Plus it doubles as a warhammer if you have a solid tripod.

 

[frank]

Hexar RF is pretty sweet.

 

[flatulent1]

First place, my sentimental favorite T90. Still a wonderful camera even after all these years, and the one I usually grab first when I'm heading out the door.

Coming up really close behind it is the EOS 1V. It's a T90 with all the bugs worked out of it.

After that comes a large cluster of favorites, lead by the F4, which I no longer have. I really enjoyed working with that camera, in spite of all the damned interlocks getting in the way. I had dreams of disabling many of those...

 

[digital&film]

Olympus OM-2..

 

[benjiboy]

Canon New F1, I have four of them, and very recently resisted buying a fifth.

 

[MattKing]

The safe answer is "Whichever one I have in my hands at the time." The real answer would be Olympus OM 2S with an 85mm f2 Zuiko lens attached

I'd agree many days, except on certain other days the lens would be the 35mm f2 Zuiko lens.

 

[removed account4]

maybe a cyclone #3 falling plate camera ...
or a really big retina camera i made that is about 15x7 ...

 

[drkhalsa]

Nikkormat ftn

 

[AgX]

Seen the title of this thread, I'd probably go for the FED Photosniper...

 

[Kawaiithulhu]

I only shoot with cameras that have a 3 in their names, so my favorite shooters are an F3 and an M3 depending on if I want loud and proud or quiet and cultured. Both use 35mm film, which has a 3 in its name too.

 

[Wayne]

Wista 45SP

 

[trythis]

Nikon n80 for 135 and Fuji GA645 for medium format.
I like them because I can shoot one handed while out with the family. If I can go out alone its a nikon fg or fa for 135 and the mamiya m645 for mf.

 

[hdeyong]

My Olympus OM-1. Makes the most sense to me. Change aperture at the front of the lens, change shutter speed at the back of the lens, (on the body, of course), an inch or two away. Also, light and great lenses.

 

[moltogordo]

The best camera to shoot is really the one you have on hand, but that doesn't answer your question. I think you're after the machine that just feels most like an extension of ourselves, that we simply like to use

I have two. The Olympus Pen F half-frame, and the Pentax MX. And I'll go in that order. Reason? First of all, there is seldom a reason for an enlargement larger than 5x7 or at most 8x10 unless it's going to be an exhibition print, framed. So 35mm will always do, especially if you're skilled in the darkroom and can make good internegs for giant blowups. Secondly, the vast amount of films available for 35mm. Other formats are much more limited. Thirdly, these cameras are small and light, tough, ergonomic, and have fine optics. It is quite amazing what you can do with Pan F or Adox 25, a tripod, and a Pen FT. The MX speaks for itself, arguably the most underrated pro-level 35 ever made

If I were allowed, I'd add the Pentax 645 medium format. I could live with just this camera (or either of the other two), because it's just simpler to deal with 120 in the darkroom to produce top notch results. The Pentax 645 is ergonomic and produces exquisite images. Small and light, and intuitive.