Your Dream Camera

[David A. Goldfarb]

Dream camera, huh? Boy, I don't know. I've been using the same Canon F1N since 1989. I would feel a bit unfaithful for even thinking about another 35mm camera.

Heh. I think I got my F-1N in 1982 or 83. One significant repair (a thread from a film canister got caught in the shutter) and a CLA every few years, and it's still going strong.

 

[Steve Hamley]

Nikon F2AS.

Q: Why do the English drink warm beer?
A: They have Lucas refrigerators.

Steve

 

[Curt]

Why drink milk cold it came from the tit warm.

 

[silverliner]

Wellfor me I simply dream of a 35mm SLR that is rugged, dust-proof full metal body plus genuine leather covering, with built-in silent winder with speed at least 3 fps, spot meter, TTL flash capability(a small built-in flash would be nice) with synch speed up to 1/250 second, PSAM modes. An ergonomic finish will be a plus. Am I asking too much?

 

[firecracker]

I'd love to have something that has no brand name. For me, it's the same as choosing a T-shirt without any logos on.

 

[gnashings]

Uhm... the shirt still has a tag.

 

[Jim Moore]

Ebony 4X5 and 8X10 and 11X14 etc

Ebony?? Did someone say Ebony??

 

[David]

I just got to wondering, if you could have your dream camera then what would it really be? We can all say "oh a Leica" off the top of our head or "oh a canon eos 1ds mk2" but is that really our dream camera or just a piece of expert marketing. I suppose I ought to say therefore 'which camera is the very essence of camera-hood? which one comes to mind when you hear the word "camera" and which one has a special place in your heart?'

The one I'm picking up later this week. A 20x24 Lotus with the trolley and four film holders.

 

[fparnold]

A Nikon F2 that takes 6x7cm shots?

I already have my dream camera, but it only takes postage-stamp sized pictures.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The one I'm picking up later this week. A 20x24 Lotus with the trolley and four film holders.

I've seen one of those 20x24" Lotus cameras, and they're really beautiful. The owner said the trolley was okay in the studio, but that a Black and Decker workmate bench was more practical in the field. He also said the motorized controls were a lot less useful than expected, and that he usually found it easier to adjust the camera manually. It's got the nicest bail back you'll see on any camera.

So I got outbid on another 6x9 Technika with 3 Zeiss lenses, but I bought Janez Pelko's 6x9 Tech V with the help of Marko Trebusak right here on APUG, since the price was good enough to justify having my own lenses cammed for it (maybe not this month, but in the not too distant future). It was shipped from Slovenia yesterday and is sitting a few miles down the Hudson at a DHL depot at this moment.

 

[roteague]

"oh a canon eos 1ds mk2"

We would have to be talking door stops not cameras before I would suggest that one.

I wouldn't mind having a new Toyo 45AII (my current one is wearing out), or an Arca-Swiss. 4x5 is about as big as I care to go.

 

[Nicole]

XPan II & M6 with various lenses for each.

Oh and a matching accessory - a Mini Cooper Chilli

Nicole

A quick update... since this old post I aquired an XPan II - and an M6, which I sold recently. My favourite is still the first one bought ... 501cm. Can't beat it and rarely shoot with anything else these days, especially contemporary childhood portraiture. No need for anything else, no tripod or artificial lighting. I like to travel light and be mobile. Will have to wait a while for the Mini Cooper S Chilli though...

 

[Thingy]

Ebony?? Did someone say Ebony??

An extention* for my Ebony 45SU with a sturdy, lightweight bellows extention enabling me to us a Fuji 450mm lens with movements.

*I have the 90mm extention but need something bigger, lighter & sturdier.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

A quick update... since this old post I aquired an XPan II - and an M6, which I sold recently. My favourite is still the first one bought ... 501cm. Can't beat it and rarely shoot with anything else these days, especially contemporary childhood portraiture. No need for anything else, no tripod or artificial lighting. I like to travel light and be mobile. Will have to wait a while for the Mini Cooper S Chilli though...

Like you, Nicole, I'm lucky to already have my dream cameras. They work great every time, takes very little maintenance, have fabulous lenses, and the pictures are as I expect them to be, so that attention is steered away from the camera, and onto the pictures... What else can one possibly need?

Hasselblad 500 (my trusty friend)
Leica M (thanks again, you know who you are)
Pentax KX (just acquired a 35mm f/2 lens for it that's bloody amazing)

- Thomas

 

[BrianL]

If I had to say a dream camera and limit it to one I'd go minimal. A Minox ML with a shutter that will last as long as a Pentax of Nikon. Small, sharp lens, a metering circuit that when used right is tack on and has a pretty good range of accessories. I loved mine and it went everywhere with me whether it was on a trip along with something like my Bronica or Leica, to the office sitting in my belt case or briefcase, a walk in the park, outside doing some cleanup or anywhere even places where I'd not carry a larger camera.

Also, as I really like the 40mm lens view, the Leica CL as a step up from the Minox. Smaller than the M mount Leica cameras with the same quality lens. Easily pocketable. A great street camera.

MF is more difficult as compromise has been my experience. I found the ETRS fits my bill in that it gives me a 6.45 image and eliminates the need for a 35mm system, just slap on the 35mm back. Saves a lot of money, allows me to know one camera and set of lenses and is a workhorse. Yes, I'd love a 6x6 but found my Rollieflexes to sit on the shelf more oft then not when grabbing something to go shooting with unless I decide purposely I want a 6x6 day.

 

[thegman]

A truly portable medium format camera. Sort of a Holga but with a good lens and better build, or the Rollei 35 of medium format. I've got a Rolleiflex, which is very close, but I'd prefer a range finder or SLR.

 

[pschauss]

Try a Super Ikonta 530 A.

 

[BradleyK]

A dream outfit? A mint M3 (DS of course), and a three lens kit (same vintage as the M3) 35mm, 50mm and a 90mm.

 

[jp498]

I'd take a speed graphic with longer bellows and rail (so I could use a 12" non-tele lens at common distances), and it should be in the same <$200 price range..... and fold into the same compact box.

Or a 35mm TLR with dual 50/1.4 lenses and with the option for a >5 fps motor drive, electronic shutter/exposure options.

 

[OddE]

Easy - the F4. Rather mundane, I know - but mine just keeps going and going and going, no matter what abuse I throw at it.

Excellent metering and basic, though efficient AF should it be needed. Also, it takes just about every F lens ever made. Nice.

All Nikon would've had to do to make it perfect IMHO was to add a crank for manually generating power to keep shooting once the batteries run down...

 

[musila]

A Kodak Recomar 18 or 33. I always wanted one..

 

[removed account4]

a box camera

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Another dream of mine is a Hasablad!

Jeff

 

[ColdEye]

just a Hexar RF and a Nocti 1.0. Then a Fuji 667 for MF. Simple dreams.

 

[agphotography]

I admit that I have long dreamed about owning a Leica. It just strikes me as the perfect camera. I would love any M body, but I only have used an MP and M7 so either one of those would be grand. (Along with 28/35 Summicrons and a 50 Summilux)

For medium format I have dreamed about a Mamiya 7. Such a special camera.

I use Digital SLRs for most of my work, but I admit, they don't do anything special for me as far as "Dream Camera" status is concerned. Though they do work well, that's for sure.

Ooh wait, I almost forgot! The Exakta 66 MOD3. That is a badass camera and I want one.