Your Dream Camera

[drumminor2nd]

I'd really like a beat-up Nikon F or F2 with eyelevel prism, but I'd still use my FE more... A 4x5 Crown Graphic or Burke and James wouldn't be too bad, either, but I'd only ever probably contact print for it (Owned a 4x5 Omega D2 enlarger once... not again until I can build a house around a darkroom). There's a Rolleicord III on my shelf I've never put film through (more has gone through the Argus C3 pinhole camera I made a whopping 2 days ago). Thought I couldn't live without that one, same with the Leica IIIf and the Canon P (but I do use the latter) .

Thankfully, I'm on unemployment from a part-time job, so my GAS is thoroughly in check, haha.

 

[fstop]

I'd really like a beat-up Nikon F or F2 with eyelevel prism, but I'd still use my FE more... A 4x5 Crown Graphic or Burke and James wouldn't be too bad, either, but I'd only ever probably contact print for it (Owned a 4x5 Omega D2 enlarger once... not again until I can build a house around a darkroom). There's a Rolleicord III on my shelf I've never put film through (more has gone through the Argus C3 pinhole camera I made a whopping 2 days ago). Thought I couldn't live without that one, same with the Leica IIIf and the Canon P (but I do use the latter) .

Thankfully, I'm on unemployment from a part-time job, so my GAS is thoroughly in check, haha.

Beat up F2 aye? I got one that you'll love, it was listed as great condition on ebay...

 

[BradleyK]

With the exception of an 8x10 - make undecided - I consider myself already the owner of all my "dream cameras." I own, and use when the occasion strikes, the following: a pair of F2 bodies (DE1), an F2A, 2 -F2AS bodies (all with the MD2/MB1 drives), an F3, an F3HP (both with MD4 drives), an F5, 2 Leica M6s, a pair of 500cm bodies, a seldom used EL/X (too damn noisy when shooting landscapes) and an ancient Linhof 4x5 (admittedly not used much in recent memory). Way, way, way too much stuff for a guy that quit the profession over a decade ago (and who now shoots only for his own pleasure), but, what the hell, it all gets used from time to time so...

 

[VaryaV]

Someday I would love to have a big, herkin 8x10 wooden view camera with one of those tasty Jim Galli-type lenses that are so cool ...

Will I ever own one? probably not, because I don't think it would work with my style of shooting. I can barely handle the 4x5 Crown Graphics methodology I have!

 

[Royalrat]

Definitely Leica. Though I still have yearning for an Hasselblad.

 

[benjiboy]

I realized many years ago that once you have your "dream camera" and your pictures are still crap you have nowhere to go, sometimes the dream is better than the reality.

 

[oldnick]

I realized many years ago that once you have your "dream camera" and your pictures are still crap you have nowhere to go, sometimes the dream is better than the reality.

Agree

 

[Two23]

Mine would be an 1840s sliding box camera with a matching 1840s Voigtlander Petzval lens. I would have a holder made that could adapt it for 4x5. I've never had a lot of interest in camera gear made after WW2. I'm concentrating on 1840-1860.


Kent in SD

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Mine would be an 1840s sliding box camera with a matching 1840s Voigtlander Petzval lens. I would have a holder made that could adapt it for 4x5. I've never had a lot of interest in camera gear made after WW2. I'm concentrating on 1840-1860.


Kent in SD

That is impressive, and I thought I had some old cameras!

Jeff

 

[steven_e007]

I really love the quality of BIG negatives - but I hate being the centre of attention and so don't like straying outdoors with 'noticeable' cameras.

So... my dream camera is a discreet, folding 8 X 10 rollfilm camera that I can slip into my back pocket.

Hmmmm.... you did say dream.

 

[altim]

I realized many years ago that once you have your "dream camera" and your pictures are still crap you have nowhere to go, sometimes the dream is better than the reality.

Boy, I hope this isn't true. This statement is the anti-GAS.

 

[benjiboy]

Boy, I hope this isn't true. This statement is the anti-GAS.

In my experience one you have equipment of a reasonable quality any money spent on your photography is better spent on improving your skills, photographic knowledge, and ability to use it effectively, many of the photographers who are considered great,and masters of the medium became so with equipment that most hobbyist photographers these days would scoff at, photography like creativity isn't a problem that can be solved by throwing money at it otherwise the richest photographers would take the best pictures, if I only had a better camera/lens I could take better pictures to a large degree is false and most people already own equipment that's superior to their ability, I personally hope one one day to be worthy of owning what I have.

 

[2F/2F]

My dream camera that doesn't exist is an interchangeable lens, interchangeable back multi-format 6x12/6x9 SLR with view camera movements. Cameras that come close are the Fuji GX680 (only 6x8) and the Graflex RB 4x5 cameras with roll film backs (no movements, interchanging lenses is a hassle).

My dream camera that exists is a 5x7 tri-color camera.

 

[Rick A]

Like Benjiboy, I have the gear I want. Now days my money is spent on film, paper, and chems, so I can practice and perfect my craft. Any other camera gear acquired would only confuse me and interrupt my goal. In the past I was caught up in the gotta have newest biggest best BS. I can honestly say I'm satisfied with my life and how I spend my time.

 

[modernmartyr]

f2-f3 w/hybrid shutter

it would be an f2 with more modern ergonomics, (hybrid shutter). better sealing/penteprism unit.
nikon screwed up. everything after, (except the fm3a/hybrid shutter), is dependent on battery.
and all are expensive paperweights without the battery. f3 you have one shutter speed.

if the f3 had a hybrid shutter and if they got rid of the liquid crystal readout in the camera it also would
be excellent.

i also own a f5 and i am incredulous at the thought of how such an amazing camera is junk without the battery.
complete idiocy.

(the fm3a is not made well enough).

 

[Bernard_61]

Ebony 12x20" !

 

[alex66]

A Rolleiflex 2.8 would be nice I love using my Yashicamats so much, A Fuji 6x9 rangefinder might be quite nice to use as well. There is little in the way of 35mm that I want being quite happy with a couple of Canon Fd mount cameras and Fujica X mounts, along with some others I picked up for pence that work well. There is always the desire for a large format but I would need a studio to use it in. Which brings me to the thing I have seen that I would love for my work a big wooden outside room/shed that has a room on the end as a darkroom. Alas the room costs a few thousand pounds

 

[cjbecker]

arca swiss discovery.

 

[2F/2F]

Probably a 5x7 Graflex RB. It doesn't get much cooler than that.

 

[keithwms]

I think I'd like a Rollei 6008 AF. I am guessing my eyes probably won't get better with time and that might be just the thing.

 

[derwent]

Linhof Master Technika I think....

 

[JohnArs]

My little Horseman HF 4x5, my Nikon F5 with 2 viewfinders but a 24 MP Sensor in it!!!!

Cheers Armin

 

[lxdude]

my Nikon F5 with 2 viewfinders but a 24 MP Sensor in it!!!!

Cheers Armin

It already has that!

 

[Bernard_61]

Ebony 20x24". Is it enough?

 

[Oly_Man]

It’s unlikely I’ll ever go MF so I probably already own my dream cameras, all Olympus. I have a black OM-1n, a black OM-4Ti, a 35RC and a Trip 35. The Trip was made in the same year as me and it has a silver button, so if you know about Olympus Trips, that clue will help you to narrow-down my age to ten years or so

I have also inherited an OM10QD which was the last SLR my dad ever bought. The sentimental value of that is greater than the material value of all the others put together. If I had to choose between all of my cameras and sell the rest, that one would be the one I’d keep.

Now and again when I see a mint boxed OM3Ti on eBay, I look and I think, “should I…?” But the trouble is it’s very much a collectors’ camera (probably was right from day one to be honest), and the minute you start to use it and it attracts even the slightest blemish, you knock a chunk off its value. I really can’t afford to buy a £1,500/$2,000 ornament that I’m scared of touching.