Author Topic: One camera, one lens and one film....... (Read 13200 times)

Late Developer · « **on:** August 23, 2010, 01:27:54 PM »

Hope this hasn't been done before (apologies if it has) but if you could only have one rig (body, lens and film) what would it be - and why? One selection only, please.

My choice would be:

Canon F1-N
FD 20-35mm f3.5 L
Fuji Neopan 400 Professional

Solid, go-anywhere body and dead easy to use. The lens has great optics and is really useful for landscapes, travel, street and general photography. As for the film, I tend to prefer medium / quick speed with good tones and fine grain.

choppert · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2010, 01:38:32 PM »

My (soon to be late) Leica M6, my very tatty looking 50mm Summicron and a roll of Tri-X

Alas

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2010, 01:43:38 PM »

The Yashica Mat and a roll of Kodak Ektar. I really like looking down when focusing and the colours of the Ektar are just great.

Urban

Francois · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2010, 03:45:09 PM »

I'd probably settle for my usual go anywhere gear...

Nikon f-601, nikkor 28-70 and some cheap grocery store processing included film I have tons of...

gregor · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2010, 04:02:35 PM »

Interesting question. If I look at my cameras and think about which one I've had the longest and I've used the most, the answer based on that would be my Diana 151 with Ilford HP5.

If Polaroid 665 was still in production the answer may have been different !

astrobeck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2010, 05:29:45 PM »

as much as I'd like to say my 4x5 pinhole with infrared....I can't.

It'd have to be my reliable old Pentax K1000 that's been everywhere with me since I bought it new in 1985
1.7 Pentax 50mm lens (can I sneak in the pinhole body cap too??)

with Ilford Hp5 black and white just so I could develop it myself

Okay, I wrote it down and committed...that was tough!
(My Holgas are going to hate me now so don't tell!)

Andrea. · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2010, 06:43:10 PM »

My little Zorki6 and a roll [90m roll that is] of Polypan 50 I have in the freezer.

sapata · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2010, 07:24:13 PM »

Humm... very difficult question, its's like asking me to choose my favourite album ever...

I'd go for my Rolleiflex TLR Automat and Fuji Neopan 100 ISO

Windy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2010, 07:42:21 PM »

I've become very fond of my OM10 with Zuiko 50mm/f1.8. Film wise, I've been very pleased with the results from Rollei Retro 100 stand developed in Rodinal

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2010, 07:54:05 PM »

Without a doubt my Hasselblad swc and Fuji 160c

DS · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2010, 07:59:49 PM »

My (actually my dad's) Pentax SP500 (a Spotmatic without the selftimer and an unmarked 1/1000 shutterspeed) and the f2 50mm Takumar. Tough as old boots -its one of the few cameras I have that's never had a problem...

As for film- HP5 so I can push, pull and play with it to my heart's content.

Am I allowed a short extension tube?

Photo_Utopia · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2010, 08:22:53 PM »

For me it has to be a Rolleiflex, the film would probably be Fuji NPH 400

Something about square format....

LT · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2010, 08:30:55 PM »

cant do it. sorry. My formats change like my moods, so I really couldn't live without the choice - LF one day, MF the next.

I always stick with a roughly standard lens on each format though. does that count?

Pete_R · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2010, 10:35:25 PM »

Contax 139 with 50mm f/1.4 Planar and Ektar.

I bought this camera, new, in 1981 and it's been around the world with me. If I had to sell all my cameras, this would be the last to go.

hookstrapped · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2010, 10:48:43 PM »

My Leica M2 with Cosina Voigtlander 28mm with Neopan 1600

Terry · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2010, 11:01:45 PM »

I'm having fun with a 'new' Exakta but for longevity of use and most natural feel in the hand and to the eye it has to be the Nikon F with an f/1.4 50mm Nikkor. I bought my first one in 1975, sold it in 1986 (to pay airfare back to the States) and replaced it in 1999. Nothing automatic about it, and no electronics at all! My favorite film of all was the Ektachrome T-160 that I often pushed to 320. Nowadays I suppose it'd be Ilford; I used to do low-light theatre photography, now I go out in the daylight.

wblati · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2010, 11:27:13 PM »

Leica M4-2 + 35mm Ultron + HP5+

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2010, 01:17:19 AM »

Phil: What have you ever shot with that setup that's any good? Ditch it and strike out on your own. It's getting you nowhere!

Leon: No-one likes a ditherer. Man up!

Chops: What's the story w/ the Leica? It sounds dramatic!

Peter: A Contax...now who'd have guessed you'd go for a Contax?

Sapata: So what is your favourite album then?

OK, so what would I go for? Hmmm. It's a toughie mainly because I've used instant film almost excusively for the last 2 years, but I'd have to go for whichever of my K mount Pentax SLRs was most reliable at the time (currently it's a Super ME....I think) and twin it with the glorious SMC f1,4 50mm lens and some film...any film really. I'm not fussed.

db · « **Reply #18 on:** August 24, 2010, 01:28:19 AM »

I'd ruthlessly cut down to a single rig - in each format.

Toyo 5x4, Nikkor 240, Pol 55 (4 boxes left)

Diana 151+ Tri-X ...or maybe I'd have to stay with the Hass 501 +50mm?

Nikon FM-2, 24mm f2, Tri-X. I've owned it forever, and it doesn't look nearly as new as Peter's Contax

Is that breaking the rules? ahh, I know the answer now-
''darling, of course I only have one camera'' and hide the others

Skorj · « **Reply #19 on:** August 24, 2010, 02:58:20 AM »

One camera, one lens, one film:

A great question, and certainly some interesting answers, not least of which the prevalence of B&W, and prime lenses. Skj.

Skorj · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2010, 03:00:53 AM »

Quote from: urbanhafner on August 23, 2010, 01:43:38 PM

The Yashica Mat and a roll of Kodak Ektar. I really like looking down when focusing and the colours of the Ektar are just great.

A great combo, I agree. The Ektar is a very nice color film. From the same combination myself, particularly for portraits as it results in a very nice aspect:

Blaxton · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2010, 06:56:21 AM »

My not-quite-truthful answer is: 8x10 Agfa Ansco with a 300mm Symar and Tri-X (asa 250, developed in a tray with Xtol and contact printed onto Agfa fiber based variable contrast paper). A more truthful answer would be something closer to Leon's response.

LT · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2010, 04:17:23 PM »

Quote from: blaxton on August 24, 2010, 06:56:21 AM

A more truthful answer would be something closer to Leon's response.

yes! Ditherers of the world unite - if they want to, I might not. Depends really. Who else will be coming? I'm not certain if uniting is really the best course of action now. I'll get back to you about the whole uniting thing.

astrobeck · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2010, 04:29:54 PM »

and a photo of my little duckling......

yes, that's tape on the side, I need to replace the light seals.

Ed: I used to have an ME as well but gave it to a photo student years ago. I kept the lens though, the one on the K1000 below and gave the student a 2.8 one I had.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #24 on:** August 24, 2010, 04:48:03 PM »

even to think of having only one camera is stressful! I know, thats terrible, but since all my cameras except my digitals are used (and I love that) hopefully I will never be in a situation where I would only have one! Admire all of you for coming up with a "choice" though...and blaxton...that image above is wonderful! amen!

moominsean · « **Reply #25 on:** August 24, 2010, 05:05:03 PM »

Currently digging the Mamiya Universal with a 50mm lens and ID-UV.

sapata · « **Reply #26 on:** August 24, 2010, 05:10:04 PM »

Quote from: ed.wenn on August 24, 2010, 01:17:19 AM

Sapata: So what is your favourite album then?

Humm... very difficult question, its's like asking me to choose my favourite camera ever...

It varies all the time... but at the moment I've been listening to so much Kraftwerk that I might became a robot soon !

eric rose · « **Reply #27 on:** August 24, 2010, 06:29:35 PM »

I would have to pick the Rollieflex TLR and HP5 souped in PyroCat-HD as my pick.

rolo · « **Reply #28 on:** August 25, 2010, 04:49:05 AM »

I've been shooting so little 35mm lately that my temptation would be to say something like a Rolleiflex or Hasselblad (love those squares). But if push came to shove it would be:

Leica M4, 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH, Tri-X.

That Summilux will be the last lens I ever sell. And I have to have a camera to put it on. . . .

Blaxton · « **Reply #29 on:** August 25, 2010, 05:05:35 AM »

Quote from: leon taylor on August 24, 2010, 04:17:23 PM

Quote from: blaxton on August 24, 2010, 06:56:21 AM
A more truthful answer would be something closer to Leon's response.
Depends really.

"Depends" is what one scientist friend replies to any question--even a question like "at what temperature does water freeze?". Perhaps he would be a good President of our dithering society. Of course, if asked to stand for the presidency, he would say, "Depends really".

Minutefilm · « **Reply #30 on:** August 25, 2010, 03:26:17 PM »

I'd have the Leica M2 with a 35 Summicron f2. I had these a decade ago and had to sell them and nothing I have used since has come close. I had other lenses, 21mm, 50mm and 90mm but travelling with the M2 + 35mm was such a treat.

Loaded of course with TriX dev'd in Rodinal - all grainy and sharp...

I do miss it.

Darnley · « **Reply #31 on:** August 26, 2010, 11:55:54 PM »

Holga 120N with it's 60mm lens (like there's a choice!?) and Tri-X 400. And Rodinal of course.

Nigel · « **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2010, 03:24:40 PM »

Voigtlander Bessa R3A
Jupiter-8 50mm f2.0 (over the Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.4 - unbelievable but true, I love that Jupiter!)

Tri-X

There I've said it!

calbisu · « **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2010, 08:44:08 PM »

Will have to be the Pentax 67 with the fantastic 105mm 2.4f and Kodak Tmax 400... well you can see that in the PIcture there is the very effective Canon A1 with a Panagor 28mm (just in case the Pentax 67 fails). As a matter of fact I will leave Spain for a while and I am still thinking which cameras to bring with me (no more than 4: Pentax 67, Canon A1 (still struggling if I preffer it to the CAnon F1-N), Polaroid 195 and may be the Canon 5D...).

Ok I admit I did not stick to the Post rules...

jojonas~ · « **Reply #34 on:** August 31, 2010, 02:10:00 PM »

wow.. that's a hard one

I've got a few that I'd definitely miss the most and they're high candidates..
holga 120 cfn with fortepan 100 or sx-70 sonar with artistic tz

but as much as I love them (and both films being goners) I have to pick something that I actually can see myself ditching everything else for; my yashica 635~ I'd pair it with some positive film, ektachrome something, so then I could process it as positive, black and white or go xpro.
I'd be very much satisfied with that

...I just wish that yashica was a rolleiflex with 2.8 lens! haha~

Francois · « **Reply #35 on:** August 31, 2010, 06:05:09 PM »

Quote from: jojonas on August 31, 2010, 02:10:00 PM

...I just wish that yashica was a rolleiflex with 2.8 lens! haha~

You know, Rolleis are so over rated... Some of the 4 lens yashicas have optics which are just as good, and in some cases even better.

roman · « **Reply #36 on:** September 01, 2010, 02:06:26 AM »

35mm
nikon f3hp
50 f/1.4
kodak gold 200

120
Pentax 645
75 f/2.8
Kodak 400vc

jojonas~ · « **Reply #37 on:** September 01, 2010, 08:13:33 AM »

Quote from: Francois on August 31, 2010, 06:05:09 PM

Quote from: jojonas on August 31, 2010, 02:10:00 PM
...I just wish that yashica was a rolleiflex with 2.8 lens! haha~
You know, Rolleis are so over rated... Some of the 4 lens yashicas have optics which are just as good, and in some cases even better.

I don't want this thread to turn into camera comparison 87 but really? to be honest though I'm mostly thirsting for the brighter lens~ hehe

Miles · « **Reply #38 on:** September 03, 2010, 08:50:32 AM »

Arrrrgh ... Might hang out with Leon and dither, but I'm not sure yet.

Thing is I'm thinking Toyocaflex and FP4 but I'll only get 12 shots then ... So how about the Chiaka-3 with FP4 then I'd get 72 !

So I guess I'll settle with a Zenit-EM FP4 and the Std. Helios 44/4, as with Peter the Zenith was my first real camera and I alway go back to it in times of need ...

Stu · « **Reply #39 on:** September 03, 2010, 09:53:43 AM »

My well travelled Leica IIIF, the accompanying battered 50mm Elmar and some Tri-x would be top of my list (although the shutter curtain has just developed some sort of problem so I may do a bit more mf stuff until my friend has time to fix it.)

vicky slater · « **Reply #40 on:** September 03, 2010, 10:30:24 AM »

If I had to chose one or they would all be smashed into tiny pieces then it would be the Hassy with the 80mm lens.
The film's too hard to chose..but it would be Fuji and Ilford.

Dave Dunne · « **Reply #41 on:** September 05, 2010, 07:47:03 PM »

Voigtlander Bessa R4A
Voigtlander Nokton f/1.4 35mm
Fuji Neopan 400

sapata · « **Reply #42 on:** September 05, 2010, 08:22:58 PM »

Quote from: Stu on September 03, 2010, 09:53:43 AM

My well travelled Leica IIIF, the accompanying battered 50mm Elmar and some Tri-x would be top of my list (although the shutter curtain has just developed some sort of problem so I may do a bit more mf stuff until my friend has time to fix it.)

What a camera... what a shot !

collodion · « **Reply #43 on:** March 14, 2018, 05:36:01 PM »

This is a tough one, but Id have to go with:

Leica IIIc
VC Color Skopar 35mm f2.5 & finder
Fuji Across 100

Ive used this combo for the last several years and it "just Works" for me. Its small and unobtrusive, fits my hands and is quiet to operate.
The lens is razor sharp and contrasty and I find Fuji Across to be very fine grained and have amazing reciprocity for long exposures.

Just my two cents...

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #44 on:** March 14, 2018, 07:12:06 PM »

Nice to see so many TLRs coming up in a list like this.

Typically enough, that 'last camera if I sold all the others' ... is already sold, and my ideal film is no longer made. But here goes:

Rolleiflex 2.8F ... Planar, and with a meter.
Neopan 400 in 120 ... good enough to shed a tear over.

Other TLRs are available of course, but your question was for just one, though I'd have to sneak in a couple of Rolleinars as well.

The 'why' is simply the point of view that it gives, and the quality of that lens.

Indofunk · « **Reply #45 on:** March 14, 2018, 11:22:28 PM »

My first camera in my "return to film" was a Canonet that I still have, and I just cannot think of a better, funner all-round camera. Sure, I have cameras that are more versatile, quicker to use, different formats ... but if I could have only one camera, it would have to be the Canonet. And although I'd miss Ektachrome, I just can't not have my Tri-X. So there you have it

zapsnaps · « **Reply #46 on:** March 15, 2018, 11:37:52 AM »

Leica R8 with the 80-200 would be my choice. Film? Not so bothered. Astia? Or if I was concerned about back/neck/arm ache from the 8/80-200 combo, a 400 B&W, probably Bergger, to reduce the risk of camera shake and medical bills.

That makes me one of the few (or only person) with a zoom, rather than a prime lens, to answer. Is a prime really the best choice for a single lens choice? A quality zoom will spank most primes into the middle of next week. It also increases my creativity (much needed) and reduces walking. What's the disadvantage? Short of enlarging a snap to 48-sheet poster billboard size, none I can think of. Especially at the 80 end of the lens, I'm not at all sure I could tell the difference holding a print between a Leica 80 zoom and a quality 90 prime with the same crop. Yes, Leica zooms are heavy and eye-wateringly expensive when new, but it is a tool for seeing and if I could only choose one rig, a flexible tool for seeing would be my choice. Everytime.

I'm now going to hide form all the prime users' replies.

zapsnaps · « **Reply #47 on:** March 15, 2018, 11:40:48 AM »

Checking the thread - after my heart-felt praise of zoom, obviously - I now see my minority opinion of 1 is more widely shared than I thought. Zoomers of the world unite!

Aksel · « **Reply #48 on:** March 15, 2018, 03:46:19 PM »

Today GR1v + Neopan 1600, tomorrow - Rolleflex 2.8F with 400h, the day after tomorrow - My Land 195 with 667.
It's just too difficult to choose, they all have their charm and character. No zoom, that's for sure. Unless it's one that I like

Bryan · « **Reply #49 on:** March 15, 2018, 04:03:59 PM »

I couldn't do it, I like playing with all my toys but if I had to make the choice it would be my Leica IIIc with the Summitar 5cm f/2 lens, Ilford Delta 100 film. It would be hard to abandon medium format but the Leica is much more portable so it would get more use. I guess I wouldn't need the turret finder if I'm stuck with one lens. Can I keep my NOOKY closeup attachment?

Leica IIIc with a Summitar 5cm f/2 lens by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Author Topic: One camera, one lens and one film....... (Read 13200 times)

astrobeck

Terry

astrobeck

Darnley