Tell us about your camera(s)

[username]

what are you shooting with?

here's what i currently use...

- nikon d50 most of the time. (stock lens)
- fuji finepix f601z for on the bike or any time i don't want the big dslr.
- my iphone camera.

you?

[PGlaves]

Olympus Camedia C750 - 10x optical zoom - 3 generations old and pixel limited, but Oh, that lens.

On the bike (shirt pocket) - Fuji Finepix Z3 - more pixels, less lens, but always handy.

[SNC1923]

My most recent acquisition is a Canon 40D:

http://www.fotozoom.ru/fb/2007/2007080402.jpg

I am pleased with and impressed by this camera. I've got six lenses that I use. I was out of the SLR business for a decade and I'm finally just getting back into the swing of things. I shot a Rebel XT for almost two years. That was also a really nice camera that gave me some great photos. I just sold it and sort of regret having done so.

I also carry around a Canon S80

http://tomyeah.com/images/canon_s80.jpg

At the time I bought this camera it had two main selling points: a large LCD screen and a lens that was 28mm (equivalent) wide angle. It can be auto, semi-auto, or fully manual. Downsides include no ability to shoot RAW, the telephoto is a bit soft, and it's too small and elegant to be handled on the bike with gloves.

I've got my eye on one of these

http://www.product-reviews.net/wp-content/userimages/2007/08/canon-121mp-powershot-g9.jpg

This is a great little workhorse. One of its main selling points is the ability to shoot RAW. The powerful zoom goes down only to 35mm equivalent. Like the S80 and other P&S cameras, the sensor is tiny and produces a great deal of noise at ISO 200 and up (or so I'm told).

I'm sort of waiting/hoping/praying that Canon will produce a camera like the G9 with an APS-C sensor like the 20/30/40Ds, XTs, etc.

So I sit and wait. . . .

[bmwdean]

Just got a Nikon D300 (http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/image-files/nikon-d70-review-1.jpg), a fabulous camera. Have D200 and D70 as backups.

http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/D300/nikon_d300_front.jpg http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/image-files/nikon-d70-review-1.jpg

Main lens is a AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED
Sometimes use AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1:4 G ED in tight spots
Enjoy playing with the AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm 1:2.8 G ED

I have a bunch of old Nikons no longer in use: F, FTN, F2, F3, F5, S, S2, S3, SP, etc. Sheesh: I may be a hoarder or collector.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Sp-s3w.jpg/200px-Sp-s3w.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Nikonf.jpg/250px-Nikonf.jpg

[tommcgee]

Sony DSC-H1, 12x lens, and a mere 5.1 megapixels. I love this camera.

[rocketman]

I shoot with my imagination (or try to, anyway!:D )

As to what I use to capture those images....

currently a Nikon D80 that I traded up to from a D70, for which I have several lens, 3 zoom and one 90mm fixed focal length macro. Originally I upgraded for the added mega pixels as I like to do larger prints at times, but discovered that I liked the features and layout better and those have become the really important features for me now.
Also currently use a Sony Cyber-shot W100 since it had a manual mode, though the f-stops range is pretty limited, but it does have a viewfinder, as I find the view screens hard to see in bright light. That pretty much goes everywhere with me now, I'm more likely to remember my P&S than my cell phone!

Before that I had the 6.1 W80. First Digital was one of the Olympus Ultra-wide, the C750, and even with its limited megapixel rating, was the one I used for what I still consider one of my best photos, and one that made it into the Picture of The Week series on this web site. For years before that I was a diehard film buff, having done years of B&W developing, I was late coming into the digital revolution.

Like Tom I've also been looking at the Cannon C9 due to its having RAW support. In the past 6 months I've gone almost exclusively to shooting in RAW and the idea of having a P&S that can do that is very appealing. As much as I like RAW format, I am finding that there is both an up and down side to shooting in that mode, but that may be best saved for another thread.

RM

[32232]

Nikon Coolpix 5400 for digital, which is great for instant gratification pictures. But I really enjoy using my Leica M6 for the pictures I want to last, and for B&W when the 'artsy' mood hits:

[Gil]

Just got a Nikon D300 (http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/image-files/nikon-d70-review-1.jpg), a fabulous camera. Have D200 and D70 as backups.

http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/D300/nikon_d300_front.jpg http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/image-files/nikon-d70-review-1.jpg

Main lens is a AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED
Sometimes use AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1:4 G ED in tight spots
Enjoy playing with the AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm 1:2.8 G ED

Nicely done Dean!
I also just got a D300 to replace my D200. But still, my favorite cameras are the Fuji S5 and my beloved Fuji S3. (I still use my Fuji S2 on occasions)
I also have a 12-24 and the 17-55 among many other lenses. But best of all, I have a 400 MM 2.8 which breaks my back constantly.

Gil

[K_daug_]

Nikon D70...my wide angle 12-24 is my favorite lens! I also use a Panasonic PV-GS150 3CCD video camera on a RAM mount.

[dancogan]

Love my D200, which is considerably higher in quality than the D100 I keep for motorcycle trips. Also have the F5, but have to admit it's been several years since I shot any film. Then there are the little ones, like a digital Elph my wife carries, my Coolpix P2 that's often in the tankbag, and some older film cameras in the basement, like my old Argus C3.

[kartcon]

My digital SLR is a Nikon D50, using the 18-70 Zoom, 18-200-VR zoom and a 200-500 Tamron super telephoto. For point and shoot, I use a Cannon Powershot S50. When shooting film I still use my 20+ year old Nikon FE.

[jdmetzger]

Canon Powershot SD900 "Digital Elph".

It's 10 megapixel (which is great), has a nice solid titanium shell, and it's small enough that I actually carry it with me. It's mostly a "point and shoot" camera, but I'm finding it has some extra features and it takes some really nice photos. I also like the large LCD it has.

All my my photo assignments have been done with this camera.

http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/images/Canon-Powershot-SD900-lg.jpg

[BubbaZanetti]

Canon Powershot SD900 "Digital Elph".


josh, by the look of it, that has a full manual mode, am i correct??

i have a couple year old canon A80, i like it's fold out screen and it's manual mode, but it's a bit bulky for "on the fly" riding pics and it's falling apart totally.

i'd love a small point and shoot with full manual capability. if not i'm gonna go with a new pocket sized point and shoot and a entry level slr for when i like to "screw around" (mostly just long exposure stuff).

[grossjohann]

Just got a Nikon D300 (http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/image-files/nikon-d70-review-1.jpg), a fabulous camera. Have D200 and D70 as backups.

Main lens is a AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED
Sometimes use AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1:4 G ED in tight spots
Enjoy playing with the AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm 1:2.8 G ED

Is the 18-200mm with VM? If so, how do you like it?

I was hot for this one a few months ago, but I let the guys talk me out of it.

[bmwdean]

Is the 18-200mm with VM? If so, how do you like it?

I was hot for this one a few months ago, but I let the guys talk me out of it.

VR works better than I was expecting. I can take sharp handheld photos in dim light with this lens unlike my non-VR lenses.

You made a mistake :) Should have stayed "hot" for the D300!

[SNC1923]

VR lenses (or IS on the Canon side) are amazing—a friend refers to them as "life changing." Generally, these lenses buy you about three stops in hand-holdability. If you previously could hand-hold a 200mm lens at no lower than 1/250th, with image stabilization, you can do it at 1/30.

My number of motion-blurred pictures has gone from 25% down to fewer than 3% since starting to use these lenses.

(Although nothing beats a tripod. . . .)

[grossjohann]

VR works better than I was expecting. I can take sharp handheld photos in dim light with this lens unlike my non-VR lenses.

You made a mistake :) Should have stayed "hot" for the D300!

VR lenses (or IS on the Canon side) are amazing—a friend refers to them as "life changing." Generally, these lenses buy you about three stops in hand-holdability. If you previously could hand-hold a 200mm lens at no lower than 1/250th, with image stabilization, you can do it at 1/30.

My number of motion-blurred pictures has gone from 25% down to fewer than 3% since starting to use these lenses.

(Although nothing beats a tripod. . . .)


Thanks. I'm still well served by D70. It may be a little out-dated, but it’s in great condition.

The 18-200mm VR lens on the other hand…

…well paired with the 12-24mm by-the-way.

[jdmetzger]

josh, by the look of it, that has a full manual mode, am i correct??

i have a couple year old canon A80, i like it's fold out screen and it's manual mode, but it's a bit bulky for "on the fly" riding pics and it's falling apart totally.

i'd love a small point and shoot with full manual capability. if not i'm gonna go with a new pocket sized point and shoot and a entry level slr for when i like to "screw around" (mostly just long exposure stuff).

It does have a manual mode. To be honest, I skipped the instructions and actually only found it two weeks ago when I was doing the closeup photo assignment.

You can do color accents, color swaps, adjust your exposure (+-2), set your lighting for white balance, several color options (vivids, sepia, custom colors) as well as choosing ISO, focal length (close, normal, infinite). I'm sure it doesn't have all the features of the larger cameras, but I'm finding it does a real nice job.

Size was really an issue when it came to purchasing a new camera. I had an A-series, previously (3.3mp). I figured it was useless to get a big camera with a ton of settings if I wasn't ever going to carry it around with me.

[rocketman]

VR works better than I was expecting. I can take sharp handheld photos in dim light with this lens unlike my non-VR lenses.

You made a mistake :) Should have stayed "hot" for the D300!

I'll second the VR lens, I have the 70-300 VR and have had very good luck with it. The one down side is that it is noticeably heavier, esp. on a long day of walking. So if I know I'll be shooting bright daylight hours and walking I'll opt out for the lighter Non-VR 70-300 lens. The VR doesn't seem to effect battery life on my Nikon either, which is nice.

Here is a crop of a shot I took last fall up on skyline. I was around 35 or so feet up the hill from the milkweed pods I was shooting, I didn't even see these two guys till I got home and was editing the photographs. I was pleased with the clarity even with the cropping. this was hand held with the Nikor 70-300 VR. This pretty much sold me on the lens. Esp. when one considers that zoom lens are generally not as sharp as fixed-focal length lenses.

http://roadrunes.com/images2/skyline-sept-2007/DSC_2853_edited-2-detail-web.jpg

RM

[MLS2GO]

DSLR D80 Walking around lense is 18-200 VR Wow what a lense
Tamron 200-400
Tamron Doubler
newest pickup is Nikon 105 MM Macro still learning on that one
SB 600 Speedlight TTL even zooms with the camera
Have the kit lense from my former DSLR D70 a Nikon 18-70. A very nice light weight lense

Point and shoot is a Canon SD1000 7.1 megapixel 3 times optical

Latest lusting is a really nice tripod and ball head. Researching that one now. Why are there so many great toys to be had?

The nut that holds the grips however is still the most important tool!

[SNC1923]

Latest lusting is a really nice tripod and ball head. Researching that one now. Why are there so many great toys to be had?

I learned from my recent research into tripods that the term "really nice tripod" is a broad economic category. If you're interested, I settled on a Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPROB (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=42147) and a 488CR2 (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=3757) ball head. This was to replace a Bogen tripod I bought in 1980. They make a good product.

If you're richer than I am (also a broad economic category), Gitzo makes a great tripod and RRS (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/home.html) (Really Right Stuff) seems to have the best ball head going. Their ball head costs more than my whole rig.

It takes a lot of discipline to haul around a full-sized tripod. I've really just started to do it in earnest. It sure does seem to make a remarkable difference in the sharpness of your pictures.

Let us know what you get.

[rocketman]

I learned from my recent research into tripods that the term "really nice tripod" is a broad economic category. If you're interested, I settled on a Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPROB (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=42147) and a 488CR2 (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=3757) ball head. This was to replace a Bogen tripod I bought in 1980. They make a good product.

If you're richer than I am (also a broad economic category), Gitzo makes a great tripod and RRS (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/home.html) (Really Right Stuff) seems to have the best ball head going. Their ball head costs more than my whole rig.

It takes a lot of discipline to haul around a full-sized tripod. I've really just started to do it in earnest. It sure does seem to make a remarkable difference in the sharpness of your pictures.

Let us know what you get.


I hear that! I recently learned what a cheep plastic tripod is...



Cheep Plastic!

.....(I'm still not sure why I even looked at it other than the brand was one I was familiar with *sigh* or thought so till then!)

I took it back the same day and got an all metal head and sturdier legs! One thing to remember is to take your camera (with your longest lens) with you, it will help you decide if the tripod will really hold your camera steady. Like anything, do some digging, plenty of info on the net and ask questions, make the salesman earn his sale!;) If they act like you're wasting their time, the time being wasted is really yours!

RM

[KBasa]

Nikon D50 with an 18-55 and a 50-200.

Also use a Canon S500 for point and shoot.

I've got a viddy cam ala Sony DVDR203. It's simple, but effective.

[bricciphoto]

http://www.product-reviews.net/wp-content/userimages/2007/08/canon-121mp-powershot-g9.jpg

This is a great little workhorse. One of its main selling points is the ability to shoot RAW. The powerful zoom goes down only to 35mm equivalent. Like the S80 and other P&S cameras, the sensor is tiny and produces a great deal of noise at ISO 200 and up (or so I'm told).

The G9 (& G7) are noisy above ISO 200. I shot a bunch of Harleys at a bike show a while back and I used the G9 and captured both jpegs and RAW files. They RAW files look really good, but I'd have to go back and check what ISO I used.

I currently have a G9, G7, S410 and two T-90s. Sold all the better stuff (20D, 1Ds and all the necessary glass). Another disadvantage to the G9/7 series is the inability to mount filters on any thing other than the body and stock lens, in other words you can't use a polarizer with the wide or tele converters, or other filters for that matter. But they are handy little snap-shot cameras. Oh, and the on board flash sucks, too. :p

[GregFeeler]

- Olympus E-300 DSLR w/14~45 (28~90mm) and 40~150 (80~300mm) lenses.
- 2 Nikon Coolpix 5400 P&S's (great tank bag cameras)
- Pentax Optio 555 P&S
- Olympus D-490 P&S (old, low res, but great color)

...and a bunch of film-based Olympus SLR's, and Olympus and Pentax P&S's

[MLS2GO]

Tom wrote: I learned from my recent research into tripods that the term "really nice tripod" is a broad economic category. If you're interested, I settled on a Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPROB (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=42147) and a 488CR2 (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=3757) ball head. This was to replace a Bogen tripod I bought in 1980. They make a good product.

This is one the tripods I am considering and one of the ball heads. I am hearing the siren song of the Markens ball head. At the www.nikonians.org website they get rave reviews. They are also stupidly expensive. I have found over the years if I buy the one I want first, I only have to make one purchase, usually cheaper in the log run. See them here at:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_1.html

All it takes is money!

[torags]

I farkled my Panasonic LX1 P&S with a slip on circular polarizer. This cam shoots raw, has exterior controls and a nifty 3 aspect ratio lens (shoots panorama), but the has poor low light performance. The green dots are felt to increase the grab of the stylish slippery aluminum.

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/132046778-S.jpg

[REM07adventure]

My bags include a Canon 20D and a Contax 645 with extra lenses for both. Being a bit old school, I love the Contax and thank God I bought a shed load of Contax lenses before they quit selling the camers. Neither one is for moto trips but they sure take some nice images. I think I need something that will slip into a jacket pocket!
REM

[dancogan]

This is one the tripods I am considering and one of the ball heads. I am hearing the siren song of the Markens ball head. At the www.nikonians.org website they get rave reviews. They are also stupidly expensive. I have found over the years if I buy the one I want first, I only have to make one purchase, usually cheaper in the log run. See them here at:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_1.html

All it takes is money!

Maybe not "stupidly expensive." I've had my Arca Swiss ballheads for years now. They help my photography by not being a distraction, and are a pleasure to use, and just last and last. I finally bought a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod before a trip to WA state this summer. Don't know how many tripods I've bought before this one but it's a lot. This may be the last one I ever need. It's light, easy and quick to set up, and doesn't freeze my hands in the cold.

[bensonga]

Mostly Canon DSLR (now a 40D) on the digital side of life. Pentax 67, Hasselblad 501CM & 553ELX and more recently a Ebony 4x5 view camera on the film side. Yup, still shooting film...there's just something about those gorgeous 4x5 inch transparencies that still makes it worthwhile for me. And the whole process of taking photographs slows down causing me to spend more time looking than shooting....works for some subjects, not others.

I gave up the wet darkroom years ago. I scan the negatives/transparencies now with an Epson V750 and print on an Epson 2400 & 2200.

I love that Berlebach tripod. Made in Germany, of course. ;)

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[SNC1923]

Nice 6X7 rig, Gary. I always wanted a Mamiya RB67, but I never got around to it. . . .

[bensonga]

Of course, none of the gear I mentioned goes on the motorcycle with me.....I'm still shooting with a lowly Canon G2 (4mp) for that purpose. Surprising how good the old G2 works....although seeing results from the new G9 makes me envious!

I do like working with medium and large format film. I gave up 35mm film when I switched to the DSLR. Could be I just like using and playing with the equipment. Something about the size, heft and engineering of these big cameras and lenses that I really enjoy. The Ebony view camera is something to see and use, incredible workmanship (handmade in Japan), made of Madagascar ebony wood and titanium.

The best part of shooting film these days is that used equipment in excellent or like new condition can be had for a fraction of the cost just a few years ago. I never could have afforded the Hasselblad gear 5 years ago.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[bensonga]

Nice 6X7 rig, Gary. I always wanted a Mamiya RB67, but I never got around to it. . . .

The RB67/RZ67 are very nice cameras.....I always liked their removable and revolving 6x7 backs. Shooting vertical with the Pentax 67 is not the easiest way to go...I've gotta have a really sturdy head on the tripod! The Berlebach tripod and Bogen 3039 Super Pro head works good, but I dare not go any smaller.

I don't recall if Mamiya ever came out with a digital back for the RZ67.....I know there were rumors of it for a long time. My dream setup is to add the 16 megapixel Hasselblad CFV digital back to my 501CM/553ELX. Right now (ok, probably forever), spending $9,000 for a digital back isn't likely! Sure would be a great setup however. I've seen some sample images from the CFV back.....they are very good (as well they should be, for that price).

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[crgrbrts]

My Canon 40D for digital (which is spoiling me),

my lovely old Leica M4 -- since 1974 -- for the "Leica look",

my Rolleiflex SL66 for medium format handheld shots and on-the-go weight training and,

my Peter Gowland 4x5 Pocket View for artsy-fartsy days and with the fond hope that some beautiful bikini-clad (or unclad) Hollywood starlets will wander in front of the lens.

[SNC1923]

My Canon 40D for digital (which is spoiling me),

my lovely old Leica M4 -- since 1974 -- for the "Leica look",

Isn't that 40D nice?

Have you had a look at an M8 yet? My, oh my. . . .

http://harrysproshop.com/Leica_M/m8/Leica_M8_pair.gif

[crgrbrts]

Ah -- the Leica M8. I want one!!!

Maybe I'll be able to purchase one after I get done paying off my K1200R Sport. Of course, our friends in Solms will probably be selling an M9 or M10 by then :-)

[WildBlue]

D40 Kit
Stock Glass

[bricciphoto]

Of course, none of the gear I mentioned goes on the motorcycle with me.....I'm still shooting with a lowly Canon G2 (4mp) for that purpose. Surprising how good the old G2 works....although seeing results from the new G9 makes me envious!

Gary the G2 was an excellent camera. I really wish that Canon would have maintained its basic design through the G series up to the G9. I really miss the flip out LCD panel. The G2 is a really easy to use and thus fast little P&S camera. I loved mine and moved from it to a 1Ds...now back to a G9. :wave

[SNC1923]

I really miss the flip out LCD panel.

+1.

I had this feature on two Nikons. It's a shame that it has gone away. Why? Size? Fragility? Repairs?

[bensonga]

Yes, I really do like the G2, which I suppose is why I'm still using it all these years later...and that flip out screen is great. It's a pretty sturdy camera too. I had it on a small tripod at Death Valley once, taking photos of the salt formations (Devil's something or other) and it tipped over, fell on the very hard, sharp salt formations...a few minor scuffs, but kept right on working. 4 megapixels is surprisingly enough for good 8x10 prints.

Nikon F2....now there's a real camera for you! I have a pair of these with the motor drives. You know you've got some serious metal when you lug those around for awhile. :-)

Here's one other camera sitting in my closet that doesn't get used very often anymore....an old Graphic View camera. Made sometime in the 1950s I think. Fun to use. Kinda like taking an old airhead out for a ride now and then, I suppose.

Guess I'll have to admit to being something of an equipment geek....and I hate parting with any of it, even the stuff that doesn't get used very often anymore.

Anyone out there using a Mamiya TLR? It was my intro to medium format photography at a time when I could only dream of owning a Hasselblad someday. Still got it....and some great photos of Arizona & Utah in the early 1980s, thanks to the TLR.

There's just something about the process of taking photos with a manual focus, no built in light meter, etc type camera that I find very rewarding. Actually, the only thing I really like better about shooting with digital capture is being able to come home, load up the images and immediately get into the digital darkroom, with a print to show my spouse soon thereafter. That convenience factor is a big plus.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[crgrbrts]

View cameras are great fun when you're in a mellow mood. Besides my Gowland 4x5, I've got another that I built myself -- which was a relaxing and rewarding project in itself.

Craig

[SNC1923]

Guess I'll have to admit to being something of an equipment geek....and I hate parting with any of it, even the stuff that doesn't get used very often anymore.

Anyone out there using a Mamiya TLR?

Me, too, though I'm getting better about parting with it. I've sold several digital cameras recently on ebay and/or dgrin.com.

I had a Mamiya C330 for about a year--my only foray into medium format. I really enjoyed it--was developing my own B&W at the time, through a community college class if I recollect properly. I had a wide angle and telephoto lens for it as well, though I never got the pentaprism. . . . I dreamt of an RB67 or even a Hasselblad, but alas, it was not to be.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Mamiya-C330.jpg

[bensonga]

Beautiful camera Craig! Hard for me to tell from the photo what film format size it is. I'm afraid my woodworking skills are so pathetic, if I had attempted to build something like this it would have come out looking like a franken camera instead of a beautiful wooden view camera. Well done!

It is very relaxing to use one of these cameras. After a hectic week at work, it's great to get outdoors with the view camera, throw the dark cloth over your head, peer at the image on the ground glass and really slow the pace of life down. It's just so completely different from using a 35mm or digital camera. If I come home with a half dozen good negatives/transparencies that's great.....but it's usually been an enjoyable experience either way.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[bensonga]

Me, too, though I'm getting better about parting with it. I've sold several digital cameras recently on ebay and/or dgrin.com.

I had a Mamiya C330 for about a year--my only foray into medium format. I really enjoyed it--was developing my own B&W at the time, through a community college class if I recollect properly. I had a wide angle and telephoto lens for it as well, though I never got the pentaprism. . . . I dreamt of an RB67 or even a Hasselblad, but alas, it was not to be.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Mamiya-C330.jpg

Ahhh.....the C330....top of the line! Mine is the very basic C220. Gotta advance the film and cock the lens shutter in two separate steps. Not a camera for fast action sports or wildlife photography! :-)

Frankly, I think the optics of the Mamiya TLR lenses are nearly as good (to my eyes) as the Zeiss glass.

There's a recent ad for Ebony view cameras that I think applies to these well made, pre-digital, manual focus cameras also. It goes something like this:

"No bells, no whistles....no sensor or mega pixels. No program mode, no movie mode, no modes at all. No digital zoom, no video output port, no flashing lights or LCD monitor. No 18 month product life cycle, no firmware upgrades. Most of all...no compromises and no regrets."

While I enjoy the convenience of shooting digital.....I still enjoy the experience of manually focusing a camera and setting the shutter speed and aperture the old fashioned way. :-)

I also know that the trusty old Mamiya TLR works as well today as it did 25 years ago.....and that's very good indeed! Not sure I will be able to say that about my Canon 40D...25 years from now.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[crgrbrts]

Thanks, Gary. Here's the camera back (it's a 4 x 5). The cherrywood came from a local woodworking store -- everything else (except the bellows) from the hardware or hobby shop. I made the ground glass from window glass, emery paper and a lot of elbow grease. The project began with the $5 salvaging of the bellows from the "junk bin" of a camera shop. I had the bellows for a couple of years and was about to toss it when I decided to build a camera around it.

You're so right about the meditative aspects of view camera use. It's wonderful therapy and so totally different than snapping away with a smaller instrument. I must admit, though, that I'm having a lot of fun with my Canon 40D. Instant gratification has its rewards, too.

[bensonga]

Really nice work on the camera Craig.....and you made it virtually from scratch, not a kit. That's incredible (to me anyways!).

I enjoy the instant satisfaction of digital too (I've also got the 40D)....easy to get spoiled by it in that way. Thankfully, there's room in life to enjoy both ends of the spectrum and everything in between....just as with motorcycles! ;)

I'm glad we don't have to choose between digital and film etc.....no need to see it as either/or, that's for sure.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska