Each camera in my quiver has a specific purpose. I own 35mm and medium format film cameras as well as two digital cameras. I also use a point and shoot 35mm film camera and the amazing telephone camera that is always in my pocket.
With each camera, I have a favorite lens but I also use other lenses and different film stocks. Sometimes I feel like shooting black and white. I use normal through ultra wide and also telephoto lenses. I plan my photos and use my lenses to achieve the desired result. From the planned photography, often dynamic and spontaneous choices arise producing good pictures as well.
Besides the telephone camera (I enjoy putting my iPhone in its place) in my pocket, my cameras are made by Nikon and have the F-mount system. The F6, it will use every last lens I own. I have them listed in the links below.
The DSLRs and the 35mm can utilize my entire lens kit. Typically each camera has a favorite lens mounted and I will choose a particular film stock based on the type of pictures I want. I plan my work and work my plan using the cameras and lenses from my kit.
The F6 is the most advanced 35mm film camera I own and is my favorite for shooting film. Some say the F6 is the most advanced 35mm film camera ever made. With its F-mount, it’s a lens junky’s dream. But where it shines for me is the auto focus lenses it shares with my D780.
The D780 is my favorite camera of all. It is dependable and highly configurable. It is truly a modern DSLR for a lens junky like me. It is absolutely a special Nikon camera.
The D610 is my secondary DSLR. My photography is best served by pairings of lenses. I do not switch lenses in the field if I can help it. The D610 carries the long lens, the D780 has the wide zoom.
The Mamiya M645 is my first medium format camera and I aspire to master it. I use a Sekonik L398 studio light meter because the waist level finder does not meter the camera, I set the aperture and shutter speed manually. It’s a completely different vibe and I truly aspire to learn to use it.
Below are links to the cameras I have used in the past. I’ve learned quite a bit about them from owning and operating them. Each has helped me understand what I want out of photography.
That’s my Kit. Looking back, I could do this with two cameras, the D780 and the F6 hand just a couple of lenses. But I don’t want to. I want the medium format experience. I like shooting with a manual focus lens mounted to a manually controlled film camera. I learn more about photography with fewer automated controls.
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Nikon F6
s/n 28668
s/n 28668
It took me a year of thinking about committing to a purchase and finally owning one. Mine arrived dead in the box but it was in beautiful shape. I knew Nikon still serviced them and all the known things that needed Nikon service for, they addressed as I decided to take a chance and keep a broken camera having Nikon USA service it. It was repaired and looks new!
I really love the F6 and although I enjoy MF lenses, the auto focus, the color matrix metering, all are fantastic attributes. I primarily use AF lenses shared with my DSLRs.
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Nikon D780
s/n 3028302
s/n 3028302
Film cameras are expensive to operate. A roll of Kodak E-100 is 33$, developing and quality Noritsu scanning is about $30. That’s 60$ per roll of 36 exp. 2$ per shutter release, enough where if I blow a frame, I’m pissed. Plus, the anxiety of hoping your pictures turn out right. Let’s do the math, at $60 per roll (film plus dev/scan) and I’ve shot about 25 rolls of film so far this year $60 x 25 = $1,500 in 35mm film costs so far... But that’s part of the allure of film yet there are times that I have to get the picture right, now! Without the extra cost.
A DSLR is a great choice for getting the picture right every time without additional cost.
…without having to pay for your mistakes. Just compose, shoot and review. Don’t like it? Adjust, compose, shoot and review, in the field, you get it right there. Don’t like the image? Delete it and take another. Want to compare a setting change immediately? Great, just take another pic with the setting change and flip back and forth comparing. No extra cost, no waiting, immediate response and overview of your photography. Gone is the anxiety and frustration in embracing the imperfections of film photography and scanning to be replaced by the instant gratification of the DSLR. This process makes film even more special.
I knew I had to get a digital camera. I knew I needed the exact pictures from auto focus, zooms that do it all quickly, now and low light capabilities like no other.
I have built a kit of AF, D and AF-S lenses. They will fit each of my cameras.
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s/n 2037044
The D610 is my secondary DSLR. I use it primarily as a long lens camera in conjunction with my D780 that has a favorite wide zoom. It’s a camera that is just what I need, nothing more.
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s/n 0533857
And last but not least, my Pikaichi, the point-and-shoot Nikon L35 AF. The point and shoot L35 AF is just right for the table at a restaurant. Waiters can’t focus a manual 35mm SLR and I’m definitely not going to hand them my F6. My F6 and DSLR cameras are far too bulky for out and about trying to blend in, they attract too much attention. The little Pikaichi has a petite strap for around the neck and will fit in a coat pocket or in the small Lowepro bag dedicated to it. This is a point and shoot camera that can be taught how to use on the spot, no big deal. Point and shoot! It’s sort of old and cool. Go Pikaichi!
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s/n: L152175
The Mamiya M645 1000s is a great camera to enter medium format photography. I thought I initially wanted a twin lens reflex but after some thought, I loved the boxy looks of the M645. I researched what I wanted and came up with the model 1000s. I really wanted a Hasselblad 500cm. But I bought the Mamiya M645 1000s.
Although I dream of owning a Hasselblad, I want to learn about this format with a relatively inexpensive camera. The M645 is manageable and the waist level finder and lenses aren’t cost prohibitive. I’m putting it through the paces and I’m beginning to get good images out of it.
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Discontinued
The following highlighted cameras I no longer own or use.
I love my FM, FE, FE-2, F3, N90s, and F100 bodies. I have not tried the F6 yet. 🤔
ReplyDeleteVery cool.
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