If you could have any camera system in the world... [Archive]

wlewisiii

12-10-2005, 14:43

One body and all it's lenses? Linhof Master Technika Classic w/ handgrip and RF coupling on all those lenses. Plus my 127/4.7 Ektar & 5x8 B&L Tessar mounted in new Copal shutters, on Linhof lens boards and RF coupled.

Oh and a lifetime supply of Fomapan, Tri-X & Diafine.

:D

William

Penguin_101

12-10-2005, 14:47

One body and all it's lenses?
William

Yes, like for example if you wanted to go with a Canon FD SLR system you could get the AE-1 and all of the FD lenses ever made. (I used that as an example because everyone pretty much knows the FD system)

Byuphoto

12-10-2005, 15:06

Hassleblad 500 and all lenses

Gabriel M.A.

12-10-2005, 15:15

Let's see...

Leica M4, MP, M6 classic (the last two black) with all M lenses available.
Hasselblad 503CX with all lenses available and at least 10 120 backs (that won't skip any frames or any misalignments)
Voigtlaender Prominent with Nokton (das deustche versionen)
Canon 5D with all Canon EF primes, and the 70-200 f/2.8 L

Hmmm, what else? Oh yeah, and the Canon Demi EE 17

that's just to keep me occupied for a long while... ;)

Honu-Hugger

12-10-2005, 15:17

An Alpa 8b (then I can still frequent the RFF :D) and as many lenses as I can lay my hands on!!!

Honu-Hugger

12-10-2005, 15:18

Or a Contax IIa and all the lenses I can find...

Kim Coxon

12-10-2005, 15:19

I already have the body. Just need those super fast super expesive lenses, the Pentax LX

Kim

CleverName

12-10-2005, 15:20

I'd go for a medium format rangefinder like one of the Fuji 645s.

OT: Taffer, what is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

Doug

12-10-2005, 15:23

ONE body, Gabriel! :D

Makes it a really tough choice doesn't it. One camera for all uses... has to be a compromise of quality and carryability. I'd go with a Pentax 67II except for the carryability part. Giving up lens flexibility and closeups is tough too, but for a one body system I guess I'll choose the Bronica RF645.

Gabriel M.A.

12-10-2005, 15:26

ONE body, Gabriel! :D
:p --- Hey! It says "system". I didn't read anything about "any one camera body".

Brutus correctionem: yes it does :bang: :bang:

I stand by my "system" choice :D

hoot

12-10-2005, 15:34

I could never settle on just one!

* Plaubel Veriwide (for weird artsy stuff)
* Contax T (for snapshots, street & reportage)
...and maybe a 6x6cm view camera with all the movements, interchangable roll film backs, and all the lenses (for architecture, environmental portraiture and the occasional studio gig)

Heck, that last one might not be too expensive... I feel a bout of GAS coming up...

Jason_K

12-10-2005, 15:37

I'd take an a la carte Leica MP with the complete M lens line-up.

Penguin_101

12-10-2005, 15:38

:p --- Hey! It says "system". I didn't read anything about "any one camera body".

Brutus correctionem: yes it does :bang: :bang:

I stand by my "system" choice :D
That is why I added that in there. Anyway, it is all about the glass in almost any camera/system.

There are a lot of different answers here which makes it even more intresting I think.

simonankor

12-10-2005, 15:52

A Mamiya C330 and all its lenses... I love my Rolleiflex but it's not quite versatile enough to stand along ;)

Bertram2

12-10-2005, 16:29

what would it be?
And I mean system by every lens and I guess we will limit it to one body. You cannot sell it and take the cash to buy something else ;)
It can be any kind (SLR, Rangefinder, Large Format, ect) and no one will be mad if you don't choose rangefinder. ;)

Surely NOT any other 35mm system. And the LF system would not be versatile enuff for me.
At the time a Hasselblad 6X6 with a nice set of Zeiss lenses, magazines and accessories I think. Or a Pentax 6X7, not sure.

Regards,
bertram

peter_n

12-10-2005, 16:38

Well I have all my 35mm gear so I would choose a larger format: a Mamiya 7II with all its lenses, and a lifetime supply of all the Fuji B&W films. :)

Brian Sweeney

12-10-2005, 17:03

> Ok ok, black Nikon SP with 50/1.4 and 35/1.8

Oh. I only have the 5cm F1.4 and 3.5cm F2.5 for the Black SP. Better take Oscar out of the will.

Myself,

A Black Canon P with perfect 50mm F1.2.

But that's cause I have the Nikon's, Leica's, and Retina's pretty well covered.

back alley

12-10-2005, 17:06

i'll stick with my signature line...

Kin Lau

12-10-2005, 17:07

Canon EOS 1Ds MkII with all the fast L primes & IS tele's... and the 1600/5.6 :D

otherwise, a Linhof 4x5 + Betterlight scanning back.

leafy

12-10-2005, 17:11

With unlimited amount of money, I'd still keep my Contax Aria and commission a 24-1000/1.4 from Zeiss :) yeah, the ULTIMATE system to go

oftheherd

12-10-2005, 17:15

Tough choice if you mean I would have to give up all I have and pick one. Otherwise, I have a Fujica ST 901 and five lenses. That is a very good camera and Fujinon lenses are great. I have the Mamiya Super Press 23 and 3 lenses, several backs. I would be happy with either one of these systems. Now mind you, the Contax T* 50 f/1.4 takes a back seat to nobody, and works quite well on two Yashica bodies I have. It would be tempting to want to stick with any camera that would take that line of lenses, but I guess I am happy enough with the Fujinons and Mamiya Press 23 system.

Not an exciting post I guess.

ray_g

12-10-2005, 17:16

i'll stick with my signature line...

But wouldn't a black P look nice? :)

I'd love to have my P painted. Anyone local (as opposed to Shintaro) do it?

back alley

12-10-2005, 17:24

But wouldn't a black P look nice? :)

I'd love to have my P painted. Anyone local (as opposed to Shintaro) do it?

it's the same camera though...but yeah, i'd love a black p.

i'm finding the responses very interesting.
having shot so many different systems/cameras in slr land, also having been completely satisfied with my mamiya 6 system and having had an m4-p plus 2 cle bodies and the 3 lens outfit i have chosen to come back to 35mm and to put together a system from a previous time period.

i like to keep it simple so i stay with one body type and only the same brand lenses. this has been my carefully thought out choice, so i have no desire for an ultimate system (change).

joe

Honu-Hugger

12-10-2005, 17:41

This is fun, but I am really quite satisfied with what I have as well.

peterc

12-10-2005, 17:44

Nikon F2 DE-1.

peter_n

12-10-2005, 17:47

Tough choice if you mean I would have to give up all I have and pick one. [snip]I didn't read that in the original post. At least I assumed I could keep everything I have and make a choice of something completely different. If I had to make the choice and chuck everything I currently have that wouldn't be so interesting... ;)

Brian Sweeney

12-10-2005, 17:53

> Nikon F2 DE-1.

It's so nice looking.

Especially next to a Black Nikon SP.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1021

dostacos

12-10-2005, 18:00

Canon Digital with ALL the lenses, including a Celestron C20 Astrograph in it's own observatory....

GeneW

12-10-2005, 18:00

ErnestoJL

12-10-2005, 18:56

Hummmmmm Seems to be difficult to answer, but...

SLR
MIranda Sensomat with full lenses and accesories (in black finish?)(yes, want another body)
Nikon F body with full set of Nikkor Lenses and accesories
Hasselblad 1000F with full set of CZ lenses and acesories.

RF
Contax II (I want another body) with all original lenses and accesories.
Kiev 4 with all original lenses
Nikon SP
Canon 7s
Leica M4

OK, it wasn´t so difficult....

Ernesto

shutterflower

12-10-2005, 19:10

funny how these attract posts - people love to dream.

H2 w/ the P45 back and a selection of incredible lenses. . . . but I wouldn't ever use it. Too big and showy for casual phtography - but would love that for work. It would be the ultimate portrait camera.

I have the play camera I really want. AN H2 for work would be welcome, but I could never love it.

back alley

12-10-2005, 19:59

If I were limited to a single choice rather than multiple choices, I think it would be a Hasselblad 500 series with lots of backs and lenses.

But it doesn't work like that for me. I like different formats and different types: RF and SLR in 35mm, TLR and SLR in MF, SLR and pocket cam in digital ...

Joe, I admire your ability to stick with a single format.

Gene

i'm usually distracted by primary colours and fast moving objects...staying with the simple approach is as much about my need for inner calm as anything else. it just helps keep things easy for me.

joe

celluloidprop

12-10-2005, 20:24

For what I do, an M7. Instead of the available 90s, I'll take a 35 'lux pre-ASPH and 50 'lux pre-ASPH to go with the ASPH models.

cp_ste.croix

12-10-2005, 20:46

hmmm....probably a 500 series hassy or an A la carte MP .72 with the eye piece thingy to focus my 75 lux...

would I have an inordinate abbount of money for film too, or would my dream system bankrupt me?

JohnL

12-10-2005, 20:49

After my recent spending spree I'm totally satisfied ... but I guess that will wear off eventually ... :mad: :( :bang:

Michael I.

12-10-2005, 21:07

hasselblad 500c

ywenz

12-10-2005, 21:49

A hasselblad H1 + digital back. Leica MP + bunch of Lux lenses.

jacema

12-10-2005, 22:06

Uuuhh - ONE body? Only one? Oh no - can't I have two? I only need two lenses so isn't it possible compromize a bit?
I'll stick to my Nikon F2's with a 35mm and a 85mm.

Jacques.

Traut

12-10-2005, 23:11

My favorite Point & Shoot hasn't been mentioned - Hassy SWC.

The one camera & lens you can earn a living with.

dr.kollig

12-11-2005, 04:55

One body, I would stick with my late M3, but would be sorry to give up the early #750xxx M3 DS. Lenses, so I would get all the lenses I want, even an fog free 50/1.5 ? I had a foggy one while it looked sooo nice on an M3, the 1st generation Summilux fog-free was way better, still looks good btw. Next week I'm looking forward to get a 85 Summarex, so all the nice portrait lenses - apart from the Thambar - are mine.

So no reason to trade my soul to the devil for a camera system! Maybe if he throws in some nice bikes ....

Anyway one should be alert if getting an email like WTT perfect camera system for poor soul!
But I guess he is to busy to care about us, as he is fetching souls with digital cameras, you get one now almost for free and in 10 years all your files are gone your pictures are faded and you will realise you lost your soul and memory to the devil. ;-)

Wolfram

Penguin_101

12-11-2005, 05:31

Uuuhh - ONE body? Only one? Oh no - can't I have two? I only need two lenses so isn't it possible compromise a bit?
I'll stick to my Nikon F2's with a 35mm and a 85mm.

Jacques.
Do you need two since those Nikons are so unreliable? :p

Oldprof

12-11-2005, 05:56

If I could have only one system what would it be? Well, I have found I am a 35mm kind of guy, so I wouldn't go for any of the luxury medium and large format systems. Because I do some telephoto and closeup work I would not choose a rangefinder system (SLRs are more versatile in that regard). I also prefer traditional manual focus over the more recent autofocus, plastic blobs that pass for modern cameras. So I think I would stick with my Canon FD system. I am comfortable with this system and it has always given me excellent results. One final point - a good number of my photographs have been published and no photo editor has ever asked me which brand of camera or lens I used. There is no one solution to the needs of photographers. Many systems will work fine.

FrankS

12-11-2005, 06:21

Worth repeating:

Anyway one should be alert if getting an email like WTT perfect camera system for poor soul! But I guess he is to busy to care about us, as he is fetching souls with digital cameras, you get one now almost for free and in 10 years all your files are gone your pictures are faded and you will realise you lost your soul and memory to the devil. ;-)

taffer

12-11-2005, 06:34

I'd go for a medium format rangefinder like one of the Fuji 645s.

OT: Taffer, what is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

Ops, didn't notice before, sorry...

African or European ? :D

taffer

12-11-2005, 06:38

Myself,

A Black Canon P with perfect 50mm F1.2.

Brian, that EXACT outfit is featured in the Japanese RFs chapter from Matanle's classic cameras :)

fgianni

12-11-2005, 07:16

gotta be the Canon 5D with all the EF lenses, a wet dream (did not choose the 1d-1ds because they are too big)
I will have to get the car out of the garage to make room for the 1200 f5.6

Honu-Hugger

12-11-2005, 07:27

fgianni

12-11-2005, 07:34

A digital camera is like having sex with your sister; it may be comfortable and convenient but deep down you know it's wrong...
I feel more comfortable and convenient my wife, I can find her without leaving home!

alegalle

12-11-2005, 07:57

Alpa TC with all the non digital lenses...

P C Headland

12-11-2005, 08:02

Mamiya 7 with all the lenses.

Actually, I'd prefer the Mamiya 6 with the lens range of the 7, but they don't do that :(

flipflop

12-11-2005, 08:27

LMAO...about the sex with your sister post! Wow I thought I was the only who strongly disliked digital. I find that pretty much anyone can become a good digital shooter....shoot shoot shooot shoot and you will get a few keepers film is different everytime the shutter goes click its money out of the wallet. not to mention processing etc...

taffer

12-11-2005, 08:29

A digital camera is like having sex with your sister; it may be comfortable and convenient but deep down you know it's wrong...

Hmmm, inspired by Charlie Sheen in Hot Shots maybe ? ;)

jacema

12-11-2005, 08:42

Do you need two since those Nikons are so unreliable? :p

Unreliable? What do you mean?

It's just my basic setup - and then I don't have to change lenses!

Jacques.

Penguin_101

12-11-2005, 08:51

Unreliable? What do you mean?

It's just my basic setup - and then I don't have to change lenses!

Jacques.
I am a die hard Canon guy so I had to do something against Nikon. It seems everytime on other forums you see the Canon guys saying that Nikon is unreliable so you have to have more than one body and then Nikon is saying the same for Canon. :) I didn't mean anything by it I am just trying to have a little fun. (Note the :p ) ;)

kvanderlaag

12-11-2005, 08:54

Leica MP 0.72x w/ a full range of M lenses (and the LTM adapter for all the LTM lenses!)

flipflop

12-11-2005, 08:58

hmm...I was a nikon guy until the day I shot with a Contax...there is no going back once you see the difference in the slides...its that much of a difference

Time Freeze

12-11-2005, 09:20

Isn't this like asking a painter (artist not house painter) to pick only one brush?

Penguin_101

12-11-2005, 09:40

Isn't this like asking a painter (artist not house painter) to pick only one brush?
Yes

1234567

wlewisiii

12-11-2005, 09:50

Isn't this like asking a painter (artist not house painter) to pick only one brush?

No. Everyone of the lenses has a different application much as the different brushes do with paint. Asking to stick to one body is more akin to asking the artist to stick to one brand of brush :angel:

Besides, the silly fun of these kinds of questions entertains me. :D

William

Oldprof

12-11-2005, 11:19

No. Everyone of the lenses has a different application much as the different brushes do with paint ...

You are correct, Sir! :D

nrb

12-11-2005, 12:07

M6 and Summicron lenses are plenty enough, but I think it's funny to do it in any system, even screw mount.

Brian Sweeney

12-11-2005, 13:32

> I'll stick to my Nikon F2's with a 35mm and a 85mm.

Left: Nikon F2 Photomic, DP-1 head, with MD-1 (judging by release) and MB-1.
Right: Nikon F2a with DP-11 head, with MD-2 and MB-1.

I've never had an F2 lock up. But I've seen one that had. $50 in a pawn shop and $110 to have it rebuilt. Works great. I have two from the pre-production batch, all-metal advance tips- before they went to plastic.

I had a Nikon F lock up, but it was an easy fix.

Gabriel M.A.

12-11-2005, 13:58

But it doesn't work like that for me. I like different formats and different types: RF and SLR in 35mm, TLR and SLR in MF, SLR and pocket cam in digital

Like a few had said, it's fun to play this "just because". I do not like "compartmentalizations". Some people just shoot B&W, others just shoot Color, some only film, some only digital, some only 35mm, some only "MF" (either 6x6 645, 6x7, etc.) Most people don't like to dilute themselves. I like to try as many things as I can get my hands on.

The only reason why I'm not shooting as much MF as 35mm is simply convenience, not personal preference, recently.

I can't imagine if I had said "I already speak Spanish, why bother to learn another language?, I already know how to speak!"

It's like that. If I had to choose only one language, I'd be really hard-pressed to choose. If I had to choose only one color combination for my clothing ever, it would be very hard. Or only one kind of food (Italian, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Thai, French, Persian, etc.) --- very limiting.

So -- it's a fun exercise :)

Traut

12-11-2005, 14:08

Check out the new SINAR modular camera. 35mm / MF / Viewcamera / film / digital, etc

DougK

12-11-2005, 14:38

Oh, boy, time to dream big...

I love medium format, but if I had to pick one camera system (body + lenses), it'd be the Rollei 3003 (http://cameraquest.com/rol3003.htm). That way, I can have B&W and color at the same time without changing camera bodies AND all that lovely Zeiss glass.

Of course, if you're going to include the Sherpas to carry it for me, I'll take the Hasselblad 500 system instead. :D

John Robertson

12-11-2005, 16:11

In the 70's when working in London, I went into a shop called Morgans Cameras in Tottenham Court Road, they had a complete mint Kodak Ektra outfit in a fitted case, with extra backs and lenses 35, 50, 90 and 150. I tried the camera it felt delightful but was just out of my financial reach. If I remember correctly they wanted £150. It would have probably broken down by now but it would have been nice to own it. It looked absolutely beautiful.
Ah well!! I still love my R2.

raid

12-11-2005, 16:21

Rolleiflex 2.8F + Wide Rolleiflex + Tele Rolleiflex + Leica M7 + entire Leitz Aspherical lenses line ... I am allowed to dream ... right? :bang:

John Robertson

12-11-2005, 16:28

Just checked the National Lottery results, so anything and everything will remain as a dream for now. :(
I have to say that some of you had better include a wish for a Sherpa to carry your dream outfits :p

Alec

12-12-2005, 00:50

I don't need another camera, I need more time to use what I have (not to speak about talent).

But hey, if I really had to answer: a black paint MP with matching 35 'Lux Asph (and custom leather, not sandpaper covering).

oftheherd

12-12-2005, 05:24

hmm...I was a nikon guy until the day I shot with a Contax...there is no going back once you see the difference in the slides...its that much of a difference

If I didn't have to give up what I already own and could be given a choice of another system, it would be Contax. All the lenses they have (I sure love the 50mm f/1.4), and some body. Probably the 139Q since I had a working one that I really liked. I would also like a couple of their flashes since I never saw the beat of their off-the-film auto-flash. If I could be assured of a constantly working AX (I think that was the film plane focusing model) I might go for that. Come to think of it, I guess I would have to go for the RTS. I think that was their best for reliability.

However, I am still satisfied with my Fujica and Mamiya Press 23. All the Fuji glass to go with my 901 sure would be delightful. Fujinon lenses in screw mount never got the press they deserved. Great stuff!

bobofish

12-12-2005, 08:28

Traut, I was wondering when somebody would mention that Sinar M! That's one smokin' hot camera!

Well, let's see here.... I'm a professional dreamer I think. I should do a good job with this one.

Actually it's not tough at all, just really two choices, and somehow I'd have to get the Devil to give me both...maybe I could convince him that I have an evil twin.

And why this thread has almost no cameraporn, I have no idea. You guys need to dream a bit! We're talking ultimate setup here! I'll just throw in one picture.

It's a dead heat tie for me between the Alpa 12 SWA and a Leica M7. Both are fantasmarific cameras, with superfluendous lenses, the Leica more for low light, and more convenient, the Alpa for ULTIMATE quality.

Either way you slice it, EVERY SINGLE LAST LENS that either maker makes. If I'm talking ultimate, then I don't really care.....I would try every lens, and give away the ones that gave me a less than caviar flavor.

With the Alpa, of course the latest in digital backs, as well as a large number of 6x9 , 6x6 6x7, hell everything.

In fact, why not two of either one? If somebody's going to just give them to me, I could certainly use a backup, and who really likes changing lenses all the time!

Oh boy, it's fun to dream.

Of course it wouldn't be a problem if somebody would just buy the two violins, to violas, and Regina Music Box I've been trying to sell! (but then again my wife would kill me dead as dead if I bought an Alpa with the shape our finances are in!)

alegalle

12-13-2005, 06:39

Heres a pic for you bobofish, the TC, half to size of my bronica, so much higher quality :)

darkkavenger

12-13-2005, 06:40

I think i'd have three or 4 systems :

rangefinders : pre-war Contax and modern Zeiss-Ikon outfit
slr medium format : full pentacon six AND exakta-66 outfits ;)

dream on, max.. ;)

jaapv

12-13-2005, 07:02

That one is simple, I have exactly what I need :cool: : Leica M, lens-range 21-135, Canon 10D with macro 100 and 100-400 zoom.... Until the next (digital) M comes out and Canon offers a serious upgrade :bang:
I don't think the choice is fair- there is not one single "ideal"camera body :(

lubitel

12-13-2005, 07:51

I always dreamed of Leicas. Never used one. I think an M7 will make me very happy. Epson R-D1 as a digital companion, and an array of lenses (please only those with f-stops 2.0 or below :) )

lubitel

12-13-2005, 07:57

Oh, and a Bronica RF for medium format needs. Thanks!

fgianni

12-13-2005, 08:58

Canon offers a serious upgrade :bang:

Isn't the 5D serious enough for you?
It can be picked up for not much more of what the 10D price was when it first came out.

jaapv

12-13-2005, 09:04

No it isn't I'm afraid. I would have to buy an even longer lens or crop the 5D back to about 5 to 8 MP.The 100-400 gets used with the 1.4x quite often (see my avatar), so I would prefer a cropped camera. The 20D is too small and not that much better than the 10D.

LOOP

12-23-2005, 08:54

Contax aria 45 mm 2,8, 85mm 1,4 and 135 mm2,8

bobofish

12-23-2005, 14:33

Bryan,
You might want to include gas for the plane, food for the bedouins and yourself, and a goddamned mountain of film.

Add to that a Swiss passport to be able to go anywhere, a good winter coat, sunglasses, some chapstick and a spoon, and you'll be good to go for quite a long while!

Now that's a dream!

bobofish

12-23-2005, 14:49

Speaking of which, all those wide angles would go useless if you didn't have access to that new private space plane, or at least an unused Space Shuttle!

You may actually need to proclaim your own, mobile republic to store all that equipment.

You could have the world's first mobile country! (your seat at the UN could be a symbolic swivel chair)

Biggles

12-23-2005, 16:18

Hmmm...

A bushel of freshly-overhauled Leica CL bodies; 35mm, 40mm, and (black) 50mm M-mount Summicrae with perfect glass; a 90/f4 Elmar; a good dozen spare rubber 40mm hoods; a cubic acre of Neopan; elbow pads; and a weekly diplomatic bag to Campbell Hall, New York.

Oh, and a hand-woven Kevlar wrist sling.