Thinking of taking the one camera, one lens plunge.

[Matt(1pt4)]

My RF collection is fairly modest (2 Hexar RFs, an M6TTL, 28, 50 & 90 Hexanons, Biogon 35 F2, CV 35 1.4 SC) by some standards, but it's all starting to seem like a bit too much. I can't remember the last time I used the 28 or the 90 to any good effect, and ever since getting the M6, the 35s just aren't as comfortable to use (I wear glasses and can't really make out the 35mm framelines with the .72 RF). I've always felt most comfortable shooting with a 50mm, so I'm thinking of selling off everything but the M6 and the 50 Hex. I've gone for long stretches before with just a 50, and I think it might do me some good to so again.

The kind of photography I'm interested in is a bit hard to describe, but I'm not a generalist; I shoot B&W photos that help me understand the world around me, and I expect I can do that better with one camera and lens than with many. As it stands now, I rarely carry more than one lens, as I find doing so just results in a lot of lens changing. Even knowing that the lenses are sitting at home on the shelf is an occasional source of metaphysical doubt. I'm not sure I need that in my life.

If the one camera breaks, I can always use the money from the sale of the rest to purchase a new one. There's nothing that I do anymore that really requires a backup camera.

What do you think, would I be a fool to part with this abundance of equipment? Thanks for your input.

[Ray Nalley]

I think you are on the right track. As a long time fan of your photos, I think you could do most anything with the 50. I understand the pull of that other stuff sitting on the shelf. Go for it!

[nightlight]

Hi there,

Here's an idea - choose 1 camera, 1 lens and give the rest away to someone you trust for a while and see how you get on...
If you sell some stuff away you might regret and want it back later - you might even pay more than what you had initially.

Just a thought :)

[kevin m]

Have you tried using a diopter, or wearing contacts? That really makes RF viewfinders much more pleasant in my experience.

[Nh3]

Why don't you get a SLR and a zoom lens 28-70mm?

Seriously, you can get a Leica SLR if its any sort of consolation.

[georgef]

Why don't you get a SLR and a zoom lens 28-70mm?

Seriously, you can get a Leica SLR if its any sort of consolation.


Hey , no swearing allowed...:D

[cp_ste.croix]

You know, back in highschool, before I understood the siren call of gear, all I had was one camera and one lens (an AE1 and a 50) and you know, I spent more time just making photos. I don't recall really being bothered by no selection. Without the option of different focal lengths, the desire for them never arose. Of course, now that I'm older and more worldly, I can inherently recognise my need for other lens lengths while shooting rather than just making it work like I used to. Sigh.

[Andrew Sowerby]

Have you tried using a diopter, or wearing contacts? That really makes RF viewfinders much more pleasant in my experience.

I agree. Diopters are great.

As for your question, my completely biased answer is go for it. I'm probably going to cut down my RF kit to one body and one (ok, maybe two) lenses shortly. Some folks find that a lot of gear inspires creativity or acts as a motivation to shoot. I'm not one of them. I just get annoyed with stuff cluttering up my apartment.

[brandonjscott]

For those like yourself that use photography as tool to help understand or clarify the world in which he or she lives, I am an advocate of the one lens/camera approach. I believe that minimizing the choices one has to make allows for a more immediate response to visual stimuli.

I think the one single focal length lens approach works very well with an RF camera which allows you to simply put a frame around a piece of the world.

For me at least, simplification is liberating.

[le vrai rdu]

Hi there,

Here's an idea - choose 1 camera, 1 lens and give the rest away to someone you trust for a while and see how you get on...


I can be someone to be trusted :angel: :p

[thomasw_]

I trimmed down to a 2 bodies/2 lenses RF system a year ago; the 35/50 combo is the bread and butter of my RF shooting and so it makes sense to focus on using those focal lengths and eliminate distractions. But I have recently acquired a 75 for portraiture which is very useful at times. Presently I am trying to decide whether to sell some gear and keep to a 2 bodies w/ 3 focal lengths 35/50/75 RF kit; as those lenses do seem to do all that I could want with a RF. In short I agree with the minimalist approach; keep it simple and don't manufacture lens 'needs' out of wants, become as strong as possible with a focal length, focus on trying to master the main RF focal lengths. It will take a fair bit of self-control. But often I find the things requiring the most effort are the most rewarding.

[P. Lynn Miller]

Personally, I find almost impossible to sell camera gear. Probably because I learned the hard way that replacing something you sold is always more costly than you expected. So I have a relatively huge collection of gear.

But like you, I find it easier to work with less, so I often make deliberate decisions to only use one film, one lens, one format, etc, for an extended length of time, sometimes for months. But even after I may have not used my 21mm for six months, I will suddenly find the I really do need it to make that photograph in my head and I am glad I have it in the drawer.

I also go through different phases of photography, I concentrated almost solely on street photography for 2 years, my Nikkor 35mm f1.4 was the only lens I used during this time. But then I met a fellow photographer who got me involved in fashion and editorial work, and suddenly I was using my Nikkor 105mm 2.5 as my primary lens. I had not taken a landscape photo in months and months, my father visited from the US recently, he is a mad landscape photographer, suddenly I am reaching for my wide angles again.

So while I often photograph as if I only have one camera and one lens, I could not limit myself to this in practice, unless I needed to because of exceptional circumstances.

So if you are not paying interest on your camera collection, I would recommend putting your extra gear in a drawer and forgetting about it for a while. You will probably find one day that you will be very happy to reach for that 90mm or 28mm to get the one shot that is eluding you.

Your choice, so just be sure you are content with the choice you make in the end. And all is good.

As for your photography, I was just on your site tonight admiring your work. In the end all that matters are the photographs.

[mfogiel]

Matt,
I've hardly ever seen you shooting with 28 or 90 mm, so I don't see any problem - I'd even say that narrowing the scope to 50mm will eliminate some of these wall shots... :-)
For 1 camera 1 50mm lens I'd go for an 0.85x M7 or M6, If instead you want to stick to 35mm and experience a superior VF at the expense of some solidity, keep the Biogon and get a ZI.

My style of shooting likes a 2 body combo: a 28mm and a 50mm, and for this I use the Bessa R4A or Minolta CLE for the 28mm (you could probably keep a Hexar) and the 0.85x M7 for the 50mm.

[back alley]

i hate threads like this one...makes me want to sell off gear and be a minimalist.

i think the one camera one lens idea is romantic at best and harmful at worst. what harm is there in having extra lenses and a back up body or 2?

but on the other hand a part of me easily understands the pull of a simple approach.
my answer is to try to 'fool' myself by creating kits. the zeiss kit, the cv kit and the cle kit.
the cle kit is very simple, small and covers 99% of most anyone's shooting needs and it all fits in the tiny domke 5xa bag.
the cv kit is great for really feeling covered to shoot most anything. all it needs is a cv 75.
the zeiss kit is the 'prestige' kit, extraordinary lens quality and a body that can handle anything and it looks great in all it's silver glory.

but, like you, i usually just take one camera and one lens when i go out shooting. these days, it's the zi with 35/2.8.

so, i'm pretty sure that i have been of no use whatsoever!
so i'll add this.
follow your gut and do what's comfortable for you. sell and evaluate and
buy it all again if you really miss the extra gear. i have done that and with no regrets.

shooters have a saying - 'beware the man with one gun'.
we are not alone.

[Matt(1pt4)]

Have you tried using a diopter, or wearing contacts? That really makes RF viewfinders much more pleasant in my experience.

I've never been able to get on with contacts, but even if I could that would somewhat defeat the point by encouraging the use of a wider range of lenses.

And why would someone looking to simplify get an SLR and zoom? That would also just make things worse. Wouldn't it?

Or are both of these comments a way of saying that you think I should go the opposite direction?

[gns]

There have been a number of threads like this lately. Could the group psyche here be changing? Should the sponsors be a little nervous?

My response pasted from another thread...

With just one lens, the possibilities are infinite. I don't need more than that.
In these threads, you always hear people bring up the "Right tool for the right job" argument. I don't disagree with that at all. But I think maybe my approach to (or philosophy of) photography differs from their's. When I'm out taking pictures, I'm just exploring. Hopefully with my mind open and receptive. I don't have any particular picture in mind that I need to make (no job to do). So I'm happy just to see what I can do with the camera & lens I have.

Cheers,
Gary

[deepwhite]

I don't want to live without most of the lenses I got now, the Nokton 35/1.2, Elmarit M 90/2.8, Super-Angulon 21/3.4, Ultra Wide Heliar 12/5.6, etc.. Most of the time, however, I just walked the street with the R-D1s + Summicron 35/2 IV combination.

I love it. So far.

[aizan]

nightlight's idea is the best of both worlds.

[kevin m]

Or are both of these comments a way of saying that you think I should go the opposite direction?

Nope, just that it sounds like wearing glasses is making you lean towards a 50. I think "one lens" is a great idea.

[antiquark]

I keep two bodies (old SLRs) so it's easier to try different films. Usually one body has Superia 200, the other Superia 800 or a B+W 400 film.

Of course, if your philisophy extends to "one camera, one lens, one film," then there's no need for an extra body.

As for lenses, all you need is a 50!

[Nh3]

As I said before, this is all you need, its the best mechanical SLR ever made: http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?LeicaR6.html~mainFrame

Its good enough for Salgado...

[besk]

The one camera, one lens sounds great. But, sometimes it may be nice to carry along a wide angle lens such as a 28 (in my case) or a 35 for those times when you "just can't back up enough."

Rangefinder lenses are so small you can forget you have it until you need it.

[jmkelly]

I carry just two cameras at a time: one film body - with a 50mm lens over 90% of the time - for taking images that interest me, and a digital p&s for recording images I need, say for my (non-photo-oriented) blog.

That's my version of "one camera/one lens". Gear asceticism holds no interest for me.

[Roger Hicks]

Do you desperately need the money you'd get from selling your other gear?

Are you prepared to put up with the hassle of selling it?

Are you ready for "I wish I'd never sold..."?

Are you convinced that you will never want to shoot another way?

I mostly use 2 bodies and 2 lenses -- but I like the option of specialist kit for specialist purposes, e.g. Noctilux, Thambar. I also like the movements on my Linhofs; contact prints from my Gandolfi 5x7 inch; extreme tele shots from a 600mm 'Solid Cat'; a Retina IIa that goes in my pocket and stands me in $25...

So I have more than one camera and one lens.

Cheers,

R.

[John Rountree]

I must say that I am always slightly amused when I read about all the equipment some members of this board have. I also have to ask myself, do they really use all that stuff? Many years ago, when I worked for newspapers in the Chicago area I went to cover a fire. I had my bag of cameras and assorted lenses (no zooms then). There was moment when a firefighter, inside the house was framed by a broken window, flames behind him. I pondered, should I use a short telephoto and isolate the fireman, or should I use something wider and show the whole house with the fireman and all the context of the event. By the time I made up my mind, the shot was gone! From then on I determined to only carry the least amount of gear necessary. Once I quit working for newspapers I pared down to a single body and a 35mm lens. Since then I have been liberated into the realm of just shooting photographs, not worrying about the "look" that a certain lens might produce. Sometimes I have to work a little harder to get my image, but so what? Nothing wrong with a single body and lens, and if you change your mind later... the problem can easily be fixed with money.

[Tuolumne]

I find that no matter how many lenses I have with me, the one I like best is the one mounted on my camera.

/T

[35mmdelux]

The good side of one camera, one lens, is that it affords the ability to acquire a really good lens with the extra cash.

Too much gear kills momentum on a shoot and introduces the element of indecision. The primary concept of shooting RF is working light.

Ralph Gibson and HCB do/did pretty well with a minimalist kit.

[photogdave]

I'll throw in with the camp of "you may regret it later". Like others have said I usually go out shooting with one lens and one camera but I like to have a choice of which one lens I'm going to use for the day.
I don't like to be burdened with gear either but sometimes carrying extra lenses pays off. I was shooting at the horse track last week with the intention of only using my new 35 1.4 but luckily I had my 21 and 90 in the bag because I found a use for them and got some shots I would not have made otherwise.
As others have said sometimes I go for months on end without using a certain lens and contemplate selling it (especially the 90mm!) but when I need it, it's there and I'm glad!
So far my favorite one camera, one lens combo is the Fuji GA645!

[M C H]

Matt made a comment that I, as a learner, was intrigued by. He said he used photography to better understand his world.

I'm not going to suggest that having alternative lenses and bodies won't help in that regard, but isn't there something interesting about the idea of documenting one's personal world with a single lens/body/film? It might kind of level-set the perspective through which that world is viewed.

It's probably a silly thought, but I found it interesting anyway.

[Windscale]

I have started a similar thread some months ago about yours trully getting on and got caught up by adverse health and therefore needing lighter gear. For many months I have been out taking pictures normally with ONE and, at the most, TWO cameras only. The Leica M3 system has not been used for a long time (3 or 4 years), and the same applies to many other cameras. I am also seriously thinking of selling most of my cameras as I may not be able to use them again. The philosophy being that at least these perfectly good cameras can find new masters who will exploit their utilities to the full. The selling will start soon. I have already given away 2 Rolleiflex TLRs. Soon I will end up with very few cameras. So, as circumstances further dictate, ONE LENS ONE CAMERA will eventually be the order of play!!!

[Mattikk]

I've been thinking the same with my DSLR set lately.

I have:

12-24/4
18-55/3.5
24/2.8
35/2
50/1.8

I thought I should sell everything else, but the 35 for street and buy a 20/2 for music photography. Or just wait until I can afford a full frame digital to see which lenses are worth keeping with it.

[CK Dexter Haven]

I've wanted to do the same, for a long time. But, there are just too many issues.

Although i truly admire photographers who have committed to one format, one lens, one film, etc, i simply am not that type of person. Most of my favorite photographers are one lens guys, essentially, or at least they are in the bodies of work that i most admire. Avedon, Penn, Koudelka, Erwitt, Levitt.... But, then there are the people like Steven Meisel, Steve McCurry, Patrick Demarchelier - who use various tools, depending on whim or necessity. Two types of people. I don't think you can fight who you really are.

You seem like the type of person who enjoys gear. As much as many forum members would like you to feel guilty about that, it's not a sin or a vice. I'm learning to accept that. I feel guilty for having a Canon dSLR, Hasselblad, Ikon rangefinder, Nikon slr, Contax slr.... But, i LIKE all of those pieces, for various reasons. And, i would feel a compromise if i let any of them go, even if i don't particularly use them all 'enough.'

But, i do buy and sell pieces, kits, and systems with too much regularity. The promise i made to myself three years ago, though, was to not buy MORE gear than i already had, and not to spend MORE money. Whatever i do should come from an equal or plus $ transaction. And, the effort should still be toward simplifying everything.

Here's a suggestion. Don't sell anything, except possibly the duplicated/redundant pieces. Keep one of the 35mm lenses. You may want to also choose between the 28 and the 35 instead of keeping both. Whatever you keep, though, choose one lens and pack the others in a box, sealed, and stored somewhere in your house. Out of sight, and too much hassle to retrieve.... If, after six months or a year, you don't miss it, then you can sell. it's not as if the market is devaluing rangefinder lenses.

If, like me, though, you are attracted to too many different types of photography, you may find you want more than just the one lens. It seems like every week i begin to like something else, and i want to try it for myself. Where i used to have no interest in wides, all of a sudden this month i need to experiment with a 28mm. All because i saw something i liked and i found a new appreciation for it. Some people, though, like ONE THING only. Like those who, when asked What kind of music do you like...they have a one word response. I typically have to say, ALL types, except one or two.... And, then i have to clarify...that sometimes i do like those one or two other types. Photography is no different. And anything i don't like now, i'm bound to find an appreciation for soon. And, whatever i like, i need to try to accomplish myself.

It's a difficult set of characteristics, and i agree that those with singular interests have an easier time 'focusing' on accomplishing a singular task. But, my personality doesn't allow me to dismiss the other interests.

[Kin Lau]

Even knowing that the lenses are sitting at home on the shelf is an occasional source of metaphysical doubt. I'm not sure I need that in my life.

If the one camera breaks, I can always use the money from the sale of the rest to purchase a new one. There's nothing that I do anymore that really requires a backup camera.

What do you think, would I be a fool to part with this abundance of equipment? Thanks for your input.

You know yourself best. Go for it.

I could never do it... I have too many photographic interests.

[Tuolumne]

The ultimate reductio ad splicito is a Rolleiflex, which I increasingly find is the only camera I need. Of course, now I want a Rolleiwide, too...:bang:

/T

[Roger Hicks]

Of course I have a cast iron excuse in this one: I can always write about it.

But equally, I'm not sure that I'd cut back VERY much if I were doing it for fun. There are cameras that I can't sell because of sentimental attachment (my late father-in-law's KowaSix, for example) and others I don't want to sell because they allow me to do something I can't do otherwise (but do I need TWO 5x7 inch/13x18cm cameras? Or five 4x5s?).

I have to say that if I could get enough money for my 12x15 inch Gandolfi I'd probably buy a Noctilux, because it would see more use. But that's not exactly cutting down...

Cheers,

R.

[ferider]

Keep the working Hex triplet (pretty good, and by now rare lenses), give the 28 and 90 to your wife to keep away from you and go from there.

Interests and feelings change. New cameras might show up. 50 might be too long/too short after a while. 28/50/90 is a complete set, IMO. Sounds like a waste to break it up.

Also, if you really want a single lens/single camera combo, Leicas are the wrong way to go ....

Roland.

[KJF]

I think its a great idea! I am new here but I am treading down the same path. Started with a big DSLR kit, moved to another big dslr kit. Now I have sold it all and am going with 1 camera (Epson R-D1..risky, i know!) and for now 3 lenses. THe reason I choose 3 to start is that I don't know which focal length is me yet.

I think you don't miss it. The rest is just emotional baggage. When shooting with the DSLR I only ever used 1 lens. 35L when I had the 5D and ZF25 on the D300. The rest sitting at home stressed me out because I thought I should keep them "in case" but whenever I went out I always used the same lens.

You can always buy again.
--
I just read your website a bit but it got me thinking. Why don't you keep the ZM 35mm on the Hexar and the 50mm on the M6. Sell the rest.

Just an idea.

[Mattikk]

You do have a point Dexter Haven. I too am a person who might suddenly become interested in something completely different than a week ago.

[Ray Nalley]

One camera, one lens is truly not in the spirit of this forum. ;)

[Roger Hicks]

One camera, one lens is truly not in the spirit of this forum. ;)
Dear Ray,

Yes it is, as long as you trade in the one camera for another on even-numbered weeks and the one lens for another on odd-numbered weeks...

Cheers,

R.

[Tuolumne]

Of course I have a cast iron excuse in this one: I can always write about it.

But equally, I'm not sure that I'd cut back VERY much if I were doing it for fun. There are cameras that I can't sell because of sentimental attachment (my late father-in-law's KowaSix, for example) and others I don't want to sell because they allow me to do something I can't do otherwise (but do I need TWO 5x7 inch/13x18cm cameras? Or five 4x5s?).

I have to say that if I could get enough money for my 12x15 inch Gandolfi I'd probably buy a Noctilux, because it would see more use. But that's not exactly cutting down...

Cheers,

R.

Roger,
I have a Noctilux for sale - cheap, too! :)

/T

[kxl]

It can be done, but I can almost guarantee that the minute you sell everything else, you'll be invited to shoot something wherein the perfect gear just happens be the stuff you just sold.

Like you, I'm also a fan of the fifty, and if I were to only shoot film and forsake my R-D1S, I can probably live with just a 50mm lens (on my CV R3A). My problem is I have a few of them (Summicron Rigid, Sonnar, Planar and an old Industar 61LD), and I may switch from one to the other on any given day depending on my mood and what I'm shooting.

So, I'd say, keep the stuff unless you need the money for something else.

[Matt(1pt4)]

It can be done, but I can almost guarantee that the minute you sell everything else, you'll be invited to shoot something wherein the perfect gear just happens be the stuff you just sold.


I've thought of that, but I've shot enough weddings for friends that I'd enjoy having a good excuse for telling them no . . . and I'm pretty sure I could do it all with the 50 anyway.

One camera, one lens is truly not in the spirit of this forum. ;)

How about if I change the straps weekly? Or the grip? Or the leatherette? etc etc etc. I already replaced the red dot with a black one, so I can see going for only cosmetic changes ;-)

28/50/90 is a complete set, IMO. Sounds like a waste to break it up.



If I had the 35 and the 50 1.2, then it would be the complete set. I understand the logic there, but I really don't use the 28 and the 90 often at all.



You seem like the type of person who enjoys gear. As much as many forum members would like you to feel guilty about that, it's not a sin or a vice.
...

Here's a suggestion. Don't sell anything, except possibly the duplicated/redundant pieces. Keep one of the 35mm lenses. You may want to also choose between the 28 and the 35 instead of keeping both. Whatever you keep, though, choose one lens and pack the others in a box, sealed, and stored somewhere in your house. Out of sight, and too much hassle to retrieve.... If, after six months or a year, you don't miss it, then you can sell. it's not as if the market is devaluing rangefinder lenses.

.

I do enjoy the gear . . . and you are right, it will be worth just as much/little in six months, but some of it's been sitting for a couple of years already . . . I could just sell the lot, escrow the money until I get the itch for something different, and then use it to buy a second M6ttl, a .58 though, with a cron v4. I've always had a thing for that square hood.

Matt,
I've hardly ever seen you shooting with 28 or 90 mm, so I don't see any problem - I'd even say that narrowing the scope to 50mm will eliminate some of these wall shots... :-)
For 1 camera 1 50mm lens I'd go for an 0.85x M7 or M6, If instead you want to stick to 35mm and experience a superior VF at the expense of some solidity, keep the Biogon and get a ZI.


Oh, have no fear, I can shoot blank walls with a 50 too ;-)

I like all the space around the 50 framelines with the .72 vf. I think the .85 would feel constricted, but I could be wrong.

[P. Lynn Miller]

The one camera/lens sounds good in theory, but in practice is very restrictive and limiting.

If you never change your shooting style or subjects, I suppose you can make it work.

But one camera cannot do everything. There are some days, that I just want to go the beach close to my house with my medum format and tripod and take pictures of the shells washed up on the beach. There are days that I jump on the bus and go into the city with a pocket full of film and the Bessa. Then there are the weekends that my sons and I travel to the Blue Mountains to meet the birding bunch and I am very glad for my Nikon with its long telephotos. I have several fashion shoots happening over the next few weeks, where I will be using DSLR's, medium-format, the Bessa and the Nikons. I am looking forward to using my new 8x10 to make contact prints.

Photography has been my sanity keeper through a myriad careers and industries on various continents over the past 3 decades. It is the one constant in my life. And like food and music, I enjoy good photography over such a broad range of styles and types, that to be limited to one camera/one lens would be like being forced to only eat fast food and listen to opera for the rest of my life.

[Krosya]

Unless you need money - I'd keep it all - never know. I have just about the same Hexanon kit as you and I am too a 50mm user mostly, so my Hex 28 and 90 see less use. Yet, there are times I'm really glad I have them. Fact that you have extra lenses doesnt mean you HAVE to use them all the time. So, like I said - unless it's done for financial reasons - keep them all and use your camera and 50mm lens as a "one camera and one lens" until you decide to use them again. Plus this way you can have several "one lens one camera" combinations.
Oh, and I'd keep the Hexar and not M6 if you decide to sell it all ;)

[Keith]

There's times when I agree with the one lens one camera philosophy and times when I don't ... currently I don't! I agree that having a gazillion lenses in focal lengths from a rangefinder's practical minimum to it's maximum and lugging them around is insane but it's still good to have the appropriate tools for the job when the occasion or particular subject matter calls for it.

I drove for a couple of hours into the valley behind Brisbane yesterday searching for more abandoned farming properties to photograph, which has been a bit of a mission with me lately. I found an absolutely derelict gem of a place on top of a windswept rise and couldn't wait to hop the fence and get snapping. I had a 35mm on the camera and a 50mm in the bag and realised very quickly that I needed something wider. Yeah sure ... I got a lot of pleasing shots of this magnificent location but after three rolls of film, not the ones I wanted ... I'll be making the trek back out there with a 25mm and probably a 15 as well because for me to create the mood of this place in the way I see it and want to represent it ... that's what I'll need.

Modern cars are supplied with five or six speed transmissions these days to maximise their performance potential ... most of them could effectively be driven in one gear and still perform their function adequately for what they were intended. I'm not about to lock mine into second gear for an ideal that only exists in my mind!

[Matt(1pt4)]

i hate threads like this one...makes me want to sell off gear and be a minimalist.

i think the one camera one lens idea is romantic at best and harmful at worst. what harm is there in having extra lenses and a back up body or 2?

but on the other hand a part of me easily understands the pull of a simple approach.
my answer is to try to 'fool' myself by creating kits. the zeiss kit, the cv kit and the cle kit.
the cle kit is very simple, small and covers 99% of most anyone's shooting needs and it all fits in the tiny domke 5xa bag.
the cv kit is great for really feeling covered to shoot most anything. all it needs is a cv 75.
the zeiss kit is the 'prestige' kit, extraordinary lens quality and a body that can handle anything and it looks great in all it's silver glory.

but, like you, i usually just take one camera and one lens when i go out shooting. these days, it's the zi with 35/2.8.

so, i'm pretty sure that i have been of no use whatsoever!
so i'll add this.
follow your gut and do what's comfortable for you. sell and evaluate and
buy it all again if you really miss the extra gear. i have done that and with no regrets.

shooters have a saying - 'beware the man with one gun'.
we are not alone.

Romantic at best, harmful at worst is an elegant way to put the dilemma. Since I only shoot for myself, I can afford the luxury of romance. Reminds of the way Zeiss advertised the Ikon as the perfect tool for 'photo poets (http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/photowords/?p=72)'.

The idea of discrete kits is somewhat appealing, but I think I might want them various enough to be distinct in their uses. So instead of 3 35mm RF kits, perhaps the M6/50 combo + a Hassy + a pano cam + DSLR/macro (something that's always interested me) etc etc etc. While it isn't necessary to sell the current kit for any immediate financial concerns, I couldn't afford a collection like the one above no matter how much I sold :-(

Anyway, thanks to everyone that's responded so far. There's some interesting points in here.

[TheHub]

For a long while I walked around with a IIIf & a Summar on it. That's it.
Since getting more lenses I've had to spend more time thinking about which lens to bring with me and its corresponding viewfinder. I thought more lenses = more flexibility but all it seems to be doing is weighting me down.

Sometimes I think 1 body & 1 lens is the best way to go.

[Keith]

You've only got to look at HCB's work for a little while to see why he never never really developed much as a photographer and pretty well remained a street snapper most of his life. He crippled his career by restricting his lens and gear choices and I, and a lot of good people here are not about to make the same mistake! :angel:

[Ray Nalley]

But Keith you gotta admit that an M8 attracts more women than a III ever did for HCB. Well, that and the Barmah. ;)

[maddoc]

I've wanted to do the same, for a long time. But, there are just too many issues.

Although i truly admire photographers who have committed to one format, one lens, one film, etc, i simply am not that type of person. Most of my favorite photographers are one lens guys, essentially, or at least they are in the bodies of work that i most admire. Avedon, Penn, Koudelka, Erwitt, Levitt.... But, then there are the people like Steven Meisel, Steve McCurry, Patrick Demarchelier - who use various tools, depending on whim or necessity. Two types of people. I don't think you can fight who you really are.

You seem like the type of person who enjoys gear. As much as many forum members would like you to feel guilty about that, it's not a sin or a vice. I'm learning to accept that. I feel guilty for having a Canon dSLR, Hasselblad, Ikon rangefinder, Nikon slr, Contax slr.... But, i LIKE all of those pieces, for various reasons. And, i would feel a compromise if i let any of them go, even if i don't particularly use them all 'enough.'

But, i do buy and sell pieces, kits, and systems with too much regularity. The promise i made to myself three years ago, though, was to not buy MORE gear than i already had, and not to spend MORE money. Whatever i do should come from an equal or plus $ transaction. And, the effort should still be toward simplifying everything.

Here's a suggestion. Don't sell anything, except possibly the duplicated/redundant pieces. Keep one of the 35mm lenses. You may want to also choose between the 28 and the 35 instead of keeping both. Whatever you keep, though, choose one lens and pack the others in a box, sealed, and stored somewhere in your house. Out of sight, and too much hassle to retrieve.... If, after six months or a year, you don't miss it, then you can sell. it's not as if the market is devaluing rangefinder lenses.

If, like me, though, you are attracted to too many different types of photography, you may find you want more than just the one lens. It seems like every week i begin to like something else, and i want to try it for myself. Where i used to have no interest in wides, all of a sudden this month i need to experiment with a 28mm. All because i saw something i liked and i found a new appreciation for it. Some people, though, like ONE THING only. Like those who, when asked What kind of music do you like...they have a one word response. I typically have to say, ALL types, except one or two.... And, then i have to clarify...that sometimes i do like those one or two other types. Photography is no different. And anything i don't like now, i'm bound to find an appreciation for soon. And, whatever i like, i need to try to accomplish myself.

It's a difficult set of characteristics, and i agree that those with singular interests have an easier time 'focusing' on accomplishing a singular task. But, my personality doesn't allow me to dismiss the other interests.

This sums it up pretty well for me. I sometimes "dream" about the one camera / one lens combination ... it doesn't work for me, too. I use 35 / 50 in 90 % of the time but sometimes, I only take the 21mm with me or only (!) the 90mm. When I want to try something different, I use my Rolleiflex or the Hasselblad...

[35mmdelux]

different strokes, diff folks thing.

I recall growing up with a yashica slr & 50mm lens I bought at the PX in 1971. It was about taking pictures for a very long time.

The 21st century has brought more money and more gear for me. At times I have had ten great cameras and twenty great lenses. Did it make me a better photog? Not in the least.

I will never go back to the bad ole days anymore than I would trade in my Mercedes for some Ford banger. But I want to keep it within certain constraints. I want to concentrate on my "vision" more than anything else -- to make a personal breakthru -- and no amount of extra gear will help me reach this goal.

[raid]

I managed for many years with a Zeiss Contina and its 45mm lens. That's it.
With SLR equipment I was for years on a very basic set of equipment. It is RFF influence that pushed me overboard.

[35mmdelux]

... With SLR equipment I was for years on a very basic set of equipment. It is RFF influence that pushed me overboard.


LOL. Never fails someone to throw a curve ball. Thank you!

[Roger Hicks]

Um...

HCB didn't stick with one camera, one lens. Pictures exist of him using a 90mm and I'm reasonably confident that I've read about his carrying two cameras on occasion (overseas). For shooting in India, for example, he'd have been an idiot not to have a spare body available, even if he didn't carry it 'round his neck.

Cheers,

R.

[Ade-oh]

Um...

HCB didn't stick with one camera, one lens. Pictures exist of him using a 90mm and I'm reasonably confident that I've read about his carrying two cameras on occasion (overseas). For shooting in India, for example, he'd have been an idiot not to have a spare body available, even if he didn't carry it 'round his neck.

Cheers,

R.

I believe he also owned up to occasionally using a 35mm lens... the cheat! :D

[infrequent]

i personally am dealing with something similar. just bought a 35 and it will face some stiff competition from the 50 as to what i am more likely to use. i suspect the 35 will win out. for 35mm photography, 1 camera and 1 lens is fine by me. if i wanted something different, i would go for a hassy 6x6 or maybe even a kowa6. that a potent digi p&s will do it for me.

[infrequent]

but if you are selling that hex 90, let me know will ya?! ; )

[Roger Hicks]

I believe he also owned up to occasionally using a 35mm lens... the cheat! :D

The bounder!

Well, the fella was clearly unreliable. French, y'know.

Edit: I assumed that the deliberately old-fashioned use of language would reveal that this was a joke -- does anyone seriously use the term 'bounder' nowadays, let alone 'fella' and 'y'know'? -- and a further clue to my Francophilia is that I've lived in La France Profonde for the last 6 years. Even so, in response to a PM I've added this para... Trouble is, I HATE smilies and emoticons.

Second edit: a further PM suggests that I 'clearly do not respect the French'. (The author was not French).

Was anyone genuinely offended by this? Or did they take it in the same sense as the previous post, where someone called him a cheat?

How much walking-on-eggshells do we have to do? I'd be especially interested in responses from French RFF members.

Cheers,

R.

[kossi008]

I think most of us here can relate to both sides of the issue:

Pro one/one: You focus on the picture, not the gear. I used to have a 28 as my widest lens for ages. Often enough I would not be able to frame a whole building in architecture shots, but then I would simply have to find a crop that brought out the essence of that building. And guess what? Better shots resulted! Today I put on my 21, frame the whole thing and - booooring!

Contra one/one: It makes things easier to have one lens with you, yes. But what's wrong with the other lenses sitting at home? I personally find the thought very comforting that if I really, absolutely cannot get the shot with the current lesn, I can come back another day with another lens and take it.

So, like most are recommending: Unless you really need the money right now: put your other lenses away to where it's a hassle to get them out quickly (or give them to someone).

[BJ Bignell]

I do enjoy the gear . . . and you are right, it will be worth just as much/little in six months, but some of it's been sitting for a couple of years already . . . I could just sell the lot, escrow the money until I get the itch for something different, and then use it to buy a second M6ttl, a .58 though, with a cron v4. I've always had a thing for that square hood.This sounds like a good place to start. Why not sell the two items which are in obvious surplus (one Hexar and one 35mm lens) and put the money towards an M body with a .58 viewfinder? If it works out for you, sell the current M6. You'll have succeeded in reducing your kit with little need for regret, as nothing except the viewfinder magnification will have changed.

[photogdave]

The bounder!

Well, the fella was clearly unreliable. French, y'know.

Edit: I assumed that the deliberately old-fashioned use of language would reveal that this was a joke -- does anyone seriously use the term 'bounder' nowadays, let alone 'fella' and 'y'know'? -- and a further clue to my Francophilia is that I've lived in La France Profonde for the last 6 years. Even so, in response to a PM I've added this para... Trouble is, I HATE smilies and emoticons.

Second edit: a further PM suggests that I 'clearly do not respect the French'. (The author was not French).

Was anyone genuinely offended by this? Or did they take it in the same sense as the previous post, where someone called him a cheat?

How much walking-on-eggshells do we have to do? I'd be especially interested in responses from French RFF members.

Cheers,

R.
Whomever PM'd you clearly doesn't have a sense of humour. Don't worry about it - the internet and even RFF is full of people who have little or no social skills and spend much time in seclusion. They compensate by getting all worked up about perceived insults and trying to call people out on it or "correct" them.
Your comment seemed clearly tongue-in-cheek to me!

[rover]

Whomever PM'd you clearly doesn't have a sense of humour. Don't worry about it - the internet and even RFF is full of people who have little or no social skills and spend much time in seclusion. They compensate by getting all worked up about perceived insults and trying to call people out on it or "correct" them.
Your comment seemed clearly tongue-in-cheek to me!

Yes, I think we get the point.

Thank you Roger for adding some explaination.

[Dave Wilkinson]

To return to the topic, I often go with one camera, one lens (usually a 50).......but lurking somewhere in the depths of my pockets, - or the wife's bag is the XA, which gives a little wider! :D

[photogdave]

Yes, I think we get the point.

Thank you Roger for adding some explaination.
Um, Roger asked a question. I merely answered. I didn't think I went overboard or anything. :confused:

[tomasis]

I think that shooting with one lens and body outside matters much more than having single equipment at home. I could see large part of equipment as money in the bank. That worst I know is the shooting outside having two lenses or bodies. You start thinking "what if I used other.."

Having more lens in the same focal lenght is easier so you can get more accustomed with the perception of your seeing. Or try have large differences between FL like 21(28)-50-90 as for my case. Wide normal tele etc.

[John Rountree]

You've only got to look at HCB's work for a little while to see why he never never really developed much as a photographer and pretty well remained a street snapper most of his life. He crippled his career by restricting his lens and gear choices and I, and a lot of good people here are not about to make the same mistake! :angel:

Yeah, it is a shame that HCB passed away before he reached his full potential.

[ferider]

Look familiar ?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d9rtV7t2sho/SAU2yOM6UnI/AAAAAAAAAaw/37Mohn9eFMY/s1600/bresson%2B1938%2BSunday.jpg

("Sunday on the banks of the River Marne")

Obviously NOT taken with 50mm.

Roland.

[CK Dexter Haven]

different strokes, diff folks thing.

...want to keep it within certain constraints. I want to concentrate on my "vision" more than anything else -- to make a personal breakthru -- and no amount of extra gear will help me reach this goal.

This assumes one has already chosen the one lens that will help define his "vision." It's an easy decision, then.

I think what we're talking about is
1) a continuing search for THE lens that will enable ultimate contentment.
or
2) photographers who haven't conceded that they can be content with a singular "vision."

Personally, i don't really understand how anyone can settle for one lens. Not to offend anyone, but it seems a bit narcissistic to work with the assumption that what you are currently using is the best and only tool to manage all objectives. One really has to love one's own 'output,' no? On the other hand, i'm never satisfied with what i've done. And, far from having ONE photographic objective, i have several, and some are replaced by new ones on a semi-regular basis. For instance, if my photographic 'idols' are Avedon, Koudelka, McCurry, VonUnwerth, Meisel, Clfford Coffin, and Andreas Bitesnich, it would be pretty ridiculous to think i could ever be happy with doing things One way, with One piece of equipment. And, yes, the ultimate goal is to make MY photographs. Of course. But, my influences and interests are still too far ranging to be covered by one instrument.

[back alley]

from the original post...

The kind of photography I'm interested in is a bit hard to describe, but I'm not a generalist; I shoot B&W photos that help me understand the world around me, and I expect I can do that better with one camera and lens than with many."

[Nh3]

For the record, HCB sometimes carried three cameras, click on the image: http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/nh3nh4/th_vlc2008-05-0111-51-51-39avi.jpg (http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/nh3nh4/?action=view&current=vlc2008-05-0111-51-51-39avi.flv)

[Keith]

For the record, HCB sometimes carried three cameras, click on the image: http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/nh3nh4/th_vlc2008-05-0111-51-51-39avi.jpg (http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/nh3nh4/?action=view&current=vlc2008-05-0111-51-51-39avi.flv)

Ahhh ... I never get tired of watching his fancy footwork!

That's what's missing from my photography! :p

[Andrew Sowerby]

I like the term "bounder". I also like "absolute rotter".

[back alley]

he was like a dancer...

[sonofdanang]

I am ambivalent, nearly disinterested with regard to gear. I've borrowed, rented, bought when I needed to. I have no GAS, fortunately. I spent most of the summer traveling with one body and one lens - a manual focus 50/1.8 E series Nikkor on an inexpensive dSLR body. With FOV crop that turned into a 75mm, a length that I enjoy. Never thought about it - and I've also spent long periods in my life hauling a lot of gear around.

Use some of your second-string/spare/backup gear as a temporary trade with a peer on a LF camera. Then it's not apples vs apples, if you take my meaning.

By the way, I just took a turn through your website. Good images.

Good luck.

[Matt(1pt4)]

Not to offend anyone, but it seems a bit narcissistic to work with the assumption that what you are currently using is the best and only tool to manage all objectives.

That's making the assumption that there actually is a best tool for my goals. Perhaps there isn't.

FWIW, I'm not sure that I have photographic idols, but the folks whose work I admire used everything from a Leica to 8X10 glass plates, so if went around trying to emulate their gear choices, I'd quickly go broke.

[Matt(1pt4)]

I am ambivalent, nearly disinterested with regard to gear. I've borrowed, rented, bought when I needed to. I have no GAS, fortunately. I spent most of the summer traveling with one body and one lens - a manual focus 50/1.8 E series Nikkor on an inexpensive dSLR body. With FOV crop that turned into a 75mm, a length that I enjoy. Never thought about it - and I've also spent long periods in my life hauling a lot of gear around.

Use some of your second-string/spare/backup gear as a temporary trade with a peer on a LF camera. Then it's not apples vs apples, if you take my meaning.

By the way, I just took a turn through your website. Good images.

Good luck.

Thanks for the kind words.

I could probably arrange a trade of that sort, and it might something worth pursuing.

[rover]

Um, Roger asked a question. I merely answered. I didn't think I went overboard or anything. :confused:

Sorry Dave, I was actually agreeing with you.

Let me restate for the record.

I think it is fine for members to PM each other respectfully if they find offense in a post. I also appreciate that Roger considered that opinion and clarified that he was making his comment in jest. I also agree with you that we have to allow a bit of the light side to enter our conversations and not take everything too literally. We are here to have fun aren't we. And to original PM guy, no harm on your part either. Not everything is meant to be an offense though so please don't feel that way.

I hope that is stated better.

[Haigh]

I agree with some of the other posts that have urged caution about selling most of your gear. For many years I just travelled and walked with an M4 and 35 Summicron lens. I recently bought a CV Ultron and when I use that I do not even carry on me the highly pocketable 35mm lens so not even the thought of it disturbs my concentration. This thumbnail was with the CV.

Hope this helps.


Best wishes,

Gary Haigh

Australia

[ruby.monkey]

Well, I'm rapidly approaching one body per lens. :)

[ruben]

Hi Matt,

After glancing at your images, mostly still situations, I see no special reason why not using a single lens, nor why using a RF camera, unless you find there something special.

If I was in your shoes I would stay with your Oly SLR and its 50. The body could be upgraded to a 4Ti in case you like to leave the light meter at home, and the 50 lens should be of the latest crop, an easy detail to detect by external cosmetics.

For the still situations the SLR noise will not be an issue, and the more accurate framing a great advantage. Furthermore, the 50 lens will enable to get much more closer to any subject, if you choose.

And the 4Ti has bilt in diopters, besides the built in Lumi Micron screen - HEAVEN.

Cheers,
Ruben

[ruben]

As for the general issue of x bodies and x lenses VS viceversa, it all depends on the shooting situations you are going trough. Next months I may be taking a small vacation at the Turkish shores - I will be a simplistic minded folk if I was to approach it with the same simplistic gear like if I was at my city doing street photography, Right ?

Cheers,
Ruben

[andreas]

Hi Matt,
i think you should go for it. If not, you will always miss the experience.
Cheers,
andreas

[Richie]

Matt:

Go for it! I have recently decided to go down the same road - one camera and one lens. In my case, a Leica M6 TTL with a 35mm Summicron ASPH lens.

[hawkeye]

Matt

1/1 is a grreat way to go because you end to see images first, then raise the camera to take them. With multiple lenses or a zoom I can get caught up in re-framing and tweaking the frame until I lose the original idea.

My favorite 1/1 was my Leica CL with a Voigtlander 25mm and optical viewfinder. Small abd unobtrusive. It was my carry along camera for years.

But don't sell any film gear at this point . Put the gear proudly on a shelf and keep it clean and maybe one day you'll need it for something and you'll have it.

And 1/1 is romantic. Its the stuff of Cartier-Bresson legend.

But what the hell, romantic is good.

Hawkeye

[NickTrop]

Matt -

I understand perfectly... It's like you're torn. The cameras you own aren't getting enough use, and the ones you really like you don't use as often as you want... My collection.

Fujica Compact Deluxe - favorite all-time camera. Just love how it paints images... Would use this more often but there are others...

Lynx 14 - I love this camera too. Big, but 1.4 lens - all manual

Konica Auto S3 - small and great "street shooter". Also a great lens. Leica quality shooter. Same applies to the Yashica CC. Plus both are rare-ish... I know I would regret selling either.

Zorki 4AM w/ Leica Summar - love how the Summar lens paints images...

Plus I have a digital P&S, a Kiev 60 I seldom use these days, and an Iskra which I also really love...

But ultimately? I would be happy with the Iskra for medium format, the Fujica, and possibly the Lynx. The SLR my dad gave me so it has sentimental value and use it for portraits and wide angle. So, ultimately, I would never own just "one" camera...

Shoot with what you like. The cameras don't care if you prefer one over the other. In my case, I wouldn't get that much money for them since they're decidedly on the lower end of the cost scale - all of them.

Or - what I might do, rather than go balls to the wall and sell them all, sell only one or two that you don't think you would miss. In my case, it would be the Kiev 60 (I always reach for the Iskra when I want to shoot medium format) and the Zorki 4AM with the Summar (which I would miss...) "Thin out" your collection. Do it in phases till you get down to "the one" or "the two".

[oscroft]

I go through minimalist phases (I'm in one at the moment), and I do benefit from taking a one camera/one body approach from time to time, but I'd never do if for good and sell all the rest of my gear.

At the moment I'm in Thailand with one body, two lenses (35 and 50), and B&W film and will be here with just that kit for a couple of months, and I'm very happy with it - I've only used the 35 so far in the week I've been here.

But I've also been doing some work on some past scanned images, and came across some colour shots I did with a 21mm lens. And having looked at them again, I could never sell the 21 - I know I will have a wide phase again in the future and will use my R4A and 21 for a while.

So my approach is also pretty much the "kit" approach. I'll choose a kit that I want to use for a while and pretty much stick with that - maybe M6 with two or three CV lenses and Sensia, maybe the M2 with 35/50 and APX or Tri-X, maybe the M2 with the wonderful little CV 28/3.5, maybe the R4A with a couple of wides, maybe (gasp) an SLR with a zoom.

So I'm a serial minimalist, and what kind of minimalist depends on my mood.

[Carlsen Highway]

I did it already..a few years back now..

I was ferstooned with camera gear. I think i had three nikon bodies, eleven lenses and a couple of minoltas kicking around.

It became more of a 'how do i do it' rather than 'what I am doing' thing...

I devolved. I eventually ended up with a Nikon and a 50mm and a 35mm lens. Which sat unused, becasue I bought a little Olympus fixed lense rangefinder. Suddenly I felt like I knew what I was doing again, I was focussed. The "how' wasnt important, there was only what I had, so the reason why I was going out became most important. I think it was the same model that they all rave about amoung the fixed lens RF people. Wish I knew what I did with it...

Let me quote CB here "economy of means leads to simplicity of expression.' I have always been a simple person and the gadget side of photography got in my way.

After doing film making and oil painting for several years I have recently returned to photography. I have bought a Ricoh fixed lens rangefinder. I think it will do well. It is a little camera for photographing only a small part of the world - my little corner of it.
I too intend to make further personal photographs, and I like the fact that you have written clearly that you take pictures due to your interest in the world around yourself. For that, I believe minimal equipment is not only desireable but necessary.


(Mr Cartier Bresson did not limit himself to a 50mm or one camera - one must remember that he was a proffessional photojournalist produceing photoessays for magazines. But generalisations about ones work can be made in older age, and if speaking about his more personal photo's - his surrealist images - then he may have been correct in that generalisation. )

There are no limits to creativity, but you can confuse it with critical thinking about what you are able to achieve with different bits of equipment. I know that for a fact. I dont see it as limiting your options - your options become aligned with whatever it is you are working with, this is how the mind works.
Have a look at Rembrandt, a great many of his paintings utilise only four colours, and then only sparingly of the fourth...

[Paul C. Perkins, MD]

I'd never get rid of all my stuff - but for a given situation or trip - I'd do the one-camera one-lens thing.

[Fedia]

One body and one lens is classical combination. B + 50mm and you are the king of the streets and candid photography. However, myself I still contemplate between B+35mm an B+50mm for my own stuff photography. I never carry two lenses, just because it doesn't mach my philosophy. When I do weddings or newspaper assignments it's very simple: DSLR + standard zoom.

[P. Lynn Miller]

My RF collection is fairly modest (2 Hexar RFs, an M6TTL, 28, 50 & 90 Hexanons, Biogon 35 F2, CV 35 1.4 SC) by some standards, but it's all starting to seem like a bit too much. I can't remember the last time I used the 28 or the 90 to any good effect, and ever since getting the M6, the 35s just aren't as comfortable to use (I wear glasses and can't really make out the 35mm framelines with the .72 RF). I've always felt most comfortable shooting with a 50mm, so I'm thinking of selling off everything but the M6 and the 50 Hex. I've gone for long stretches before with just a 50, and I think it might do me some good to so again.

The kind of photography I'm interested in is a bit hard to describe, but I'm not a generalist; I shoot B&W photos that help me understand the world around me, and I expect I can do that better with one camera and lens than with many. As it stands now, I rarely carry more than one lens, as I find doing so just results in a lot of lens changing. Even knowing that the lenses are sitting at home on the shelf is an occasional source of metaphysical doubt. I'm not sure I need that in my life.

If the one camera breaks, I can always use the money from the sale of the rest to purchase a new one. There's nothing that I do anymore that really requires a backup camera.

What do you think, would I be a fool to part with this abundance of equipment? Thanks for your input.

A few weeks or months since you posted this, what have you decided? Curious how you worked this out.

[Bingley]

I think we'll find out when he gets back from Berlin... and jury duty...

http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/

[samoksner]

First let me say that I'm a big fan of your blog and you're pictures. I see what kind of photography you do, and i would stick with the M6 and the 50mm. They don't break often enough to have to worry about it, I would look into taking the money you make off of selling the gear and buy yourself a nice 50, like a Leica 50 lux ASPH (not that their is anything wrong with the Hex) and you're good for a long time. You'll have a combo that will never need upgrading, and at most a CLA after a couple of years...

HCB once said in a conversation that the films were fast enough (he used ISO 100) and the lens' were sharp and fast enough (he used a 35 summicron). For years, all he used was an M3 and the Cron. For 6 months, i've used nothing but a 35mm. A 50 is just as versatile.

[Jamie Pillers]

Matt,
First, regarding your problems wearing glasses. I struggled with the same problem.. finding a camera with framelines I wanted and could see. I finally found it in the Zeiss ZM. I wear eyeglasses and the 35 framelines are just exactly at the edge of my view... perfect. And the 50 framelines are nicely floating in the middle of the view but not too small... very nice. I had tried all the Voigtlanders and couldn't find one that was comfortable... but the Zeiss does it.

Regarding trimming down on equipment... I've gone through the same thoughts, and have bought and sold a lot of stuff over this past year, trying to find the right kit. I've finally come to the conclusion that what I've been looking for was a kit that gives me a different learning experience, depending on what I take out with me. I usually only take one body and one lens and let this combination guide my approach to the world that day. So... I've tried to assemble a kit that gives me a maximum number of different experiences with the least amount of equipment. I now have the Zeiss ZM body with the Biogon 35/2 lens for what I'd call my "normal, contemporary" kit. I also have an old Jupiter 3 50/1.5 for the older, soft wide-open approach, a CV 75mm when I want to go out and isolate things in the landscape or on the street, and a CV 28mm for my "wide-angle" days. And I have a Leica IIIc body for days when I just want to go back to the "Sunny 16 rule" kind of approach... minimalist, trust my judgement kind of a day. Oh.. and for days when I really want to mix things up, I go out with my trusty Holga. :D