The Obsession With Smallness

[Paul Luscher]

It's just Barnackism carried to its illogical extreme....

[mrrobleyleica]

Originally Posted by DRabbit

My much younger 25-year-old brother just got a very very clean K1000 at a yard sale for $10 (including 50/2 SMC-A lens, which he gave me! LOL). We had a blast developing his first roll of film together!

I thought I'd noticed a film trend that the 'young' were grooving to.
That's an idea, my daughter is only 5 - too little - I'll have to do the same one day, can't wait. The magic, the alchemy still amazes me, because I've never understood how it really works (don't want to) and I can't explain digital (who wants to).
Trouble is, the only film cameras I have are a huge Nikon F4, a 6x6 TLR Seagull which smells funny or a Pentax 67! Can't imagine the idea of having less than 200 pics digital to shoot will appeal, or manual focus, reversed VF.
In order to fund the digital M I've purged the old cameras, which I totally regret.

There's a good photo if I can get her holding the 6x7 it would fit with this size related thread.

[Findus]

Originally Posted by daveleo

I like "small" . .





(...) hands.

I like that Pelikan Souveraen in the background. Is it the "Madrid" model? Sweet!

Back on topic, for me it is not so much the weight of the camera that matters, it's more the ergonomics. I have light cameras and heavy ones. I prefer the Nikon F80 over the F100 and the F4s, but I don't mind walking around with the *very* heavy Mamiya C3 all day long. In fact, i find it easier to hold the heavy cameras stable/still. A neoprene strap (ugly, I know ) helps and so does a monopod - but of course it depends on the things I intend to take pictures of.

BTW, I have very small hands.

[daveleo]

Originally Posted by Findus

I like that Pelikan Souveraen in the background. Is it the "Madrid" model? Sweet! . . . . . .

oooo . . . . very sharp eyes you have !

Pelikan M620 "Grand Place" with a medium nib tweaked for added flexibility.

Made me start writing (actually writing !) letters again.

Has also served as a prop in my pictures

[whitecat]

My Minox is in my pocket always and just shot a roll with the GT.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by whitecat

My Minox is in my pocket always and just shot a roll with the GT.

Whitecat, what are the dimensions of your Minox GT? Is it similar to the other Minox models?

[bojanfurst]

I am bucking a trend here! Just got a Pentax 67

[robklurfield]

My hands are small. Simple as that for me.

[Findus]

Originally Posted by daveleo

oooo . . . . very sharp eyes you have !

Pelikan M620 "Grand Place" with a medium nib tweaked for added flexibility.

Made me start writing (actually writing !) letters again.

Has also served as a prop in my pictures

Good taste you have!

I have the 'Athens' model (fountain pen collector here)
My favorite fp however is the Sailor 1911 matte black, gold trim, with Naginata Togi NMF nib. Best writer. Ever. Filled with Rohrer&Klingner 'Verdigris' ink. (wait until you start collecting inks )

Sorry for the off topic

[c.poulton]

Smallness? - I get hung up about the size of the M8/M9/MM's (& to a lesser extent, the M6ttl/M7) compared to the M2/3/4/6 & MP.

The digital M's just look a touch obese to me, they need to hit the gym and tone up a bit!

[FrozenInTime]

Between 1995 and 2003 I carried this Minox AX absolutely everywhere - normally loaded with Fuji 800 or Kodak CN400.
It's one of the few all manual cameras : fixed aperture, manual shutter and focus.
It controls were so perfectly designed to be turned by pressing a finger and rotating - there was no conflict between size and usability.

I typically made 6x4" prints - but did do some at 16x12".

[mrrobleyleica]

Originally Posted by bojanfurst

I am bucking a trend here! Just got a Pentax 67

Now you mention it's reminded me to take mine for an outing, daytrip in the car, not over shoulder these days.
What lens did you get?
They're big and heavy, but amazing and built to last. I used mine without a tripod - street style, pushed 400 agfapan with a 75mm and used to get some great shots, but may lead to curvature of the spine if used for more than a few hours at a time.
I'm in the school of small kit these days, so may flog it.

[KenR]

Having just come back from a walk with my Fuji GSW690 I can say that I know personally all about big heavy objects - but the results are amazing and justify the backache (and stooped shoulder).

[ChrisPlatt]

Originally Posted by whitecat

My Minox is in my pocket always and just shot a roll with the GT.

The beauty of a true pocket camera is that it can be with you at all times.
It's always there when you need it, and not in the way when you don't.
Further it does not draw attention. IMO that's very important, too.

Chris

[Rico]

I'm a fanatic for big, heavy cameras when they're on a tripod! One gains platform stability and more room for grips and controls. Out and about, however, I want a lighter load and less visibility. M4 and two lenses is nice, but shirt-pocket T3 is even better. Five years after I took this gear shot, the pictured cameras are still my most used: moderate speed 35mm lens on uncropped 135 format.

[Tomas M]

To be honest, everyone should calm down on size and weight, lenses and specs, sensors and accesories, and appreciate a camera for what it is in it's simplest form. Make the camera for you, make an image which is techincally correct and pleasing to you, rather than worrying about the weight and brand of the camera. A camera won't make a better image, a lens won't make a better image, and a certain film won't make a better image, only you will make a better image.

[tom.w.bn]

Originally Posted by Tomas M

....rather than worrying about the weight and brand of the camera....

This is questionable. You will never get a good picture out of a camera if you don't feel comfortable with you equipment.

[bojanfurst]

Originally Posted by mrrobleyleica

Now you mention it's reminded me to take mine for an outing, daytrip in the car, not over shoulder these days.
What lens did you get?
They're big and heavy, but amazing and built to last. I used mine without a tripod - street style, pushed 400 agfapan with a 75mm and used to get some great shots, but may lead to curvature of the spine if used for more than a few hours at a time.
I'm in the school of small kit these days, so may flog it.

I got a 90mm 2.8 and a newer 55mm. Down the road I'll get something longer, but these two will work for a couple of projects I need to work on over the next couple of months.

[Spanik]

I prefer a camera that has some weight as it adds stability, is large enough to grip without cramping your hand and large enough so the controls can be used without pressing 3 buttons at a time. And it should have a nice large bright viewfinder. Al the rest is nice to have.

Recently got a Sony NEX-3 that I wanted as a camera to put in the bag and always have around. Well it is impossible to use because too small and if you mount a lens on it so unbalanced you spend more time trying to get a hold on it than to take pictures.

My main camera set is a Mamiya 645 ProTL with a motor grip, 35/55L/80/150mm lenses. If I want to travel light a Fuji GS645Zi and if I'm not going far a Kiev 60 with the Sonnar 180mm

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

It seems to me that this is one of those questions that invite multiple answers from each responder. Sometimes I like big, hefty cameras and other times I prefer the lightest possible camera. Then again, I really like using lots of different cameras and have survived to that point in my life where I can afford the choice.

[whitecat]

The GT a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes. Fits in your shirt pocket.

[NaChase]

Originally Posted by Sejanus.Aelianus

It seems to me that this is one of those questions that invite multiple answers from each responder. Sometimes I like big, hefty cameras and other times I prefer the lightest possible camera. Then again, I really like using lots of different cameras and have survived to that point in my life where I can afford the choice.

Well this is the kind of healthy debate I wanted. There are any number of rational reasons people want small, portable kits; it's just when people obsess over smallness for smallness' sake that it becomes goofy. A couple ounces and grams one way or another is unlikely to break the camel's back.

[DougFord]

Portability ranks at the top for me as well. Add full frame, film and a 35mm lens and I'm happy.

[steveniphoto]

i guess i'm one of the few people who aren't bothered too much by size.. i carry a pentax 645 a lot along with a couple other cameras and it hasn't bothered me once yet.

[Vics]

Well, the OP is 23 and I'm 67, and I'm also one who breaks it all down to ounces and grams. I've been traveling in France, Spain and the UK for five weeks now, with a Rollei MX and a lot of Tri-X. Believe me I'm still looking to go lighter, and the MX is very light. Keep in mind all the other stuff you're carrying. My wife and I pack really light, one bag apiece, but we're OLD!
The OP can't imagine what a difference forty or fifty years can make!