pairs of bodies

[FrankS]

Looking at my RF gear, I can assign roles to particular pieces.

For example, I use B+W 400 speed film mostly (for its versatility) so I'll put it in the bodies I use most, currently the M6 and Hexar RF. These are used most because of the convenience of built-in meters. The M6 has a .85mag viewfinder so it's best with a 50mm lens (my fav. focal length, again for its versatility) while the .60mag Hexar is perfect for a 35mm lens.

My M2 and M3, I'll use for B+W 100 speed film for when I want less grain. A 50 on the M3, and a 35 on the M2, again due to their viewfinder magnifications.

This is of course, not set in stone, and I may use a 50 on the Hexar when I feel like AE with that focal length, or use 400 speed film in the M3 when low light focus accuracy is important.

The Contax IIa will sport a 50mm Sonnar f1.5, while the Contax II will host a 35mm J12 (which won't fit on the IIa) and an 85mm J9 to take advantage of the II's longer based RF. I'll use the Contax when I feel like a different feel than the Leicas.

Sound like a plan?

[back alley]

i think you are becoming as neurotic as me frank!

welcome to the club.

joe

[tedwhite]

OK, fine. Now I want to know how you go about making a decision about which of the three pairs of cameras you're going to walk out of your house with.

Ted

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by tedwhite

OK, fine. Now I want to know how you go about making a decision about which of the three pairs of cameras you're going to walk out of your house with.

Ted

Hi Ted. I decide based on if/what film is loaded in what body, what lens I think I'll use most, the lighting conditions I'm expecting, and simply what I feel like shooting with. Variety is a good thing.

If only this could be applied generally in life.

[ruben]

Hi Frank,
I use cameras only by pairs, but with a different logic. Yet before that let me comment that your type of pairs, is the one used by photojournalists and news photographers (by the time film ruled) in order to gain speed of manipulation, saving the time of changing lenses. Going out with different types of cameras prooved a mess, for me.

Taken for granted, like spare batteries, pros don't go out with a single body. And if a back up body, then why not an active back-up ?

Although my pairs division goes like yours, by camera type, my concern for the pair is not avoiding lens change, but widening the ISO range. Thus, I never go out with a single camera, but each camera has a different ISO film. 200 with 1600 is my preferred for winter. Thus I feel I can walk in a street, and enter a low light bar, continuing my photo session.

[like2fiddle]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Variety is a good thing.

If only this could be applied generally in life.

I keep mentioning this to my wife, but she doesn't agree

It's easy for me, I have only two RF cameras; Usually B&W in both, a 35 or 40 on one, a 50 on the other. Speaking of which, I'd like another 50. I like the Summitar, but the lens hood is less than convenient (but then again, so are most hoods)

[ruben]

Originally Posted by like2fiddle

I keep mentioning this to my wife, but she doesn't agree

....)

And yet you are lucky it isn't your wife the one continuosly trying to convince you.

[like2fiddle]

Originally Posted by ruben

Although my pairs division goes like yours, by camera type, my concern for the pair is not avoiding lens change, but widening the ISO range. Thus, I never go out with a single camera, but each camera has a different ISO film. 200 with 1600 is my preferred for winter. Thus I feel I can walk in a street, and enter a low light bar, continuing my photo session.

Ruben,
I like this logic very much. This bright light/low light is a constant issue here in Vermont, especially in winter

[dspeltz]

Really interesting thread. I do a great deal of air travel. My MP has Kodachrome, my M8 is what it is, my M3 TriX. But then I have a bunch of other bodies I rarely use because three is enough or even too much. But then I think I should have same film in multiple bodies with different lens configurations but that weighs too much. I find the M8 solves the multiple film and speed problem, except for Kodachrome. At least for all the trravel i do.

But everytime I prepare for a trip I stare at this stuff and reconsider. I actually laugh at how complicated I make it for myself as I try to simplify it.

And then there is the question of whjich lenses to take.

[like2fiddle]

Originally Posted by dspeltz

Really interesting thread. I do a great deal of air travel. My MP has Kodachrome, my M8 is what it is, my M3 TriX. But then I have a bunch of other bodies I rarely use because three is enough or even too much. But then I think I should have same film in multiple bodies with different lens configurations but that weighs too much. I find the M8 solves the multiple film and speed problem, except for Kodachrome. At least for all the trravel i do.

But everytime I prepare for a trip I stare at this stuff and reconsider. I actually laugh at how complicated I make it for myself as I try to simplify it.

And then there is the question of whjich lenses to take.

For better or worse, perhaps this makes a good arguement for digital? One camera, a couple of lenses? B&W, color, fast, slow...

[FrankS]

Hi Ruben. Your logic is also good.

[amateriat]

Having just a pair of Hexar RFs as my principal shootin' iron, and three lenses (28, 50, 90), the real decision-making comes down to whether I'm taking black-and-white or color. Ususally the former. And, no, just taking color and doing the "desaturate" thing in PS doesn't do it for me; I photograph with a somewhat different technical emphasis when shooting one or the other, which is simply part of the gestalt for me. But the hardware part is now blissfully simple. Sometimes I might add the Ricoh GR1 or Konica Auto S3 to the mix (in which case, if the Hex's have b/w in them, the GR1 or Auto S3 gets loaded with color, and vice-versa). Keeping the gear thing relatively simple helps keep me (relatively) sane.


Barrett

[Ken Ford]

I work with a single M body at a time; my M3 was purchased specifically to use with my 40 and 90, plus the 50 I recently picked up.

I wouldn't mind having a second M6, but I really don't see using the M6 and the M3 at the same time.

[Biggles]

I break CLs. I decided to buy another one in iffy shape and send it to Sherry Krauter for a complete spa treatment and cadmium disulphide colonic. When it comes back, if I drop the principal one again (Neopan 1600, 24/7), I'll have a spare available (also Neopan 1600) for follow-up dropping.

[back alley]

i don't shoot colour so it's b&w for my zi's.
i like to keep a slower and a faster film, in theory, but in practise i seem to have both filled with the same film and just 2 different lenses on each.

i'm not sure why i have the 90 as i so rarely use it.
the 25 and 50 seem to be the combo pair and the 35 is for one/one lens days.

[tedwhite]

When I worked ("starved" is perhaps the more operative term) as a photojournalist in the sixties I carried two SLR bodies (Pentax Spotmatics), both with TriX. On one was a 28/3.5 for getting it all in, and on the other a 135/2.5 for head shots . In a pocket I carried a 50/1.4 for bad light situations. The cameras got beat up mostly by just banging into each other, despite different strap lengths.

Now that I'm using RF cameras, I usually just carry the Bessa R with two lenses, the 35/2.5 and a 50/1.8. Again, the latter is for low light scenes.

BUT WAIT! Now that I've just aquired a Kiev 4AM w/Helios 103 I can actually carry two RF bodies at the same time! And the delightful part is that I can use the Bessa R as a meter for the Kiev. My cup runneth amok.

I've got to have a single malt (or two) now and think about this, as I don't do well with logistics.

English Major Ted

Ted

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by tedwhite

My cup runneth amok.

Dammit, I nearly choked.

[drewbarb]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Dammit, I nearly choked.

Biggles? CARDINAL Biggles? Fetch the soft cushions....

[amateriat]

Originally Posted by drewbarb

Biggles? CARDINAL Biggles? Fetch the soft cushions....

No...he must be made of stronger stuff...

Of course, nobody on RFf expects a Solms Inquisition....


- Barrett

[drewbarb]

No one expects the Solms Inquisition! Our two chief weapns are...glass, brass, and these lovely quiet cloth shutters...THREE! Our THREE chief weapons are, glass, brass, quiet cloth shutters, and fanatical devotion, err, precision in the- Oh never mind. Well, go on, you might as well just pretend.

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by back alley

i think you are becoming as neurotic as me frank!

joe

Oh, I wouldn't go THAT far, Joe!

Just trying to use multiple bodies rationally and effectively.

[tedwhite]

"Just trying to use multiple bodies rationally and effectively."

Is he referring to a couple of girlfriends?

Ted

[Ben Z]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Looking at my RF gear, I can assign roles to particular pieces.

For example, I use B+W 400 speed film mostly (for its versatility) so I'll put it in the bodies I use most, currently the M6 and Hexar RF. These are used most because of the convenience of built-in meters. The M6 has a .85mag viewfinder so it's best with a 50mm lens (my fav. focal length, again for its versatility) while the .60mag Hexar is perfect for a 35mm lens.

My M2 and M3, I'll use for B+W 100 speed film for when I want less grain. A 50 on the M3, and a 35 on the M2, again due to their viewfinder magnifications.

This is of course, not set in stone, and I may use a 50 on the Hexar when I feel like AE with that focal length, or use 400 speed film in the M3 when low light focus accuracy is important.

The Contax IIa will sport a 50mm Sonnar f1.5, while the Contax II will host a 35mm J12 (which won't fit on the IIa) and an 85mm J9 to take advantage of the II's longer based RF. I'll use the Contax when I feel like a different feel than the Leicas.

Sound like a plan?

It sounds more like OCD (That's Overabudance of Cameras Disease )

[FrankS]

Ben, I agree. that's why I'm done.

Ted, I wish.

[MinorTones]

Originally Posted by Ben Z

It sounds more like OCD (That's Overabudance of Cameras Disease )

I like that.

I'm mostly working with two cameras in my bag. An M6 with DR Cron with the eyes attatched and a Kiev 4A with a J-8.

The M6 has color ISO 100 and the Kiev holds some ISO400 B&W.

If my evans walker bag was a little bigger I'd shove my CV 35/2.5 in the bag along with the bodies but alas it looked bigger in the picture


I have my Yashica GSN loaded with ISO 1600 (too bad the ISO dial only goes to 1000).

It's all working out for me so far. I hope you plan works out for you Frank.

-Mitch