How many film cameras do people still own and use?

[SteveYork]

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Leicas MP (silver), MP(black), M7, M4 and Leicaflex SL. 4 M lenses and 2 R lenses. Something has got to go!

 

No more M4.

[Bateleur]

I mainly use my m2 - m6 -m8 and my h1 and h2 but beside of that I got these cams

 

What a lovely collection!

[italy74]

its not about cameras and lenses. its about the pictures. do you prefer the look of film? if so keep using it. no matter the money. its still cheaper and easier than in the days of atget. and nothing worth having comes for free.

 

True.

I have two film cameras, each one for an intended purpose and a digital. Although digital is easy and nice for "paid" work, actually I prefer much more the look of film and around 80 % of my pictures are taken with F6 or FM3A.

Tri-X or Ilford 200 SFX, Velvia 50 or E100G and Ektar or Portra are the usual films I go through.

The funny side of the thing is that lots of people having just purchased the latest digital "just because it takes better pictures" when look at me with my film gear they feel guilty "Oh, yes" they say without having a clue of what they are saying "because film is what pro use", then, after a very nasty and joking "Yes" answer, I tend to tell them that it's just a matter of preference and possibility. Of course, if you take 1000 pictures a month every month with film, or you're very rich or you're a fool, but if you care for each picture and take one roll or two..?

And then it's always nice to tell them the "pullover" tale. I bet everyone of you has the latest hypertech jacket to go out, but that's mostly trend, exactly as with expensive DSLRs. I also bet that everyone there has also somewhere an old pullover or else made by your grandmother that you wear at home or when you want to feel comfortable. In that case, it's not only a matter of numbers "how good the jacket or the pullover save you from cold" but also something emotional that links you to a nice moment in the past and ultimately feel you good somehow better than wearing the hypertech jacket (in fact, have you ever seen anyone wearing a very expensive thing while doing home stuff?)

[SteveYork]

What am I? Crazy? I just sold 2 M analog bodies and 1 M lens. They were better investments then my stocks and bonds.

 

Down to....

 

MP w/ 35/2 asph; 50/2 and 90/2.8

 

Contaflex III and IV w/ 30/4, 50/2.8, and 85/4

 

Leicaflex SL w/ 50/2 + extension tubes

 

I'm going to sell the Leicaflex (I think). The Contaflex are really well made, fun to use and cost pennies. The only drawbacks I can see are that they are loud and slow, and optics from the late 50's, although good, can't really stand up to modern stuff. The MP + lenses will always be with me (too many memories).

 

I would like to try a contarex

[Penzes]

2 X M3

2 X M7 / 0,58/0,72

Nikon FM3a

Nikon F3/T

Nikon F6

Nikon FE

Yashica Electro GS/GSN

Yashica Electro GX

 

Hasselblad 503CW

 

One of the M3's is as new and I'm only using it twice a year, indoor. All other cameras are loaded with film and are used on daily basis.

 

I just got a M4-P. First roll is loaded.....

 

 

and this one:

 

A bit crazy, but nice to have choices.

[Julian Thompson]

Just been informed that my special build M7 arrives Tuesday.

 

Until I discovered film I had a hobby to play with.

 

Now I have a passion.

 

To be honest it's as simple as that for me. I don't care to worry about which is best - I've decided I love my M9 and will continue to use it but I just don't get the same sense of occasion picking it up as I do with my Leica film camera.

 

I guess it's akin to the difference between climbing to an undeniably capable modern Ferrari or a 60's classic one. Both cars get you there beautifully but there is a big difference in the feelings you experience whilst actually travelling!

[skwasnicki]

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I have 2 SLRs, 2 RF, and 1 dSLR, however I do not use dSLR. It is mostly used by my wife.

After many years of using Nikon and Canon system top cameras and top lenses (film and digital), I switched to the film cameras: Leica R8 and Contax G1. The reason is the quality and reliability of the Leica and Carl Zeiss (lenses for G series Contax cameras) products. Why film cameras? Again, quality of the picture. I am happy to use Adox, Rollei, Agfa Scala, and Fuji Velvia films. I just cannot give up contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, .... I can achieve using films.

There is no problem for me to carry 10 or 20 rolls of the film in my backpack. I do carry more items for dSLR (used by my wife) comparing to my film cameras.

In my opinion, it is just your personal expectations, opinion, and ... taste.

[bcentsale]

4 SLR's

Olympus OM4, OMG(both up for sale), Asahi Spotmatic, Leicaflex SL(inop)

1 TLR

Yashica 635 (shoots both 120 and 35mm, currently loaded with 120mm Kodak Portra)

1 RF

Leica III (would kill for an MP, can't afford one)

 

3 of the 6 see regular use. The Spotmatic is a backup to my Olympus E3 DSLR, for which I have an M42 adapter. Also have a D-Lux 4.

[pes084k1]

I have 2 SLRs, 2 RF, and 1 dSLR, however I do not use dSLR. It is mostly used by my wife.

After many years of using Nikon and Canon system top cameras and top lenses (film and digital), I switched to the film cameras: Leica R8 and Contax G1. The reason is the quality and reliability of the Leica and Carl Zeiss (lenses for G series Contax cameras) products. Why film cameras? Again, quality of the picture. I am happy to use Adox, Rollei, Agfa Scala, and Fuji Velvia films. I just cannot give up contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, .... I can achieve using films.

There is no problem for me to carry 10 or 20 rolls of the film in my backpack. I do carry more items for dSLR (used by my wife) comparing to my film cameras.

In my opinion, it is just your personal expectations, opinion, and ... taste.

 

Well said, it is the same experience as mine. Seeing a good hybrid print or a projected slide, it is hard to accept even a 20 x 30 cm from the D700 I have. I was also unimpressed by an one day shooting with a D3x with the best from Nikon, Zeiss ZF and VC. More resolution, more and better colours and finer texture (foliage, sand) and tonal purity from film, no doubt.

 

Elio

[Simon Baker]

I have / use,

 

Leica R5 & R8 along with 24 / 50 / 100 APO / 2x APO rom and 35 / 90 3 cam lenses , love them

 

I also use a Hasselblad 201F with 60 / 100 / 150 Cfi lenses and very recently picked up a totally unused 553elx for a very good price.

 

I do use digital too ( namely an Oly PEN with 17mm and a 45mm Panny/Leica optic, also a Hasselblad H3DII 39 ) however it's the film cameras that give me the greatest pleasure.

 

There is no denying that todays digital cameras are capable of producing great IQ ( especially in the case of my H3D ) but I just love the look of film and classic cameras in general ( as it happens the look and build quality is what drove me towards the PEN for my digital walk-around combo ) , I'm 45 this year and grew up around film having developed ( no pun intended ) a keen interest in photography when I was 16 and I'm a kind of "old fashioned sort of guy" , so for me its film first ( at least personally ) just like if I ever won big time on the lottery I would buy a 1950's Ferrari 250 California SWB before any modern super car:cool:

 

Simon

[arminw]

Don't shoot Film so much anymore, but love it when I do and what I have left is a Leica MP and M7

[apopida]

Hi, I recently discovered that I have a camera with a Leica sign on it, But I don„t know it it is genuine!

 

can anyone help me, please!

 

here are some pictures

 

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[c.poulton]

M2, Olympus Trip, Olympus XA - all film. Oh, I guess my iPhone occasionally.... But that does not count :-)

[Nikkor AIS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images taken with Widelux F7 on Ektapress 160

 

 

 

Gregory

[MPerson]

Since my previous post I have added a Canon Canonet

 

 

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and this weekend I got a new boxed Kiev 88CM kit for £100.

 

 

[Niko]

apopida, that camera of yours is not a Leica.

 

How to identify a fake Leica

leicafake

Tom on Fakes

[SteveYork]

And then I was down to four: MP, M7, Leicaflex SL, Contaflex IV.

[kt66brooklyn]

I have two SLR's, A Yashica FX-3 which I keep because I have a Zeiss 50/1.4 lens to go with it, and a Leica R4. Lenses for the Leica: a 28mm Elmarit, a 50mm Summicron, a 90mm Elmarit and a 135mm Elmarit.

 

I acquired the Leica gear in a typical way, I inherited it from my father, but I chose to see if I could use any of it rather than posting it up on Ebay. I have run through and developed one roll of film and the results, using just the 28 and 90mm lenses, were pretty stunning.

[tecumseh]

I have a Zeiss Ikon Z1 and a Mamiya 7ii. I deeply regret selling my M6 and M7 (to fund an M8 which is currently languishing on a workbench in Solms). I also deeply regret selling my Contax G2 kit.

 

I find Photoshop particularly uninteresting to use and that when I use Portra, Tri-X, Neopan or Velvia it comes out the way I want with no need for post-processing.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Doug A]

Just two: Leica M2, f3.5/50 Elmar, f2.5/35 Color-Skopar. Nikon F, f2.8/35 PC, f1.4/50 Nippon Kogaku, f2.5/105 Nippon Kogaku.