Cameras that are a pleasure to use

RX100 nice size, and easy to use with my large hands yet small enough to go everywhere, it takes cracking photos with the minimal of effort/input from me.
 
All of my Pentax's, been a user since my first K1000 back in the mid 70's I think, currently run K1 / K3iii / 645z and a K5ii converted to IR.

Good build quality, good fit in the hands and consistent menu's, they also run the same battery, even from the K10D which was my first digital camera
 
I don’t get particularly nostalgic about cameras, as long as they don’t get in the way of me getting the photograph I want then I’m happy.

If pushed, then purely on tactile grounds I’d say the Nikon F100 was up there - just big enough, solid but without being heavy and possibly the most satisfying shutter click I’ve ever used. The Nikon F6 was similar, maybe a little bigger but equally nice.

Worth mentioning the Nikon D4 I had for a while for a project - it’s ability to seemingly focus on anything, anywhere, under any conditions and it’s magnificent viewfinder astonished me, as did its size and weight unfortunately.
 
Film - I love shooting my Yashica 124G as it slows the process down and I don't machine gun it; waist level viewfinders are a thing of joy to use too.

Digital - I really like using my current D750 as it performs spectacularly; however I probably derived more fun from my D40 when I forst got it and was learning how to use it properly.
 
trevorbray said:
Keep on looking at the Pen F (digital)
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It is a bit dated, technically, now.

But the first time I picked one up, it felt perfect in my hand and I had to buy it!
 
Mr Perceptive said:
For me the kerbside appeal and tactile handling are really important, I need to want to pick up the camera and use it. Over the years I have bought stuff for its specification but eventually become underwhelmed by the handling and so prefer using someting simpler. I want the camera to get out of the way of my photograhy so I can enjoy the image creation.

In the digital world my favourites are:-

Fuji X100 (original) - there is something special about this camera, and the resultant images are sublime, yes you have to send it a postcard to autofocus and the EVF/Rear Screen are hopeless, but its just a lovely thing to use. Simple, tactile, lightweight

Fuji X-Pro1 - like the original X100 but with interchangable lenses, and like the X100 the image rendition is fantastic, there is something about later Fuji's (IMO) that has just been lost in translation (and I've owned a few X-E2, X-T1, X-T2, X-T3, X-H1, X100F, X-T20, GFX50S!!! though only the X-T3 remains for motosport action) - its simplicity is one of its advantages, it looks right, feels right and IMO is right!

Leica Q3 - a beast of a camera with a price tag to match, feels lovely in the hand - you just want to keep using it, so few buttons you can't fiddle about and have to concentrate on the photography, and that lens................... obviously overrated by @imattersuk, but one man's meat is another mans..........

I'm lucky enough to own all of the above, and certainly for the foreseeable future they are all keepers.
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Personally I found it uncomfortable without the grip accessory (same as the ZF in that respect) but the official wireless grip doesn't even fit properly, it's hit and miss when trying to charge it with the wireless pad, yes it takes great photos but so do many far cheaper alternatives that offer greater flexibility. My main gripe is that for the whopping price tag it falls short in a number of areas, £5k+ is serious money. The AF was also hit and miss, ok so you can go manual but then a Q2 would suffice, I just can't justify the price tag, i'm glad I tried one, loved some things about it but I think overrated is a fair description for a £5k camera.
 
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For me the D700, A9 and Z8 were milestone cameras that stand out as offering substantial improvements and I adored using each of them for their capabilities and just how well designed they felt to use.

I feel though the more accurate answer to the question would be the Panasonic DMC-L1 and the Sony RX1. The Panasonic was an ill fated micro 4/3 camera which was a twin to the Olympus E-330 although it lacked the Olympus' clever liveview mode since it lacked the sensor near the OVF but did still have the darker OVF which diverted light to nowhere. However the body felt and looked more special than the E-330 which meant I found I just liked using the Panasonic more than the E-330.

The RX1 was always a camera that fascinated me being one of the smallest digital full frame cameras which I bought a good few years after its release by which time many of its specs were definitely dated. Its design and build make it feel like a much older camera and its specs are a long way behind modern mirrorless cameras however in some ways that adds to the charm, I find I use it differently than my main cameras and focus on individual, single shots. It's also still useful for its small size and can fit into bags even the smallest full frame mirrorless cameras can't manage.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
In film days my mate @flashp and I had Canon T90's and I really liked that camera, A joy to use.

In the digital age? Nikon D700. Should never have sold it.
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Agreed on both of those. I think the D750's we had were pretty decent too. Bringing this up to date, Olympus m4/3 system has been an enabler. Great looking, lightweight, good quality lenses and reminiscent of the early film cameras to look at.
 
I haven't had many cameras since I started taking photography more seriously. A Panasonic gx80, Canon 1100d, 50d, 80d and now an r7. Out of those 5 cameras my favorite to use was the 80d. I know it's just a pretty standard, mid range, apsc camera, but it's the one I've felt the most comfortable with. It did nearly everything I needed it to do and I didn't have to think about how to use it. I knew where all of the buttons, dials, settings were, just by muscle memory. The two reasons it was time to replace it were, I wanted a better AF for tracking moving subjects and it had started to turn itself off every now and then, also sometimes you could see a shutter leaf in the image. Suggesting that the shutter was on its way out.
 
I've always enjoyed the Canon 1D series, had a a few variants over the years, currently have a 1DX3. All have felt so rugged and capable, the sound of the shutter slapping away is kind of satisfying. Can hammer in nails with them, never let me down and thus always been a pleasure to use :-)
 
Interesting thread. I don't get attached to cameras in the same way as I did years ago, but I immediately thought of my Olympus Pen F. It is such a fun camera to use. The images are not as good as my later kit, but every time I use it, I just love it.

Like @sk66 it may be because I use it in a different way. I don't use back button focus on it, and it tends to get used for street, or family photography, but it's just a joy to use. It has the creative button, so I often dial in B&W, and then get both raw and jpeg files.
 
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For years upon years I’ve been very happily using my X-E1 and X-Pro1.

The file output for ME personally is incredible, those sensors are very special indeed…!

I’d love to pick-up a X-M1 body next…
“Less is more” I believe…
 
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I can't think of any that have been a 'pleasure' to use, only a pleasure in the results they give

Lenses though, I did love my Tamron 90mm SP (macro), and my current FAVE lens is my Z50mm f1.8; which is easily the sharpest lens I've ever owned :)
 
A few cameras that I've used and were very pleasant to use:

Mirrorless:
Olympus EM5
Olympus PEN EPL-8

DSLR:
Canon 6D

SLR:
Cosina C1
Olympus OM1

P&S 35mm
Olympus MJU II
 
The most satisfying for me was the Hasselblad H3DII due to a combination of things - simple operation, nicely balanced and great results. But the system was too expensive, so I switched to Fuji GFX, which is also great but not quite as pleasant to use. I've enjoyed using almost all of the Canon cameras too but as Phil says there are more functional.
 
I really enjoy my two latest cameras, Fujifilm X-H1 and X-T4. Even if the T4 is superior in many specs, I do prefer the grip of the H1. I have a battery grip on both cameras and it makes a huge difference while shooting portrait and also while shooting with heavier and larger lenses like Fujinon 16-55 and Viltrox AF 75/1.2.
 
At the time of ownershp every camera from the Brownie127 box camera to the modern day Panasonic G9ii to a Voighlander vito CL via a range of nikon cameras has give me pleasure.
That is not forgetting the Camcorders as well which Panasonic is my preferred make of choice.
 
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Got to say I loved my Olympus E1. Especially the shutter sounds, which has been likened to the sound of the dropping of an angel’s drawers :exit:
 
I found the Sony A700 DSLR a camera that I liked to just carry and use. Nice optical viewfinder and it felt right.

My current favourite is the Fuji X-H1. I unexpectedly liked it when I bought a refurb after they stopped production. And even though have a X-H2 now I still find myself picking up the X-H1 in preference in some situations. The size and grip and the 'always on' top plate display - the ISO dial - the little joystick at the back - are all all great. The shutter action is just so delicately damped (I think it is better than the X-H2). The EVF is decent and I can manually focus with it.
 
Stephen L said:
Got to say I loved my Olympus E1. Especially the shutter sounds, which has been likened to the sound of the dropping of an angel’s drawers :exit:
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Hello darkness my old friend
 
As I don't take professional photographs, I want to enjoy taking photos or the photos I take, preferably both.

My Riga Minox from 1942 makes me smile when I use it. I simply like everything about it. And if I put enough thought into it beforehand, it takes great pictures:
moments-of-now.com

Riga Minox - The big hit

It looks like a jewel and is very robust at the same time. The Riga Minox was invented 90 years ago and still works today like the first day.
moments-of-now.com moments-of-now.com

If all I want is the photo of a unique moment, I have to have the camera with me when the moment is right. Then there's nothing better for me than my Palm PVG100 smartphone camera. Because I always have it in my pocket.
moments-of-now.com

Palm Phone PVG 100 Camera

Transforming everyday moments into masterpieces with a tiny camera phone.
moments-of-now.com moments-of-now.com

Oh yes, when I was younger and a technology enthusiast, I still had, among other things
Canon A-1
Minox 35
Olympus mju 1
Pentax optio s4
Sony alpha 6000

And they all still work perfectly today. Almost, the date on the Olympus has overflowed because they thought nobody would use the camera for so long.
 
My old Leica m3 was probably the most satisfying to physically use. It just felt perfect
 
tjwspm said:
My Riga Minox from 1942 makes me smile when I use it. I simply like everything about it. And if I put enough thought into it beforehand, it takes great pictures:
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Where do you get it processed or do you do it yourself? There's an active film section here and at least one member does Minox miniature processing.
 
The RX100 is a camera I try to love, I've had three, and yet, I just cant.

It's more an ornament for looking at, not using.

It's too.....pernickerty....IMVHO.

It frustrates me so.
 
Az_GTi said:
I've always enjoyed the Canon 1D series, had a a few variants over the years, currently have a 1DX3. All have felt so rugged and capable, the sound of the shutter slapping away is kind of satisfying. Can hammer in nails with them, never let me down and thus always been a pleasure to use :)
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worth it for the amazing shutter sound alone - have the 1st gen 1Ds
 
Dave in Wales said:
The RX100 is a camera I try to love, I've had three, and yet, I just cant.

It's more an ornament for looking at, not using.

It's too.....pernickerty....IMVHO.

It frustrates me so.
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Know what you mean, I don’t use mine very much anymore, maybe it’s me but it’s just fiddly, a shame because I liked the idea of a small quality pocket camera
Think it’s because I’m used to DSLR controls
I bought a 35mm prime for my R5 and use that instead
 
The SLR's I used for some time, liking the ergonomics and their performance were an OM1, OM1n and Om2, now long gone, eventually replaced by 2 canon T90's. I still have 1 tucked away and all their lenses starting with the Canon FD 17mm, then a Mamiya C330F, sold, but still have it 's backup the C220 with lenses, plus still have my Toyo 45a lenses and DD slides, moved on to uninspiring digital and eventually 2 D750's still in use, then alongside the D750's 2 D500's, also still in regular use, I love their ergonomics and performance. I aways carry my pocketable Sony RX100 MK7, I hate its's ergonomics but it performs well in reasonable light.
 
Voightlander Vito B, Canon AE-1 and Olympus EPL2. Quite like my current X-Pro3 but the look and feel of the Canon makes it my all time favourite
 
My favourite camera to use is my Leica IIIa from 1939. If I had a magic wand, I'd make it digital(no screen).
 
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Dave in Wales said:
The RX100 is a camera I try to love, I've had three, and yet, I just cant.

It's more an ornament for looking at, not using.

It's too.....pernickerty....IMVHO.

It frustrates me so.
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LCPete said:
Know what you mean, I don’t use mine very much anymore, maybe it’s me but it’s just fiddly, a shame because I liked the idea of a small quality pocket camera
Think it’s because I’m used to DSLR controls
I bought a 35mm prime for my R5 and use that instead
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For me, all cameras of the size the RX100's are almost always a rectangle cube, a lot smaller than most people's hands, and not the best ergonomically, but we use them because of their size/weight. They are easier to carry, and small sensor aside, which will always compromise image quality to some degree, can be amazing beyond that. The RX100 M7 has better AF and faster fps than my D500. :oops: :$ And it fits in my trouser pocket. :D The RX100 M7 is a favourite for of what it can do, in such a small form factor, but the D300S, and to a lesser extent the D500, are a pleasure to use. :)
 
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Nod said:
Where do you get it processed or do you do it yourself? There's an active film section here and at least one member does Minox miniature processing.
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I always use color films, mostly Koak Ektar 100 or CineStill 50d. I'm lucky that my local photo lab develops my Minox films for me using the C41 process.
 
There are so many cameras that I love using. My 1926 Zeiss Trona with black cloth over the head focusing is wonderful (Tessar in dial-set Compur shutter). RADA roll film backs with masks allow me to use 120 film in 6x9, 6x6 or 6x4.5 formats - all marked clearly on the ground glass. Horizontal and veritcal movements of the lens board allow correction of perspective problems etc.

Other 'oldies' I enjoy are Purma Plus - 16 on 127 film with gravity controlled shutter and a Zeiss Super Ikonta, 6x9 or 6x4.5 with mask (Tessar in Synchro-Compur).

Contax IIa is a great friend for days out being light to carry but big on quality - also great for GAS as rangefinder systems have so many accessories that you can never stop collecting!

For serious 35mm my Minolta Dynax 9 is great. Built like a tank and performs faultlessly every time.

In medium format the Mamiya C330S is a joy to use - the TLR experience unique and to be savoured. The RB67 is a brilliant 'studio' camera I love using but a bit heavy to carry around.

So - my REAL favourite - BRONICA SQ-A. Because?
With waist level finder and normal wind-on crank it sits beautifully on a tripod for 'studio' type work.
Pop on a speedgrip and AE prism and you have a great 'out and about' auto exposure camera. Also - by changing backs I can shoot 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120, or standard 35mm film.

At the end of the day we all love our different cameras for different reasons so just keep taking photographs.
 
My Fuji X-H1 fits much better in my hand, than my X-T4. I even bought a SmallRig L-bracket just to make it easier to use the T4, but I still feel that the H1 fits better in my hand. But I do use both of the cameras, they both have their pros and cons.
 
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