One camera and lens for life, what would you pick?

C

Carl Hall

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,817
Edit My Images
Yes
Was reading more about one camera one lens projects earlier and it got me thinking about what camera and lens I would pick. Then I got thinking about which camera and lens I would pick if I had to pick one to use forever. In the end I decided that I’d probably pick the C220 with the 80mm f/2.8 lens, but I’m not sure I can give a real reason why, probably because it was my first MF film camera and I have really good memories of taking it to Paris and Barcelona over the last year and a bit, and it’s always delivered sharp photos which I’ve been super happy with (well, until I dropped it. They’re not so sharp now)

So, if you (God forbid) had to sell all of your camera gear, and only keep ONE CAMERA and ONE LENS, to use for the rest of your life, what would it be?
 
If it was for general purpose, cover everything photography, then the Sony a7r (or a7r11) with Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens. That would cover snapshots and colour. However, I could leave that up to Sue and pass on that. The a7r is hers anyway...

If for the kind of photography that I enjoy as a hobby (i.e. speaking as a photographer rather than a holiday snaps person), then my Walker Titan SF 5x4 with a Schneider 150mm Apo-Symmar would be the choice.
 
In a sense I did, Leica 111 with Summar lens bought in 1962 and still going strong. I suppose a new Leica M7 would be the equivalent today. No good picking an electronic camera and auto everything lens. They won't last the distance.
 
H'mm a camera for life? Depends on how long you are going to live and would probably mean a mechanical camera with spares for the future and someone that can service it, but then would film still be around and dev kits etc. A digi camera for life is laughable..anyone still using a Kodak 1mp compact camera and if it broke down could it be repaired.
Maybe the thread title should be shortened to "the next 10 years"
 
Last edited:
Probably a Nikon F2A with a 50mm lens. Might give a different answer tomorrow though........Not an easy one to answer.
 
Tricky. From a practical point of view, something mechanical, reliable, and with a high-quality zoom. On the other hand, that doesn't sound very satisfying.

So, I'm guessing either a Leica M2 with a 35mm Summilux, or a Rolleiflex 2.8. I'm guessing, because I've not used either, but they are my ideas of what a camera should be.
 
abdoujaparov said:
Tricky. From a practical point of view, something mechanical, reliable, and with a high-quality zoom. On the other hand, that doesn't sound very satisfying.

So, I'm guessing either a Leica M2 with a 35mm Summilux, or a Rolleiflex 2.8. I'm guessing, because I've not used either, but they are my ideas of what a camera should be.
Click to expand...

Yeah but what if you need to knock fence posts in?
 
oh, that's simple

the choice is made for me, purely on non-photographic terms... There's one camera and lens combo that will never leave me while I'm still alive. The Bronny or more specifically, its 40mm F4 was given to me by a dear friend and photography mentor, who's no longer with us... He actually gave me the lens the day before he died from a undiscovered congenital heart defect - one day fit, well, and healthy - making plans to re-start his professional photography business in parallel with his existing landscape garden design company - the next, dead on the sofa after having "a post-dinner nap".

So, that's the lens that I could never part with - and to get some use out of it, I obviously need to use the ETRSi...

sometimes things are about more than photography.
 
Nikon F2 (not too concerned about the version) with 50mm f1.4. I was almost tempted to say a Noct, but f1.4 should be sufficient! Alternatively, a Leica M2 or M3 with a fast 35mm. Not quite sure why I've gone for different focal lengths on cameras that use the same film, but I like those combinations.
 
Last edited:
Nikon FA

24-85 f2.8.

Ask me again tomorrow for a different answer. :D
 
Last edited:
My Rolleiflex 2.8F + Rolleinar 1 and 2 close up filters (those don't count as extra lenses, right? :p). Ticks all the right boxes for me, medium format, great lens, travels well, discreet, works well with flash.
 
My first thought was my Mamiya M645J with 80/2.8 as a great all round medium format system that delivers good results without being too big. Tomorrow it might be my Yashica 635 which is even lighter and let's me shoot 120 and 135 for variety :0)
 
Definitely a Pentax MX for me, and probably the Pentax-M 35mm f/2 lens...
 
From what I have already, my Rolleicord V. From anything ever made, probably something similar.


Steve.
 
I'd keep it nice and simple, an Olympus trip 35
 
Probably a Rolleicord or flex but maybe something in a Fuji 645 with a bit of zoom or maybe a Mamiya C330 and 80mm or a Nikon F100 and 24-85mm...... Too difficult, does not compute.... help!!!!!!
 
For me it'd have to be my Ebony 5x4 and schneider 120mm lens. Fantastic lens and focal length and the camera is a joy to use. This is, of course, assuming that 5x4 sheet film continues to be made...
 
RB67 and 50mm

You'll have to prise it out of my cold dead hands with a crowbar...
 
excalibur2 said:
H'mm a camera for life? Depends on how long you are going to live and would probably mean a mechanical camera with spares for the future and someone that can service it, but then would film still be around and dev kits etc. A digi camera for life is laughable..anyone still using a Kodak 1mp compact camera and if it broke down could it be repaired.
Maybe the thread title should be shortened to "the next 10 years"
Click to expand...

Haha, I knew that if one person would overthink it and make it complicated, it was probably going to be you :lol: :D

Steve Smith said:
From what I have already, my Rolleicord V. From anything ever made, probably something similar.


Steve.
Click to expand...

I knew the Rollei V's would make an appearance in this thread somewhere :)

Woodsy said:
For me it'd have to be my Ebony 5x4 and schneider 120mm lens. Fantastic lens and focal length and the camera is a joy to use. This is, of course, assuming that 5x4 sheet film continues to be made...
Click to expand...

Yes, but you'd have to actually use it, and not leave it in the bag :p
 
Last edited:
So what I've learned so far, is that everyone is just as indecisive as I am :) I went on a trip at the weekend, leaving Saturday and coming back Sunday, and I couldn't pick one camera for that trip (ended up taking three...), let alone for the rest of my life!
 
robhooley167 said:
RB67 and 50mm

You'll have to prise it out of my cold dead hands with a crowbar...
Click to expand...


Awww he's your little baby int he? :D:D

I have to confess it would have been the RZ67 with its 65mm for me ....up until getting the M-4.

Chances are the Leica would take pole position with 35mm glass but i haven't used it enough yet to be sure.

As for LF.......i'd like to say that would be my kit for life but to cover all what i like to shoot, it simply wouldn't be practical..
 
Last edited:
Carl Hall said:
So what I've learned so far, is that everyone is just as indecisive as I am :) I went on a trip at the weekend, leaving Saturday and coming back Sunday, and I couldn't pick one camera for that trip (ended up taking three...), let alone for the rest of my life!
Click to expand...
Not everyone.
 
TheBigYin said:
Not everyone.
Click to expand...

No, as you say some things are far more important than simply picking a favourite. The most valuable items are the ones that don't have any monetary value, but are gifts from those that mean a lot to us. I have an old penknife which was given to me after my granddad passed away, and I use it all the time, even though it's not the sharpest and is a bit rusty in places. It makes me think of him and smile every time I use it. I'm sure your friend would be pleased to know how much your lens means to you :)
 
Contax 139 with a Zeiss 50 1.7
A touch of class :)
 
Think mine would be my Rolleicord Va. I like using it, looks great and gives great results too.
 
I'd choose Medium Format, so....Mamiya 6 and 75, I'd get bored with long or wide.
 
Carl Hall said:
Haha, I knew that if one person would overthink it and make it complicated, it was probably going to be you :LOL: :D
Click to expand...

:D

Well if I'm lucky I'll have about 11 years more of life :( so no problem for me to make do with a camera for life, but if the same question was asked in 1960 my camera for life would have been the Pentax S3 and 50mm and I would have been right as I still occasionally use it now and can't see any reason getting by only using this combo for the future as long as film exists (y) but would add if stuck with only one lens for 35mm it would have to be a zoom of 28mm - 80mm.
 
Last edited:
75 now

I reckon my gripped Canon A-1 will see me out...:)

lens - maybe it's a bit large - but i love my Canon FDn 35-105 f3.5
 
I think, after very deep cogitation that it would have to be the F100 and 24-85mm lens, it just does everything extremely well.
 
Pentax MX plus my Cosina 35-70 lens. It is already pretty much what I use all the time.
 
Nikon FM3a and my Nikkor 50mm f1:1.2. If I can I would like my PK13 as well for macro.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top