What's Your *One* Favorite Camera?

[Major Black]

If you could only have one, just one camera (of the ones you own or have owned), which one would it be and why?
Just one!

Here's mine from a shoot this morning:


After shooting many different brands of cameras in my 20 plus year career (Hassy's, RB/RZ's), this is my favorite camera, the Rolleiflex SL-66. This one was made in the late 1960's. "development of the camera had cost Rollei about 3.5 million German Marks, which, at today's value, would be more than $ 10 million."*

It has many great features. All the lenses are Zeiss and all can be reverse mounted for macro work.

Top image: the lens has been reversed and attached to an extension tube. Bottom image: the lens is reversed and I'm using the extension tube as a lens shade. The camera has built in bellows, the ability to tilt, and it shoots 6x6cm negatives. That's about 80MP's!

The simplicity and elegant functionality of this camera makes it a real joy to use.

*from http://sl66.com

[sandeha]

An impossible question, like asking if I had to stick with just one subject/theme ...

Tomorrow I'm taking out my Pentax K7 (digital colour) with a 43mm lens to shoot a music festival, AND an MZ5n with  the Orestor 100/2.8 and a load of Acros to shoot portraits.  But next weekend I'll be loading up the Rolleiflex 2.8F AND the Triple Victo Whole Plate for a set of portraits.  Best tools for the job?  Definitely.  One size to fit all?  No such thing.

But if I were really stuck on the proverbial desert island and could only take one with me ... well, here it is.



It can do everything I need (at a pinch; I rarely do macro), in either 6x6 or 6x4.5 and is virtually indestructable.  No silly rangefinder to kick out of whack, no linkage problems between trigger and shutter ('cos there ain't none), and it's already seen a lot of life since 1935 with its very excellent 2.9 Meyer triplet.  Pre-owned, shot and cared for by both Mike Connealy and Les Gediman, it enabled me to grab the image that has kick-started a whole new arena of subject matter.  And if it can do that even once then it's a camera worth working with, n'est-ce pas?



It's also pretty.  Maybe I'll pack it tomorrow.

[radiophoto]

Sandeha, your Dolly looks a lot like (and has many of the same features as) my Balda Baldax; while far from my "one" camera, I do enjoy using it.

[Benny Stevens]

Right now...mmm... must be my CLE (but I'd lose that viewfinder) :

[Scott]

Seneca Competitor 5x7.  I'm out of love with the format (right now), but still in love with the camera.

[Brad Bireley]

My Minolta Autocord!

[LarryD]

As stated not fair because if I say one of them by name the others will find out and then I will be in trouble. So all of my children are my favorites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jokerphotography/sets/72157617218446164/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jokerphotography/sets/72157617067297598/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jokerphotography/sets/72157623496307470/

[jamesmck]

If I could remember all that I have, this would be easier; but, the Olympus OM-2n will always be right up there.

James

[Mike Kovacs]

I like my SL66 too Major but in the end it often gets left behind because of its size and weight.

My Rolleiflex 2.8E is the go to camera for me.

[LarryD]

Well weight is a factor but I do like a woman with curves and not sharp angles.

[Steve Pennington]

It is one of these three, if I ever figure it out I will let you know.

[LarryD]

Sly as they are all from different mothers like mine are.

[radiophoto]

I love my Konica II, which came from fellow NFFer miztli:





It has no strap lugs so I had to make do with an unidentified camera half-case and a grommet kit.

But--and I can't believe I didn't mention this one before--the one camera I will never let pass from my hands is this one, which was a gift from my father-in-law (and a gift before that from his parents for his HS graduation in 1953):

[wlewisiii]

Just my IIIf, Summitar, Hippy Strap & me.



William

[LarryD]

William
That happy strap will fit on those M-14's also