CAMERAS

Full-Frame

Nikon FM3a

• Nikkor-UD 20mm f/3.5

• Nikkor 28mm f/2.8

• Nikkor 50mm f/2

• Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5

• AF-Nikkor 85-300mm f/5.6

Leica M6

• Voigtlander Nokton Classic II 35mm f/1.4 (single-coated)

• Nikkor-S.C. 50mm f/1.4

Now for some musings.

So I have complicated feelings about gear and the wretched Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). I think my opinion is that everyone should have the cameras they have and want the cameras they want and that that is absolutely no one else’s goddamn business. Right?! See, I shoot on an M6 and an FM3a. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who think that owning either of those cameras is ridiculous and I should have just saved a few grand and bought a Bessa-R and an FE2. And maybe those people are right. But I don’t give a sh*t! If I genuinely thought I would enjoy a Bessa as much as I enjoy using my M6, then I would have sold the M6 months ago.

I am strongly of the belief that a camera is a tool for making art - the same way anything in any other medium is a tool for making art. By that virtue, I believe a camera is extremely personal and that no one can tell you what cameras are “good” or “bad” on a subjective basis, the same way a painter shouldn’t tell a peer that their paintbrush is dogshit and pros only use the finest brushes made of unicorn hair or whatever. If you like the cameras that you own, you should continue to own and use them. If not, I think that life is too short to waste your time using tools that you don’t like. YOLO!

Now for a wish list of sorts.

I am strongly against owning cameras I won’t use. I am no collector! I already have, in my humble opinion, the best 35mm SLR and the best 35mm rangefinder in the world (for my purposes), and I see no reason to lust after another of either type. But I do want a quality point-and-shoot, and I refuse to own a Contax T2 out of principle, so right now I’m looking at the Nikon 35Ti. Until recently, I’d have told you I wanted the more unreasonably priced (and wider) 28Ti, but I have learned that I genuinely do not like 28mm as a focal length! Cartier-Bresson is turning in his grave. Just kidding he absolutely would give no sh*ts about what I think.

And then, of course, something has got to give with the RB67. I have spent months (years) coping with the sheer bulk of that motherf*cker. I have pretended it’s size is not cumbersome and taken it on photowalks, hikes, and backpacking trips, attempting (and failing) to demonstrate some shred of masculinity to any potential suitors. And suddenly, just the other day, I decided f*ck that! No more! I shant burden myself any longer! Of course, I love that camera, and I will absolutely continue to use it in certain circumstances that demand it - but I need something less cumbersome. Yeah, the RB is heavy, but it’s size and geometry mean it takes up a lot of space too. It just is bad for everyday carry.

First, someone suggested a 500-series camera, but I don’t want a Hasselblad. I don’t know why. I just feel like something bad would happen if I bought one. I can’t explain the feeling and thinking about it is giving me a feeling of existential dread. So I started looking at Fuji’s GW cameras, but I can’t deal with a fixed lens system, and, well, let’s be honest, they’ve got a face only a mother could love. At least we have something in common!

So, as I’m sure you all could have guessed, I have been sucked in by the single most expensive option on the market - the Mamiya Seven. Cue the laugh track and the “Get a loadda this guy, huh?” But genuinely, I think it’s the right call for me. I might pick one up at the end of the summer. Or maybe I’ll mistake an ice-cold glass of Pibb Extra® Spicy Cherry with a jar of blix and kick the bucket in the darkroom first. Who’s to say.

-LAD