If you could only have just ONE, and I mean ONE, camera, lens and film, what would you choose.....

I would pick a leica m6, 35mm summilux, and tri-x.

-- grant (lotusphotography@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002

Answers

Snap!got to be one of the best choices.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), May 18, 2002.

Until recently I would have said the 35/1.4 asph, but now I would definitely say the M6, 24/2.8 and E200. I was recently photographing an IDF bulldozer building an earth roadblock and that combo + the rapidwinder enabled me to get off a roll of film in a variety of angles and positions with different civilians in the foreground in the time it took a soldier to walk up and tap me on the shoulder. The 24 has become my most used lens, absolutely fantastic.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), May 18, 2002.

I would pick Tri Elmar, M7, 400asa film.

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), May 18, 2002.

M7 .58, 35/1.4 ASPH, Provia 400F.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), May 18, 2002.

The 24 has become my most used lens

24mm bit restrictive as a one lense maybe in your field it is true but for most users i would doubt.

-- Allen Herbert UK (allen1@btinternet.com), May 18, 2002.

M6, noctilux and superia 100.

-- Eric Kragtwijk (e.kragtwijk@hccnet.nl), May 18, 2002.

I guess I'd pick my Leica M6 Classic .72, with a pre-ASPH 'lux 35 f/1.4 and Provia F.

I love the 50 'lux too though!

I'm not a pro though, and I like the soft wide open look of the older lens styles. So don't go by what I like!

www.stevehoffman.tv

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), May 18, 2002.

Any TLR with the standard 80mm lens and Agfa Optima 100.

-- Vijay Nebhrajani (vijay_nebhrajani@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

My trusty Leica M2, 8-element 35 Summicron, and Ilford HP5+ film. my former favorite one-lens/body setup used to be the same body with a 50 summicron, but not any more, at least until I have another mood swing...

-- Badris (badris@mac.com), May 18, 2002.

Only 19 dollars and ninety five!

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 18, 2002.

When it comes to film I have to cheat, though I feel with good reason. I always use the cheapest film I can find, and more importantly for me, I shoot both color and b&w. But as far as camera & lens goes, THIS IS IT (for real)! Leitz M6, Elmar-M 50mm 1:2.8, B+W KR1.5 MRC, Fuji Sensia II 200-24 ($.99), Polaroid SprintScan 4000:

-- Glenn Travis (leciaddict@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Probably my Nikon N90s, 20-35/2.8 zoom and Provia 100. If I had to pick only one focal length it would be 35mm...almost any brand.

Kelly, thanks for the memory of the Polaroid Swinger. One of my first camers...I still have the little tube of fixer that you were supposed to swipe over the picture after the camera spit it out.

-- Jim Tardio (jimtardio@earthlink.net), May 18, 2002.

Konica Hexar Classic (35/2)and Tri-X.

-- David Cunningham (images@dmcphoto.net), May 18, 2002.

for cherishing, cuddling, AND using, a brassy black paint m4, cron asph 35mm and pan f. BUT PLEASE GUYS, for absolute reliability, never fail you in a pinch, i can-only-have-one-in-my-bag-so-it-better- work, the answer has to be nikon f/f2, nikkor 35mm f1.4, tri-x. the most reliable camera/s ever built. ever see one at a show/flea/camera store that didn't function no matter how bunged up cosmetically??

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), May 18, 2002.

The same outfit I've had since 1966. Leica M3, Rigid Summicron and Kodachrome 25. I've had six high end SLR's, dozens of lenses and tried all types of film in this time frame but I've never found anything of equal quality.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), May 18, 2002.

M6 Classic with my trusty pre-ASPH S'cron 35 and Kodachrome 64.

-- Bert Keuken (treb@operamail.com), May 18, 2002.

To Rob, I like your work on the City of Crows. Did you mainly use E200 or any other film?......Thanks!

-- VC (exclusive2401@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

I'll sound like a broken record: M6 TTL .58, 35 lux, Provia 100, and my SF-20 when needed.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

I would have to agree with roger. The Nikon F2 is the most reliable, mechanical camera that I have seen. The advantage to the M's is not reliability; it is that they can be repaired when they stop; which they do on a regular basis.

Of course, if I had to choose one camera, it wouldn't be 35 mm. Therefore, that part of my thoughts is out of place here. ;<)

Art

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

This will depend on the mood I am in. M6 classic with 35mm/1.4 and NPH would be the go at the moment. However, I hope that the 50mm/1.4 is not too far away in three months time!!

Tommy

-- Tommy Chung (dr_tommychung@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

.72 M6TTL w/1.25X magnifier, 50mm Summilux, Ilford Pan F+ (developed in Rodinal). -Ollie http://www.web-graphics.com/steinerphoto

-- Ollie Steiner (violindevil@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

Zero 2000, Ultra 50. Forget about the lens, not needed.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), May 18, 2002.

M6, 50mm, any 100 ISO colour film.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), May 18, 2002.

You shouldn't limit it to one film; rather, one ISO. I've had these restrictions more often than not. The one ISO would be 400. Most recent camera: M4-P Lens: 50 Elmarit-M>>>>>> I've had great fun with a Rollei 35S (40mm Sonnar) , In the 1970s it was a Kodak Signet 35 (44mm Ektar) (Converted to M-sync)>>>>> Rollei 3.5E 75mm Xenotar. Several Kodak Retinas. If money were no object, for one camera, probably the M7 0.72, Titanium, 50mm Summilux, SF-20.

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Minolta CLE, 40mm Rokkor CLE, XP Super.

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

M3, 50 Summicron, Tri-X

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Monday: Leica M3 S/S, 50 Rigid, Tri-X

Tuesday: Leica M6, 35 eight element, Tri-X

Wednesday:Leica M4, 21 S/A, Tri-X

Thursday: Watch T.V.

Friday:Leica M2, 50 'Lux, Tri-X @800

Saturday: Wife and family

Sunday: Leicaflex, 180 Apo, Kodak 100.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Sheridan - What? No darkroom?

-- Ken (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

The one I've got.

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@blueyonder.co.uk), May 18, 2002.

I can't answer this question. It's giving me a headache.

-- Ken (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

M3, 35/f2 Summicron 1968, Ilford FP4, and a SBLOO finder for the M3

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), May 18, 2002.

Leica IIIf, 50 mm. collapsible Summicron, Efke KB25.

-- Robert Marvin (marvbej@earthlink.net), May 18, 2002.

Sunday night. Focomat 1c -'til late.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Sheridan - you've got your priorities all screwed up. You know darn well Saturday is darkroom day.

-- Ken (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

when I first travel to NY I decided to take only one camera and one lens, M3 and 21/4, was great, next time I was with only one-one was documenting a production film in my home town, again the M3 but this time the lens was a Summaron 35/2.8 for M3, I miss my 50 but work was gret any way, after that I begun to make sure I was not going to be with only one. Last month M3 and M4P with 50/1.4 had been great company. Film TX, as always

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

Something that I own? Leica M7, Elmarit 28 mm, Tri-X. Anything that I could dream of? Leica M7, Elmarit 28 mm, Tri-X. Lucky me.

-- Olivier (olreiche@videotron.ca), May 18, 2002.

M3. 50mm Summicron Rigid. Fuji NPH rated at E.I. 320. Or R6. 50mm Summicron. Fuji NPH rated at E.I. 320.

-- Doug Landrum (dflandrum@earthlink.net), May 18, 2002.

ONE...jeeze...people cant read....

:)

-- grant (lotusphotography@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

Minolta Maxxum 600si with Minolta AF 35-70mm f4 zoom and Kodak Gold 200. Always more hits than misses.

-- Dennis Buss (dbuss@rider.edu), May 18, 2002.

I want to say M7 0.85 vf, Noctilux, Supra 100 - not that I've tried it...

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

Nikon F2AS, 50/1.8 Nikkor, Fuji Provia 100F...it's what I'm still most comfortable using...

-- Craig Zeni (sal3060@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

Outside: Nikon FM2, 35mm PC, tripod, Velvia Inside: M6, 35mm 1.4 ASPH, Kodak 800 MAX

-- Jim Lennon (jim@jmlennon.com), May 18, 2002.

M7 0.72 + 1.25 Magnifier (assuming accessories are allowed!) + Noctilux + Ilford XP2 Super

-- Gregory Goh (GregoryGoh@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

M6TTL, 50mm Summicron, Ilford Delta 400, no doubt about it.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), May 18, 2002.

EOS 1V, 28-135IS, Provia 400F.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

Nikon FM3A + 45mm,2.8p + TX

-- John Myers (mymacv@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

Sorry Leica friends...my "survivor" choice would be my Minolta SRT101, no battery needed, 50mm f/1.7 MD, and XP-2 (a lab would be nice!)

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 18, 2002.

Keep only one of each and pitch all the rest huh?

M3, 50 DR, and Kodachrome 25.

All the questions I get asked should be so easy.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerry Pfile (Jerry Pfile@MSN.com), May 18, 2002.

Minolta CLE Summicron or Rokkor 40mm f2 and provia 100

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), May 18, 2002.

leicas dont need batteries to work

-- grant (lotusphotography@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.

Nikon SP, 35mm/f1.8 Nikkor (rare), and Tri-X. Fastest rangefinder ever, and a wonderful lens. (Paul Chefurka knows and will back me up.)

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), May 18, 2002.

The cemetery photo above was taken at the Civil War grave site at the National Cemetery, San Francisco Presidio. Minolta SRT101, 50mm f/1.7MD, XP-2 Super

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 18, 2002.

Maybe this time

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), May 18, 2002.

Noct + M6 + Pan F.

-- Emile de Leon (knightpeople@msn.com), May 18, 2002.

M3, 50mm Cron, Ilford XP2

Regards and nice Sunday.

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), May 18, 2002.

Leica AF-C1, Kodak Portra 400NC

-- Willhelmn (bmitch@comcast.net), May 18, 2002.

My Hexar AF with its 35mm f2 lens. Fastest bloody camera I have ever used, and quiet as a church mouse. I've photographed people "from the hip" at four feet away and they've never been the wiser. The lens is not truly great, but who cares? This camera allows me to get pics that would be impossible with other cameras, no matter how great their lenses may be.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), May 18, 2002.

M3, 50mm summilux (c. 1966), Tmax link



-- Doug Ford (dford@san.rr.com), May 18, 2002.

M4, 50mm Summicron, Kodachrome 25 - - until it disappears, then Velvia at 40. Incident ligtmeter.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), May 18, 2002.

Great picture Ian!

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 19, 2002.

While, to me, sticking to only one lens feels a little like playing a piano with only one note....

...I'd have to pick: Any Leica M4 variant, 21 f/3.4 Super Angulon, Ilford Pan F.

BTW Kelly, the SWINGER was my first personal camera as a teen - LOVE the acrid smell of Polaroid developer packs in the morning...8^)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), May 19, 2002.

M3, any post-WWII Zeiss Sonnar or Nikon Sonnar copy (but if I had to choose 1 it would be the f/1.5 50mm), & Agfa APX 100.

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), May 19, 2002.

For me Konica Hexar AF 35mm/2 lens, and Sensia 100.

-- bubble (bubblegrass@yahoo.com), May 19, 2002.

> For me Konica Hexar AF 35mm/2 lens, and Sensia 100.

-- bubble (bubblegrass@yahoo.com), May 19, 2002.

Depending on the money I have:

- Leica M6 + Summicron 28mm - Contax G2 + Biogon 28mm - Voigtlaender R2 + Snapshot Skopar 25mm

-- Ernie Kim (jek@mac.com), May 19, 2002.

Depending on the money I have:

- Leica M6 + Summicron 28mm - Contax G2 + Biogon 28mm - Bessa L + Snapshot Skopar 25mm

-- Ernie Kim (jek@mac.com), May 19, 2002.

Hmmmmm.....Ahhhhh, No.....Ahhhhh......Hummmmm.....No again..... well.....Ahhhh....Oh, my head hurts......Oh,oh I think I'm having a nervous break down...Thanks a lot Grant! Now where's that Prozac.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 19, 2002.

Okayyyyyy, I'm back from the medicine cabinet, and everything is most excellent and mellow. Ahhh, clarity. One camera , one lens, one film? AF Nikon-M6 with a Pre-war Tri-Lux f/1.0 and the film used by Gary Powers. Yep, that's my current favorite.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 19, 2002.

I hate to ask this again. Someone from another thread actually said "the camera is not important, just shoot what u cared for".

Am I missing something in this thread? Why didn't anyone mention the great Yashica T4?

-- Yossi (yosslee@yahoo.com), May 19, 2002.

EOS 1V-HS, 28-135 IS, Provia 400F.

BUT, since this is a Leica forum and I assume perhaps you may have intended the answer weighted as such. If I could have just one Leica camera and lens plus film; it would be an M7, 35asph 'Lux and Tri-X.

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), May 19, 2002.

Gotta love Olivier's answer! Same here. I own the one kit I ever really need. IIIg w/35mm F2 Asph and Tri X.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), May 19, 2002.

Hasselblad 903SWC, Zeiss Biogon 38/4.5, um ... any good film.




-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), May 19, 2002.

Nice shot Godfery. Is this your home? Looks like you have your priorities in order. A Hasselblad instead of creature comforts like central heating.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 19, 2002.

Ok, I'll amend my post to also reflect if I had to choose only *Leica M* equipment:

Konica Hexar RF with "Hexar RF" covered by piece of black Dymo label with "M8" embossed and a Leica red dot glued on, Tri-Elmar 1st version, Provia 400F. (Ok, maybe an M7 if I had no choice).

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 19, 2002.

what you mean Marc?, that´s a central heating, betwen the linvingroom and kitchen and you can always put a mattress on it and sleep there in the very cold nigths, or what do you think are those bars for?

being serious Godfrey that´s a good picture, I used to have a SWC/M, but never felt very comfortable with it, great shot, the place must be a museum

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 19, 2002.

M6 TTL .72/50 Cron/TriX

-- john bosso (jbee193@aol.com), May 19, 2002.

An R8 with the 35mm-70mm F/4 zoomlens and Provia 100 for my travel photography.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 19, 2002.

Leicaflex SL, 400mm f/6.8 Telyt, Kodachrome 64

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), May 19, 2002.

lol!

Thanks for the compliments. No, it's not my home. That's the parlor of the Pioneer Hotel in Sheep Ranch, CA. It's been there since 1850 or so. Not a museum, a privately owned vacation home now.

That stove does a better job of heating the place than my baseboard heaters do in my apartment...

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), May 19, 2002.

Douglas! WOW, great shot. What fab edge lighting. Comes through, even on the web! This must be an increadible image in a print or chrome. To those who chose a Canon 28-135 IS; What do you do when the cheap IS assembly falls apart inside the barrel? Mine made a nice Noise maker/Shaker for New Years' Eve. But hey, no one said you had to be able to take pictures with the one Camera/Lens/Film you selected now did they.?

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 19, 2002.

Pentax 645 (manual focus, because that's what I have), 75mm f2.8, Verichrome Pan (and when that runs out, Delta 400) But only if you let me use extension tubes.

P.S. The photos are much appreciated.

-- Steven Hupp (shupp@chicagobotanic.org), May 19, 2002.

Hasselblad 501 CM, 3,5/60 CFI and tri-x.

-- peter lueck (elp.lueck@t.online.de), May 19, 2002.

M6TTL plus 2/35A or 21A depending on what's up plus Kodachrome 25.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), May 19, 2002.

From gear I own. M6ttl.58, 35 sumasph, 100f (cos you can get acceptable b&w`s from 100f in PS)

Dave C

-- D J Chilvers (davechilvers@btinternet.com), May 19, 2002.

Hmm, I wasn't following this thread - too concerned with Hexar back- focus :-/ Ian, nice shot indeed. The Nikon SP and 35/1.8 Nikkor is still my sentimental favourite combo. That lens has all the same qualities that make the pre-ASPH 35 Summicron such a winner.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), May 19, 2002.

Paul,

That was at the York Hotel, still standing, but now known as 'Call The Office". On one wall in the entryway are several of my photos from the late 60s/early 70s and opposite them several by my daughter of bands taken much more recently.

Ian

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), May 19, 2002.

No shit. Now that you tell me, I recognize the windows. The light still looks the same, but I think the draft is probably more expensive than the last time I was in there. I'll drop by and look for your pics when I'm in London this summer.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), May 19, 2002.

Paul,

Get in touch when you are next in town.

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), May 19, 2002.

M6 classic, 50 Summicron, E200.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 19, 2002.

Alpa 12 S/WA, 6x8 back, ZEISS Biogon T* 4.5/38mm, Delta 100 or Provia 100F.

-- R.J. (rfox@aarp.org), May 20, 2002.

Recently I bought a Canon A2, with the recommendation from this forum (my thanks), and 200/2.8 USM lens, after two years without a SLR camera in my bag. Prior to this I have used a Nikon F4 with a lone 180/2.8 AFD EDIF lens. I must say it is better system than Nikon F4 setup before. It has faster and better AF (5 selectable AF points) and quieter lens which works well in vertical mode. So it is my choice for one camera/one lens system. My one film choice is the Kodak 400 TCN. It looks well for portraits and my local one-hour photo knows how to print using the Fuji Frontier system. Sorry no Leica M but I will use them, 21/35/50/90 lenses, only if I can approach my subjects closer!

-- kenny chiu (gokudo31@hotmail.com), May 20, 2002.

Contax T3 and XP-2

-- pinhead (blieb@sheridnaross.com), May 20, 2002.

F100, 35-70/2.8, tri-x (if I'm allowed to have a scanner and photoshop, then it's provia 400f)

-- Antonio Carrus (antoniocarrus@yahoo.it), May 21, 2002.

M2, 35/2, Supra 400

-- Fred Sun (redsky3@yahoo.com), May 21, 2002.

Minox TLX with Techpan

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 24, 2002.

Ian, your photo is the reason we all should keep our cameras near us loaded with film.

Truly wonderful. Tse-Sung

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), May 25, 2002.