Current Cameras

Every photographer struggles on some level with GAS, Gear Acquisition Syndrome; I am no different. Very generally speaking, for most of the time I have run this blog I mostly shot Micro 4/3 and Nikon F-mount cameras for both digital and film. Lately I have made a few changes and additions to my gear lineup. Below is a roundup of the gear that I am currently using with a few descriptors to accompany each system as well as an image taken with the aforementioned system.

Olympus OMD E-M5 II - Digital Mirrorless, Compact Travel, Easy Convenience

Generally speaking, I believe that Micro 4/3 is the most mis-characterized and victimized camera system that exists on the market today. This is especially true when you want to discuss the capacity for taking stills rather than video. The fact of the matter is that I completely adore my E-M5 II. I believe it will someday be looked back at as a classic camera. The only issue I have had with it is the same problem that anybody has with mirrorless cameras and that is its lack of battery life. In basically all other aspects from camera handling to lens selection/affordability to image quality, I have been very satisfied. The intersection of value and compactness which Micro 4/3 brings to the table is hard to appreciate without actually using it. The durability and general waeatherproofness of the system is a feature which you are not necessarily always thinking about, but are definitely glad to have when you do need it.

Nikon N80/N8008 - Film, Flash, Cheap, Simple Usability

These cameras constitute my “serious” film photography set up. Though I am not using my digital F-mount system as much, the lenses I have still function perfectly well with my film cameras. Between the N80 and the N8008, about 75% of my shooting is done with the N80. It is simply an excellent camera. It is very modern and can drive pretty much any F-mount lens yet it is relatively inexpensive and I am not afraid to take it out into less than sterile conditions like I might be with a more valuable camera. It takes extremely good pictures, is relatively portable, has an on-camera flash, and features very good camera handling properties.

Konica Big Mini - Film, Portable

I have not used this camera a great deal until very recently, but this camera represents the peak in portability. Portability has been a theme with all of my cameras thus far, but this one takes the cake. An old point and shoot with a cute little prime lens which is not optically perfect, but it makes up for it by having quite a bit of character. This camera tends to live in my backpack if I am not otherwise trying to get through a roll on another film camera. That is to say, it is my film camera for when I am not necessarily trying to shoot film, if that makes sense. Its a perfect little party camera and it imparts a highly distinctive quality to its images.

Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35 - Film, Waterproof, Convenient

This is my newest camera, it is probably the worst camera on this list when you consider ease of use, quality of images, and even portability. However, its one party piece is so exceptional that I don’t even care about its small flaws. As you may have been able to surmise, this is a waterproof film camera. Living in Florida, I plan on taking this out into the ocean as much as possible and bringing it with me whenever I go snorkeling. That being said, this is sort of a hard camera to use, it gives no indication on whether it is focused properly or not, and the lenses it features are not exactly top of the line.

Polaroid iType - Instant Film, Simple Fun

Instant film is such a joy to use. All film conveys a certain amount of nostalgia when you shoot with it. That goes into overdrive when you shoot with instant film. I don’t have much to say about it besides it is fun and I very much appreciate the larger size of the Polaroid instant film versus the Fujifilm Instax film.

Honorable Mention: GoPro Hero+ - Digital, Waterproof, Compact Video, Simple

I use this when I take action video, especially underwater. I have not had a chance to use it lately but I trust that those opportunities will emerge soon.