What camera are you eyeing for 2022?
As a constant victim of “GAS” I am always curious about the newest, latest, and greatest equipment coming out in the world of photography / videography. Im a nerd about cameras, formats and options. As we all know there is no such thing as a perfect camera. There are some closer than others, but that opinion can be found dissected, discussed, and dismissed on any photo forum on the World Wide Web. It’s the old Canon vs Nikon situation basically, but as we are now in a new year the competition is much closer than times past. I find this both interesting and boring at the same time. Every camera produced by the major players, is a work of art in itself and therefore we are only limited to our skill, creativity, time allotment, and efforts. If you consider yourself a professional but cant use any camera on the market to create something wonderful then are you really a professional? I completely agree that some ergonomics are better than others ( Im looking at you Sony and your baby sized grips ) and then there is the camera that you started with that you invested time, money, and yourself to learn and use. So much to the point of maybe never even looking at the other brands. You simply keep your head down and do the work. I love that though. This is a monumental reason I adore shooting film so much. Its the polar opposite of what I do for work, and it puts me in a much different space to create. I have shot almost all the brands, and multiple bodies from each. The only brand I have never shot are Hasselblad's. So what’s the point and why am I still reading this? Because your like me perhaps. Maybe you found it by accident but your invested now and your like “ Get to the point already jerk”- I heard that and it hurts LOL but in all seriousness I have never been so confident in my work, and the equipment I have and will use in the future. Sometimes a new piece of equipment , regardless of who's label is on it, will undoubtedly grab my attention but thats part of the fun or it is for me at least.
So I gotta know, what do you shoot now and what are you wanting to add to your collection this calendar year? Lastly I want to know the WHY behind it. You can have more than one answer.
For me I am hoping to add more lenses above more cameras but there are a few cameras that have my attention. All mostly film and all are medium format. I am trying to decide between a few because as much as I love having and trying new things, I don't collect them. This was a lesson I have learned as I get older. I am not a collector of things, I am a user. If I buy a camera, I am very pleased with “user” condition because I don't have to worry about the camera so much and can focus clearer. I have always dreamed of owing a Leica, and in the last year and a half, I have owned 3. My first was an M2, followed by a digital m240, and then to the camera I have dreamed of owning since starting into shooting film- my beautiful M6 TTL. It is a work of art, which sadly makes me afraid to scratch it, or carry it as often as I should. This is why I have decided its time to let it go to someone less anxious about getting it dirty, and have recently added a Nikon F3 to my arsenal to be my one and only 35mm camera. My daily carry and I FREAKING LOVE IT ALREADY. It gets out of my way and lets me consider my composition, timing, and lighting much much faster.
Ok so the list of film cameras on my radar are below in no particular order for anyone wondering where the Hell I'm going with this post.
*Hasselblad 500cm
( CLICK ON ANY CAMERA ABOVE TO CHECK THEM OUT AND BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THESE SITES- THEY ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RESOURCES FOR ALL THINGS FILM )
That’s it, a few 6x6 options and 2 point and shoot medium format 645 options for EDC. I wont have them all but this is where my thoughts are these days.
The only digital option I might consider would be the new Canon EOSR 3 or maybe something medium format from Fujifilm as I have always been curious to try one.
Alright, that’s it. We made it and this is my first post for 2022. If you want to hear from me more often like this, just let me know. I only write to clear my head often which leaves this page collecting dust more often than not. Thanks for being awesome!
J