1960 Canon P Rangefinder
My current film camera in use today. These are the actual cameras and lenses, shots taken by me with my Nikon Z7 - sorry !!
1960 Canon P Rangefinder
Beautiful all mechanical 35mm rangefinder made in Japan from 1959-61 – no meter. This is my near mint specimen imported from Japan. It's a joy to use with an exquisitely smooth quiet shutter. It has a rather unique "titanium" curtain and beautifully designed, enclosed collapsible film rewind lever.
My lenses:
Canon 50mm F1.4 often called the Japanese Summilux
Canon 85mm f 1.9
Canon 35mm f2.8
These lenses are 39mm LTM (Leica Thread Mount) which fit my Leica M6 with an adaptor.
1981 & 1985 Olympus OM-1n (2 cameras)
1977 Canon F1(n)
Another iconic SLR from the halcyon days of film photography. Designed by the legend Japanese creator Yoshihisa Maitan. A Pro workhorse camera: it differs from the crowd by its size and the unique design where the shutter speed dial is incorporated on the front of the body in line with the lens. I have 2 of the bodies both gifted by very generous friends. I must admit I have not used these cameras very much as I find the latter shutter speed dial not as natural for me to use as the normal design.
Lenses:
Zuiko 50mm f1:4
Zuiko 28mm f2:8
Zuiko 135mm f2:8
Zuiko 75-150mm f4:0 Zoom
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I purchased this camera from the Euro Photo Centre - West Drayton back in 1978. I stopped using it in about 1983 when I started using 5x4 view camera. It then travelled with me boxed and unused for 40 years until 2023. It went off for a CLA (took 7 months) and it's now back in action. Built like a tank especially with the magnificent 55mm f1:2 SSC lens attached (1.4kg). The meter works, although I reckon it's about + 1 stop over exposed.
Lenses:
Canon FD 55mm f1:2 S.S.C.
Canon FD 35mm f2:0 – "chrome nose"
Canon FD 28mm f2:8 S.C.
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1988 - 500/CW
I lusted after a Hasselblad for years and eventually bought this beast secondhand unused from an ad in 1988. I never really got to grips with the square format or the ergonomics so never used it much. As with the Canon (above) it travelled around for 30 odd years in its original packaging.
I have now fallen in love, and once again after a service Its in full use again.
Lens:
Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f2:8 (T)
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2000 Pentax 67 II
1997 Leica M6 - with IDS modular grip
I bought this beast in 2004 just before we went to live in South Africa. I was already into digital using a Dimage Multi-Pro film scanner. This combination of this scanner and the Pentax could produce far better images than digital at the time – ha... that didn't last long, and once again this beautiful machine was put into hibernation for 18 years.
When I bought it (a bargain) it came with the 55mm SMC f4:0 lens this is equivalent to 28 + – on a full frame 35mm camera. This was a good choice for a landscape photographer as I was at the time.
It kicked into life with a new battery and has been perfect since – the meter is also spot on.
Lenses:
Pentax SMC 55mm f4:0
Pentax SMC 200mm f4:0
Pentax Takumar 105mm f2:4
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My most recent purchase – 2024. I wanted to find a mint example in the UK with warranty. Took me a while but found this great example.
I found it tricky to hold with confidence and manipulate speedly. After some research I found IDS immaculately designed and engineered grip.
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I decided on a Voigtlander 35mm ULTRON f2:0 lens – perhaps a Leica lens at some time in the future.​
1997 Leica M6
My most recent purchase – 2024. I wanted to find a mint example in the UK with warranty. Took me a while but found this great example.
I found it tricky to hold with confidence and manipulate speedly. After some research I found IDS immaculately designed and engineered grip.
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I decided on a Voigtlander 35mm ULTRON f2:0 lens – perhaps a Leica lens at some time in the future.​
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THE GREAT FEATURE WITH THE M6 – I have a 39mm LTM to M mount adaptor so I can use my Canon LTM lenses on the Leica.
Pentax Digital 1° Spot Meter – 1982
Could never be without this magnificent tool. Even if my camera has a meter, I always carry this even though I might not use it.​
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If you know about the "Zone System" and use it then you will understand how invaluable this is for exposure.
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I sent it off for calibration, it was 1/2 stop off. I use this as my benchmark for all other camera meters