5 Dead Hands Cameras
A couple of weeks ago I saw a post over on Alex Luyckx's blog called “Dead hands cameras - five cameras I won't let go of”
The premise behind it came from a conversation with other bloggers about the cameras they would ever part with.
You can see all the links to the other participants over on Alex's blog.
As Oscar Wilde said:
“Imitation is the sincerest from of flattery that mediocrity can paid to greatness”
I though I would list my five cameras. These are is no particular order.
Olympus Pen EE3
I never thought I would be a fan of a half-frame camera but having used this camera it has become one of my favourites.
It's a great little travel camera, small, light and compact easily fits in a pocket and gives up to 72 images, a single frame can be printed up to 5x7.
I tend to shoot diptychs and triptychs most so with this camera along with single frames.
I have a full review of this camera over on Kosmo Foto.
Holga CGN
The original plastic fantastic, the ultimate toy camera. The Holga was my first steps into medium format and to be honest the first couple of rolls through to were junk, so much so that it sat in a box for years.
In 2020 I found out about Holga week and decided to give this camera one more try.
The images I got that week surprised me, they were actually good. Since then the Holga has always been carried in my bag.
I like the quirkiness of it plus the ease of use, just set the zone focus to what you think it might be a click.
I also feel as those I've lucked out with my particular Holga, as I get pretty good images from it especially portraits.
Olympus OM10
The camera that started my love of photography.
I got my OM10 for my 18th birthday and it became my everyday camera.
I can't say how many rolls if film have been through this camera but it must be in excess of 1500.
It has taken images from my wedding, honeymoon to my kids birthdays. Being such a light camera it has also been on lots of multi-day hiking in the UK and aboard.
It has its critics because it is aperture priority and not manual like it's bigger brother but you can purchase the manual adapter but I rarely shot in manual mode. It's also a bit lighter than the OM1.
I all the years I've had this camera I have pretty much shot with the 50mm 1.8 lens.
Yashica Mat 124g
I think TLR’s are one of the coolest cameras, they just give off the classic camera look.
Not being able to afford a Rolleiflex, I went with that I think is the next best thing a Yashica mat 124G. The 124G were made from 1970 to 1986 and were the last of the TLR’s made by Yashica.
What I like about it is it's very mechanical from the adjustment wheels for shutter & aperture speeds to the focus wheel. The viewfinder glass is very brig and with the +3 diopter it makes focusing very easy.
Although it's a bit bulky it is great for shooting on the streets as you don't have to bring it up to your eye and people don't always realise you are taking pictures.
Instax Neo 90
The Neo 90 has been around since 2013 and until recently was, what Fuji liked to call their “high end” mini Instax camera. It has now been superseding by the Evo a hybrid camera and lately the Instax 99.
At one time or another I have owned each of the Instax size cameras, mini, square and wide but I always seen to comeback to the mini just for the sheer easiness of carrying and using it.
Its a fun camera to have at parties or special occasions and for just grabbing snapshots, and passing on images to friends and family. The cost of the film quite reasonable and you get 10 shots per pack, if you buy in bulk you can make a saving.
With the 90 being the high end camera you do get better features than the other mini cameras, like double exposure, portrait and landscape modes, party and kids mode which help indoors and in low light situations.
So that's the five cameras I'd never give up.
Do you have a collection of cameras that you couldn't part with? If so leave a comment on which ones they are.
Thanks for reading the blog.