36 thoughts on “Current Gear.”

1. 

   Hello Peter:

   I applaud your patience in working with a film camera, especially the RZ. Aesthetically, the very shallow dop effect is more magnified with the larger format, which parallels the look that you achieve with the Leica. I just would not have the patience to ever go back to film. Your images are looking great!

   1. 

      Thanks Chris.

      The thing is, the Mamiya shots are giving me a look… the B&W film + large format output is mesmerizing.

      There is definitely an effort involved — mostly in the processing and scanning. But it’s worth it to me.

      Have a look at the images I will be posting in the next two days…

2. 

   All nice, I wonder if most of your regular readers use similar gear.

   1. 

      Up until a few months ago, even I wasn’t using most of this gear!

3. 

   I have a similar set up as your first two – the Leica M and Leica M3. Both brilliant cameras that I’m very happy with.

   1. 

      I have M8 Summilux 50 + M6 Summicron 35 + Mamiya RZ67 I get goosebumps just picking them up.

      1. 

         Well, what do you know? That’s interesting. I’d be curious to learn about what everybody else is using…

4. 

   Very well, Peter! On your digital front, I am wondering if you will eventually go back to M9 one day….again!

   1. 

      I don’t think so Michael. It is my sincere intention to make the M240 work for me. We’ll see…

5. 

   Your M240 picture is getting nice, especially the black and white one. Of course, your RZ67 is even better.

   If M240 is your camera to go the next few years, may I suggest you to get back the Noct 0.95. It is particularly good at M240 due to the evf.

   M240 is really nice. But I will stick to my monochrome and 2nd-hand S2.

   1. 

      Thanks Sam, but there’s little chance I’ll ever own a Noct 0.95 again… unless you want to crowd-fund me 🙂

6. 

   Here is mine:

   1. Hasselblad 500 CM
      80 CFE

   2. Leica M6
      35 Summicron ASPH

   The above with lots of D76 and Ilford FB papers keep me more than satisfied. My iPhone covers everything else.

   1. 

      I like your set-up Antonio.

7. 

   Heres is my Setup Peter :

   Leica M9P
   Leica M6

   21 CV Color Skopar
   35 Lux FLE
   50 Lux ASPH
   75 Lux
   90 Elmarit

   Nikon D700 (only used for sports)
   Nikon F3 and F5

   16mm Fisheye
   35 AI 2.0
   50 AI 2.0
   24-70 2.8

   i don’t use the Nikon stuff a lot, i already sold the 70-200. The M9 is my main camera, thinking about maybe getting a cheap M8 as backup.

   1. 

      Wow, you have some nice cameras and lenses… including some I used to have 😦 …

      I’m learning a lot about my “audience” with this post… maybe you should all be posting images too!

      1. 

         thank you peter. your site has always been an inspiration to my photography (in gear and in composition). while my style may be a little different, i really enjoy all your Photos and views on technology. i have now created a blog where i post some of my pics, feel free to have a look, its slowly filling.

         regards

         marc (theonlywaysouth)

      2. 

         I have a few pics on Flickr… heres one: https://flic.kr/p/jkJXsB

8. 

   Was MM for digital. Sending it off though next week.

   So kit is:

   Mamiya 7 with 80mm f4
   Zeiss Ikon with 50mm lux ASPH (keeping this lens for now!)
   Selling 24mm Elmar.

   1. 

      I’ve always been tempted by that Mamiya 7… still am, especially given my recent experience with the RZ67. The f/4 will be somewhat limiting, as will the 1m distance, but as I’ve previously written, you shouldn’t worry about that much. Many of my RZ67 images have been created with the same parameters.

      I’ll be sad to see your 24 Elmar go… you created some fantastic images with it, as evidenced by your Guest Post on this very site: http://photographsbypeter.com/2013/10/21/guest-post-andrew-gemmell/

      1. 

         During my RZ days, I also had 2, Mamiya-6 bodies with all lenses. I found the Mamiya-6 to be the ultimate rangefinder camera. Super easy to focus as the rangefinder patch was larger than the M, and being square I never had to think about horizontal vs. vertical. I also had the Mamiya-7 late in my film-based stage. Also superlative quality but because it was back to a rectangular format and only getting 10 or 20 (220) exposures per roll, I found it to be more limiting in scope. How very cool would it have been for Mamiya to market a Mamiya-6 rangefinder cccd-based digicam! 2-1/4″ sq. ccd on a rangefinder!

         1. 

            Thanks for info CD. I very nearly picked up the 6…..and depending on my experience still might.

            1. 

               A polite caution… the Mamiya-6 has a collapsable internal bellows, which makes the camera extremely thin for storage (Mamiya 7 is fixed). I loved this feature because it makes for very thin storage. My dealer said this was a point of failure on the camera but I never had any issues with my 2 bodies; one purchased new, and one purchased used.

               1. 

                  Chris , did you find the rangefinder reliable? Or did it tend to “wander” and need adjusting.

                  1. 

                     I did not have issues with the rangefinder, even shooting wide open. Although I must admit back then I seldom shot wide open with any camera & lens.

                     1. 

                        Thanks Chris.

                  2. 

                     Peter,

                     I have the Mamiya 7ii and find the rangefinder accurate, no problems focusing even with the 150mm. I take it out when I plan on landscapes, but when it comes to portraits, it’s the Leica M7 or M3, or the Pentax 67 for medium format. Mainly though, it’s a Leica that’s with me most…can’t beat the size and I like using rangefinders. Had digital before, but I like the results I get from film more (especially skin tones) and I fool around less on the computer. 😉

      2. 

         I may keep Elmar yet! Was going shoot mainly with Mamiya for now but one day will go back to M or perhaps another MM.

9. 

   Nice pared down gear choice Peter, great to be keeping things simple. I intend to purge some gear myself sometime soon, as all I’m really using right now is this:

   Hasselblad 2000 FC/M
   – Zeiss Planar 110mm f/2.0
   – Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8

   Leica M2 (1959)
   – Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4
   – Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5

   Pentax K1000
   – SMC Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4

   Olympus Trip 35

   Digital:
   Olympus OM-D E-M5

   I have too many cameras and lenses that I’m not using, the above are those I always go for.
   On the way is a Graflex Speed Graphic 4×5 press camera though, part of a new venture into large format which I’m looking forward to using!

   1. 

      Thanks James. The streamlined list is still quite the list!

      1. 

         It’s silly really – I’m sure many here can tell the same story; without the intention of being a ‘collector’, over time you build up stockpile of cameras and lenses, some because they’re considered classics, others that are technically excellent. When you think about what you actually reach for when you shoot, it’s almost always just a small selection like you’ve made yourself.

         If you don’t mind my asking, do you still own many of the lenses you’ve reviewed on these pages, such as the Konica Hexanon and the Voigtlander 35 / 1.2? Or did you sell everything that’s not on your list.

         I think it would be liberating to purge some gear myself, but I keep talking myself out of it!

         It’s only gear at the end of the day, and can all be bought again should a decision to sell be regretted.

         1. 

            James, everything else has been sold. The current list is the complete list.

            I’ve had the privilege of trying out all sorts of gear, but I’ve never possessed more than a few items at each stage.

            As I’ve often written, I want to own the equipment, not have the equipment own me.

            1. 

               I hear that! In fact you’ve inspired me to do a gear spring clean right now… I’ll be busy on Craigslist this weekend! There have been occasions where I’ve taken so much gear in a bag on a trip, not wanting to miss this shot or that one. It’s always been the wrong way to go, resulting in fretting over what to take out. I’ve found it far more enjoyable to take one or two options and found that I’ve always been happier with the resulting images.

10. 

    voiglander SC or MC 40mm?

    1. 

       Mine’s the SC one Cristian.

       1. 

          Same here. Although many of my earlier film images were created with the MC version.

11. 

    I just updated this list by adding my recently acquired Mamiya 7II.