Recommended Camera Equipment

I have gotten so many questions about cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters that I have decided to list some of my favorites for the types of photography that I do. What follows is my choice in 35mm, medium format (120 roll), and large format (4x5) equipment, plus brief comments about tripods and filters.

Digital Still Cameras
I use a discontinued but professional caliber Leica with an excellent optical zoom lens and various professional features such as auto or manual focus and an ISO hot shoe for external flash units. The equivalent Nikon, Canon, Contax and Minolta models also seem to be good.

35mm Point and Shoot cameras
The Leica models are the best performers in my tests, whether you prefer the compact (shirt pocket) size cameras or the larger zoom lens models. Other top performers are the Contax, Minox, and Rollei cameras. The better models from Canon and Nikon are also good.

35mm Rangefinder system
Leica M camera. There is no second choice. Lenses: 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm, all F/2.8 or F/2.0 maximum aperture.

35mm Single Lens Reflex system
Nikon 'N' or 'F' series bodies. A reasonable assortment of fixed focal lengths from 16mm to 180mm, f/2.8 or faster, plus zoom lenses in the 35-105mm and 70-210mm focal lengths, plus a 60mm or 105mm Macro lens. Canon also offers a credible 35mm system.

Medium Format system
It is hard to go wrong here. Depending on individual preference, choose a rangefinder, single lens reflex, or twin lens reflex type of camera. All of the current recognized brands of 120 roll film cameras are good (including Bronica, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Pentax and Rolleiflex). Stick with the common 6x4.5, 6x6, or 6x7 (centimeter) formats.

Also worthwhile, particularly if you are on a tight budget, are good used older TLR's, like the Rolleicord, Yashicamat 124G, and Minolta Autocord. Try to find these in excellent+ or better condition.

My favorite medium format camera is the Rolleiflex 2.8GX twin lens reflex camera with 80mm Planar f/2.8 lens. Very expensive, but very high quality.

Large Format system
Linhof Master Technika 4x5 camera; also my nominee for 'World's Best Camera' award. Lenses: 90mm Super Wide coverage, 135mm Wide coverage, and 210mm Wide coverage. Nikkor or Schneider brands preferred, Rodenstock and Fujinon are also good. All lenses in Copal flash synchronized shutters.

Starting out on a budget? A good late model Speed or Crown Graphic with a decent 135mm or 150mm lens will take you a long way.

Tripods
The old saying among landscape photographers is that the difference between a pro and an amateur is that a pro always uses a tripod, and the amateur never does. That pretty well sums it up. The tripod must overwhelm the camera with its size and mass if it is to keep it steady, so buy your tripod at least one size bigger than you think you need.

My favorite line of tripods is the Manfrotto line, distributed by Bogen in the U.S. Bogen legs and heads are available separately, so you can mix and match to get exactly the combination you need. Other good brands include Gitzo, Slik, and Tiltall.

Filters
On Nikkor lenses I use genuine Nikon filters. On Leica lenses I use Leica, B+W, or Heliopan filters. On all other lenses I use B+W, Heliopan, or Hoya HMC filters.

My favorite filter system that can be used on a variety of lenses, including 35mm, medium and large format, is the Cokin "P" system. Great for special effects and special purpose filters, as well as the standard types.