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My 8 Golden Rules for Cameras

After photographing for over 25 years, I realized the ideal camera(s) for me has to have the following:

-Very small in size / light
-WYSIWIG viewfinder if possible
-Manual focusing capable
-Cell / under or overexposure indicator
-Freedom to shoot - aka not having to worry too much about reaching the end of the roll too fast
-Give me an "analog photography" feel - aka the results need to feel like film
-Double Exposure capable
-Interchangeable lenses

These are my 8 Golden Rules for me to fall in love with a tool and incorporate it in my workflow.


Therefore, my favorite cameras to own and use are the following:

110:
-Pentax Auto 110 - 6 out of 8 Golden Rules, one extra point for being a SLR that fits in a jacket pocket and giving out outstanding results




35 half-frame:
-Olympus Pen F (with two lenses) - 8 Golden Rules attained! - extra point for the freedom brought by half-frame (72 exposures...)

 


 

35mm:
-Minolta X-300 - 8 Golden Rules attained!




Medium Format:
I'm still struggling with this one, and I'm not always sure whether or not it makes sense for me to shoot it given my Golden Rules, but here goes:

-Bronica ETRS - 6 out of 8 rules
-Semi Leotax 6x4.5 - 5 out of 8 rules
-Zeiss Ikon 120 - same
-FujiGA 645Zi - same
-Holga 120 - same



I also shoot experimental short films. If anyone reading this also does, for whoever might find it interesting:
I use mostly:
-a Canon 310 XL for Super-8mm
-a Pathé Webo for 16mm
-a Kinamo for 35mm.





All three of these cameras, I believe, are the highest ranking in my "Golden Rules" for each format. There are more bulky ones - with more functionalities - of course.

 






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