Equipment

The best camera is the 0ne that’s With You – Chase Jarvis

The quote above probably the most succinct and important piece of advice given in the photography world.  No camera, no photo.

Even the most basic mobile phone now comes with a camera, so there is no excuse for not taking pictures.

Of course there are some cameras that are better suited to certain types of photographic disciplines.  Rangefinders are typically poor at macro photography, and DSLR’s are not particularly stealthy.  Sure, you can use them, but they are not the best tools for the job.

Personally, the majority of my photos are taken with a Leica M9 rangefinder.  Why?

  • Because it is the smallest full frame digital camera available.
  • Because the lenses avaialbe are some of the finest made for any format
  • Because I would be more likely to carry it with me than a bulky DSLR (even one with a ‘small’ prime lens)
  • Because my style of photography doesn’t necessitate a zoom or macro lens
  • Because I don’t need ultra perfect framing, and I don’t like SLR “viewfinder blackout”
  • Because I want something that is very simple to use
  • Because it looks very unassuming…I don’t want to draw attention to myself

There are other cameras available that fit some of bill, but unfortunately none that fit all of them.   When circumstance dictates, I will use a DSLR, a point and shoot, a phone or whatever to get the shot.

Ultimately, a camera is simply a tool that is designed to do one thing; Control the amount of light that allowed to reach and be recorded by a receptive medium (aka film or digital sensor).  This can be done in three ways; adjustment of aperture, shutter speed and medium sensitivity (for digital), and Leica does these beautifully.  If these three things are simple to adjust, then half of the battle is won.  The rest is composition and luck.  Everything else is fluff.

Some will not necessarily care about this and be more focused on capturing the moment, allowing the camera to make the decisions for them.  That’s fine; it is a valid approach and the camera manufacturers know it.  Before you spend your hard earned cash, just bare in mind what you want out of photography and don’t buy into the manufactures hype when choosing your weapon of choice.

Sometime the journey is as important as the destination…

Robert