The Out-the-Door Test

Those of you who own just one camera, or just one good camera, obviously don't have the following problem.

That's the way I used to be, and the way I like to think of myself still—even though it no longer applies. A one-camera kind of guy. Have axe, will chop wood.

An old fave. This one belonged to Kent Phelan when I made its portrait. One just like it was my only axe for a 14-month period in the '90s.

But now I have a number of cameras (collateral damage from running a photo website...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it). Lots of people have more than one camera—and a lot of enthusiasts have a lot more than that!

So here's the test. If you're just going out the door and you want to take a camera with you, what do you grab most often?

We all spend an awful lot of time and energy evaluating cameras, choosing what to buy, defending our choices, and worrying about the crushing opportunity cost ("I'm thinking about switching to..."). But if you have alternatives readily available, maybe the one you find yourself going for most often (assuming there is one) is a good indicator of what your needs/wants really are.

Mike
(Thanks to John Mitchell and Kent Phelan)

P.S. Funny story about the Leica in the picture, one I've told before. I eBay'd a few things for my friend Kent in my uh-oh years. Kent had gone to considerable lengths to duplicate the M4 outfit of his youth with a truly mint set—the camera and lens in the picture. I sold it to an Italian Leica dealer for what was then a good price.

But when it arrived, it appeared the buyer had found a problem. He said there was a blemish in the chrome finish on the back side of the top plate. He considered it for a while, as we exchanged emails, and finally decided he couldn't keep it. So he sent the camera and lens back to me for a refund.

But when the camera arrived back, I couldn't find the blemish he was talking about, a fact which of course I relayed back to him. "Use a magnifying glass," came the answer.

Sure enough, with a magnifying glass, I was able to locate a tiny pinpoint flaw in the chrome plating.

The buyer ruefully acknowledged that the camera had very likely come from the factory with that pinpoint flaw. But, he said, his buyers "could be picky."

Now how's that for an understatement!

Original contents copyright 2013 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

~Alan Sailer: "Without a doubt, a Canon 5D Mark II that I bought used a year ago. And it nearly always has a 17–40mm ƒ/4 lens in front. What is disconcerting to me is that I own mostly Nikon bodies and lenses (by a factor of five to one), but there is something about that Canon that works for me. Go figure."

Ed: "Sony RX1 over the Fuji X-Pro 1 and the Oly OM-D EM-5. Love the size and portability. Love the full frame files and their flexibility."

Tommy F: "I would take the NEX-7 and the Zeiss 24mm ƒ/1.8 or the 19mm Sigma."

Rolf Schmolling: "Well, nowadays I grab my Zenza Bronica ETRSi (645) with 75mm ƒ/2.8 PE usually. I can just take the magazine with the right film for the light and I'm off. Gossen Profisix too, of course.

"Then I am still tempted to take my Nikon F2 Photomic with Nikkor 35mm ƒ/2 (AIS) or Nikkor-S.C Auto 50mm ƒ/1.4 (Non AI) most of the time loaded with Tri-X 400. And today when I went for a short (we still have winter here in Hamburg, Germany) Foto Safari with my son (age seven), I put Tri-X 400 into my Nikkormat FT-2 (with 50mm ƒ/2) to a) have a similar outfit to his Yashica FX-3 super 2000 with 50mm ƒ/2 and b) because my F2 was still full of Portra 400. Didn't finish the rolls; it was just too cold."

Dan Gorman: "Easy: Canon G10. Reasons: Good enough image quality; small/light/inconspicuous enough for pretty much any situation; a gas to use—the physical controls and instant feedback say 'Play with me!'"

Scott Price: "For me, it's my K-5 IIs with my FA* 24mm ƒ/2 attached (36mm equivalent). I haven't encountered many situations where I couldn't make this combo work well. Of course, my primary subjects are my children, and I'm generally trying to capture them and what they're doing. I've found this focal length range just about perfect for this purpose, because I don't have to take a step forward or back from a natural conversation distance to get the framing I want. That said, there are times when I need to mix things up and pick-off candid head shots with a longer lens, or really mess around by dangling an ultra-wide in front of them while they play/run/slide. Variety is the spice of life, but, for me, the meat and potatoes looks like a compact DSLR with a fast 35mm equivalent lens on it."

Howard: "Sitting on the table next to the door is a Nikon FG with a MD-14 motor drive and (believe it or not) a Tamron CF 35–70mm zoom on an Adaptall 2 lensmount. I bought it years ago from a coworker. I was embarrassed that she accepted the $25 offered and I upped it to $35 (body only. The rest was added over time). It goes with me everywhere and shoots everything; we have bonded."

Bill Langford: "There was a time when it was a Graflex XL with Polaroid back and a bucket of clearing solution for the negatives. (Did I hear someone say 'Old Timer'?) Now it's a Sigma DP2 Merrill. The fun is the same, the back is not."

David Paterson: I was once invited to a camera collector's home in Tokyo, where he opened several large walk-in cupboards to show me his collection. It consisted of boxed, unopened examples of every Leica, Hasselblad and Nikon camera, and most of the lenses, from the previous 20 years. None of the boxes had ever been opened. He never took any photographs. He didn't collect Canon or Olympus. I currently have two digital camera-bodies—a working camera and a back-up. Seems like enough."

Sherwood McLernon: "The camera's always the same, a Canon 7D. The lens is either a Canon 400mm ƒ/5.6 L if I'm shooting birds or other wildlife, or a Canon 18–200mm ƒ3.5–5.6 IS as a walk around lens. I have many other lenses, but the above combinations take care of 95% of my shooting. If I'm driving, I will take two 7D's with the above-mentioned lenses already mounted. If it's a quick walk from home it's the walkaround combination."

Gary Filkins: "Sony RX100 almost without exception. The exception would be if portraits are expected—then it's the Olympus EP-2 with the Olympus 45mm ƒ/1.8 lens."

Ed Grossman: "Toward the end of last year, I realized two things: 1) I was spending too much time choosing a camera before heading out the door. 2) The results I brought back in the door weren't really any different regardless of what I chose in '1' above. Since then, there's been a culling of the herd. I'm down to two. Most days, it's me and the Panasonic GH2. If the weather's inclement, I take my Olympus E-5. I'm spending less time deciding and more time shooting. The money I made from the gear sale will go toward photo experiences, not photo gear. That may not be the right choice for everyone, but it was for me!"

Chris Nicholls: "Beautiful M4! For me at the moment it's the M9 with 35mm ASPH Summicron. It's hard for me to imagine another camera that might suit me better, but I wouldn't mind a good pocket-size camera. Any recommendations?"

Mike replies: Always. The two truly pocketable cameras I seem to hear the most good things about are the Sony RX100 and the Ricoh GRD IV, with the Panasonic LX7—which has a Leica lens—bringing home the bronze. Here's my brief experience with the Sony.

Note that in Amazon's unintentionally funny product description of the GRD IV, "1X Optical Zoom" means it's a fixed, single-focal-length lens.

Armand: "Mike, that's a beautiful camera. Most of the time, I grab either the M3 or one of my Leicaflexes :-) when I venture out in the urban wilderness. Main reason why my D800E stays in my Pelican case."

mcomfort: "I thought I'd try the smaller, carry-everywhere second camera approach for a while...but I keep coming back to the big D800. Too much IQ left on the table otherwise. My standards have crept upward to the point of no return now, which is in conflict with my usual gear lust (read: I want to find a reason to get the OM-D or something similar.)"

The two comments just above came in right next to each other. —Ed.

Claire: "My 5D Mark II replaced my worn-out Rebel XT. I used to go out everyday with that Rebel. It is not the case with the 5D. Great camera, but too heavy for my everyday walk. Two weeks ago, I bought the Fuji X-Pro. And...I think I'm in love again! :-) Right, it is not on par with the 5D. But at least, bringing it with me, I might have a chance to get one or two photos that I will be happy with one of these days...."

Comments

[Tom Kwas]

If I'm going on a car trip, it's not unusual for me to throw a case with a few Mamiya RB 6X7's in it, into the back of my car. Sounds like a lot, but it's going to do what I want, with what I'm thinking about.

As I get older as a photographer, I realize how many family and social engagements were negatively impacted by me taking pictures, altho for many years I carried a little Olympus 'point and shoot' around to take quick snaps on film, and actually might do it again, little impact there.

I realized how worthless it was to me, after years in the business, to aimless walk around with a camera all the time snapping and snapping, in the hopes of getting 'something' or revealing some great truth. It really hit home when I read a very interesting article some years ago about Avedon, that talked about him trying street photography and photography in an mental institute, all with a small camera, and how he realized, it just wasn't for him. Ditto! I'm now happy to get home from a two week driving trip, with one nice roll of film taken of a particular subject on my Mamiya with a 127 or 180 lens.

I began to realize that one needed to "live" experiences as an observer, and maybe a participant, but without constantly thinking about how good a picture it might make. Since I adopted this, I have a sharper remembrance for many situations I've witnessed, than the pictures of the many situations before that allow me to have.

So I guess the answer is, for the most part, every time I leave home, I never take a camera!

Thanks for the digression!

[tex andrews]

Bearing in mind the run-out-the-door scenario, it's probably the NEX 7 & the 10-18 or one of my CV's--the 15 or the 21.

But that doesn't mean that camera gets the most use. My A850 and the CZ 16-35 or Tamron 28-75 will have the higher counter numbers by a lot.

Then there's the run-out-the-door-to-go-fishing scenario, and that gets the Pentax Wg 1 or something (2?, 3?...I can't keep all these numbers straight...)

but if that Sony RX 1 had an integral viewfinder, I'd be poorer by about $3K, but that would be with me ALL the time. I've started to jonesing for that camera...

[Dan Daniel]

If I am heading out the door to go take photos, it's the Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar. If I am running errands, going to work, just knocking about, it's either the Rolleiflex 3.5E(1) Xenotar or the Leica M3 w/50mm 2.8 Elmar, depending on how frisky I am feeling (the Leica being for looser shooting). Did I miss it or am I the only person commenting here using a Rolleiflex on a regular basis?

[George Purvis]

I'll take the D800E when I'm headed out and want a camera along. If I'm going to spend the time taking a photograph, I want the best possible chance of making it a portfolio shot. When I take a camera, it stays accessible and the D800E size is fine. When I'm weight constrained because I'm flying on business and not checking any luggage, I'll take the D7000 with the 18-200. It's small enough that I can take it jogging in a fanny pack.

[Dogman]

My out-the-door camera varies based on whim and perceived need. It's usually my most recent acquisition but not necessarily. Most of the time, it's a DSLR with a wide to normal(ish) or longer zoom. I know prime lenses have better optical performance but I like the versatility of zooms. I never liked being limited to one focal length or changing lenses. Even when I used Leicas, I almost always carried two of them--a 35mm Summicron on one and a 50mm Summicron on the other.

[gary bliss]

Roughly 50-50 between a Nikon D7000 w/16-85 (sometimes with an old SB800 flash) and a Canon G1x (enclosed in a puppy-dog cute brown leather case). The latter is slow as treacle to operate and i can't say i like shooting at arms length. But I haven't touched my GH1 kit in months. The G1x is just so portable; the lens and the images are just a step behind the dSLR . . . well, actually, the lens is better i think . . .

[Mark]

Interesting. Reading through the comments,it looks like Leica, Fuji X series, and Pentax are the predominant choices.

[Alan Fairley]

Just going out and about, the RX100. Going out specifically to photograph, the D800E with 24-70 f 2.8. The poor OM-D, betwixt and between, stays at home these days, though I have a deep affection for it.

[Halogen]

It depends on where I'm going and whatever focal length is the current favourite.

Right now, the OMD + 14mm f2.5 is the first choice. Before that, it was the 5D + Nikkor 35mm F2.

[albert erickson]

Mike, I felt I had to add my two cents to the discussion. What a great question; it really got me thinking. I own two full-frame Nikon cameras including the D 800, as well as a small light GX1 with a pany 20. As I thought about which camera goes "out the door" with me the most, I think it is the small GX1. I guess size matters, but it is a terrific camera and I keep thinking about downsizing; however, when I look at the files that come out of the D800, I continue to be impressed. It truly is a great camera, and produces wonderful images. I generally like to shoot in black and white and the D800 does a remarkable job. It really makes photography fun. I have too many cameras but the real decision is with the lenses. I want to get back to three "go to" lenses that fit in a small bag and can go anywhere. I hope you will do some testing with your big D800 and some different lens choices. Thanks for the post.

[Tony Roberts]

Mike:
Walking out the door, size is the issue, of course, for which we used to sacrifice sensor quality. No more, the RX-100 and, waiting for, the NEX-7x have sensors that sing. Lenses to match and mostly free of manufacturer's CPA afflictions. Can't wait for clients to freak out when they see my NEX-7x; I'll just show them the files!

[Paul Crouse]

I just bought a Fujifilm XE-1 this week because I just never wanted to carry my Nikons.

Oh my! The files coming out of this machine are amazing. Sharp and colorful.

I hate souping photos in the computer. Now, I can just move files rapidly using Photo Mechanic.

I am definitely infatuated. But will it turn into love?

[CarstenW]

It depends. If I am going out for some project-related shooting, it is the D800 and 3-4 ZF.2 lenses. If I am just doing a walk-about, it is the E-PL3 with either 12/2 or 25/1.4.

On the occasion that I want to shoot some film, I have a lot more choice, from FM2 to 6008i, 2000FC/M, RZ67 or even a 4x5 camera (sold my Linhof Technika and will replace it with a Chamonix 45N2 at some point), and a few other older cameras.

I recently sold a load of stuff, including most of a Contax 645 kit, but clearly I have some way to go before I reach the simplicity I crave...

[Jamie Pillers]

Fuji X100s... keeps the lens buying to a minimun! :-)

[Marc Gibeault]

My new OM-D with a Pentax M50/1.7. This combo has so much quality, you must try it if you still have this lens, great for portraits. Or Ctein can lend you one? Did he tried it?
For the first time I'm able to focus rapidly and accurately, a lot easier than with a DSLR.
Still not sure which to choose as my standard lens between the Oly 17/1.8 and Pana 20/1.7.

[psu]

For absolutely always with me: iPhone 4S.

For when I can carry a bag: recently the Olympus E-PL5 with the 17/1.8. The sensor performance is close (though still noticeably worse in some ways) to my D700. Would still use the D700 for taking pictures of moving things.

Plan on getting the 12 and 45 for a travel outfit.

For when I don't mind the weight: D700+24-85 zoom lens.

Generally if I am going to be "taking pictures" I take the bag camera. Otherwise I use the phone.

I have three film cameras that I keep but generally do not use. An AF Hexar. An FM3a. And a Nikon 8008. Thought about selling them, but what's the point?

[Jeff]

Easy. E-PL2 with Oly 15mm mounted and the Sigma 19mm and 30mm in the bag. If I'm planning to take picks I grab the other bag with my other E-PL2, Pana 14mm, sigma 30mm, Oly 45mm, and assorted other stuff.

[Chris Pisarra]

I was so happy the day I got my Nikon D300. I have lenses! I have strobes! I have tripods and monopods and other toys!

And it sits at home unless there is a specific need.

I carry my Sony RX100. IQ is great, certainly much more than enough for the web which is where 99% of my photos go. Fits in my pocket and does what's needed.

[Shaun O'Boyle]

Depends, for low light high iso I grab the Fuji X-E1 which is better than my Canon 5D MK2 for anything above iso 800. For tripod work or normal daylight shooting, I still go for the canon with the new 24-70 II.

[Craig Yuill]

These days my going-out-the-door camera is a Nikon V1 with 10-30mm kit lens. I like it's small size and quiet operation. The images I get with the V1 are similar to what I used to take several years ago with my 35mm camera loaded with Kodachrome 64 or Fujichrome 100. And the V1 is a good video camera as well.

[Roger Bradbury]

It's the only digital camera I have, apart from an old 2 Megapixel thing in a drawer. It's a Pentax K20D. Usually it's with the 16-50 f/2.8. Sometimes I fit the Tamron Adaptall 2 24mm f/2.5.

The wide end of the zoom is just wide enough for me, but the long end is a bit on the short side. Especially with the zoom, the whole thing is well into the "look after it all the time" size bracket, but I'm yet to find a decent smaller camera I can both live with and afford. (Fits into a jacket pocket, nice wide lens, has a micro four thirds or APS-C sensor, and a viewfinder for applying the eye to.)

[Semilog]

Fuji X-E1 with 35 Summilux ASPH, or M6 with RF-coupled Pentax-M 50/1.4. About 60/40.

[David Dyer-Bennet]

I've nearly always had multiple cameras of different types, either physically in my possession or easily available. Miranda Sensorex plus Yashicamat 124G; Leica M3 plus Pentax Spotmatic (plus the Yashicamat, actually, all three at once). Olympus OM-4T (two of them) and Nikon L135AF P&S. Nikon N90 and Nikon FM2 and Fujica GS645. Or, at the moment, Nikon D700 and Olympus EPL-2.

For me there has always been the main serious camera, sometimes a specialized serious camera, and sometimes a walkaround snapshot camera. So, I take at least the walkaround, take the main if it's a photo trip, unless have specific reason to take something specialized (usually medium format). With the M3 and Pentax, the M3 was the main, with the Pentax brought out for specialized needs (wider than 35mm or longer than 90mm or closer than about a yard).

[Patrick Dodds]

Going out the door? The Fuji X100. TBH, I don't really like it that much: it is way overcomplicated, horribly slow and the focus is unreliable. Also, I can't seem to capture images that excite me with it so I'm waiting on something else to come along; the RX1 could have been it but the price is too high.
If it's a paid job, the big Nikons come along with their heavy lenses.

[Pak-Ming Wan]

Easy one: Leica M-E with either a 50 or a 35 summicron on it. I'm such a sucker for a rangefinder and it's only about 1000 or so exposures in, and even though at times it is the complete antithesis of the old film M (unpredictable and cranky electronics), it really is magic to be shooting with a rangefinder again...

Pak

[Igor]

Leica M8 + 28mm cron. Small, light, lovely. Wish it was M9 but... all in good time.

[Robbie Corrigan]

K-5 and a prime. At this moment in time its a K-5 with KatzEye focusing screen, *1.2 magnified viewfinder and a SMC K35 f/3.5 that I picked up last week. That combo will remain like that for 3 or 4 weeks I expect. Nice, small, light with a FOV that i'm trying to figure out. Sharp little setup though :-)
Now if you asked me to take the K-5 plus any lens in my bag (31, 35, 43, A50 f/1.2, 55, 77)... I would just go with the K-5 and 43 :-), it just delivers!

[Vu Le]

Olympus OM-D E-M5, usually with the 25mm f/1.4, though I am falling in love all over again with the 45mm f/1.8. It's the only camera SYSTEM I have that allows me to take the camera on my neck, and a high quality spare lens in a pocket if necessary. All the comforts of the big Canon SLR, most of the image quality, very little of the weight and bulk. It's almost never a pain in the neck...I'm looking at YOU Canon 7D and 6D.

The RX100 is an excellent runner up if you plan to shoot at ~28mm. Aperture slows rapidly as you zoom.

[Stuart Hamilton]

I have a Nikon D80 and screw drive af prime lenses, 20 to 85mm, but for more than a year the only camera I've used is a Nikon V1 with the 10-30 and 30-110 zooms. I like it so much that, when the price crashed, I bought a 2nd. It's a very fine, very innovative little camera reminiscent of the Olympus XA and the Minox GL, but apparently beyond the comprehension of the, convention-bound, status-obsessed forum flock.

[John Holland]

I still shoot film and have a LOT of cameras. I could be flippant and say "I take the camera that has a partial roll" but I actually had no idea, so I decided to be empirical and look at my film files to see which camera actually got picked. So, over the last 3 years, my "out the door" camera has been, more often than not ... a thirty-eight-year-old Canon EF. I wouldn't have guessed that. A close second place is held by the Pentax ESII I bought from you. Something about those Takumars keeps me happy I guess. Seems to work out 45% Canon, 40% Pentax, 15% random Nikons/Minoltas/Olympii.

In the digital realm, however, I use a strict division of labour, along the lines of MarkB's decision tree. Crappy weather? The indestructible Nikon D1X. Sunny weather? Sony A350 with its gorgeous sensor and huge dynamic range. Low light/concerts? My wife's Sony A77 with its great high-ISO performance, highlight recovery and black-cat-in-a-coalmine autofocus. Snappy-snaps of friends/parties/nights out? Used to be a Panny GF2, but now mostly my Blackberry smartphone.

[Gaspar Heurtley]

Scott Price said: "For me, it's my K-5 IIs with my FA* 24mm ƒ/2 attached (36mm equivalent)".

In your Pentax post (the one and only) you said that there was no 35mm equivalent that you could use.

A 1mm makes a difference for you? Man you're strict!

[Mike Plews]

Used to carry around an XA but now it's an S95.
"say hello to my little friend"

[Roger Bartlett]

RX100 everyday.Samsung Galaxy Note ll as back up. when specific tasks are anticipated I will have the full DSLR kit as necessary.

[Sarge]

I have only two "serious" cameras.

When going out on errands, I bring the GRD IV for just in case.

When going out for a shoot I bring both cameras, both lenses for my GXR-M, and a tripod. I wish I had more lenses for the GXR.

The GRD IV on a gorrillapod. This combo suffices for shooting star trails.

P.S.
I'm happy the GRD IV made it to No. 2 on Mike's list. I reckon that if Ricoh puts the RX100's sensor on the GRD V (assuming Sony lifts the embargo), then it ought to overtake the former because of the GRD's superior UI and build quality, IMO.

[Andrea]

Panasonic Lumix G3 with an old Pentacon Prakticar 28mm f/2.8 manual focus lens. For the last year, I've shot almost daily with it.

[anurag agnihotri]

Nowadays, i am enjoying my DP2 Merrill. I try to shoot everything with it.

[Dennis Ng]

Cannot just have one camera -- have to sell the 50+ I own. I even walk passed my book shelf and look at one dry box and found a fuji 680! Having said that I found when I go out take pictures, I just use one lens especially if it is a fix lens. Last time got 3 zoom lens plus 5n but just use my new 2nd hand Minolta AF 500mm f8 lens on my a77. Not changed once.

In fact for the whole week being a non-birdie, I just took pics of kites flying around my balcony. Enjoy very much. Never think that I can have a go of this kind of photography - auto focus and steady shot with an effective 750mm,! I know it is only f8 and mirror lens but I can count the feather in a few pic I took. Now I can lookat the sky, find a kite and point the camere and the kite is in the viewfinder. Not in the first few days and as the autofocus is not that good you see nothing - white and sound of focusing. One lens one camera helped very much. You just know.

One lens one camera one month!

[HT]

I've been trying to carry my D700 + 50mm combo more often but it's tough since it's so heavy and obtrusive. Just this Saturday, I went to an indoor farmer's market but decided to leave the camera at home. Much to my chagrin, the market was held inside a converted greenhouse with perfectly diffuse lighting from the early morning sun. In short, everything and everyone looked great! Luckily, I was a five-minute drive from home so I high-tailed it to retrieve my camera. Perhaps the best camera isn't the one you have, but the one you can get to in ten minutes.

[Boris Liberman]

For me it is Ricoh GXR with A12-50 macro (33.5/2.5 actual) lensor. Suffices it to say it was my sole companion during my daughter's and mine trip to USA back in September 2012. Brought back 1700+ frames and lots of great memories. In my view this is probably the best non-DSLR camera+lens combo if for whatever reason the angle of view of 50mm is needed.

[PWL]

A number of cameras have been my "grab and run" choice over the years. Nikon S2.Konica Hexar RF. Olympus OM-2. Olympus E-3. Leica M9. But these days, it's my Olympus EM-5,with either a 12mm or 25m lens. THE perfect "grab & run cameras, in my opinion. Small, light, quiet, and lightning-fast focus--and it takes great photos, too.

[Gianni Galassi]

I own two Olympus M4/3 (OM-D and E-PM1) plus lenses, the Olympus X-Z1 and the Canon G15. The latter is definitely my out-the-door grab.

[Neal]

It's almost always a small fixed lens rangefinder, or my Rolleiflex, depending on my mood and believe it or not, the weather.

[Tom Bell]

Walking long distance and want a pocket camera .... I got rid of the LX5 as its lens was to proud .... and now have the XF1 .. small .. fits in a pocket. Fast at 25 .. which is fine for me. Slower at telephoto which I use less.

Want to concentrate more then
Pentax K5 ... .. WR Kit if raining

Otherwise DA Prime

Either DA21 /DA35 Macro usually

In my heart of hearts I desire an X100

[Gary Morris]

I've spent almost all winter shooting portraits of naked Cottonwoods in a park about 1 mile from my house. For this project I use my Leica M9 and Noctilux ASPH with a 3-stop ND filter. Pure heaven.

[Ernest Zarate]

I only have one camera, making it a simple choice: Canon 5D II. Put the 50mm f/1.4 on it and I'm ready to go. I've always been a one camera guy, be it a Canon FTb, an Olympus OM-1, a Leica M6, or a Mamiya 6 (your review of the Mamiya in Camera Arts, btw, was very well done), typically with a 35mm equivalent. I guess I've gotten a narrower POV over the years, eh? Well, for me, photography is a reductionist art, like poetry - get rid of all but the essential. I like the 5D II: on manual, with manual focus, and RAW. Simple, like film, and after doing this activity for 40+ years, I've come to discover I like simplicity.

[Ewoud]

my grab camera? EOS M with the 22mm 2.0

al lot of reviewers and spec checkers will think I've gone bonkers, but I'm loving the 35mm equivalent!

I normally carry my 5D II & III with to many lenses for work, now the amount of shots I took with the 22mm EOSM lens has me in GAS mode for a 35mm lens for the 5d's

And then there is the always in pocket S95, lusting for a Sony RX100 but decided I can't buy a compact until the S95 dies on me, since compact camera's normally don't last long...

[Gaspar Heurtley]

On the featured comments, Scott Price said "For me, it's my K-5 IIs with my FA* 24mm ƒ/2 attached (36mm equivalent)".

On your Pentax post (the one and only) you said that there's no 35mm equivalent that you could use on Pentax mount. Does 1mm really makes that much of a difference to you? Man you are strict!

[Dan Stevenson]

I started the One Camera/One Lens/One Film project back in February so it is really easy for me. (I know, I know...better late than never!) My Zeiss Ikon and MS Optical 50/1.1 follows me everywhere. However, I have allowed myself one weekend per month with a digital camera and that is either my M9 or my Pentax Q, depending on my mood that weekend.