Just a quick question—what's your #1 favorite digital camera of all time?
Not the best one you've ever used, but the one you liked best. For any reason—familiarity, results, whatever.
Or, if you're primarily a film photographer now, what's your favorite film camera?
Just name one please—and please, try to keep your comment short. People love to talk about cameras, but the "tl;dr" (too long, didn't read) principle really comes into play when reading other peoples' camera histories. Bear in mind that others are reading through the comments and go a little easy on 'em.
My fave...
...And I'll make this short.
I love my NEX-6* and Zeiss E 24mm
But if I had to say, I'd still pick the 2004 Konica-Minolta 7D as my all-time favorite. It was my first DSLR, the built-in anti-shake worked a treat, and I still think the file quality was wonderful—it had the most accurate color of its time. Konica-Minolta's engineers really knew what a photograph should look like.
Even though it came out forty years ago***, it takes the palm as my #1 favorite of all time...so far.
Mike
*Sony recently consolidated the NEX-6 and NEX-7 in the just-announced A6000.
**Even though it's overpriced. I also use the Sigma 60mm DN lens, which I also love. That one is underpriced—punches way above its $$.
***In digital camera years.
Original contents copyright 2014 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.
(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:
Jack Luke: "I am primarily a film photographer and I feel my Fuji GX680-II cannot be beat for versatility. It's an absolute beast of a camera, but the huge negative, incredibly sturdy movements and slick operation make it all worth it. Of course, if I could afford to shoot on my ARCA model B for every shoot, I would."
Alexandre Buisse: "Nikon D4. Yes, it's a beast, but it's so fast and intuitive it feels like an extension of my body. And I know it can take all the awful conditions in which I am often shooting."
[Alexandre is a well-known mountaineering photographer. The Nikon D4 is currently back-ordered at several sources. —Ed.]
Chris Y.: "The Canon 5D 'classic' is my favorite of all time—it brought it all home. Moved on to the Mark III but still can't believe how good the original is."
Paul in AZ: "Short and sweet. I have gone back to film and love my Rolleiflex."
Stephen S. Mack: "Nikon D7000. (Short enuff?)"
Mike replies: Yes, thank you. :-)
John Wilson: "Ricoh GR Digital!"
Dovydas (partial comment): "For all manual focus lenses: Ricoh GXR A12 M mount with VF. Special Sony sensor with no AA filter and excellent arrangement of microlenses. Will handle any RF lens with no smearing and only Super ultrawides need some easy-to-do color drift correction. Will also handle all SLR lenses with ease."
Tim Allen: "It has to be my Fuji X100 (the original, not the S). Since the final firmware update I can't fault it and it's changed my photography for the better. Just sold my DSLR kit and bought an X-E1 to go with my X100 too. Couldn't be happier."
Gato: "The only digital camera I really loved was the funky Sony F828. I loved the swivel design and the looks of the thing, the fine lens and (for the day) excellent image quality. For making pictures I'm happy enough with my current Sony and Panasonic mirrorless cameras, but can't say I have any real emotional attachment to anything I own now."
Alan: "iPhone."
Mike replies: You win, Alan, that's the shortest answer.
Bill Pearce: "I am happy with my GX7, but haven't had it long enough to make that choice, but all in all, the digital camera I still think of fondly and still own and occasionally use is my Sony R1. Yes, it has its flaws, but no more than any other digital camera of its era. It could write faster, have faster AF and better low light performance, all things I expected in the R2, but Sony didn't need an R2, they got Minolta instead. Poor me."
Mike replies: Poor me too. I wanted an "R2" for years.
Edward Taylor: "I am an early adopter. I got into digital in the 1990s, and I kind of collect cameras. I do take an average of about 50 photos a day, so these cameras do get used. I have loved many cameras, but for this exercise, I will only consider cameras that can be purchased new at this time.
"Current favorite: Sony A7r (I only have the 35mm lens) Former favorite: Sony RX1 (which I returned because it seemed overpriced, but I really loved it). Honorable mention: Sony RX100 (which I carry around with me). Other great cameras I use and really like: Sony NEX-6 and NEX-7, Panasonic GH3, and Canon 5D MkIII."
[Edward has reviewed cameras for TOP several times. —Ed.]
Caleb Courteau: "The tiny combo of a Pentax K-5 with 21mm ƒ/3.2 Limited. Quiet shutter, lovely erogonomics, great image quality, and built as solidly as bowling ball."
Pierre Charbonneau: "Leica Monochrom, for the beautiful prints."
Rory O'Toole: "My Nikon D3s gets used the most (work), and I haven't had many other digital cameras. My first camera, Pentax ME Super, I loved for years, and I love my Holga too :-) "
Andrew Lamb: "I haven't got a favourite camera in either film or digital. However, a special mention must go to the Sigma DP2 Merrill. It's special."
Dan Gorman: "I'm a digital shooter now, but my first good camera—and still my all-time favorite—was my Canon FTb with the 50mm ƒ/1.8. I still have it, and my daughter just used it for her first photography class—how sweet is that?"
Gary: "F6."
Mike replies: Okay, Gary wins. (Sorry, Alan.)
Brad Burnham: "F5."
Mike replies: And we have a tie.
Stephan Kleiser: "F."
David: "M."
Mike replies: ...!
Cmans: "My friends and family portrait subjects call my Nikon D5100 a 'magic' camera because they say it makes them look so good, and I agree with them."
Mike replies: That's cool. That's all we're all really looking for, a magic camera, isn't it?
jim: "Olympus PEN E-PM2 plus VF-4. It's a KISS. First post after years and years of lurking. Your site is Wonderful. Thanks."
Mike replies: Thanks for commenting! And complimenting.
Phil Maus: "Ever the contrarian, it has to be my Shen Hao FCL180A 8x10 [link might take a while to load —Ed.]. I've used and enjoyed 'em all over the years, some digital too, but once I got my 'sea legs' under me with the 8x10, I can't ever see myself enjoying another camera the way I enjoy this one. (And that's as brief as I can be!)"
Christine Bogan (partial comment): "It took me some years to learn that I wanted to go back to one camera, one lens."
Robert Poe: "Digital: V1. Film: CLE."
Bob Blakley: "My favorite digital camera of all time is one I don't use any more: the Leica M8. I love it because it proved for the first time that a camera could be digital and still look and work like a camera."
Steve Ducharme: "My favorite camera is my next camera. For me, anticipation trumps contentment."
K-5 with the FA 77.
Posted by: Ruby | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:07 AM
Leica M9.
Posted by: Bernd Reinhardt | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:09 AM
Leica R7. It isn't perfect, but I've come to enjoy its eccentricities. Every other camera (within my financial reach) seems convoluted in comparison, offering many features I don't need and worse implementations of those that I do.
Posted by: Jon Bakke | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:09 AM
Konica Autoreflex T
Posted by: Dave Riedel | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:11 AM
Nikon D80 - I know... so old, and there are so many "better" cameras out there. But it does everything I need it to do and then some.
Posted by: Ken | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:15 AM
D700
Posted by: Dhrauma | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:15 AM
Sony R-1
Ahead of its time.
Posted by: Scott Dommin | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:15 AM
The Canon 1D Mark II.
8 megapixels, 8 frames per second, amazing high ISO quality for 2004. I got a pair of them to replace the original 1D bodies (4mp, 8fps, crappy images) and shot with them for five years, hundreds of thousands of frames; many of my best and favorite images came from those two cameras.
Most of this is nostalgia, of course -- for the first really great digital camera that I used, and for a time when my job was much simpler and when I got many more varied assignments. But the 1D Mark II was truly an excellent camera and is still my favorite.
Posted by: Ken Bennett | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:19 AM
Nikon D50. Should give it away, but can't.
Posted by: Norman Vujevic | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:20 AM
Olympus E-330. The live view convinced me to give up film on the bellows with manual lenses. Size and easy use made it a joy. Still used occasionally even tho I own far better cameras.
Posted by: Don Holbrook | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:22 AM
The Fuji X100
Posted by: Rrrodrigo | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:25 AM
I feel like the odd person out here, as I have no nostalgia for cameras. Yes, I've owned some great ones and have been lucky enough to capture some timeless moments with them, but my adoration of them is ever fleeting. As long as they continue to get better, faster, stronger, I will always gravitate to the new kid on the block, which makes me, I guess, a Serial Infatuationalist.
My current flavor of the month is (no surprise) the newest in the bag, a tasty Pentax K-3 in "I'm tired of black" silver. Feels great in the hand, familiar controls, and with a heft that makes me think that I can get out of a heap of trouble in a dark alley by swinging it over my head with the lovely brown leather strap.
Ask me next year and the answer will likely be different.
Posted by: JohnMFlores | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:27 AM
Sony NEX-7 is my fave.
Posted by: Marty Knapp | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:27 AM
Fuji XT-1. Just rented one for 5 days, hate to send it back!
Posted by: Peter Gilbert | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:29 AM
Nikon FE2
Sigma DP2m
Posted by: bertram eiche | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:30 AM
Digital: Pentax K3; feel in hand, size and IQ
Film: Mamiya 1000S; fun to use, especially after some years of using digital cameras.
Posted by: Peter | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:33 AM
Minolta Dimage 7i
Posted by: Sam Pieter | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:36 AM
Contax 645
Posted by: Bill Cowan | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:39 AM
Ricoh GRD -- This my second one, with the always reliable fixed wide angle lens. A great unobtrusive street shooter.
Posted by: Roger Brown | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:42 AM
Nikon D700.
Posted by: Blake | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:43 AM
Digital would have to be the Nikon d600 and 24-85VR lens. I find it reasonably sized for what is approximately twice the effective resolution of my d7000; a medium-film-format-quality system you can fit in the hand.
Film must be my FM3a with my 28mm f2 or 105mm f2.5; just sensuous to use and fantastic, high contrast, images. But i miss the CLS.
Posted by: gary ray | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:43 AM
My favorite camera: Canon G10
Though with only one exception (the Canon 7D) I can say that I've loved all my cameras for some one or another of their qualities.
Cheers,
John
Posted by: John Hall | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:48 AM
Here I am in the GEAR talk.. tell us your favorite camera. I hear an Echo..something's dripping somewhere. I know Im late. Im very hungry.
D300
I've had the D300, 1st version, for a long time and it does the job .
The FIRST Digi camera I had was a used D200 I bought off a guy near the Michigan City Casino..he was a gambler and I needed that camera..That was my first digital camera. The D300 was my second.
Im sorta proud of that in some alt geek kind of way.
Posted by: David | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:50 AM
Nikon D700. Big and heavy by today's mirrorless standards, but oh do I love what it does to pictures, especially when coupled with fast primes.
Posted by: chris.scl | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:50 AM
OOPS, DAMN..I missed the R-1. I very briefly had a Sony R1 that was a borrowed/loaned Camera.
.but it broke almost immediately..tiny bit of rain killed it after about 3 weeks.
I did like that Camera..the LEns was awesome.
Posted by: David | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:52 AM
Ok ok..
D300
Posted by: David | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:54 AM
For me, it's the Pentax K10D. It's been outspecced by many other modern cameras, and the focusing and the low light capabilities are certainly prone to improvement.
But I've learned a lot using it, and I have taken some truly stunning pictures by playing with its features. I'm sure I will move forward at some point, but for the time being, the expense to purchase the K10D has been largely justified.
Posted by: Cateto Catetez | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:55 AM
After years of shooting with Pentax SLRs, it's now the Fuji X100s that's my favorite - so "limited", but so fun.
Posted by: Adam Richardson | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:55 AM
Im trying to make sure this record never gets broken..is that helpful?
Posted by: David | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:56 AM
Ricoh GR
Posted by: Ned Bunnell | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 10:57 AM
For tabulation: Canon 5D MkII
Posted by: Kurt Kramer | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:01 AM
The Nikon D800e. It can produce wonderful images and it's still a better camera than I am a photographer, which keeps me pushing...
Posted by: Eric Schoch | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:03 AM
Nikon D800
Posted by: Christopher Talbot | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:04 AM
Sony F828
(and for film cameras Rolleiflex 2.8F)
Posted by: Joe Dasbach | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:04 AM
Leica M9.
Posted by: Animesh Ray | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:05 AM
Leica M - I keep coming back to it after all these decades.
Posted by: Glenn Edens | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:05 AM
The Nikon D700 has to be my favorite.
Posted by: Matt Miller | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:06 AM
Fujifilm X-E2
Posted by: CMS | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:06 AM
Favorite digicam: Nikon D700
All time favorite analog SLR: Nikon F3 (still deeply regret I gave mine away. She should be on your side of the pond now)
Posted by: Marc | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:09 AM
Canon 5D, this took me down the road to the Mark IIIDS, but it was the 5D that stole me from Nikon, this after the Nikon rep ridiculed me for doubting his dogma that Nikon would "never do full frame" because it's "all about the lenses, you know". One rep lost Nikon a decades dedicated customer. Obviously they survived without me-so far.
Posted by: Del Bomberger | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:13 AM
I'd have to say the camera I'm using now has to be my fav. Even though I have liked and appreciated every one of the dozen or so I've owned. My current camera is the Sony NEX 7 and I like pretty much everything about it except the menu system and limited range of native lenses. Size: Check. Image Quality: Check. Other lens adaptability: Check. Ergonomics: Check. Useable EVF: Check. Tilting LCD: Check. Went around the world (literally) with it last year and it was everything I needed.
Posted by: Burdette | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:15 AM
I favorite is my current camera, the Olympus E-M5 with vertical/battery grip and Panasonic 12-35mm lens.
Posted by: Steve | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:19 AM
Film: Rollei 35S
Digital: Fuji X100
Posted by: Vecchiobigo | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:22 AM
Sony A99
Posted by: John Sparks | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:22 AM
Fujifilm FinePix S7000. It was a remarkably versatile camera that was my entry into the wonderful world of photography...
Posted by: adamct | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:24 AM
Pentax K20D.
Posted by: Bill Woodall | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:26 AM
Mike, I think I finally hit my digital photography stride when I upgraded from the Mark II to the Canon 1D Mark III (which cost about $4500 in 2008.) That camera, paired with Canon's 45mm TS-E tilt shift lens, made more good portraits for me than any other. I've since replaced the Mark III with a succession of cameras, none of which fit the bill until I purchased the Sony NEX-6 with a Metabones Speed Booster (total price $1450!) That combo allows me to FOCUS all of my Canon TS-E tilt shift lenses thru the viewfinder, something that is not possible with DSLRs. It also gives me an extra stop of light! Now that Sony has released the A7 I may finally replace my Leica M3 for some digital Summicron goodness!
JIC it's not clear, the Sony NEX-6 with Metabones Speed Booster is my favorite digital camera, but ask me again next year...
Posted by: Daniel Francisco Valdez | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:29 AM
My favorite camera is my present one, a Fuji X20. It is fast, great color and love shooting in black & white, it's light and I can take it everywhere. I've even used it in low light situations with really wonderful results. Fuji X20, yeah, I really like it...
Glenn
Posted by: Glenn C. Riffey | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:31 AM
Lumix GX7 with f2.8 12-35mm Panasonic Lens
Posted by: Peter Vagt | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:31 AM
BTW, when you do wind up tabulating the results --- and I acknowledge in advance that this would require a lot of work --- please consider presenting the breakdowns in a variety of ways, not just a straight count by model name.
For example, it would be interesting to know how many people selected cameras by various sensor sizes: 35mm full frame, APS-C, 4/3rds, large sensor compact size, and small sensor digicam size.
It would be interesting to know how may people picked as their favorite camera cameras released before 2000, 2001-2003; 2004-2006; 2007-2009; 2010-2012; 2013 or later.
It would be interesting to know how many people selected SLRs vs. "bridge" cameras vs. ethusiast compacts vs. rangefinders (or pseudo-rangefinders) vs. digicams.
It would be interesting to know how many people selected cameras that cost <$500 when released, vs. $501-899; $900-1,500; $1,501-3,000; or over $3,001.
etc. I know, a lot of work, but more interesting than just a list of models...
Posted by: adamct | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:32 AM
Olympus XZ-1
Am I the only one?
Posted by: William Schneider | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:35 AM
M8
Posted by: Carson Harding | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:40 AM
Canon powershot A80.
unfortunately it gave up the ghost and could not be fixed.
Posted by: Ranjit Grover | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:40 AM
Olympus OM-D E-M5.
Small camera, small lenses, great quality.
Posted by: s.low | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:42 AM
Sigma DP2M
Posted by: Bob Goldstein | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:43 AM
Sigma DP1
Posted by: Robert Howell | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:43 AM
The Nikon D7000.
The custom U1 and U2 settings are a stroke of genius. No more twiddling about trying to get the auto ISO, AF, exposure etc. settings changed when swapping between normal focal lengths and telephoto wildlife shooting. Also weather sealing in a sub-$2k body was a nice first.
Honorable mention: the Fuji X100s. Oh what I would give to have SLR focus speed in a single, centered AF point in this camera (Fuji engineers take note: I would give another $1k).
Posted by: Derek | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:46 AM
Nikon D200. Still use it.
Posted by: LJ Slater | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:46 AM
Nikon D700, full frame and really nice files straight out of the camera which did not require a lot of work.
Posted by: John Dahlstet | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:50 AM
Minolta A2
Posted by: Kirill Shoikhet | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 11:55 AM
First love: my Olympus OM10 and 50mm standard lens. Around 50 years ago and always with monochrome. It never failed to make a decent technical image.
Second love: RB67/RZ67's. Put it on a tripod and immerse yourself in what was on the screen. This was around 20/25 years ago.
Second love number 2: Nikon FM2n, in tandem with the RB67/RZ67's above. Also a totally immersive taking experience
Current love: Sadly, there isn't one. I have, and have used, many different digital cameras. I like the results but I don't enjoy using them anything like as much as the film cameras. They get in the way of the image making although the technical quality of the results is great. I'm reluctant to go back to film cameras though because of all the hassle if you no longer own a darkroom and because I confess I prefer working on a computer in Photoshop to working in the dark. It's just that nowadays the control complexity of digital cameras, even the so called retro versions, is counter productive for me.
Posted by: Len Salem | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:00 PM
Olympus E5 - because of the lenses. In particular the 12-60 and 50-200.
Posted by: Jim Couch | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:02 PM
Nikon D700 with 35mmF1.4 AI Nikkor
Posted by: jim | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:05 PM
For me it would have to be the Canon Rebel XTi (400D)simply because this was the gateway camera for me into serious photography. I put about 30,000 frames through that thing.
I can still remember looking at the first batch of images after my first "serious" walk around and being gobsmacked by the clarity and detail, let alone the immediacy of the autofocus and shutter response, when compared to the hobbled digicams and bridge cameras I had been employing to that point.
All of that said, however, I attribute most of that to simply crossing the threshold into dSLR use. If it had been a Pentax or Nikon, or whomever else, I would likely be putting that camera here instead. I remember my time with the XTi fondly, but it was largely to do with the voracious learning and image making. But credit where credit is due, the XTi was a solid performer and never once let me down.
I moved on to a Canon 7D after four solid years with the XTi and it was in every way a better camera, but I never connected to it on that same level as the XTi. And now with mirrorless, I've jumped ship from Canon altogether and am head over heels for the Fuji X-T1, with the 7D on the auction block. I have little doubt that, if you were to ask me a year from now, the X-T1 would qualify as my favourite, but it is far too early to make that proclamation.
Posted by: Adam Lanigan | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:06 PM
Nikon D3.
Perfect match, perfect response. My D800 doesn't come close.
Posted by: Bruce Hemingway | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:11 PM
8x10 Deardorff. Used exclusively for over a decade...when I was younger, of course! :)
Posted by: AlanH | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:11 PM
Fujifilm XE-2
Posted by: David_A_J | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:12 PM
Fuji X-E1 + 35mm f/1.4, tricked out with a Gariz leather half case, Gordy's wrist strap, and Thumbs Up grip. Makes me happy just holding it. I hardly touch my 5DMKII any more.
Posted by: James | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:14 PM
I feel like I'm supposed to say the big heavy profession Nikon, but the truth becomes I just love the Sony RX-100. Great RAW files, small enough to carry and doesn't intimidate anyone.
Posted by: Chris Pisarra | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:14 PM
Olympus OM-D E-M5, by a lot, from the number of images in my library against six other bodies.
Posted by: dave rogers | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:16 PM
Hi Mike,
If I have to pick only one, I would pick Leica S2 fav digital camera.
Best regards
Posted by: Armand | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:16 PM
My current favorite is my Panasonic Lumix GX1 with my Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens.
My close second favorite is my Lumix G3 with my Lumix 45 - 200mm f/4 - 5.6 lens.
Posted by: Patrick Cooney | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:18 PM
Pentax K-01 — for its:
I just wish Ricoh would continue to explore this camera format — mirrorless, focus peaking, lens backwards compatible, empty mirror box space available for inwards protruding lens (such as a compact kit zoom and a wider and faster prime kit lens, 40mm-equivalent).
Cheers,
Schmuell
Posted by: Schmuell | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:26 PM
Leica M (Typ 240)
Can't wait to see the tabulation!
Posted by: Chris Hunt | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:31 PM
OK, OK. If asked for my favorite camera of all time, digital or film, it would be the Barnack Leicas, specifically the IIIf. But,since this is about digital cameras, and since mere metrics cannot account for haptics, I will somewhat arbitrarily choose the Nex-6 and Zeiss 16-70mm f/4.0. Excellent form factor, optics, and a sensor that never fails to surprise me with its competence.
Posted by: Will von Dauster | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:32 PM
Nikon D800e - It does everything I ask it to better than any digital camera I've ever owned.
Thanks,
Tom Currier
[email protected]
Posted by: Tom Currier | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:32 PM
Film, Pentax 6x7
Digital, Nikon D700
Posted by: Jim Hamstra | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:41 PM
Nikon D300
Posted by: JackS | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:43 PM
The Nikon Df. Simply the first one I immediately liked holding and looking through. Till that moment the Leica M6TTL 0.58 had been my favorite camera.
Posted by: Oliver | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:47 PM
Ok, you've forced it out of me - my favourite camera is the Nikon D800; of the two digital cameras I currently own, it is the better one.
But btw, the best camera I've owned was the Pentax 645D (med. format, 40mpixel). The image quality was stunning -so good that you could forgive all its other shortcomings.
Posted by: David Paterson | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:54 PM
Canon 5 D MkII.
Posted by: Rod Graham | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:56 PM
Olympus OM-D OM-1
Posted by: Richard Ripley | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 12:56 PM
Canon 5D Mk3
Posted by: Jon Erickson | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:08 PM
Panasonic GM-1
Posted by: Délon | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:09 PM
Fujifilm x-pro 1. And all their great lens.
Posted by: Jerry Klink | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:10 PM
Fuji X100, which I used (and loved) for most of the shots in a 365 project. I have since picked up the 's' version, but haven't yet done enough with it to know whether I prefer it.
Posted by: Paul Bartlett | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:13 PM
Nikon got everything got right with the FE model. The most nonobtrusive finder layout, compact but not too compact. and a maual mode that works much better than on the FM. I had my first FE for 20 years, and after 10 years of missing it, I finally bought a FE2 3 years ago. And I love it as much as I thought I would.
Posted by: Niels | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:23 PM
Leica M9-P
Posted by: BDR | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:24 PM
Digital: 5D mark III (Or 5D)
Film cameras:
35 film: Leica M3, 50 mm Summicron
6x6: Rolleiflex
6x7 or 6x9: Linhof Super Technika
Posted by: Woody | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:27 PM
I hesitated on commenting on this. I have a love/hate relationship with my current camera, a Sony NEX6 but I think my favorite digital camera was my Samsung tl350. An "advanced point and shoot" it output both RAW and Jpeg. small enough never to have to leave behind. Yes it had a tiny sensor that had so-so dynamic range but it was fun and flexible.
My analog love will have to be my 11x14 Deardorff Studio view camera on it's (mandatory) geared bi-post stand. Rescued when another studio in Chicago went out of business and lovingly restored. I think I spent 150.00 on the camera, stand and a an 8x10 and 4x5 reducing back. I definitely spent more on the restoration! Using that camera was virtually a zen experience.
Posted by: RayC | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:28 PM
Canon EOS D60 (Yes, D60; not 60D, although I have one of those now).
I've since had a number of cameras that were better but this was my first DSLR and as a long-term 35mm SLR user it was the camera that first seemed to deliver fully on what digital photography had seemed to be promising me.
Posted by: Tom Burke | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:32 PM
Nikon D7000
Posted by: Frank | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:46 PM
Nikon D700
Posted by: Antonis | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:49 PM
I had no idea this would be so difficult. I started with the Canon Powershot G3 in late 2003. I sold my wonderful companion (the BEST camera I have ever owned), a Nikon F3-HP, to pay for it. An decent intro to digital for a 4Mp camera. Then I jumped into the DSLR world and bought a Nikon D70. I liked it a lot! But, that wasn’t enough so it was time to upgrade to a D80 ... really loved it ... I still have it, haven't touched it in years though.
In 2008 I thought the D300 would suffice as an upgrade. Fantastic in it’s own way, a bit heavy but it felt like a serious DSLR. Then I got the M43 bug and plunged into the Olympus EPL1. Meh, was ok but didn't feel right. So, I decided to up the ante to the EP-2 ... I fell in love with the look and feel ... didn't care much for the slow AF, but it feels like a real camera. Then the OMD E5 was announced and I picked one up (black) along with the great, but terribly noisy Panasonic/Leica 25 f1.4 and the 45mm f1.8. I really, really like this camera … but have yet to say that it’s my greatest love. The image quality is superb ... the steady-cam like video is beyond my wildest dreams.
So, drumroll, I bought the Fuji X100S two weeks ago to see if it was what I 'needed'. Nice camera ... love the OVF as a rangefinder, the MF control. But, in the end I decided the $1200 was bit steep for what it is … a bit of buyer’s remorse I suppose. So I returned on the weekend.
Where am I going with this? I haven’t quite found 'the one' for me yet. Not sure if I ever will … also, I’m a lifetime bachelor … is there a parallel in all of this?
Posted by: Darren Gust | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:54 PM
Panasonic GF-1
Posted by: Yuda | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:57 PM
Fuji 2800Z
My first digicam. A whopping 2 MP. Adjustable WB and EV (exposure compensation). And that was all, except for the zoom lens.
Fell in love with photography with her. Sadly, she is gone forever.
Posted by: Gingerbaker | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 01:59 PM
D7000.
Posted by: Rob | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 02:05 PM
Pentax K20D
Sarge has a lot of work!
Posted by: Another Phil | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 02:14 PM
Have to be the Nikon D700. This thing was revolutionary to me -- huge improvements in high ISO and autofocus. Nikon put all the goodness (all the features I care much about) of their top-of-the-line D3 into a much cheaper body, and added two important features not in the D3 (built-in flash that can be a CLS commander, and sensor cleaning). (The main feature I remember being left out is 100% viewfinder, which is not important to me since cropping is important.)
Posted by: David Dyer-Bennet | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 02:22 PM
Pentax *istD & the 31/1.8 lens.
The *istD is, in some respects, dated now. Working around the annoyances intriguingly improved my photography, & made it a passion.
Posted by: Thingo | Monday, 17 March 2014 at 02:29 PM