Photography -- Cameras -- G.O.A.T.

[George McGovern]

What in blazes does photography have to do with goats? Ah—
Greatest Of All Time.

What camera do you consider to be the best ever made?

For instance: A buddy bought a Nikon D500 as soon as it came out. google revealed "The D500 began shipping in March 2016 for a suggested retail price of US-$1999.95, body only. A kit was also available, including a AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens for US-$3,069.95. Today you can get one from B&H with minor surface marks, shutter count 4,600 for $949.95. My buddy's is still going strong.

https://petapixel.com/2023/09/30/cameras-that-changed-photography-forever/

[Shellback Squid]

1. I'll take my FM but looking for a Leica too

I need to move to digital but I still like manual processing b&w with my nikkor reels and my omega enlarger

[George McGovern]

3. Hello Shellback Squid. Long time ago I completed a

community college course in darkroom technique. Loved it. Went on to digital with a Nikon D70. Never have looked back.

Sounds as if you have background in photography. Knowledge of manual operation with cameras. My gosh, think what you could do with a Leica.
I appreciate your participation!

[mike_c]

2. I'm with your buddy

The D500 is the best camera **I have ever used.** I often read that the D850 is the best DSLR ever made, but I've never experienced it. Of course I've never even laid eyes on some of the uber expensive medium format digital cameras that cost north of $15k+.

[George McGovern]

4. LOLOL! I haven't either mike. Looked at uber expensive medium format nor much more expensive digital cameras, that is.

I tried out my friend's D500 once and it was quite an experience. Had someone come and laid down a couple grand just for the asking I'd no
doubt be shooting one still. Thanks!

[Walleye]

5. Mine was a Leica M4 that I bought in early 1970s

Started my journalism career with Tri-x loading stainless steel reels, made my living in the dark room for years. I don’t miss it at all. The paper
I was working at went digital in 2000. I’m trying to remember but I think the Leica cost around $350 I also had a 35 mm F2, and a 21 mm F4 and a 90 mm F4. I loved shooting with that camera

[George McGovern]

6. What an experience Walleye, dark room ordeals notwithstanding. I cannot imagine what shooting a Leica would be like.

That you loved shooting with it, however, says it all. With you in mind I googled famous Leica users and came up with an article by Ken Rockwell.

Cartier-Bresson and the LEICA

Photographic icon Henri Cartier-Bresson was known for using only one camera, a Leica rangefinder, and one lens, a 50mm, for almost all of his life's work.

Photographers have always realized that this allowed him to focus his attention so that he always knew exactly what would be in his frame without needing a viewfinder. He could walk the streets, draw his camera up to his eye and shoot, all in one smooth, unobtrusive motion.

After many decades of thinking Cartier-Bresson shot with just one lens because it let him shoot faster and smoother,
I realized that Cartier-Bresson was, duh, a journalist. Journalists don't get paid anything. They aren't the rich hobbyists who buy Leicas, romanticize about the fascination and unique "Leica look," which is how the cameras look sitting in their glass display cases and Danish Royal Wedding presentation boxes.

Cartier-Bresson obviously went to a Parisian camera store, and bought his Leica and lens after much saving and scrimping.

He liked it, and when he went back to get another lens, found out the price, shouted "Merde!" and promptly walked out. Cartier-Bresson never again returned to a camera store.

That's why he only shot with one lens his whole career: it's all he could afford.

Why then did he shoot what seems like such an expensive camera? Cartier-Bresson started shooting in the 1930s, at which time Contax was the good camera, and most serious impromptu photojournalists (all three of them back then) had to settle for Leica instead. Nikons and Canons hadn't been invented.

When Cartier-Bresson walked into that camera store in the 1930s, a Leica was all what most people who had to work for a living could afford, if anything. Cartier-Bresson was a just a journalist, although he is now an icon. For all I know, his portrait may already grace the 100 Euro note.

[Walleye]

7. Thank you, Yep he was my hero. My first camera was Leica M2.

With a 50 mm lens and I remember spending $200 for that. Thanks for the article

[George McGovern]

8. You are welcome Walleye. These are a few of Cartier-Bresson's collection that I like a lot.

Henri Cartier-Bresson himself