My Photography Gear

My Photography Gear
From left to right: Yashica Electro 35 GS, Fujifilm X-T1 (Meike 25mm f/1.8), Fujifilm X-T30 II (Fuji 27mm f/2.8), Fujifilm X-Pro 3 (Fuji 35mm f/2)

I have a lot of gear for photography gear, some might say too much. This is by no means a comprehensive list, and I'll try to keep it up to date, but this will mostly be what gear I'm using at the moment, what I use it for, and maybe a bit about why I like or dislike it. By no means a review or an advertisement for any of it, as most of it has come my way mostly by accident.

Fujifilm X-H2S

My workhorse for digital photography and video work. I was never a big fan of PASM dial cameras. I grew up with my dad's Nikon FM2 (which I now own and love) and still enjoy traditional dials, but having controls at my fingertips with command dials is pretty convenient. Using this camera makes me wonder how shooters on other mirrorless systems cope with the lack of aperture rings, because most cameras don't have three easily accessible dials. Anyway this camera is great for working events and shooting video, I have never and likely will never use it for personal work because it doesn't bring the same joy as some of my other cameras. Very very functional though!

Fujifilm X-Pro 3

Now THIS is a fun camera to use. A beautiful sensor, for shooting raw or Fuji's wonderful film simulations. The combination optical/electronic viewfinder is very nice and I enjoy the flip down screen for waist level shooting. If you're a person who can't help but "chimp" just turn off the automatic preview setting and get some self control, don't buy this camera just for that. It's a really nice piece of kit though, originally purchased because I wanted a weather sealed body for a trip to England, and it quickly became my favorite camera for casual shooting with Fuji's wide range of compact primes.

Fujifilm X-T1

I don't use this camera as much, because many of the controls are stuck and the older software doesn't allow as much customization of functions as newer Fuji cameras. Also, the eyecup tore off ages ago and the port doors are long gone, so any weather sealing it once had is no more. It takes beautiful photos, and for both sentimental reasons (it was given to me by my dad) and because it's damaged enough to not be worth much, I keep it around despite not using it much.

Fujifilm X-T30 II

I don't know if I will ever see this camera again. I loaned it to a long distance girlfriend only a few weeks before we broke up. I haven't seen her in over a year and while she has promised to send it back to me, I'm unsure if that will happen. It's a fine camera, similar specs to the X-Pro 3 and it served me well while I had it. Hopefully I get it back one day as it has and would again be a great B-cam and loaner for friends.

X-mount Lenses

I have a variety of lenses for the Fuji system, not going to go into detail about them all but here's a list :)

  • Fujifilm 35mm F/2
  • Fujifilm 35mm F/1.4 (version 1)
  • Fujifilm 14mm F/2.8
  • Fujifilm 70-300mm F/4-5.6
  • Fujifilm 27mm F/2.8 (both versions)
  • Fujifilm 56mm F/1.2
  • Viltrox 23mm F/1.4
  • 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro (version 2, for scanning film)
  • Sirui 16mm T1.2
  • TTArtisans 7.5mm f/2 Fisheye

Nikon FM2n

This was the only film camera my dad kept from his photography business. A lot has been said about this camera, and it remains a great choice if you want a manual SLR operable without batteries save for the light meter.

Nikon N8008s

I bought this camera because the model name spells "boobs", and it turns out to be one of the best camera purchases I've ever made. I hesitate to praise this camera online, as currently these can be had for <$50 in near-perfect condition. They're fully electronic and that means they'll fail eventually, but when they're working the metering and autofocus is better than probably anything else for the price. This was the mid range offering sold alongside the F4 in the late 1980s. Because they're so cheap I own a few just in case one dies, because I often use the N8008s with a Nikon speedlight (compatible models have an autofocus light to assist in dim lighting) to shoot concerts on film.

F-mount Lenses

I have a bunch, some are pretty mediocre "kit" zooms from my dad but there are a few I actually use with any frequency

  • Nikon 50mm f/1.4 (AF D)
  • Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 (AF)
  • Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-S
  • Nikon 100mm f/2.8 AI-S
  • Helios 50mm f/2

Ricoh GR1v

What a beautiful point and shoot this is. Not only is 28mm the ideal focal length (in my opinion) for a point and shoot camera, but this f/2.8 lens by Ricoh is incredible. There are quite a few cameras with that lens, including the rest of the GR1 line as well as the much less expensive GR10. The main reason for the GR1v in particular was the ability to set a custom ISO, something very few point and shoot cameras have but which is very useful for shooting a variety of films lacking a DX code. Ricoh's whole GR line is one of most compact 35mm cameras ever made, and the smallest I've ever seen. This makes it the ultimate form factor of point and shoot in my eyes, and is one of the only to fit in an actual pants pocket for me. Unfortunately the LCD is dying, fortunately a Taiwanese man named Bo still repairs the LCDs on these old Ricoh cameras for between $70 and $250 (depending on which parts in particular are broken). If you have a GR camera with a broken LCD, send Bo an email at [email protected]

Fuji DL-200

This was the camera that started my journey back into film. While I had my dad's FM2 at the time, I wasn't confident in using it and wanted something smaller to carry around. I originally picked it for it's slightly wider than 35mm lens, fast f/2.8 aperture, and it's cool styling. All the cameras in the Fuji DL line look very nice, but this one in particular spoke to me. Unfortunately it has a flaw, which is a soldered-in battery. It was possible to replace by snipping off the battery leads and jamming in a new battery with some tactfully placed foil to make the needed connections. After that it shot very well, and I've successfully replaced the battery a second time, but I dread doing it again. The second version of the camera (sold as the Fuji DL-200 II OR the Fuji Cardia Date) has a user-replaceable battery but is otherwise the same, so I've been on the lookout for one of those. This remains one of my favorite point and shoots, partly because it holds such a special place in my heart and has taken some of my favorite photos.

Olympus Mju (the original version)

My girlfriend at the time bought me this camera when I visited her in Brooklyn. I had given her a Yashica Electro 35 as a late Chanukah gift, and she wanted to get me something in return. In fact, she got one for herself as well and we spent the rest of my visit shooting our way around New York together. It's a lovely little camera with a very sharp 35mm f/3.5 lens. Many people prefer (or so the prices would suggest) the second generation of this camera which "upgrades" the lens to f/2.8. I haven't used the Mju ii, but I can't image the 2/3 stop brighter aperture is worth at least twice the price. At the end of the day it's a point and shoot camera, and both are probably going for more than one should pay for such old electronics, but it takes nice photos and has served me well through many years and rolls of film now. I will probably replace it when it dies, maybe even check out the Mju ii if prices have settled, but until then it works well as a secondary compact and warms my heart with fond memories of friend and former lover who bought it for me.

Bronica SQ-A

I wanted a medium format camera so bad, and I shopped it for a while. I knew I was interested in the classic square format, and considered a lot of options before making a decision. I ended up with the SQ-A after finding an eBay listing for the camera with extra film backs, multiple lenses, prism and waist-level finders, and other accessories all in a nice hard-shell case. It's a great alternative to the Hasselblad 500 with similar specs and lenses available, just slightly bigger and heavier and commanding a much lower premium. I have the 80mm F/2.8, the 50mm f/3.5, and the 150mm f/3.5 for the system. I've primarily used the 80mm which surprised me with my general affinity for 28mm (to which 50mm would be equivalent). I've been thinking lately about selling it, would send it to a good home for a fair price, we'll see.

Fuji GS645

The Bronica got me into medium format, and this camera got me to fall in love with it. I really love the design of these old Fujica cameras, much like their 35mm point and shoots, and this folding design is not only fun but makes it an incredibly portable medium format camera. It's the first rangefinder I've used that I actually enjoyed and it's been a great camera for portraits of friends and taking slightly more intentional photos around town. They're somewhat temperamental cameras, requiring the right conditions to be met before being folded, but if you treat them well the 75mm f/3.5 lens has beautiful rendering.

Panasonic LX10

I wanted a versatile digital point and shoot, and unfortunately while this is a very capable little camera I am affirmed in my opinion on what a point and shoot camera should be. I find myself wishing it were more compact (it should be, given it's 1" type sensor) and had a 28mm equivalent prime lens. My ideal really is either the Ricoh GR line (should be no surprise given the film camera I carry with me daily) or the Fuji X70. I really wish they would update the X70, or prices on any of those similar cameras would go down. It's ridiculous. Wish I had more to say about the Panasonic. I used it for one professional shoot and it wasn't great, but did kind of okay. I have it loaned to a friend right now and I think it will serve me well as a loaner camera which I use on occasion, or maybe a gift one day.

Canon VI-T

Wanting to get a 35mm rangefinder after the GS645, and I was interested in M39 lenses as there are a lot of great options. The Canon VI in particular appealed to me due in part to the price compared to something from Leica, but also the switchable magnification viewfinder. As for choosing the "T" model vs "L" was mostly curiosity. I hadn't seen a trigger advance camera before, and very few models were available, and now I understand why. If you aren't shooting rapid-fire as a journalist or sports photographer, it becomes really inconvenient. As a novelty piece it's nice, but I will likely replace it with a lever or knob advance camera at some point. Currently I only have the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, but I plan to get one or both of the Ricoh M39 lenses, probably along with a different camera.