My Cameras
2024 Sony A7CR
I finally gave up my beloved Leica Q2 and replaced it with a Sony A7CR as my primary camera. The A7CR is a medium compact mirror-less digital camera with a 60-megapixel full-frame sensor that captures richly detailed still pictures.
I chose the A7CR for its ability to change lenses and a rear articulating screen, which is lacking in the Leica Q2. It has the best auto-focus and subject tracking in the business. I typically use a 40mm f/2.5 or a 24mm f/2.5 for a wider perspective.
1995 Leica Mini Lux
1972 Nikon F2A Photomic
1968 Yashica Mat 124
The Leica Minilux is a titanium-clad point-and-shoot camera produced by Leica beginning in 1995. It uses 35mm film and is equipped with Leica's Summarit 40mm f/2.4 lens, which is very sharp for its size.
This is a fun camera to use. It fits in a pocket and looks like a cheap tourist camera, which is perfect for quick and candid street images. I usually carry this camera daily.
The various versions of the Nikon F2 were the world's top professional 35mm film SLRs from 1971 through 1980, and, according to some people, the top 35mm SLR of all time. Nikon F2 was the king of newspaper and magazine photography of the 1970s. Its development was fueled in part by cameras developed for NASA's Apollo and SkyLab missions.
The Nikon F2 is an extraordinarily well-made all-mechanical SLR. It's a tank compared to modern mirrorless cameras' lightweight designs. The F2 system includes numerous manual focus lenses, various interchangeable finders, focus screens, 250 exposure backs, and motor drives. The F2 maintains a cult status with professional and amateur film photographers.
The Yashica Mat-124 was produced between 1968 and 1970. It is a twin-lens reflex producing a 6x6 square negative. Designed as a Rolleiflex copy, the Mat-124 features a four-element, 80mm f/3.5 lens set of the better "Yashinon" variety, shutter speeds from 1-second to 1/500th, an aperture range of f/3.5 - f/32, a bright ground-glass viewfinder, an auto-stop film advance, and ergonomic aperture/shutter controls.
I purchased mine used and unworking. I had it fully restored to factory specification. It is a fun camera but heavy compared to modern compact digital cameras. It never fails to attract a few comments. Using it gives me a Vivan Maier vibe.