I should start by breaking down what I mean when I say “desert island’ film camera. This term is one I am borrowing but the film community knows what it means already. For everyone else its the only camera you would bring if stranded on a magical desert island. The only magic the island offers though is unlimited film, and a lab to bring the negatives to life. As of today, I currently own 3 main film cameras with several point and shoots as well but for reference I will make a short list below of what I have had so we know my opinion comes from years of other options.

Pentax 645m, Mamiya 645 AF, Fuji GW690ii ( i regret this one leaving ), Hasselblad 5o0c, & MamiyaFlex TLR as far as medium format cameras go.

Leica M6 TTL, Leica M3, Nikon F3 ( my favorite 35mm yet ), Contax G1, Minolta Dynax5, Minolta Xe7, and the point and shoot collection.

So my current medium format options are both 6x6 format cameras meaning that they shoot square images. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but have since fell madly in love with the square crop. Plus they are just beautiful machines to catch light. No batteries, no meters, and no bullshit.

I mean just look at them. Makes me smile every time I pick them up, use them, hear the shutter slap ( talking Hassy here ) and the results! So fulfilling. I do love my choice of 35mm camera as well. Not ever really being a Nikon guy, when I stumbled across a 35mm camera that offered a built in meter, Aperture priority mode, and a removable viewfinder creating a mini waste level finder, well I had to try it. I have never considered selling it and that is saying something if you know me at all. It will be with me forever. Does this mean I have made a decision then?

Well since the mystic island provides the sweet nectar that is film itself, I would be remiss to skip out on the higher image quality that medium format offers so between my 2 beloved options on hand, I would reach for the Hasselblad 500c. I mean its gorgeous, NASA took a Hassy to the moon, and Platon still uses one to photograph some of the most influential people on the planet.

I mean look at those! This camera was first release in 1953 and in production until 1970 so at the very least its 52 years old or it could be between 52 and 69. That breaks my brain a little.

As far as my wish list cameras go- I can only think of 4 that have my attention at the moment.

Pentax 67ii, Mamiya7, Leica m7, and Fujifilm GA645

Now its your turn.. what would you take with you to this island? It can be digital if you must. :)

What camera are you eyeing for 2022?

As a constant victim of “GAS” I am always curious about the newest, latest, and greatest equipment coming out in the world of photography / videography. Im a nerd about cameras, formats and options. As we all know there is no such thing as a perfect camera. There are some closer than others, but that opinion can be found dissected, discussed, and dismissed on any photo forum on the World Wide Web. It’s the old Canon vs Nikon situation basically, but as we are now in a new year the competition is much closer than times past. I find this both interesting and boring at the same time. Every camera produced by the major players, is a work of art in itself and therefore we are only limited to our skill, creativity, time allotment, and efforts. If you consider yourself a professional but cant use any camera on the market to create something wonderful then are you really a professional? I completely agree that some ergonomics are better than others ( Im looking at you Sony and your baby sized grips ) and then there is the camera that you started with that you invested time, money, and yourself to learn and use. So much to the point of maybe never even looking at the other brands. You simply keep your head down and do the work. I love that though. This is a monumental reason I adore shooting film so much. Its the polar opposite of what I do for work, and it puts me in a much different space to create. I have shot almost all the brands, and multiple bodies from each. The only brand I have never shot are Hasselblad's. So what’s the point and why am I still reading this? Because your like me perhaps. Maybe you found it by accident but your invested now and your like “ Get to the point already jerk”- I heard that and it hurts LOL but in all seriousness I have never been so confident in my work, and the equipment I have and will use in the future. Sometimes a new piece of equipment , regardless of who's label is on it, will undoubtedly grab my attention but thats part of the fun or it is for me at least.

So I gotta know, what do you shoot now and what are you wanting to add to your collection this calendar year? Lastly I want to know the WHY behind it. You can have more than one answer.

For me I am hoping to add more lenses above more cameras but there are a few cameras that have my attention. All mostly film and all are medium format. I am trying to decide between a few because as much as I love having and trying new things, I don't collect them. This was a lesson I have learned as I get older. I am not a collector of things, I am a user. If I buy a camera, I am very pleased with “user” condition because I don't have to worry about the camera so much and can focus clearer. I have always dreamed of owing a Leica, and in the last year and a half, I have owned 3. My first was an M2, followed by a digital m240, and then to the camera I have dreamed of owning since starting into shooting film- my beautiful M6 TTL. It is a work of art, which sadly makes me afraid to scratch it, or carry it as often as I should. This is why I have decided its time to let it go to someone less anxious about getting it dirty, and have recently added a Nikon F3 to my arsenal to be my one and only 35mm camera. My daily carry and I FREAKING LOVE IT ALREADY. It gets out of my way and lets me consider my composition, timing, and lighting much much faster.

Ok so the list of film cameras on my radar are below in no particular order for anyone wondering where the Hell I'm going with this post.

*Hasselblad 500cm

( CLICK ON ANY CAMERA ABOVE TO CHECK THEM OUT AND BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THESE SITES- THEY ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RESOURCES FOR ALL THINGS FILM )

That’s it, a few 6x6 options and 2 point and shoot medium format 645 options for EDC. I wont have them all but this is where my thoughts are these days.

The only digital option I might consider would be the new Canon EOSR 3 or maybe something medium format from Fujifilm as I have always been curious to try one.

Alright, that’s it. We made it and this is my first post for 2022. If you want to hear from me more often like this, just let me know. I only write to clear my head often which leaves this page collecting dust more often than not. Thanks for being awesome!

Desert Island Film Camera- and wish list

New Year, New Gear??

Search Posts