In Britain there’s a popular BBC radio show called “Desert Island Discs“. Each week a celebrity or public figure has to choose their eight favourite tracks, and explain why they’ve chosen each one. The result is invariably an interesting autobiographical ramble, and you can learn a surprising amount about someone from their choice of tracks.
But can you do the same for cameras? Choosing eight cameras would be too easy. To make it more interesting, what would be your one desert island film camera? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because, ever since I’ve started shooting film, I’ve enjoyed trying out different formats, different types of camera and different sorts of film. But I can’t carry all of them everywhere with me (though I do sometimes try). So I’ve been asking myself: given that it’s only really practical to take one film camera around with me, which one should it be? Which is really a way of asking a much deeper question: what is it that I like about film, and which single camera most perfectly encapsulates it for me?
Since I started to shoot film just over a year ago, I have tried several cameras. I began by borrowing my husband’s Rolleiflex 3.5F. It really is a thing of beauty, and it was a great way to start. Its square format and reversed viewfinder made me look at the world in a new way. Literally. But it’s more than a little bulky and isn’t really a camera to capture those everyday scenes with the kids (especially when everything is back to front). By the time I’d taken the tripod out, metered and focused, the kids had often wandered off to do other things.
Then I bought a Contax 645. What an amazing camera! I mean seriously gorgeous in every way. I often find myself looking through the pictures I have taken with it over and over. Like the Rollei it produces pin-sharp medium-format images, but it’s easier to use, like a big SLR, and has a stunning f/2 Zeiss lens. It’s more than a little bulky, however. What I realised I wanted was a camera I could take everywhere with me alongside my Nikon D800, my trusty digital workhorse.
So I dug out my dad’s old Canon AE-1, replacing the battery and buying a new 50mm f/1.8 lens for it. There was something very satisfying about winding on the film, I have to admit. But the shutter-priority system drove me insane and the viewfinder is dim compared with the Contax, so I struggled to get things in focus.
But I loved the 35mm format. So I spent a long time researching 35mm cameras and their accompanying lenses. I mean weeks and months, looking at cameras and all their details. Finally, I discovered what seemed to be the right solution for me: the Contax Aria, a 35mm Contax model, paired with a Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 lens.
At last I have a film camera I can take everywhere with me. It’s not too big and heavy and seems less serious than the 645. The viewfinder is bright, making it easy to focus. It’s not medium format, but the Zeiss lens is as sharp as you can get on a 35mm camera. We have become inseparable. Of course, I still use my Contax 645 in more formal situations or for particular subjects. I have my collection of Polaroid cameras, and I’ve just ordered a Polaroid Land Model 250 that takes pack film because you can never have too many cameras, right? But the Aria is my desert island camera, the one I would choose if I were marooned somewhere (presumably, an island with a fridge and an infinite stock of film).
Even if you don’t end up buying a new camera, asking yourself the same question is an interesting way to examine your own motivations. In my case, I realised that I wanted to be able to shoot film everywhere, and that portability was more important to me than the sharpness of medium format. Just like the choice of tracks with Desert Island Discs, being forced to make a choice can help you get closer to the essence of the personal vision that drives you as a photographer. Which of your cameras would be the one you would choose to take to a desert island? Whether it’s a film or a digital camera, I’d love to read your choice in the comments.
can’t i just take all of them???
Ha ha! All 16?!?
How to choose, how to choose..!
But I think if I HAD to make such a brutal choice, I would say, for many of the same reasons as you, my 35mm Minolta, even as much as I love my medium format and Polaroid cameras 🙂
I know! Difficult choice, no? But good to think it through.
My Nikon F100 for very similar reasons to yours. I find that when I carry too many cameras with me, I tend not to get the right image on the right camera & so I purposely carry less to make better decisions when I’m out shooting. And more and more I find myself choosing the f100 as the only, or primary camera I bring with me.
Since it takes all of my digital lenses, there’s still a variable to play with beyond film. I would love the chance to shoot with some Zeiss glass, though :-).
You are so good to choose just one camera to take with you. I am in awe.
I loved this, Kirstin, though just thinking about it raises my anxiety level! Since square is my thing, not to mention that I have yet to make real friends with my 35mm film camera, I suppose it would have to be the Polaroid 680SLR. That said, I am toying with a Hassy purchase so one never knows what the future brings 🙂
That is such exciting news, Debra! And I love that you love squares.
I loved my Minolta X-700 so much. I still dig it out from time to time.
Great post!
Thank you! It’s always good to dig out those older cameras!
Fantastic post, Kirstin! I think a 35mm film camera with a 50mm lens is the way to go, but which one? If it’s pulling from my current gear it would be the Pentax K1000, which was my first SLR camera. I’ve been thinking about adding a Contax T2 and a Nikon F100 to my bag, different cameras though. I like the sound of the Contax Aria especially with a Zeiss lens!
Yes, the 50mm lens on a 35mm camera is a really good combination. And Zeiss lens is always worth investing in! I love that you would choose your first SLR. Brilliant.
Fun post, Kirstin! Since I’m new to this photography addiction, I only own three cameras – a Canon 450D and two Polaroids. The Polaroids are like wild children to me, I never know what they’ll (I’ll) come up with….so, I would definitely choose my digital camera for this island venture. Can I bring all my lenses? 🙂
You can definitely bring all your lenses. We will need to tame those polaroids for future adventures!
This is just like asking me who’s my favorite child 🙂
Right now I like my EOS 3 because it is film but I can use all of my lenses
I know what you mean! But I love that you have chosen one which will allow you to use all your lenses.
Love this post my friend! Am I the only one considering taking my iPhone? 🙂
You are wonderful, Christy! I would definitely smuggle my iPhone onto the island too, hoping no one would notice!
the iphone could totally be a runner up for me- get your solar charger out and your good to go.
well I’d have to cheat and bring the iphone to meter when i use the lensbaby 🙂
Great post Kirstin. I love the sound of the Contax Aria. For me, it would be a choice between my Lomo LCA, a great little easy to use compact 35mm, which produces some wonderful images with black and white film or, if I could be confident of its results, my SX-70!
Oooo, what a choice to make Debby! Given that you have infinite film in that fridge on that island I would go with the sx-70 as you are such a good team!
what a difficult question to answer. I love all of my cameras for different reasons and for different occasions. I think I might have to choose my Polaroid 103 would have to be my choice. I am having a small love affair with it right now.
(so long as that fridge that Debby mentioned above is stocked with film forever and ever, amen).
I love that Polaroid 103 of yours! You work magic with it! Good choice.
Great question! That would be a tough call. I do take my Canon 1N every where. It is light, easy to use and I love the results.
I love the results too, Staci! Your desert island pictures would be amazing, for sure.
We have that radio show here too and I love it! What a cool concept 🙂 I have no idea what I’d take…Gotta dive deeper into my Mom’s minolta that I inherited. I would love to get an old Pentax like I learned on…lightweight, accurate and easy to use. But there are so many other cameras for me to try first to make the decision! I’ve never shot medium format, so I’d love to play with that someday soon.
You would take such wonderful medium format photos, Holly. I hope that get to play with a camera soon. It’s always try first before making your final desert island decision!
I don’t think I’ve found my desert island film camera yet. I have a lot of cameras, and I keep coming back to my Nikon F. I love the weight and the feel and the barebones simplicity of it, and I love the photos I take with it. It’s only drawback for me (and the island), is that it doesn’t have a meter, and the hand-me-down meters I have don’t cut it, so I have to bring my digital too. I’m debating whether to splurge on a new meter or maybe get an F100, instead. Short answer to your question: I don’t know.
Such a good answer, Deirdre. I can’t wait to see the results either way!
I love my Canon A-1 but then again I would have trouble leaving behind my SX-70. Of course what you have done is make me yearn for a medium format. I’ve never really got the hang of down-sizing.
Lynn
Yes, medium format is the business. I am rubbish at downsizing too, which is why I need to think about my desert island more before my back gives up on me!
Still thinking!!! xxxooo
Good for you, Linda! x
To a desert island I would take the Leica M3 and a 5cm. Summicrom . No need for batteries!
Leica M3 plus Summicron 5 cm.
No need for batteries.