Why use older mechanical cameras?

Photographers are equipment lovers, connoisseurs of mechanical minutiae, aficionados of quality lenses, appreciators of fine design. Some cameras and lenses simply "speak to us": something visceral happens when we hold them and use them.

I personally think this visceral hit occurs more often with older cameras. There is something in the heft and feel of older, mechanical cameras that is missing from many of the newer polycarbonate models. Some of these new cameras are superb instruments, to be sure, and are just what the professional needs, but they don't bring the same aesthetic to the table. Call it "design as art form" or even "form follows function", many older cameras are beautiful machines you can enjoy and savor over and over again. Some are not so beautiful, but have a scruffy personality that makes them endearing. And they still take good pictures. And they're cheap (Leicas being a notable exception). So in addition to being a literal description, "Old Beater" is also a term of affection and endearment. If the term bothers you, you can use the more upscale term "Heritage Camera", but "Old Beater" suits me fine.

So, hats off to the fine cameras of yesteryear! Keep 'em snapping and keep 'em alive! Salut!

Nokton Classic MC 40mm F1.4

TST Pier

VM APO-Lanthar 3.5/90

Nokton x BMW

VM Nokton 1.4/40

Star Ferry Ride

Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 4.5/15

Voigtlander Heliar 4.5/15

Super Wide Heliar 15mm F4.5

New Carl Zeiss ZM lens for digital rangefinders.

Zeiss ZM 4/18mm


Zeiss ZM 4,5/21mm

12th November 2006, Carl Zeiss will be two additional ZM mount lenses: (1) C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM; and (2) Distagon T* 4/18 ZM.

Release date for these lenses are unclear, and should perhaps be available in 2007 April.

More about C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM, & Distagon T* 4/18 ZM:-
These two lenses have much smaller apertures, and are obviously designed for digital rangefinders, namely the Leica M8, and Epson R-D1, R-D1s. Digital rangefinders can produce images with lower noise at higher ISO, thus these two lenses will be perfect even if it is less bright. With a focal mul

Previously Zeiss had released a ZM 2.8/18mm. It was made in Germany and carried a price tag of at least US$2,500 (to be exact, Japanese Yen 350,000). Awesome lens but it costs too much. The new less bright 4/18mm will certainly be more affordable.

Manfred

Star Ferry Pier