I’ve been wanting to start a blog about my photography experiments with digital and 35mm film for quite some time. The new year has already begun, and it feels like the perfect opportunity to embark on this new venture.

The goal of this blog isn’t clear, but I’m thinking of providing a clear space for photography. I plan to share stories, photographs, and books that I am currently experimenting with.

Let’s start talking about the cameras I have. It’s not a review, and I may do this in the future, but it’s just a quick impression about my cameras. But before that, a quick note about equipment and gears!

Gears don’t matter

If you’re waiting to buy the latest camera to start your photography journey, you must rethink your approach. The practice matters more than the gear. Period!

Dmitry Markov, for example, an incredible photographer who passed away too soon, has photographed contemporary Russia using only the iPhone 6, yes, an iPhone 6 with an 8MP camera. His Instagram has over 850k followers, showcasing a vast body of work, a consistent style, washed colors, and excellent compositions.

Grab whatever you have and start experiencing the world.

📸

The legend Nikon F3 HP

As many of you photographers may know, the Nikon F3 HP is a legend and the best 35mm film camera that Nikon has ever produced, as many purists like to say.

Aside from the annoying flash shoe, this camera is nearly perfect. It’s beautiful, reliable, and you can find excellent equipment like sharp lenses everywhere.

The tiny and lovely Voigtlander Bessa R3m

Lightweight, tiny, and lovely for street photography. The Bessa R3m (or the R4m) is the cheapest option if you want a closer experience to Leica M cameras. It uses the M mount, which means all Leica M lenses can be mounted here.

Fully mechanical, great build quality, and easy to carry. I’m still getting used to the rangefinder, but this is my go-to camera for any occasion.

The ergonomic Leica R8

One of the most technologically advanced 35mm film cameras that Leica has ever produced. On my hands, it just feels right. Everything is organized properly, and all the dials are easy to use and adjust.

Built like a tank, this is a very heavy camera. Especially when you mount the R lenses, which are bigger than the M ones. Caring around could be tiring, but it’s worth it.

The trustful Fujifilm X-T3

I’ve been using Fujifilm for quite a while now, since my first digital camera, the X-M1, more than 10 years ago. Back in the days, Fujifilm was just starting with mirrorless cameras, and I was an early adopter. Quite a risky move, but I’m glad that I was right.

Now, after ten years, I have many different lenses and great photos with them. This is my safe and trusted gear that I know all about. It feels like home.

What about the lenses?

This is the topic for the next post and the first experiment that I would like to share…