My Old Cameras

My First high end SLR - Fujica ST605N (1978)

Tomorrow the kids and I are off to Costa Rica, and I got a new camera for the trip.  My waterproof camera with the practically full sized sensor that I have been loving so much for the past year got a crack in its waterproof case.  So I had to send it off to get repaired.

In the meantime I needed a small 'travel' camera that still has a big sensor.  Something a little more than a 'point and shoot' (and an iPhone), and something a little less than than my big SLR with all the extra lenses. Since I will be getting back my waterproof Leica camera and still have my old Olympus Tough waterproof cameras I decided not to get another water proof camera.  I also wanted something with a little bit of a zoom lens.  I ended up choosing the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II.  And I think I like it!

Anyway, getting a new camera got me thinking about all my old cameras.  I made a list of all the cameras I have ever owned.  It made me realize that cameras used to get obsolete a lot less quickly than they do these days!  I used my old Pentax K1000 for almost 25 years.

Film (5 cameras in 30 years)

Kodak Instamatic (Mid 1970s)
Fujica ST605N (1978-1980)
Pentax K1000 (1980-2004)
Olympus Stylus (2) (1992-2000; 2000-2006)

Digital (11 cameras in 12 years!)

Pentax Optio (3) WP10, 60, 80 (2006-2012)
Canon Powershot G9 (2008-2012)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II (2010-present)
Canon G1X (2012-2017)
Olympus Tough (3) TG1, TG2, TG3 (2012-present)
Leica X-U (2017-present)
Panasonic Lumix LX100 II (Newest camera)

I did not use 2 cameras until the 1990s when I got a point-and-shoot Olympus Stylus.  It was small with a fixed 35 lens and I always had it in my pocket.  But I still used the K1000 for when I needed 'a better camera'.  Funnily enough once I got into digital I only used a waterproof point and shoot for quite a long while (the Pentax Optio).  That is until I got my first mid range camera - the Canon G9.  That camera fills the same niche as my newest Panasonic Lumix.  These days the lower end digital point and shoots are pretty much obsolete because phones can do a better job.

I did get a high end digital SLR - The Canon EOS 5D - but it has always been too heavy to carry around, and has always been mostly used close to home.  It is still not obsolete but I doubt I will ever get another big SLR - they are just too big and fragile.  I actually think the waterproof and shockproof Leica with a fixed lens that is in the shop is about the perfect camera for me.

The bottom 4 photos are all taken with my new Lumix.  It takes excellent close ups and takes pictures that seem pretty sharp and colorful.  I will admit that after the practically manual controls of my Leica it is a little confusing to have so many screens and options.  But it does have nice dials that allow me to use it like a manual camera.

It'll get a workout in Costa Rica!
Patrick

Me and my Pentax K1000 - Karluk 1985

Incised pebble - this is a serious close up!