Learning the gear and finding the one...

 So far this quest has been slow thanks to the flu bug that really has hit hard this time around.

Here's where I am at on the quest.

The Mint designed and manufactured cameras have been great.
However, because the wide is a rangefinder style, my minimum focal distance is about 3'.  Ok for some stuff but the power of the image sometimes requires you to get close.  This reminds me of all the Leica rangefinders I use to shoot.  Love a majority of it but not being able to get close is a pain.

The TLR gives me that style of photography which is in itself a lot of fun.  I can get really close but only after clipping on a macro lens.  Almost like the Rangefinder, the parallax issue is there.

The original Polaroid SLR690 (which will need some repair thanks to me dropping it and knocking the mirrors out of adjustments) still works and that sonar autofocus is still unbelievable and so damn accurate.  But not being able to focus does have it's drawbacks.

The i2.  I really want to love this camera but it's a viewfinder/rangefinder sort of affair and mastering the parallax is difficult.  Also this camera needs a lot of light in order to produce a good image.  Even with the flash on, it's been a challenge.

The winner is Dr.Land's SX70.  This one is the modified Mint version called the SLR670.  The time machine attachment adds to the fun of using it, however with a flash (like the image above), I have to allow the SX70 to do it's thing.

Being an SLR, I can accurately see what I am going to get in terms of framing and depth of field.  It comes down to the "using of the camera", the SX70 can get within 7" without any attachments and super close with the close up lens (which I bought years ago when an SX70 accessories kit in mint condition became available).

So the 50 year old design that is still super cool and still in some ways ahead of it's time is still the best tool so far.

and the quest continues....