My return to analog photography needed a little excitement—and of course, new gear.

Because let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as too many cameras. Though I’ll admit, I’m trying my best to avoid falling down the rabbit hole.

The goal: more shooting, less camera collecting.

New Main SLR: Nikon F3

Previous Main SLR: Olympus OM-1 + Suiko 50mm f/1.4

My new Nikon F3 in Mint Condition

This camera was on my wish list for ages. Beyond how beautiful it looks (because yes, it’s a total stunner), everyone seems to agree it’s one of the best SLRs ever made. Also, I got it in mint condition.

After all the headaches I’ve had with cameras in the past, I decided to play it “safe” (or you know, as safe as you can be with cameras that are nearly 50 years old) and jump over to Nikon.

So far, I’m loving it. This camera is a dream. Everything feels so smooth, the ergonomics are perfect, and even though it’s a bit heavier than I expected, it just screams premium quality. Right now, I’m pairing it with a Nikkor AI-S 24mm ƒ/2.8 lens.

Sure, using a camera with circuits is always a gamble, but let’s be real—sometimes shooting 100% manual means you miss the shot while you’re fiddling with ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

I used the Nikon F3 in aperture priority mode for this first roll, and honestly, I think that’s how I’ll use it most of the time.

As for my Olympus OM-1, that camera will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll fix the light seals and keep it in good shape. Will I use it much? Probably not, but I’ll always take care of it.

New Rangefinder: Yashica Electro 35 GTN

Previous Rangefinder: Olympus Trip 35

I didn’t know this Yashica was known as “the Spiderman camera”.

The problems I had with the Olympus Trip 35 made me think rangefinders just weren’t for me. Focusing with it felt impossible, and figuring out distances manually was frustrating. For a while, I just assumed all rangefinders worked like that.

But then, thank you, YouTube algorithm, I stumbled across a review of the Yashica Electro 35 GTN. The focusing system had me intrigued, and that silent shutter? Perfect for street photography.

One quick eBay search later, and I found one in “Near Mint” condition (or so our friends in Japan claim). I took the plunge and bought it for around ninety nine USD. I know that’s expensive, but we don’t have thrift stores here in Mexico that have some decent stuff for ten bucks. Also, I wanted it in working condition right now. No CLA required.

It literally just arrived a few hours ago, but of course, my procrastination struck again—I totally forgot to order the battery adapter (PX28 to PX32), so I won’t get to test it until next week. That said, it feels comfortable to hold, even if it’s not quite as ergonomic as the Nikon F3.

What I do love is how simple it is. You can’t adjust the shutter speed—you just point, focus, and shoot. A couple of indicator lights let you know if there’s an exposure problem, and that’s it. I haven’t shot with it yet, but if all goes well, this might become my go-to camera for traveling because it’s so lightweight.

I might need to replace the light seals, though. They don’t look great, but I’m tempted to risk it and shoot a test roll before messing with it. Either way, I’m hyped for this camera. Wish me luck.

As for my old Trip 35… well, it’s gone now. I sold it last weekend. Let’s just say it never truly loved me back.

New Shoulder Bag: Ulanzi 6L

Previous Shoulder Bag: ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover 20

This Ulanzi shoulder bag fits my new cameras pretty well.

My old bag worked great back when my setup was just my trusty Fuji X-T1 and a couple of small lenses. Everything fit like a charm.

But analog cameras? They’re bulkier, heavier, and well… not exactly travel-friendly. I decided it was time to upgrade to something more practical without blowing all my money.

Amazon suggested the Ulanzi 6L, and after reading a few reviews, I figured it’d do the trick.

I haven’t taken it out yet, but so far, it feels comfy and decently made for the price. Sure, there are better options out there, but I’d rather save my cash for things like lenses. You know, the fun stuff.

New Lens: Vöigtlander ULTRON 40mm ƒ2 Aspherical SLII Nikon F AI-S

[Unused] Voigtlander ULTRON 40mm F2 Aspherical SLII Nikon F Ais Black Rim JAPAN - Picture 2 of 17
Picture from eBay.

The first thing I realized with the Nikon F3 is that a 24mm lens is way too wide for street photography. It’s great for snapping massive buildings (shoutout to Mexico City architecture), but not so great when you want something a little tighter. You have to get way too close to your subject, which can get awkward if there are people involved.

Funny enough, this lens wasn’t even on my radar. I was planning to grab the Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.4 AI-S eventually, but—you guessed it—YouTube got me again (mental note: stop watching YouTube before it ruins my wallet).

I don’t remember whose review it was, but it was one of those quick vertical videos that totally sold me on the lens.

And look, lenses aren’t where you want to cheap out in analog photography. They’re what really make the difference in your final image (assuming you’ve nailed the focus, exposure, and development). After a couple of hours of thinking it over, I decided to treat myself.

It wasn’t cheap, and I promised myself no more gear for a while, but for someone like me who loves street photography, 40mm feels perfect. It’s not too wide, not too tight—just that sweet spot. And after playing around with the 45mm on the Yashica Electro 35 GTN, I’m convinced this is exactly the focal length I need.

The lens is on its way, and I seriously cannot wait to spend the weekend shooting with it. Obviously, lots of photos coming soon—but you’ll have to wait a little for those.

Final Thoughts

I’ve spent almost thousand bucks upgrading my gear, and honestly? No regrets (even I think Japanese amigos tend to overprice gear).

My setup feels better now, and most importantly: I’m excited to go out and shoot again.

I haven’t felt this way in over a year and a half of barely picking up my camera. Now? That excitement is back, and I can’t wait to head outside and start shooting roll after roll.

Bonus: Olympus Trip 35 decent shots

I’m a Software Developer and in that field, we have a saying whenever someone is babbling with problems and solutions.

Show me the code!

After writing this article, I felt like something was missing. After all, this is a photography blog, so I thought that I should share some of the best pics I could get from the now sold Olympus Trip 35.

Show me the pics, Rick!

What about you? How often do you treat yourself to new photography gear?