I have noticed, as I read through this thread, that many people have stated their love for their choice. The question was not your most loved camera (I love my three members of the Canon 1 series family - I enjoy using them, and I consider them well designed). But the OP asked us about the most beautiful cameras.
It has to be admitted that a lot of cameras are utilitarian, even industrial in design. I can admire the design, even when I don't think it's beautiful. I have enjoyed many of the images in this thread, even when I didn't consider the cameras in question beautiful.
There are some truly beautiful cameras, though. Some of those exquisite large format cameras made from polished timber come to mind - cameras where function and form have come together and had a threesome with aesthetics (sorry for the word-play - it wasn't originally intended, but I couldn't resist).
I'm going to have to go with a camera made by Richard Ritter. I no longer own the camera, but I think it's quite a work of art, especially when paired with a wooden tripod (which just happened to be about the same color wood). It's pretty unique I think, I've never seen another camera design like it.
When you're married, your wife's the beauty queen for ya... http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/canon-EOS-1D-MarK-II-N.JPG
But even if I hadn't owned one, I've always been in love with the look of the 1D series. Not even the Nikon equivalents - those are a different aesthetic altogether.
That said I love the look of some of the classic cameras, like Olympus OM1 I briefly owned. The Leica M series looks cool (but I'd have to leave before I start craving for an M9).
And you people will probably kill me for saying the new crop of mirrorless cameras (sans Panasonic G1/G2 and Samsung NX10) all look incredibly good.
Spyro P. wrote:
How is that limited edition M9 different to getting a leather replacement from cameraleather for $50
It's brown ostrich leather with a matching ostrich leather strap!
And you get a copy of Photoshop, Lightroom 3, A personal letter from Leica CEO Alfred Schopf, certificate of authenticity and it's personally delivered by a Leica photography expert, and you get a private training and orientation session to introduce new photographers to the full Leica experience!! And it has the sapphire LCD glass cover and it comes with a Summicron-M 35mm f2.0 ASPH lens all for $17,500!
Better be quick, these are sure to be popular this Christmas and they only have 50!
