Top 7 Cameras of All Time According to AI: From Leica to iPhone

In this episode, I dive into what AI thinks are the best cameras of all time. From the iconic Leica M3 to the revolutionary iPhone, I’ll be sharing the AI-generated list and giving my thoughts on each camera’s impact on photography.
Have you owned any of these cameras? Do you agree with the list? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, I’ll share which camera had the biggest influence on my career and why it deserves its spot on this list. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just curious about how AI ranks these legendary tools, this video is for you.

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[sbills]

My top film cameras: 1) Hasselblad 500CM, 2) Leica M6, 3) Hasselblad 903SWC, 4) Nikon F3, 5) Speed Graphic

[GTAYLOR]

The camera I would add to this list is the Pentax K1000, my mother bought this camera new for me when I was a young and I still own it today and it works perfect. It’s built like a tank. The main reason I think it deserves a spot on this list is that allowed so many people to learn photography due to its fully manual operation and its attainable price point vs the Leica. Now that I am older and have a little bit of money I own Leica M3, M-A and a IIIF which I love and use all my camera’s including the K1000 for different reasons.

[brucemcclelland]

I understand the choice of the Nikon F, because I was a motorcycle delivery boy in 1970s NYC, picking up and delivering film between studios all over Manhattan and Jack Ward color lab on 23rd St, and just about every 35 mm photographer I ran into (not literally) was using a Nikon. But I was a Canon F1 guy, because it had an excellent 1/2000 shutter and was designed to incorporate a lot of attachments. Canon didn’t have the reputation that Nikon had, even though their glass was excellent, perhaps until the 5D Mk III you mentioned. Oh well. An interesting list. Thanks. Oh and of course I had a 5D and an SX-70. Still have the F1, which is within spec from 1/60 to 1/2000 after 52 years.

[d.r.martin]

Got my M3 55 years ago; my high school graduation present to myself. Got my FTn a couple years later. I would have deleted the iPhone and added the Rolleiflex, the first great medium format camera—the tool of Penn, Avedon, Parks, Cunningham and Maier. The poor man's Hasselblad. I still have my E2.

[dummybert]

Glad to see that I own the two first in the list. Also a beautiful Rolleiflex, it may not have had such a big impact as the other two, but it's an amazing camera.

[koobs]

I’ve owned #1 - Leica M3 & #3 - Canon 5D mkii & sold them both for a Leica Q2 Monochrom. While I absolutely loved the M3, it just became too expensive for me to shoot film. I do not for a second regret it, & the images I get from the Q2 Mono are amazing.
One that’s not on this list but has always been on my list is the medium format, Rollei SL66. I think it’s far more legendary than it gets credit for because everybody automatically thinks of Hasselblad when it comes to medium format SLRs & pass over this awesome alternative

[mikedodd]

First camera I ever has was a polaroid. Had a Nikon F3. Man I loved t that thing. Withe the go fast Ferrari red stripe it was very cool. Still own a full Hasselblad 503cm kit that I bought from a retiring pro. Couldn't bring myself to sell it. Now I shoot Fuji. Those dials...

[StephenPodrasky]

I used my Dad's Nikon F through college. I still have it today. The meter no longer works, everything else still does. My Sinar was the first camera I bought, followed by the Leica M3. I still have the M3 and use it from time to time. I also still have my Hasselblad 501CM. I have been an iPhone user since day 1. A fun video, Thanks Justin. Was great to see what AI thought, They missed a lot of great cameras, but it is only AI

[gerryhardman]

My first serious camera was a Leica M3, followed by a Nikkormat FTN, Nikon FE, then Rollei SL66, Graphlex 4x5, Burke and James 5x7, Rollei 3.5 F, then the Nikon F90X. Finally digital D70, D300, D700, Nikon V1, J5 and Now Nikon Z5 and Zfc. Wow I have owned a lot of cameras over the years mainly because I used to shoot weddings. You’re right a lot of these were classic. When I was a kid In high school I was a Press Photographer and most of them shot Hasselblads or Rolleiflexes or Leicas. These cameras are still in demand today so as you say they are Classics. Nice video which takes me down memory lane and all the enjoyment I had using these quality machines to produce wonderful images. My favourite was the Rollei SL66 as it was so versatile and well designed compared to the Hasselblad. The tilting bellows helped me to see the benefit of that feature which led me to large format which slowed me down made me more contemplative and patient for the right light. They all helped me to grow as a photographer. Regards Gerry

[izzyleicanut]

My list - my Hassie 501cm, M6, and M10. All simple simple simple cameras to use. Cheers

[WaywardAce]

My grail camera was the Leica m4 ….. a while after purchasing it I got an eye level finder Nikon F. The Nikon F IMO is a better built, more reliable camera …. Decent list, I still have my mark ii, still a great camera after all these years ….. I would replace the Sony with the K1000, based on how many students were first introduced to photography through that camera

[CM_]

I just asked ChatGPT about the best and most important cameras and was handed a slightly different list: Kodak Brownie, Leica I, Rolleiflex, Nikon F, Polaroid SX-70, Canon AE 1, Sony Mavica, Canon EOS 5D II, IPhone, Fujifilm X100. Just for the fun of it I also asked what the AI thought of Leica‘s CL (2017) which took design cues from the Leica I. ChatGPT praised that little CL in a way that I guess Leica‘s marketing department would never have managed. Maybe that‘s why they had to discontinue the system 🎉

[gonzotravelling]

I had that 5D II. My vote would actually go to the Fuji XPro 2. A camera I just loved, I just looked at it and wanted to pick it up and use it. Also a few conflict photographers have sworn by it such as Jan Grarup.

[TheBigBlueMarble]

I use AI to write short articles for various websites that I own. Whenever using AI results for publication, I feel it is beneficial to include the actual prompt used to generate the results.

[jeremoe]

My go-to camera is the Leica M3. It took me several years to make up my mind to spend the bucks on it - no regrets.

[ChrisWhittenMusic]

I owned an M6 for quite a few years in the film days. With a 35mm f2 it was all I needed….until everyone switched to digital. The other camera I owned briefly and regret selling was a Mamiya 7 II. Again, because most people were switching to digital (early 2000’s).

[jeffscott]

Had Dad's, hand me down, Nikon F, and Polaroid SX70. And Apple iphones...

[anta]

Used to have the M3 and Hassy 500 CM years ago.
I have 2 Fs, still working properly. And I think it's just makes sense since I also have a Nikon Df (can use the same old lenses).

As much as I want to like rangefinders, SLR fits my shooting style better, e.g close up work.

[stayuntilforever]

1. LEICA M6 2. Hasselblad 500C 3.Canon 5dmark2 4.Leica M11 monochrome 5. Nikon fm2 6. Pentax 654 7. Fujifilm Xpro2 8. Hasselblad Xpan 9. Contax t2 10. Fujifilm X100V

[thedarkslide]

I love my M3. I owned it close to 20 years now.