Too many cameras?

[funkpilz]

When I got into analogue photography, lots of people were giving me cameras that they didn't use because they knew i'd use and appreciate them.
After a while, I realized I had not only too many cameras, but also too many lens mounts to keep track of, so I gave most of my cameras to friends who I had now inspired to also get into film. The only one I kept was the OM-2 my late grandfather had given me, because it was the only one that had sentimental value.

 

[wakarimasen]

And now I won't allow myself to acquire something unless I seriously consider selling something else.

I am treating this sentence as something of a mantra.....
Best regards,
RoyM

 

[FrankHarries]

I just love these "perfect machines" and have accumulated too many as well. I find it hard to sell any of them. Finally I have recently let go of an RZ67. Right up until the time I handed it to the post man I had thoughts of keeping it. I am actually hesitant to count the cameras I own ... is there a GAS annonamous?

If not, there should be one - at least for me. I really have a hard time to decide:
M2 with Summicron DR - loved, used and will stay with me
Hexar RF with 50/2 and a CV Ultron 35/1,7 for the Hexar and the M2 - will stay with me
Mamiya 6 with 75 - used a lot as a traveling MF

No it comes:
Canonet G-III with 40/1,7 - my first RF in overhauled shape - to sell?
Yashica Mat 124G - great shape, my first TLR - to sell?
Rolleiflex 3,5F - very much loved and near mint, but I take mostly the Mamiya - to sell?
Hasselblad 500 c/m with C-lenses (50, 80 and 150) - 6 backs, tubes, filters, Prism, Polaroidback.. - my first SLR - but I don't like to walk around with tripod that much - but great for close-ups and slow, serious work - but I use it only every other month - to sell?
hasselblad 500 ELX - great opportunity for portrait shots with tripod and wireless shutter release - but use that even less than the other Hassi - some nice portraits were shot with the Mamiya, although at a greater distance, its in mint condition, but rarely used - to sell?

Oh, well, I know, I have to decide. I want to part with some of my gear and concentrate on those, which I use more often. Hard to separate because the cameras are in such great shape and I always say to myself: may be I will use them again later as much as I used to...
Any opinions?

 

[jonmanjiro]

I am finding this quote very truthful and helpful:

"A year with a single Leica and a single lens, looking at light and ignoring color, will teach you as much about actually seeing photographs as three years in any photo school, and as much as ten or fifteen years (or more) of mucking about buying and selling and shopping for gear like the average hobbyist."
—Mike Johnston

I shouldn't be a Leica at all, Leica it's just a good example for this , it might be any other camera, film or digital, RF or SLR, doesn't matter, i think it's important the moment of using one body + lens lens, and thinking about the subject and not about equipment.

I've read that Mike Johnston quote before, and if the end result is all that matters (i.e. the photos), he's right of course.

But so what. It's not just about the end result for me. I enjoy the buying and selling, the tinkering and repairing, and the tactile feel of loading film and shooting a mechanical camera. It's all part of the fun. Even better if I get some decent photos, but I don't sweat it if I don't. IN SHORT, I LIKE MUCKING ABOUT 🙂

Back on topic .... I too have too many cameras, and way more money invested in those cameras than I can justify. It's a good thing my apartment isn't larger, because if I had more room to store gear I'd have even more gear 🙄

 

[Naumoski]

It's a good thing my apartment isn't larger, because if I had more room to store gear I'd have even more gear 🙄

That's a hell out of a point! 😀 😀

 

[FrankS]

Dave, if something is not fun, then don't do it. If having lots of cameras is causing you grief then of course reduce their number.

I have too many cameras, but I do not in any way find that a problem. I enjoy the variety. As I get older, I likely will want to simplify things, but not just yet.

 

[chris00nj]

I have several but most have a different purpose.

 

[newspaperguy]

Wow.
You really started something, Dave.
I see I have a lot of company out there.

I'm seriously looking at drastically thinning
the herd... planning for a long past retirement
sale.

It's either that, or accept the idea of my grandkids
donating everything to a charity shop.

 

[ElectroWNED]

I had the same problem so I just sold my Oly XA, Yashica Electro 35, Hi-Matic 7s. I'm cutting it down to one MF (Nettar II), one compact RF (Oly XA), and eventually a Leica M2 w/ Nokton 40.

 

[sreed2006]

Dave,

Save them all for a spectacular Estate Sale. Get MORE cameras. Just imagine the day when you are dead and gone that a bug-eyed camera junkie runs across your collection and becomes the happiest person on earth!

Just because you are not using them right now does not mean they will never be used again. Since you already have them, keep them. If you don't want to be a collector, then consider yourself the conservator. That is a fine calling.

 

[NickTrop]

I hear you. I am selling a lot of stuff right now, because

(a) I need the money to finance my Zeiss Ikon, and
(b) I figure someone might have a use for all the nice stuff that's just sitting around here.

I'm not making it down to one camera, though. Four will be left after all is said and done...

Yes. Especially the 2nd reason. After amassing around 12 cameras at one point (small relative to others' collections...) of mostly various fixed-lens RF's, I'm down to - count'em, 1 (one) rangefinder, and 5(five) cameras - 3 digitals, 2 film. I used mostly FLRFs because: (a) 90% of what I shoot, is shot with a standard 50mm. (b) Generally, I find that an SLR, though not necessarily "better", is a more economical way to go for interchangeable lens "system" cameras. (c) After a while and playing with a bunch of these things (FLRFs), you begin to realize they're largely the same... Keep the one you like the best.

Current "collection":
1. Nikon D5000 w/ 1.8/35 fixed lens that never leaves the camera. (Essentially a "fixed lens DSLR")
2. Fujica Compact Deluxe - fixed lens RF, favorite of all I've used including the Yashicas, mainly because I like how its lens renders and its all manual control.
3. Fuji Finepix F20. 6 megapixel compact point-n-shooter with the best low-light capabilities of this genre.
4. Old Panazonic FZ1v2. Old 2 megapixel compact superzoom with Leica branded/designed (allegedly) 12X optical zoom with IS. Amazing IQ for a 2 megapixel camera. Hacked firmware for aperture/shutter priority.
5. Vivitar(Cosina) all manual SLR with 50mm 1.4 Tak, 19mm Vivitar 3.5, and Jupiter 9 for portraits.

Down to 5 "essentials". All photographic bases covered except medium format. "Might" pick up a TLR - well see...

Less is more...

 

[jesse1dog]

jonmanjiro 'But so what. It's not just about the end result for me. I enjoy the buying and selling, the tinkering and repairing, and the tactile feel of loading film and shooting a mechanical camera. It's all part of the fun. Even better if I get some decent photos, but I don't sweat it if I don't. IN SHORT, I LIKE MUCKING ABOUT 🙂'

I'm long out to grass , and yes I certainly have too many cameras in most people's eyes. But I like mucking around too - nothing like getting an old camera 'up and going' again. And having done that I always feel that it has a bit of 'me' in it, and don't feel inclined to part with it.
But here is another point. Looking to the future I feel that spare parts etc are going to be difficult to come by - its already the case for many cameras. As a result I've adopted the policy of having 2 of each of my favourite cameras. So I have 2 of Olypmus OM1, OM2, OM10, OM20 and now 2 OM2000 - and that lot has hardly cost the earth. Perhaps this is a 'belt & braces' approach, but why not?
jesse

 

[ErnestoJL]

I`m not yet retired, in fact it`ll be 8 years in the future, and my camera count goes up to 32 in usable condition plus other seven in different stages of repair or restoration.
Don`t feel bad nor guilty about it, in fact I`m thinking of having enough toys to play with after my retirement.
And by the way, what`s bad if someone from time to time brings a camera to your hands and say "it`ll be better in your hands than in mine`s, I moved to digital"?
In my case, I say "thank you, I`ll enjoy it".
Ernesto

 

[Fawley]

This thread obviously resonates with a lot of people. Some of the more recent posts, like myself, enjoy the cameras and don't have a problem with quantity. Others don't like the idea of owning cameras that don't see much use when other people could be useing them. I have those concerns myself, but I think that they are probably only a real factor at the more expensive end of the market. Most of my cameras and lenses were less than $100, many less than $50. At that price range I think that there are a lot more old cameras than film photographers. But all my cameras do get used. Some only once or twice a year, others on an ongoing basis.
Is owning a lot of cameras, confusing or troublesome? Not for me. The cameras have different characteristics. I shoot mostly B&W, I process myself and I like trying to suit a particular combination of camera/ film/development to the shooting and how I feel at the time, as much as possible. Usually I have around 10 bodies loaded with film. I keep a list of all my cameras and I write the current film and expected development beside each camera. When I go out, I simply check the list. Having the choice and the opportunity to use all those wonderful cameras is interesting and very satisfying.

 

[Doug]

"Too many cameras?" What a concept! 😀

I recall a former member who liked inexpensive old cameras. He'd pick them up cheaply at rummage sales, clean them up, maybe do some minor repair, run a roll of film then go on to the next one. As I recall he admitted to owning over 600 cameras... Too many?

 

[literiter]

This may something like a meeting of AA. "Hi my name is Paul and I have cameras...too may cameras."

I think my problem (assuming it is a problem) arises from friends switching to digital and dumping their stuff at ridiculous prices.

-A black Nikon FE with a 55mm f2.8 macro $15.00 (I could not say no)
-2 chrome Nikon FE from Henry's, not working. (but are now working with good batteries) $35.00 plus shipping. (Gave one away and looking for a home for the other)
-Really ratty but functional Pentax S with 85mm lens. Given free.
-Rolleiflex Automat. $100.00 very nice.
-Contax 111a (you don't want to know)

etc, etc,etc, etc.
I won't use these cameras but what are you gonna do? Pass them up and let them junk the cameras?

 

[mrisney]

I saw the thread heading, and read each post. Now I know I wasn't alone.
The issue for me, was - for the most part - there is quite a bit of really nice
analog gear on the market, as a lot of pro's have gone digital. A Mamiya RZ kit
can be had for a fraction of what it was going for 15 years ago. A Leica M4-P, relatively
affordable, a Rollei 6003, very affordable. I grew up reading Shutterbug in the 80's and 90's. Much of this gear was reviewed or discussed back then, but it was unaffordable, out of reach as teenager. Fast forward to a few years ago, and getting wonderful gera ias as easy as setting a high bid on EBay for $450. I all of sudden, withih a 6 month period had a growing collection of gear. This became problem.

After a thoughtful weekend, I pared it down to one camera for each format, and digital. I went from a collection of 9 camera's to 2 and one digital. I would offer the same advice.
1. 35mm, maybe an M or a Voigtlander R2/3/4 A or M, or Zeiss Ikon, or a G2 - you really want to think about the lenses, so an M mount camera affords you a lot of options with adapters to a M43 digi cam in that regard
This is a rangefinder forum, so obviously my tendencies are not SLR, still 1 camera for one format.

1. 120 camera, and think about what you be the most versatile, A Blad or an RZ is a studio camera, a TLR or a Mamiya 6/7, a more versatile camera.

1. Maybe a super wide camera like a GSW 690. Again that's pushing it.

And sell all the rest, there isn't much sense ( I speak from my own experience) in havng a M4-P, Olympus OM setup, a Canon F-1, a Contax RTS, at that point I knew I had a problem, and sold it all and settled on a Contax G2 complete kit. I am happy with it, I tend to use my 120 - new Mamiya 6, more than my Contax G2, but the Contax G2 does AF, and the Zeiss lenses are really something.

Thats it for analog, 2 camera's, 1 for each format. Self discipline 🙂

 

[back alley]

Not for me either.

I do not have trouble choosing which socks to put on in the morning either.🙂

yes, but do your socks help to interpret, in an artisic manner, the world around you?

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Wow!...I'm surprised how the pages have filled on this one - while I've been having my Sunday stroll, and listening to this guys boogie piano!, yes I had one camera with me, wish it was film now!....but to my shame it was the.....GULP!...D40 😱
Dave.

 

[wgerrard]

Dave, I can sympathize. I like to keep things on the simple side. Not that I always do.

One approach might be to shoot more and spread the love around. Trouble is, if one or two cameras are your favorites, it opens up all kinds of dissonance. I.e., take a favorite, and feel bad because the others are going to waste. Take one of the others, and feel bad because you aren't shooting with a favorite. 'Tis a puzzle.

A more cold-blooded approach: If there's money to be made by selling some of your non-favorites, sell them. Put the money into an "Eat Better in York" fund for your photo trips there. If there's no money to be made, pack them up in a locked crate and give the key to a relative.