How do you deal with the amount of cameras you (might) have?

[FrankHarries]

Hello owners of more than some cameras,

I have kind of a luxury problem . It came up because I have to (re)fund a new lens (which means that I might have to sell some stuff - but thats not really my concern now), but has existed before. Some months ago I have sold quite a few cameras, trying to get down to "basics" (well, you know what "basics" can mean for someone who has suffered from GAS):
still own:

Rolleiflex 3,5f
Hasselblad
Mamiya 6
Hexar RF
Leica M6
Leica M8

I am seldom the guy who takes all of his equipment in a bag to some location to spend there hours taking pictures, hardly ever inside - do mostly street and some nature photography. Since bought, I use mostly the M8, when going out with film - the Mamiya 6, if I like it smaller the Hexar RF. Hasselblad, Rolleiflex and Leica M6 are hardly used, although I like them, love their mechanics etc. , and every single one has one advantage the others don't have. But I somehow feel bad that they get to see maybe 3 films a year - and that mostly when I felt bad enough to leave the other ones at home. Seems that I can only handle about three cameras in my everyday (photography)life - and somehow it doesn't feel right. I am not a collector - but on the other side, I have a hard time to decide selling the other three (and get maybe a new lens for the mostly used ones).

How many cameras do you use in everyday life and how many are more or less shelf-qeens? Have you sold hardly ever used equipment, regretting it later?

Thanxs for thoughts and experiences,

Frank

 

[Brian Legge]

I collect fixed lens rangefinders. I run rolls through them periodically but not enough to really consider them users. This would include a Canonet 17 GIII, Retina IIIc, Yashica CC, Yashica Lynx 14, etc. Every now and then I have an impulse to use one for its specific properties and I enjoy doing so. I'm also holding on to my first Leica - a beat up IIIc that is worth more to me emotionally than what I'd get in cash.

I generally shoot a roll a week, occasionally 3 or 4. Of those, the majority come from perhaps 5 cameras (2 120 folders, 2 LTM cameras, TLR).

I also have 2 or 3 cameras which don't get regular (4x5, MF slr, 35mm slr) use but I keep around for times where they make sense. And I can be very happy with the results. In total, the amount of money in these cameras isn't enough to really bother me and I make use of them enough (or play to use them more in the case of the 4x5) that they are worth keeping.

I've got a bunch of cameras and lenses I need to sit down and get posted either here or on ebay. I've been meaning to do it for a while but between work and the weather starting to turn around, I've been lazy about it.

My real problem is my project cameras. I enjoy learning to repair old cameras but always underestimate how time consuming it is. I have an absolutely embarrassing number of cameras in my 'to repair' box. Most were originally purchased as parts cameras with the intent of repairing them, shooting a few rolls to see how they felt and then moving them on. In practice I've only managed to do that with about 12 of them so far. I need to hunker down and finish working on some of these or sell them as parts cameras instead.

Edit: Now, I do have issues with the state of my darkroom. Thats where my hand wringing comes in as I've had everything I need to start printing again for over a year but haven't made time to finish setting up.

 

[Keith]

"How do you deal with the amount of cameras you (might) have?"


By wringing my hands together, pacing around for a while, then starting a thread about it on RFF where I discover I have many fellow sufferers who are more than willing to offer emotional support! 😛

 

[FrankHarries]

Keith, you probably got the point 😉

 

[awslee]

May be you guys can give them to me 😛

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Awslee, cool cat. I like evil cats (as long as they're nice to me!). Mine lived with my parents, and he used to attack their BIG dog and steal her food all the time. Dog was scared to death of him!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I use all of my cameras. I have a lot of gear, but I use it professionally. Stuff that doesn't get used gets sold because I am not a dentist, lawyer, or trustfunder, so I can't keep money tied in gear that isn't making me money, or at least making photos I like.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I pile them up in my bathtub and do a Scrooge McDuck into the middle of 'em.

 

[Rob-F]

You don't have to use them all at the same time. You can have a "digital day" when you take the M8. Another day can be a "35mm film day" when you take the M6. Another day you will be in your "6 x 6 black and white period" with one or two of your medium format cameras.

You are allowed to keep and own your favorite things, even if not using them right now. You will get around to each one, bye and bye. You don't need anyone's permission. You are not being bad, and do not need to feel bad or guilty.

That's my philosophy. I have at least three times the amount of stuff you listed, and it works for me. Enjoy!

 

[Keith]

I just used my Pentax 67ii for the first time in nearly a year ... what a hoot!

That just leaves about a dozen other very worthwhile cameras that haven't had a roll through them in a similar amount of time!

 

[maddoc]

I sell everything that is unused for longer than 6 month and has no sentimental value for me ... 🙂

 

[DSkjaeve]

-I have four I use.

-My shelf-cameras/lenses are in the process of being sold.

-Never regretted a sale.

 

[dct]

I sell everything that is unused for longer than 6 month and has no sentimental value for me ... 🙂

Exactly! That way I keep my number of cameras low. Well, wait, I would: I don't buy gear which has no sentimental value for me... 🙁

 

[FrankS]

To the original poster: After analysing your camera list, I'm afraid that you are down to the bare minimum already, and no further cuts are possible. 🙂

 

[srtiwari]

I am selling the 35mm Film stuff, and keeping 'only' a few to run thru my freezer stash over the next few years. I am also keeping Leica m lenses, that may keep their value, and a couple of MF kits. I should probably trim down even further !!

 

[boomguy57]

To the original poster: After analysing your camera list, I'm afraid that you are down to the bare minimum already, and no further cuts are possible. 🙂

+1

Even if you use them intermittently, you said you still use them. For me, I tend to invest too much of an emotional attachment into my gear and can't part with some of them. At times, I feel like I should...but I can't. So I use it all, and content myself with the fact that if this is a "problem" then I think life must be pretty good on the whole. 😀

 

[rbiemer]

I use my cameras one at a time but I do use several.
I own about 15 or so cameras in various formats.
I also own three cameras that I don't use, two of those I'd be happy to part with; I have a Kodak Bantam Special--very pretty but the RF is not correct and the VF desperately needs cleaning(neither of which I'm capable of sorting out) and film for it is problematic. And a Minox B that looks great and works mostly--the light meter is not functional. And I have my Grand Dad's Argus C3.
My other cameras all do get used, eventually, and I'm not worried if they sit idle for a while in between uses.
And , yes I have sold stuff that I wasn't using very much and regretted that when I wanted/needed to use that stuff again.
Rob

How many cameras do you use in everyday life and how many are more or less shelf-qeens? Have you sold hardly ever used equipment, regretting it later?

Thanxs for thoughts and experiences,

Frank

 

[jsrockit]

I own three cameras... each has a purpose. Sell everything else that doesn't get used frequently.

 

[Nikon Bob]

If it poses no financial burden I don't worry about my surplus cameras. Someone else can cart them off to the dump or whatever when I am gone. I have sold some gear to fund other new gear and not regretted it.

Bob

 

[Vickko]

I identify with many of you that have too many cameras. While I could categorize my cameras by brand and function, I could just as easily (and with validity) categorize them as:
- shelf queen and collector items
- usage cameras

And I often hover over them, thinking of how much I could liquidate them for.

Some of my learnings are:

- never sell Leica. I've often rebought at higher prices. I have an issue with my R gear now. I bought (and resold) a DMR, but that caused a flurry of lens purchases, which I haven't resold.

- Nikon F's and F2's are like crack. I've sold them down to only 0 cameras but kept the lenses, then rebought half a dozen F's / F2's. I'm at three again.

I keep thinking that I'll use some of the lesser used gear, like my 4x5 kit, or my darkroom. Hasnt' happened yet, but there is hope.