Time to downsize? If only I could...

[m_ferro]

First post here for me 🙂
I've been into film photography since I got a Olympus OM in the late 2000s, still fresh from journalism school. All those years, photography has been a constant companion to me, in travels, trips, family pics, or simply around town. Sometimes for work too, but not too often.
During the last 15 years or so, I've bought and sold dozens of cameras and lenses, trying to find the ones that fit me better. But now that I finally got a well curated selection, I feel less and lees willing to go out and take pictures. Maybe it's a new job I have, (the 9-to-5 kind, in front of a computer). Maybe it's that I don't see myself as a photographer any longer.

So over the last years, I started to downsize, from the 18/20 cameras I had, first to the dozen, then to the single digits... Now I have only those seven bodies, and a dozen or so lenses:

Now, I've been thinking in the recent turmoils all over the world. The conclusion I've reached is that probably film industry will be in big trouble in case of recession. Some companies would close, film prices would soar up, probably out of my reach. My logical mind keeps telling me to sell everything, except maybe some keepsake (my gf would collapse if I sell the leica or the bronica, she says they are gorgeous). But thing is... every time I take one of those remaining cameras to make some pics to sell... I hold them in my hands and I'm unable to. This picture above, I was really trying to put them together, so it would be easier to pick which ones sell first. Can't decide. Stupid thing, isn't it? Shouldn't be so attached to things, but...

I would be grateful for some advice from wiser people than me, even if you completely disagree with my thinking or just think it's nothing more than "first world problems"...

 

[valdas]

I try to keep my film camera count below 40, so your collection is nothing to worry about… unless you plan to completely abandon film. Film prices will keep on rinsing, sure. Solution? I have a dedicated freezer with the film that I bought when prices were decent and stock will last me at least some 10 years, maybe longer. If you don’t need extra cash, why worry - let them sit on the shelf and maybe one day your desire to shoot comes back or you have kids who will be interested in film photography.

 

[David Hughes]

Moods and recessions come and go; in your shoes I'd do nothing except keep the cameras running by a little dry firing. Selling would be the worst thing to do and you'll regret it later when things and you have moved on, as they will. If it will help think of them as your grandchildren's inheritance... ;-)

Regards, David

 

[Einstein]

There are so many people taking film images of absolute rubbish and many even go so far as to wet print them. I say, long may they continue this practice, it will help keep prices and chemicals lower than a world without them. My practice in imagery has been, is it really worth a negative ? And if the answer is no, I digitize it to save money. Working in the medium format makes the user think harder and longer, about the subject and the final possibilities. When I look at the rubbish I myself took, when working in 35 mm three decades ago I wasted so much money as well but I at least knew it was to embarrassing to share !!!!

 

[JeffS7444]

…now that I finally got a well curated selection, I feel less and lees willing to go out and take pictures.

Buying and selling cameras can be fun, but finding motivation to photograph can be a challenge when there are no obviously special sights, subjects or situations at hand. For someone like Freeman Patterson, inspiration may be as close as the kitchen table, but he’s got a lot of experience in spotting a photo opportunity. I recommend this book:

 

[Pál_K]

The cameras you have there are not a lot and they’re worth keeping. All have their charms and are enjoyable.

 

[boojum]

Good luck thinning the herd. I cannot thin mine and have some film cameras I bought ~50 years ago, like a K1000. The difference between a pack rat and a collector? Price tags. ;o)

 

[CMur12]

Congratulations on your first post, m_ferro!

I'm not you, so I can't say what you should do. The Leica and the Bronica are the cameras from your grouping that appeal to me the least! I love TLRs and I am especially fond of Mamiyas, so your Mamiya TLR would be the first one I would keep, even expanding it into a more complete Mamiya system. After that, I like the Minoltas and the Nikon.

You have a nice cross-section there of camera types and photographic experiences. I would hang onto all of them longer before deciding to let them go. If you subsequently had a change of heart, it would be harder to replace them.

Decide what works for you.

- Murray

 

[farlymac]

Okay, let's try this. Your gf says keep the Leica and Bronica. Good start. Now you have a core of manual film cameras to get more familiar with. You can use them to develop a style that will fit your limited time to do photography. Make plans on the weekends to visit some place you've never been before and photograph the living crap out of it. That could get you back in the groove. Since the Nikon F (or Minolta SRT 101) will give you similar results as the Leica M4 you can use one of those as an every-day camera, something you would take with you to work so that you can get some images in the morning or evening, or even at work. Also, it will come in handy if the Leica or Bronica need servicing. That way you could always have at least two cameras to choose from whenever the photobug bites you. The other cameras can be sold to finance a comparable set of lenses for the three cameras you will keep. Something like a 35-50-90 combo (and the equivalent in medium format) for each camera. In this way, the only variable you would have to worry about is "What camera do I use today?".

But if all you are considering at the moment is a rut you seem to have fallen into, then grab any of your cameras, go outside and stop. Then look down. Is there anything interesting at your feet? If not, how about within a few feet? Or a little way down the block. Within two blocks maybe. Any interesting architecture, or store fronts, or parked vehicles that look really good in the current light. Or will they look better in a couple of hours as the sun gets low, or the next morning with the light coming from the opposite direction? There are so many things to think about when taking photos, but the main thing is to just get the image. Even if the finished image doesn't strike a chord, figure out why, and try again under different conditions. Remember, you don't have to use up the whole roll at once. If it's just for your enjoyment, then take as many or as few photos whenever you go out. There's no pressure, and you can experiment along the way to see what parameters make a good photo. Not every shot needs to be a keeper.

PF

 

[Rob-F]

I find I regret having sold cameras and lenses; I never regret having kept them. If you can't let go of a camera, trust your feelings and keep it. You can't predict the future anyhow.

 

[boojum]

I find I regret having sold cameras and lenses; I never regret having kept them. If you can't let go of a camera, trust your feelings and keep it. You can't predict the future anyhow.

I'm with you. What I could get for an old camera is not worth the hassle of selling it. OTOH there is always the chance that I may use it, digital. Film is out of the question for me.

 

[Godfrey]

I regret ... nothing. The hard part of Photography is what to make photographs of after you've had fun figuring out what equipment makes you smile. And even when that comes to you, there will still be dry spells.

So don't be hard on yourself. Keep or sell whatever you like equipment-wise, it's unimportant. Keep making photographs even if they're not inspiring to you at the moment, to keep your chops fresh and maybe develop them further. Let your Muse go and wait for her to want to come back to you.

I've been through this many times. It can be painful, but more usually it can help you to become a much better photographer.

G

 

[agentlossing]

I feel you. I've been having my doubts about continuing much film photography for a while. What did it was seeing Fomapan 100' rolls jump from $49 to $69, my cheap option dried up, except it's still the cheap option because everything else went up similarly. Plus, I went back to school last year and didn't have much of any time on top of the full-time job to develop and scan. So, my thoughts have gone back to digital.

I clinched that victory for digital by buying a Pentax K1 mark II a little over a month ago. My thought process? Enjoy vintage lenses with full sensor and camera support. It's great, actually, and I'm really loving the camera. But I need to replenish the coffers, and that means selling some film gear. My bodies consist of a Ricoh 500G, a Petri Color 35, a Pentax K1000 (with a couple of lenses I could part with, the M series 28mm f2.8 and 50mm f2), and the one that's worth the most in its constituent parts but which I enjoy the most, the Voigtlander Bessa-T, 35mm Skopar and Voigtlander finder. Each of these cameras has its appeal, and the ones I'm least attached to (actually the K1000 and the Ricoh) have probably the least resale value. The Voigt should really be the one which goes, but I do really like it. Although, I've been thinking how a Bessa R-series would be so much easier to fit lenses to, since I wouldn't have to buy separate viewfinders for everything... down the road! Remember, it's about lightening the load, not adding to it.

A part of me want's to say goodbye to all or nearly all the film gear I have, but find a good condition Pentax MX to have a small film unit which shares lenses with the K1. Keep one of the compacts (Petri or Ricoh) and call it good for a while, at least a year.

Anyway, remember that interests can wax and wane. If you're anything like me, the drive to photograph will come back doubly strong at some point. I think maybe a large part of your energy is going into the new job, even beyond your conscious understanding. Your vitality is rising to meet the current challenge - it will eventually move back into creativity and the outlet you so enjoy.

 

[m_ferro]

Thanks all for your answers! I see the common theme here, and probably you're right about keeping the cameras. It's not I couldn't use the cash for other purposes, but here in southern Europe resale value is not great anyway. I'm also concerned about film companies suffering the crysis and turning my cameras into very expensive paperweights. Hate having useless stuff sitting around at home, I always remember the hobbit word for those unwanted presents you don't quite like but can't dispose of: "mathom". I dislike mathoms.

Anyway, it was a difficult proposition to begin with: the leica has sentimental value; the nikon is rare/rarish, in like-new condition and being serviced by Mr. Wong just before the brexit closed its fangs. The SRT should be a selling candidate, but it is the camera I've enjoyed the most in recent times, plus really like the lenses. The sony I use once a month or so, when I or my girlfriend need some digital pictures for work. The alpha 9 shares lenses with the sony, and has a really great ergonomy. The medium format ones, I keep for when I'll be unemployed again, and have the time for landscapes 😀

Anyway, remember that interests can wax and wane. If you're anything like me, the drive to photograph will come back doubly strong at some point. I think maybe a large part of your energy is going into the new job, even beyond your conscious understanding. Your vitality is rising to meet the current challenge - it will eventually move back into creativity and the outlet you so enjoy.

I'm sure that's a big part of it. Thanks for pointing it out.

But if all you are considering at the moment is a rut you seem to have fallen into, then grab any of your cameras, go outside and stop. Then look down. Is there anything interesting at your feet? If not, how about within a few feet? Or a little way down the block. Within two blocks maybe. Any interesting architecture, or store fronts, or parked vehicles that look really good in the current light. Or will they look better in a couple of hours as the sun gets low, or the next morning with the light coming from the opposite direction? There are so many things to think about when taking photos, but the main thing is to just get the image. Even if the finished image doesn't strike a chord, figure out why, and try again under different conditions. Remember, you don't have to use up the whole roll at once. If it's just for your enjoyment, then take as many or as few photos whenever you go out. There's no pressure, and you can experiment along the way to see what parameters make a good photo. Not every shot needs to be a keeper.

That is a really good advice I plan to follow. I'm a hard editor with my images, maybe I should look them in a new light, not thinking "I don't like it" but instead "how could that improve?"

 

[jsrockit]

My logical mind keeps telling me to sell everything, except maybe some keepsake (my gf would collapse if I sell the leica or the bronica, she says they are gorgeous). But thing is... every time I take one of those remaining cameras to make some pics to sell... I hold them in my hands and I'm unable to.

This is your out... the ones that would get you big $, you can't sell (GF is right) and the remaining bodies won't get you huge $, so why sell? Maybe the Mamiya, Nikon and a lens or two if you really feel the need to sell something. I understand your anxiety... I am the same way. But my thing is...if I am not using stuff and know I won't be later, I sell. Gear is always secondary to what I want to do photography wise. Cameras that are cool, but are not right for my way of photographing get sold.

 

[jsrockit]

There are so many people taking film images of absolute rubbish and many even go so far as to wet print them.

Yes, it is called the learning process and / or having fun doing something you like.

I say, long may they continue this practice, it will help keep prices and chemicals lower than a world without them.

I guess.

My practice in imagery has been, is it really worth a negative ? And if the answer is no, I digitize it to save money. Working in the medium format makes the user think harder and longer, about the subject and the final possibilities. When I look at the rubbish I myself took, when working in 35 mm three decades ago I wasted so much money as well but I at least knew it was to embarrassing to share !!!!

It really isn't conducive to learn to photograph by quantifying every single shot before you even make it. Didn't you enjoy the process at all? Isn't that worth something. You can't get good at something by not doing it.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I still have ten or so film bodies. Most of them just personal attachment, not photography tool.
How could I sell M4-2 is it went with me everywhere and in is made locally and just a few. 🙂

Less and less are using film. So, prices goes up accordingly.
In local Walmart 3x36 FijiFilm is 30 CAD. After price check I put it back.
Kodak Gold is gone for good from local Walmart. This was my to go color film. Never liked FujiFilm odd and cold colorcasts.

Film, darkroom prints looks cool. It is often replace the real reason for photography, which is the content.
Many are attracted by film, because of it. It makes them think they are "creative".
But they are bragging about grain on digital scans. 🙂

I might have been still with them, but heavy commute, dog and active live style brought me back to digital 🙂
It is much difficult media for sure. But saves a lot of valuable time.

 

[Rayt]

It’s not a good idea to leave mechanical shutters unused for a long time. When I shot film regularly I made sure the dozens of cameras and lenses get proper exercise. Now I am using digital the film stuff has to go for their own well being. I can hear some of my large format lenses are no longer accurate at 1 second.

 

[Einstein]

“Yes, it is called the learning process and / or having fun doing something you like”

That is fine, but sharing your pictorial RUBBISH is evidence you are NOT LEARNING !!! Classic examples of RUBBISH can be easily found on Flicker in the Hasselblad SWC section. Not exactly a camera purchased by a novice, yet there are so many that say absolutely nothing when looking at them.

 

[Einstein]

“Yes, it is called the learning process and / or having fun doing something you like”

That is fine, but sharing your pictorial RUBBISH is evidence you are NOT LEARNING !!! Classic examples of RUBBISH can be easily found on Flicker in the Hasselblad SWC section. Not exactly a camera purchased by a novice, yet there are so many that say absolutely nothing when looking at them.

why on earth would this image be shared, it’s a classic example,of what I am calling RUBBISH. And he does not even use a lens hood for a camera that desperately needs one in bright light, producing the obvious results !!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/michelmooij/52213739126/in/pool-hasselbladswc/