Are you ever embarrassed by the number of cameras you have?

[Bob Michaels]

I recently gave a gallery talk as part of an exhibit of my Cuba - people photos. I knew there were many photo students there who had that typical equipment obsession. I told them that the 33 prints were made in 110 days of photographing over 9 trips and I used about 300 rolls of film. I told them I gathered all the photo equipment I used and photographed it for that talk. Then I showed this:

 

[jnoir]

For some time I have been, but on perspective I think I was more embarrased by not being able to justify myself if asked to decide which ones to keep and which ones to let go... Not that anybody ever asked, but still 😀

Now I am mostly rehabilitated from GAS (you may run but can't hide xD ) and I no longer need to purchase more cameras or lenses "just because". I have noticed that since then I can spend more time taking photographs 😀

 

[Vince Lupo]

I've been liquidating my camera collection for a couple of years, as I saw them as 'money just sitting there'. But now I seem to be acquiring cameras again -- Canonflex is now my thing, and I'm back into screwmount Leicas. So no, I'm not embarrassed at all, but it is interesting how things ebb and flow.

Perhaps the only thing I could be 'embarrassed' about is the stuff that I sold and the stuff I hung onto.....sold a Luftwaffe Leica IIIc body with a black MOOLY motor C, but kept the Pentacon Pentina. Yeah, weird.

 

[sepiareverb]

I told them I gathered all the photo equipment I used and photographed it for that talk. Then I showed this:

Excellent. A few bubbles burst hopefully. It ain't those twelve latest lenses and those three latest bodies, and all the strobes is it?

Heck it ain't even a strap.

 

[al1966]

I have about 50 cameras, most cost me less than £10 of which many cost less than £5. I pay nearly that if we go for a coffee, more if we buy a sandwich, so not much guilt. I have bought more expensive ones, medium format mostly and a digital, cameras are positive creative things. In all honesty I could get away with any of the cameras with a standard lens but it is nice to have the choice of formats and where it has been affordable having spares incase one goes kaput. I don't drive anymore and I rarely have a beer, nor do I buy designer clothes. My luxuries are books, cameras and music, these things bring joy and meaning to my life.

 

[mdarnton]

Man, I just do NOT tell anyone. No one needs to know. I will just say this: if you see a cheap black Nikon FG on Ebay, do me a favor, and just stand aside....

OK, I'm not really like that--if I see someone else bidding, I'll let them have it. Otherwise, though

 

[Bob Michaels]

Excellent. A few bubbles burst hopefully. It ain't those twelve latest lenses and those three latest bodies, and all the strobes is it?

Heck it ain't even a strap.

I love to speak to photo students although I realize there is a huge difference between being a one time "expert" since I am from out of town and actually teaching the class for the entire term. So many have visions of multiple pro DSLR's and that clutch of huge fast zoom lenses being the key to good photography.

Someday I will have to quit being lazy and take off the strap lug rings since I don't use a strap. But for now, I just let them dangle there the way they were when I bought the body.

 

[jsrockit]

I recently gave a gallery talk as part of an exhibit of my Cuba - people photos. I knew there were many photo students there who had that typical equipment obsession. I told them that the 33 prints were made in 110 days of photographing over 9 trips and I used about 300 rolls of film. I told them I gathered all the photo equipment I used and photographed it for that talk. Then I showed this:

Oh no, you started them onto a life of rangefinder fetishism? (perhaps you made their GAS worse). 😉 That was a pretty cool lesson.

 

[Frontman]

I buy and sell cameras as a hobby. I get to shoot pretty much whatever camera I like, and I even turn a small profit. How many cameras do I have? Somewhere close to 200, in various formats. All are film with the exception of my LX5.

 

[rbsinto]

I own more cameras than some people, but fewer than others, and use them all.
So no, I'm not embarrassed by the number I have.
However, there are a couple that I use less frequently than others, so, I'll probably sell them if the opportunities present themselves.

 

[Messsucherkamera]

If it is worth doing, it is worth doing to excess...6 leicas, 7 nikons, 1 Contax, 1 Rollei, and I use them all.

LOL!! I like your attitude!

People who do not have a deep, burning passion for photography simply don't get it. All they can see is the dollar signs: "Oh my GOD!! You have enough money tied up in cameras to buy a new Toyota Prius!!"

And your point is?

Then we have the justifiers: "I can't 'justify' the cost of buying a Hasselblad/Leica/fill in the blank."

This thing is not about money.

 

[craygc]

not really, but it's slightly embarassing how much I spent on them...

Hmmm... think I'm in this boat too (try not to think about it though and nor does it stop any additional acquisitions) Looking to add a Rollei TLR at the moment :bang:

So 11 to date and like many, not all are used enough.

» Voigtlander Bessa T
» Voigtlander Bessa R2A
» ...VC lenses: ...15mm, ...21mm f/4, ...28mm f/3.5, ...50mm f/1.1, ...50mm f/2.0 Nickel Heliar

» MS-Optical Super-Triplet Perar 35mm f/3.5
» MS-Optical Super-Triplet Perar 28mm f/4.0

» Leica M6 TTL
» Leica M2
» ...Leica lenses: ...21mm Asph Elmarit, ...35 Asph Summilux, ...90mm SAA

» Nikon FM3A
» Nikon F3HP (...but replaced with the DE-2 prism)
» ...Nikon AIS lenses: ...15mm f/3.5, ...20mm f/2.8, ...85mm f/1.4
» ...VC AIS lenses: ...40mm f/2.0 SL v1, ...75mm f/2.5 SL

» Nikonos V
» ...Lenses: 35mm

» Fujifilm Klasse W 28mm lens

» Mamiya 7II (x2)
» ...Mamiya lenses: 43mm, 65mm

» Sony Nex 5n

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Embarrassed at my collection? No can't say that I'm embarrassed by owning about 40 1930 and 1940s cameras

 

[dnk512]

(yes I am) 😱

 

[Vickko]

I just sold a camera that I use, albeit infrequently.

Not embarrassed but I am wondering about some of the things I keep, that I haven't used (other than to check out that it works).

....Vick

 

[Snacks]

You just need to buy five of the same, and hope your significant other doesn't check serial numbers. (Hoping mine doesn't; I need to replace a Zorki C body.)

 

[Ronald M]

obscene thousands of $ in lenses and cameras so I should be embarrassed, but i am not.

 

[Mudman]

I've been selling most of my cameras lately, so I don't have that much overlap anymore. I have to think how many I have to be honest, I don't keep track. A lot of mine were gifts that I'm not getting rid of.

35mm Cameras
Nikon FM2n - Gift
Nikon F100 - my first Nikon that I bought myself.
Pentax Spotmatic F - gift from my uncle
Leica M6ttl
Leica iii - gift
That's all I've got left. I've sold or given away 5 or 6 cameras in the last 10 months. Nikon FA, Nikon FM2, Nikon F, Contax 139q, Leica M3 come to mind. Probably one or two more.

Digital Cameras - These are for work.
Leica M8
Nikon D300
Nikon D2x

Medium Format
Rolleiflex MX-EVS - Walk about and portraits
Hasselblad 500cm - hopefully my new landscape camera. Still seeing how I like it.

So Ten cameras, three of which were gifts. Remove the 3 workhorse cameras, and I'm down to four cameras for fun. I don't think that's bad at all.

 

[Muggins]

Oh dear... Just been given two c**pomatic panorama cameras, and a red XA2. 72ish...😱

Adrian

 

[Cyriljay]

Yes... Five Cameras! It is a Too much and they are all In the line of High end!