How many cameras are enough??

GeneW

GeneW

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Okay, I know I'm opening myself up to all kinds of jokes and smart@ss replies, but that's okay 😀

But there's a serious side to my question. Let's say you're not a collector (I know ... I'm on the wrong site... but ...) how many cameras can you actually make good use of? This is a question that has nagged at me ever since I joined RFF and found myself purchasing all kinds of cameras I had never heard of before 🙄

Does having too many cams sidetrack a person from doing photography??

I'd like to thin out my equipment to only those cams I want to use regularly. The number and type is undoubtedly different for every photographer, but here's what it's starting to look like for me:

Rangefinders:
- Bessa R2 + a few lenses
- Zorki 3M as a carryaround cam

SLR:
- Olympus OM-1 + a few lenses

MF:
- Rolleiflex TLR

Digital:
- Canon 300D + a few lenses
- Canon G2 that I pack in my RF kit

A total of six cams, max, is my goal for 2005. I'll try this out for awhile then see if I might want to reduce it even further

I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. I might turn this into a blog topic in a week or so.

Gene
 
From about 1958 to 1970 I did fine with one camera, and it was a 35mm rangefinder. From 1970 to 1980 I did fine with two cameras ... I had added a SLR and various lenses. The macro and telephoto capabilities of the SLR did expand my photographic horizons. From 1980 on I added more SLRs and rangefinders, but there was no quantum leap in what I could do as a photographer.
 
My three cameras are my R, my CL and my M2. They're all three loaded with film and I find that once I start shooting with one camera I tend to keep shooting with it until I find a reason to shoot with any of the other cameras. Right now I'm shooting with the M2, and have been doing so for weeks on end already. The CL might see action (and make me "forget" about the M2) when I need a small, inconspicious camera. The R might see action at a diffeent time for a different reason. For now, both cameras will have to wait a little longer. 🙂

I also have an Eos 300D but that one is reserved for "project" work, but I find it might be rather useful for night shooting as well. Nevertheless, the RF cameras are my favourites and those I'll keep shooting for any work that doesn't scream for the conveniences of digital.

I doubt I'll ever use more than three cameras at any one time. Even in Mongolia I never carried more than two cameras at the same time, even though I often had plenty of reason to switch lenses: the CV 25/4 replacing the 40/2 on the CL, my J-9 85/2 replacing the J-8 50/2 on the Bessa R, or the 40/2 or 50/2 replacing the 85/2 on the M2. As it turned out, the 85/2 was on the M2 after two weeks and remained there. I had no use for either the M2 (lack of light meter) or the 85mm. I could shoot everything I wanted with just the CL and the R, and the 25 and 50.
 
when i think about it seriously, i have never had more than a few cameras at one time. except maybe during transition times when moving from one camera/format to another, but for use...one to 3 usually.
i don't seem to shoot in different formats during the same time frames. to be more clear, i shoot 35mm and nothing else. or i shoot medium format and nothing else. never have mixed the 2.
so i have not had the need for cameras of differing formats at the same time.
when i got into medium format i sold all my 35mm gear. then i bought 2 mamiya 6 cams and 2 lenses. made for easy shooting-no lens changing.
when i got back into 35mm, i sold the mamiyas and bought the bessa r. i have since bought a few canons and this is the only time ever that i have had different systems (brands) at the same time.
the one exception to all this is i have kept my first 'good' camera, the oly 35rc, through all this change. (and i have added another 2 to the pot)

in truth, i need one camera and 2 lenses to make me happy and keep me productive.
i could live with just my bessa outfit easily.
one body & 35/75 set up.

the canons are an anomoly for me. i love the p and wanted one in better shape so i bought the second.
i got the 7 because i had lenses that would work easier on it than the p (no external viewfinders). i got the lenses to play with and had no real thoughts to keeping them, the lenses were so cheap to buy that it now seems silly to sell them cause i might/can/will use them at times.

but really, the p and a 35mm lens or the bessa & 35mm lens and
i'm there.

joe
 
For Me "Less is More"

For Me "Less is More"

I share your feelings about this, Gene. At the risk of inviting sarcasm and snickers I also do not consider myself a collector and only want to keep what I can use. I should have stopped with Contaxes at one II and two IIa's because I use these cameras a lot. However, last year for some unknown reason I was suddenly compelled to have an early Contax -- and now I believe it will not be used much (it's at Henry Scherer's Day Spa/Treatment Center now). Three Alpas for 35mm SLR seems reasonable, but recently another Alpa (a 10d) snuck into the house...it quite likely will be asked to leave before too long.

I use to have three Rollei SL66's, but pared down to one and it really felt good to do so. When I use to use Nikon gear I had an obscene/embarrassing number of bodies and lenses. Initially I did not think that I could part with any of them, but once I started it was actually very liberating and before long I decided I didn't need both Nikon and Alpa around here so I got rid of all the Nikon bodies and only kept one Nikkor lens (to use with a Nikon/Alpa lens adapter). I still do not regret it to this day.

I'd never suggest to anyone what they should/shouldn't do, but for me I have definitely found that "less is more." I'll get rid of an extra Contax I that was in "Camera and Coffee" last week and I'll probably get rid of this Alpa 10d, too. That leaves me with two MF cameras, four SLRs, and four RFs (and one digital, but they're not "real" cameras so they don't count😀)

Happy '05,

D2
 
Very good question. I'll start large and work down.

LF: 4by5 Speed Graphic

MF: SLR - Hasselblad, TLR - Rolleiflex, Rolleicord, RF - Mamiya 6 and Fujica GS645W

35mm: SLR: Nikon F4, Nikon 801s, Nikon FG,
RF - Leica M (still gotta get me one) Leica IIIf, Canon VI-L, Bessa R (2), Hexar AF, Fed 2, Oly 35rc, Rollei TE

Looks like 18 cameras for me. I've left off all the ones I could give up.

I guess I'm a bit of a collector, but the kind that likes using different classic cameras, not the kind that keeps them locked in a cabinet.
 
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How many cameras is enough? That's easy. One.

Which one? Ah, that's the question. I keep looking...

Seriously - I 'collect' which gives me pleasure. I like to go out and take photos with my old cameras, which also gives me pleasure.

None of them are a 'magic bullet' that make me a better photographer - although some have given me hints along the way.

I *intend* to become a better photographer, and for that, the tool is less important than the person behind the lens.

But my enjoyment of collecting and shooting ancient cameras is just another hobby, and for that, the right number of cameras is the number I have - plus one.

If I "had" to give up all my cameras except some crucial few, I'd keep my Bessa R + lenses, and my Canon FX slr + lenses and be happy.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
I've been seriously thinking about this as well. Since I got it, my Kiev has been my 99% camera. I've a decent set of lenses for it and now have a Contax III at "Henry Scherer's Day Spa/Treatment Center" (great line there) as well. I wonder if I shouldn't sell all the rest except the Iskra and just keep those three. Then I could concentrate on finding user class Zeiss lenses instead of the camera chase. One addiction for another I suppose... 😱

William
 
I've only ever used one camera at a time. I think if I had more time for my hobby I would get a second body but with bayonet lenses you can change lenses really quickly.

The problem is that the behavior norm on forums like this is to be loaded down with gear. After a while you begin to feel inadequate 😉 and some of these RF cameras are really inexpensive so you start down a slippery slope. I mean I'm seriously thinking Canonet after reading about them for two years.

Do I need it? Probably not but I don't have a 40mm lens and a QL17 is a hell of a lot cheaper than an M7 which is what I really want (for some reason). I think two cameras would be the most I would carry at one time, so I can't see the need for more unless I chose unwisely, in which case I would offload the one(s) I was unhappy with. I guess I don't have the collector's mentality...
 
I try not to get attached to gear I find.
Since getting into the small folding MF cameras, I can easily
slip one in the bag of my EOS gear when I want the larger negative size....or if I want to go just with MF I have a small
bag that holds my Vivitar 283, meter, several rolls of 120 film
and an Agfa Isolette MF folder. I was collecting the RF's and
had quite a display going, but I had to decide what I wanted
to shoot with...Now I just have 2 Isolettes displayed and the
best one in the bag to shoot with.
Rob
 
God, I hate to admit this. Probably the fewer the better, so you can get really comfortable with it and concentrate on shooting. One SLR, one rangefinder and one TLR probably isn't too much, as each has its areas of strength. I am afraid that I presently have too many, as I discovered the other day that I had film loaded in a Nettar, a Waltax, an Exakta, a Voigtlander Vito II, a Minox, an Argus, a Canonet, a Nikon and two Olympuses all at the same time, while I was anxious to load up a Voigtlander Vito B, an Ikonta and a Kodak but was holding off so that things shouldn't get out of hand. Even I have to concede that the proliferation of hardware is becoming unhelpful to my photography.

Not that it's going to change anything......

🙂=
 
I think I have to go with Bill Mattock on this one. What I have plus the next one I want.

My main rangefinder is my Mamima Super Press 23. I have three lenses, four backs, with some cut film holders, (and two parts bodies).

35mm cameras? I haven't counted lately, but I guess in SLR's, about 7 or eight. Let's see; two Fujica's, three Yashica FX 103's, One Yashica FX 3, a Yashica TL Super, a Yashica TL Electro X, and a Pentax SV.

Maybe four RF 35's, including an Argus C3, a Petri Computer, an Olympus SP, etc.

A Rolleiflex, a Yashica EM, and a Welta 6x6. The Rolleiflex works fine, the other two don't. But I don't use it.

Two Cambo 4x5's, a Calumet 4x5, and an 8x10. I will use these one day. I think. I sure want to. For now they are part of a collection.

Several Box and folder cameras. One, a Welta Welti I carry and use. I have a fascination with folders.

Most of these sit on the shelf and it keeps me busy wiping all the tears from these fine cameras. Otherwise I would have more free time to take photos.

For years the Fujica ST901 and a bevy of lenses, mostly primes, and the Mamiya 6x7 with only one lens, were my constant companions. Since a house fire that destroyed much of my then current gear, and many slides and negatives, I haven't done much of anything but snapshoot. Recently I acquired the Welti and a Toshiba 4mp digital. I am actually doing more snapshooting at least. Hopefully that will get me back into film which I still love a lot. I really want to shoot some 4x5 or at least 120 on the 4x5's, and see how my Epson scanner will handle them.

How many cameras is enough? Darn sure a lot less than I have! Is this a sad story or what?🙁 😀

Good question though (I think). Wow! I could probably make a fortune on eb*y selling what I don't use, huh? Then I could buy some more ... :bang:
 
I have been shooting with a variety of cameras over the holiday, from the Little Konica S3 to the Nikon F2AS, Konica S2, Leica CL, Leica M3, Leica M2, Nikon F, and a few others. SO:

Gene: You need an M3.

Remy: You need an M3

Joe: You need an M3

William : M3

Frank.... Tough Call... M3.

Bill... You do have a lot of Cameras.... But M3.

Oh, Yeah. I think two M3's is enough, one Double Stroke one Single Stroke.

How Many Cameras? Until you feel that you really do not want another one, that you have hit equalibrium with your equipment. But at that point, if you do not have an M3, get an M3.

My New Year's Resolution is to end the year with less cameras than I have starting it. I am thinking of sending a little camera with each payment for a camera that I buy here or on EBay.
 
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Next one that I happen along will be aimed at you, Joe.

And I am counting CAMERA BODIES! The filters that I bought do not count toward my quota. Just cameras.
 
Another problem I have with too many cameras is I always seem to forget one or two. I just remembered the Rollei 35SE -- considered by most to be totally outdated and without merit, a PITA to use, but I'll never part with it. Its quirkiness has endeared itself to me, along with the fact that I wasn't allowed to have one as a kid (my Dad didn't consider it a "real" camera). He still looks at it and just shakes his head in bewilderment😉!

Worst example of losing track of cameras: I had a brand new Nikon FM2n in a box in my garage (stacked with some other empty boxes) and it almost ended up in the trash -- never opened and never used. That is exactly the moment I decided to down-size my accumulation of Nikons. I wonder if any others slipped by...yikes, that's a scary thought!

D2
 
This question came up during the Xmas Holidays. My wife was commenting that I take relatively few pictures for the number of cameras that I have. I did mental inventory and came up with over 25!!

It's a mixture of old folding ones, a variety of box cameras as well as 7 or 8 rangefinders plus 2 movie cameras and a nice old Polaroid Model 160.

I still have my 1st 35 mm camera, a folding Badinette purchased for me by my Dad when I was about 15.

One of the problems (if you want to call it that) is that once people learn that you "collect cameras", they bring you some of their old stuff. Most of these are box or intamatics. Nothing really exotic. However when my brother in-law was cleaning out his house, I did get a nice Olympus XA with 2 flashes, an Ansco SUPER MEMAR and a Bolex 8 mm movie camera.

The truth is I enjoy tinkering with my "collection" and have purchased at least 4 on eBay. Currently I am working on a Zorki 4 and a nice Aires IIIc (my M2 or M3 wannaby)

I also have all the equipment to develop and print 35 mm B&W but need to excavate my workshop / darkroom to resume this part of my hobby.

Regards to all and a Happy New Year.

Bill K.
 
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