Paranoia

[themerinator]

I went to new orleans this past weekend. It was lovely to see the renewal spirit in action all over the french quarter.

Here's where my problem comes into play. I got loads of excellent photographs, but I found myself insanely over protective and worried about my equipment. I had two SLR's wrapped in towels and plastic baggies. I opted for a regular backpack to put my stuff in, but I was convinced that at some point some clumsy person (probably me) was going to step on it and break my little guys.

Does anyone else experience this same type of behavior?
I'm thinking that I need to lighten my load, get a better bag (which is usually such an irritating and wasteful purchase), or possibly invest in some therapy.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

If you have good quality SLR's they were built to withstand wars, hostile climates, and a fair few knocks and carry on working.

But even so so you may be interested in an item on yesterday's BBC News. Researchers were surprised to discover that one in three British people experience paranoia.

 

[themerinator]

Hmmm I very much enjoy tidbits of information like that. And I suppose your right, I should give my cameras more credit, they're hardy pieces of equipment. And I am exhausted from trying to find the "piece de resistance" of camera bags.

 

[ampguy]

This will sound harsh, but if you want to become a better photographer, just thrash your cameras around and stomp on them. The ones that survive are the ones to keep. Ebay or RFF classifieds the rest...

Check out your favorite band's guitars that they use in the studio and/or live. They will be beaten to crap, and probably the only ones that stay in tune and are reliable.

 

[Rich Silfver]

This will sound harsh, but if you want to become a better photographer, just thrash your cameras around and stomp on them. The ones that survive are the ones to keep. Ebay or RFF classifieds the rest...

Check out your favorite band's guitars that they use in the studio and/or live. They will be beaten to crap, and probably the only ones that stay in tune and are reliable.

I disagree. I've always found that most photographers - AND musicians - value their instruments and try to keep them in as good a shape as possible so that they perform the way they should and when needed.

There seems to be a common perception that one is only serious if one beats the crap out of the equipment one uses and I've never understood that. Most people who use equipment for serious and professional use don't necessarily baby their equipment - but there does not seem to be the facination in making it look all beaten up that most amateurs seem to equate to 'professional use'.

 

[jaapv]

In one of Alexander Kent's novels (Naval-historical, for the uninitiated) Dr. Maturin carefully suggests to the thrifty Mrs. Williams, that the beautiful regulator clock on her wall would be actually wound.. "Oh no,"Mrs Williams cried, "were it to be set in motion, the gears would instantly start to wear!"
I think that camera's were built to be used, albeit not abused. So if it gets wet or if it gets an accidental bump in action, they are built to take that. But if not in use, just keep them in a good camerabag or backpack.

 

[TimBonzi]

As long as you know that you're being paranoid, just accept it and have a good chuckle at yourself when you realize that you just did something "special."

 

[Pherdinand]

I would think this paranoia goes only till the first scratch/bump/ding/dent/...

so maybe there's the solution for you. Make that first mark on the camera and then you'll be fine.

 

[Toby]

I personally look after my cameras the best I can. However if you bought your cameras to actually use you have to take the odd risk. Insure them and just accept that at some point you may drop a camera or have it stolen. You have a car right? Does it stay in the garage 24/7? Is it worth more than your cameras?

 

[themerinator]

All excellent points. I think your right about getting a ding or two, I just need to accept that this will happen. I won't intentionally do it, but I won't be shocked and horrified when it happens. And I think I'll be a more sound and focused photographer because of it.

 

[kvanderlaag]

Cameras were built to be fairly resilient, if they were built before this trend towards plastic bodies with no real structural integrity. That doesn't mean you should throw them around and scratch them up and drop them just because, but it means that if it happens, it's no big deal. Professionals don't MAKE their equipment look beaten and worn deliberately, but it does happen, and the fact is, it's all gear that can take it and keep working. The trick is that it has to be in moderation, over a period of time -- hence things 'wearing out.' It takes time. Use, don't abuse.

I think what ampguy meant by 'just thrash your cameras around and stomp on them. The ones that survive are the ones to keep' wasn't that you SHOULD do this, but rather that if you DID do this, you would come to realize which make and model of camera will last you a good, long time under normal use, and the occasional bump and bruise. Those are the cameras that you want to own, aren't they? The reliable ones!

As Rich said, you want them to do what they're supposed to, when you want them to, and that means they have to work. Beating them up won't help them work, but ideally, if it happens accidentally, it shouldn't stop them from working.