That sensation of not wanting to put down the camera

[efix]

Have you ever had that sensation of not wanting to put down your camera? Like, enjoying your camera to such great extent that you would just like to glue it to your forehead and take a picture of everything you see? That you just can't put it out of your hands, can't stop to fondle with it, can't stop to look through the viewfinder, turn the dials, press the shutter button?

Of course, I believe this is a typical reaction on receiving a new piece of equipment. One is excited, one wants to make oneself familiar with the new gear. I surely had this with my E-P1, and I surely had this with my M8. But ...

With my recently acquired Contax T, it seems to be an extreme case. I just can't stop using it. I just can't put it down for a second. I have an urged to buy a fridge full of film and burn through it in a matter of days. Even though I haven't got the time right now, I feel the urge to learn how to process my own film, so that I don't have to wait for that g**damn drugstore to get my pictures processed.

This camera is just so wonderful, so sleek and sexy, so compact and stealthy, such an utter joy to hold and to use, that for the first time I feel like I've gotten the ultimate tool, the ultimate extension of my eye, the ultimate machine to accompany me and capture my life at any time. More so than the already compact E-P1, and certainly much more than the brilliant-in-its-own-right M8. For me, the T is just THE most beautiful and most clever camera ever. It's THE camera.

Maybe that's why I just can't put it down any more.

Anybody want to share their story of ultimate gear fetishism? 😱

 

[peterm1]

I dont go htis far but if I leave home without a camera I feel naked and uncomfortable. its like my security blanket.

 

[nikon_sam]

It's not that I can't put it down but I really do love holding, focusing, framing and shooting many of the different cameras I have...and some don't even have film in them when I do this...
I get it...the feel, the sound, the way it works, changing lenses, the simplicity of the Spotmatic or the craziness of the F5, the weight of the one with that big old motordrive or the clarity, softness or POV of your favorite lens...I get it..

Oh, and the feeling of being naked without one...yeah, I get that too...there are many people who know me and have only seen me with a camera...security blanket...I've told myself many, many times "Oh, I'll just go there without a camera this time..." but as I'm getting ready to head out the door there they are waiting to go out...I grab one...I say, "Just one"...I find one that will fit for today and head out...I can breathe easier now, I'm no longer naked...

 

[efix]

Oh, and the feeling of being naked without one...yeah, I get that too...there are many people who know me and have only seen me with a camera...security blanket...I've told myself many, many times "Oh, I'll just go there without a camera this time..." but as I'm getting ready to head out the door there they are waiting to go out...I grab one...I say, "Just one"...I find one that will fit for today and head out...I can breathe easier now, I'm no longer naked...

Yes. That as well ...

 

[AFenvy]

I mostly do that when I get a new camera or lens. I'll pick it up without any film in it and just shoot everything I see, if I am not clicking the shutter I am winding the film advance. I suppose this lets me get acquainted with it.

Going anywhere without a camera... now that is tough. I usually can't do it. On the way out I'll pause and think, well I should take a camera with me, but which one? Which lens today? B/W or Color? Tends to make me linger too long when I need to go!

 

[nikon_sam]

I guess you can sorta equate this with how a woman will try on 5 different pairs of shoes before settling on a pair that goes with what she's wearing or her mood...

And there are two cameras sitting on the table right now waiting to be played with...both are loaded and completely different and they feel great to hold and use for many different reasons...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Have you ever had that sensation of not wanting to put down your camera? Like, enjoying your camera to such great extent that you would just like to glue it to your forehead and take a picture of everything you see? That you just can't put it out of your hands, can't stop to fondle with it, can't stop to look through the viewfinder, turn the dials, press the shutter button?

Dear g@wd, no, I hope that never happens to me. I have lots of things to take care of, and having to suffer through that would really set me back, including my love of photography.

 

[oftheherd]

I guess you can sorta equate this with how a woman will try on 5 different pairs of shoes before settling on a pair that goes with what she's wearing or her mood...

...

But women don't see it that way. Trust me on that, I know.

 

[filmfan]

I guess you can sorta equate this with how a woman will try on 5 different pairs of shoes before settling on a pair that goes with what she's wearing or her mood...

Only 5? You are lucky...

 

[anu L ogy]

I always have mine with me by choice, I dont think its a need though.