Too many cameras?

[Dave Wilkinson]

I am seriously thinking about drastically reducing my assortment of cameras!. I'm not a collector - as such, don't spend big money on them, but like most of us here just love old cameras, and like to use them. It did'nt seem to be an issue when I was younger, but now I am retired and have lots more time to pursue the hobby, I find myself agonising over what to use, what to take on outings etc., more and more!....you would think it would be the opposite!. I often find myself with three, four, or more cameras loaded and ready to go, and not knowing what the film, or subject matter is in some!.
I suppose this state of mind could be related to age! 😱, but often the indecision reaches the point of almost spoiling an outing for me, the fact is - I just cannot bear to have fine machinery (of any kind) not being used, anyone have similar thoughts .....or whatever?
Dave.

 

[btgc]

There are several approaches:

- one camera/one lens for every occasion
- one camera/lens(format) for certain cases/situations
- lots of cameras, redundand, just a lot of cameras.

You see, at least two possibilities can be choosen. I agree too many cameras can be distracting. That said, just look at this as you have done camera period and now comes another period. You will be fine.

 

[kossi008]

I hear you. I am selling a lot of stuff right now, because

(a) I need the money to finance my Zeiss Ikon, and
(b) I figure someone might have a use for all the nice stuff that's just sitting around here.

I'm not making it down to one camera, though. Four will be left after all is said and done...

 

[robbeiflex]

I feel the same way. I am cutting down to one 35mm rangefinder, one MF Rolleiflex, and one DSLR, but more importantly I have set the rule for myself to just take one camera and one lens with me at a time for shooting, and maximum two lenses on a trip. So far so good, I really enjoy the experience of working with one camera/lens combo at a time and as long as I have a camera with me I don't ever wish I had the other one instead. That's just me, because as a hobbyist this should be about enjoying myself. It may not work for others, especially pros, but for the rest of us there is something to be said for simplicity.

 

[chris000]

I have nine cameras that I have acquired over about 35 years, there is even one digital one amongst them! 😱 I now really only use three:

Mamiya 7 - for those days when the purpose of my trip is photography and nothing else

X-Pan - for its panoramic function usually carried along with the Mamiya

Bessa R3M - for when I want to travel 'light'​

The other six are all more or less unused, but it doesn't trouble me too much, I think the nearest thing to a 'classic' amongst the unused is a 30 year old Pentax K1000

 

[Michael Markey]

I too find that too many cameras are distracting.
I have six .
All ,with the exception of the two Ms , have been gifts.
I have five lenses for the M bodies and am begining to feel that is too many .
I tend to only go out with one lens and one body with a point and shoot as a back up.

 

[wakarimasen]

I've succumbed to the same thing: an initial rangefinder frenzy left me with twelve cameras. I have spent more time 'just running a film through to test that everything works' than actually taking pictures that I want to keep. On the one occasion I did do this, I found the camera had a light leak and the film was ruined.
Am now in a 'less is more' period.......hopefully.
Best regards,
RoyM

 

[bgb]

I only have 8 of the little buggers and that's far too many I need to reduce it to 2, one RF and maybe an slr. I'm thinking either my Yashica GSN or and older Leica and maybe the F4 Nikon. Or just one camera like a Hasselblad
No point in having cameras that don't get used and all the clutter drives me crazy 🙂
Less can definitely be more.

 

[winoto]

Dave,
I couldn't have said it better than you have. I've got the same problem. Initially, I used every single camera I've owned, but now only use a handful regularly. (Too embarassed to state how many--entered an RFF pole a few months back) I've managed to sell all my Russian RFs and now am getting rid of the German ones. It gets easier after the first few cameras to sell. Only one regret so far....a Yashica GSN. It took beautiful pictures but have sat unused for years. Sigh....

 

[Frontman]

I always have too many cameras. My problem is that I can't pass up a good deal when I see it, and in Japan I see plenty of them. I have at least 20 cameras now, and though I sell lots of stuff on ebay, it seem for each camera I sell I find two more to replace it.

 

[semrich]

Dave like you I'm retired, have to many cameras, and as it is only a hobby I consider all the gear as toys. When I go out to "play" with them I usually take only one camera and lens, go here and there walking about totally enjoying the process without a lot of attachment to the results.

When I travel I will take two formats 35mm and MF with a few lenses for 35mm and one lens for MF.

I have fun with all of them and manage to get a fair share of keepers while keeping it simple.

I've never considered selling any of my gear, I just enjoy every piece each time I choose to use it.

 

[Pirate]

If I counted correctly I have 13 cameras right now. They each have their time for use. They go with different moods so I can't see getting rid of any of them. I've only been back into shooting for a year and a half though after a ten year break, so maybe after a few more years I'll feel like they're too many.

And although I'm not a collector, I like the idea of when I have a house, to be able to put these up on a collector type shelf for display - but it'll really be for me to admire and pick from as the mood strikes me. I play guitar too. Every guitar has it's place in a specific mood. They all sound different - every lens is a little different.... etc.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Yep, same problem. I had 12 cameras including two IIIf's and a bunch of old Voigtlander folders. Down to five now and that's at least one too many. The Rolleiflex is my MF choice (unless or until I get a Bessa III), my old Nikon SLR for special situations that the RF's won't handle and the two modern Bessas. I'd prefer one only with viewfinder frames from 25 to 75 (maybe 90) but don't see anything that would do it any better than what I have. Preferred camera now is the R4A on which I can use a 75mm lens with an accessory finder, but the R3A is good backup - just need to use the 25mm finder on that instead. The GF1 is just for occasional use when I want one or two quick shots or something to go in an email. Almost a rangefinder!

 

[Mablo]

I have a dozen or so cameras. Only one is an expensive one (Leica) and the rest is a motley crew of inexpensive old folders, some FSU wonders, bizarre fixed lens rangefinders, odd TLR boxes and a couple of black Nikon film bodies. I like them all and couldn't sell one of them, hmm.. well maybe the Leica could go.

 

[steveyork]

I always feel bad having more then I absolutely need, because in a sense it is a waste of money, but I also like to try new and different things. And then when I cement memories with a camera or lenses, it's hard to get rid of it (them).

I've stopped fighting the "hoarding urge." I generally have three or four cameras in the house at any one time. But if I don't use something in six months or a year, there's an urge to part with it. And now I won't allow myself to acquire something unless I seriously consider selling something else.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I just love these "perfect machines" and have accumulated too many as well. I find it hard to sell any of them. Finally I have recently let go of an RZ67. Right up until the time I handed it to the post man I had thoughts of keeping it. I am actually hesitant to count the cameras I own ... is there a GAS annonamous?

 

[easyrider]

I don't have a camera count but each of my cameras represents a stage of my life.

1. 1950s Rollei Automat. I bought in the fifties and used it almost exclusively though high school and university and in my early travels through Europe. Occasionally I supplemented it with a Leica IIIb that has been in the family since the 1930s. The Rollei still works well and I take it out to shoot occasionally.

2. I went through a long period in the 1960s when all I used was a Rollei35 that I bought in Germany in 1969. All my kids' pix when they were young are with it. It has a few dings but it still works.

3. In the 1970s, I bought a Canon EF. Used it for a long time. I could have traded in the Rollei Automat on it but could not part with it. I also bought a Leica IIIc at a show that I still have and occasionally use.

4. In the late 90s I bought a Contax T3. I never bonded with it although I did take pix with it and sold it to a member here.

5. Around 2000, I started to play with digitals. Tested a few, then bought a Kodak 4200. Good camera, 3.2 mgeapixels but no manual focus. Sold it and bought a Canon G2, then upgraded to a Nikon D70s. The G2 is still in the family and is much used.

I did buy a Leica IIIc sometime in the 1970s and had it overhauled. I still use it occasionally.

That is my "photo life." Should I sell? I don't think so. I would not get very much for any of them and they bring back memories. And, yes, I have taken some of them to RFF meets.

I still go to photo shows but have resisted buying any cameras.

 

[DabCan10]

I think I can relate to just about every post here. I tried to down size recently and actually sold/gave away 3 cameras and a couple of lenses that were getting little use, however then there was this pile of money in my paypal account just begging to be spent, a good deal came up, and suddenly I'm up one more camera. In the end it was faulty so that should dissuade me from any immediate future purchases.

I feel bad that they aren't getting used/it's money that could be spent elsewhere.

 

[Naumoski]

I am finding this quote very truthful and helpful:

"A year with a single Leica and a single lens, looking at light and ignoring color, will teach you as much about actually seeing photographs as three years in any photo school, and as much as ten or fifteen years (or more) of mucking about buying and selling and shopping for gear like the average hobbyist."
—Mike Johnston

I shouldn't be a Leica at all, Leica it's just a good example for this , it might be any other camera, film or digital, RF or SLR, doesn't matter, i think it's important the moment of using one body + lens lens, and thinking about the subject and not about equipment.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have way too many cameras.

I gave away a Black Pentax Spotmatic to a friend, who a few months ago told me his camera of 40+ years had come apart. He looked at it, asked "How did you get into my house and get MY camera and fix it". The brassing must have matched his original.