Figuring out which cameras you use the most

[250swb]

I started the Summer with a resolution that I'd use up all the film in loaded cameras before reloading any of them, so about fifteen in all. It's not working out very well, I've already reloaded two of them, an M2 and GW670, and there are some I've still not got around to using.

 

[Huss]

Thanks for the TVS tip.

It is funny like you said. I took more images with the Rollei E110 last year than the Pen FT. That was surprising because I thought I was using the Pen FT all the time last year and I was just having fun with the Rollei.

The "good deals" will get you every time. I never sell them either. Lol.

I use my Rollei A110 more than my Pen FT! Even though the FT is so good. Weird.

 

[Huss]

So what’s the takeaway from this? Keep the most used then start selling off the little used ones first? Keep the Leicas, Hasselblad, the Lomo, a bag of P&S sell everything else and buy a Macan? Or try to incorporate more in to the rotation? We’re all aware of the problem with selling gear, a month after it’s gone it’s exactly what you need.

I have already sold a bunch I hardly use. The easiest were the Soviet RF cameras - Feds, Zorkis, Kievs. Because frankly if you have better RF gear, why would you use those after the novelty factor wears off? Which it did real quick..
The Lomo LCA-120 is gone which kinda sucks. The concept and the results are superb. Really a great camera. But it is built like garbage - this was my second one and pretty much if you use it often it begins to fail/fall apart. Shutter started to fail, just like the first one. So I sold it on, with the note in the ad that sometimes the shutter does not operate. It clicks so you think it's taken a picture, but get the film back and nothing.. About 3-4 times per roll.
Then it's the come to hayzoos moment for the Nikon F2s, F3, Minolta XK, Leica R7 etc. All so awesome. All hardly used - the Nikons have been Sover Wonged!

This list doesn't include lenses bought and put away. Just sold a Zeiss ZM Planar 50 and the Orion 15. Zeiss is awesome. But I find the Summicron more awesome. The Orion just got replaced by a black TTA 28mm f6...

 

[serouscam]

In descending order of use:

1. Hasselblad 503 CX
2. Hasselblad 903 SWC
3. Nikon N75 and F100
4. Nikonos V
5. WideLux F7
6. 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic and Graflex Model D

There is no Model D, it is called Series D

 

[Sirius Glass]

There is no Model D, it is called Series D

Redundant remark. Are you going to repeat that, say it again, over and over?

 

[tom43]

Since I used the F80 for the first time a couple of years ago, my other film cameras see not much sun light anymore. The F80 is the Swiss Army knife of 35mm cameras.

 

[George Mann]

Since I shoot Ektachrome the most, my Nikon F90x see's the most action.

But I am always wanting to fondle my F2, while thinking about how small and light my FG is.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Since I shoot Ektachrome the most, my Nikon F90x see's the most action.

But I am always wanting to fondle my F2, while thinking about how small and light my FG is.

If I didn't know what you were talking about, I'd think you were a perv

 

[George Mann]

If I didn't know what you were talking about, I'd think you were a perv

Many people mistake me for one... But I really am a nice and harmless camera fondler.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Many people mistake me for one... But I really am a nice and harmless camera fondler.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Since I used the F80 for the first time a couple of years ago, my other film cameras see not much sun light anymore. The F80 is the Swiss Army knife of 35mm cameras.

For 35mm I have been using the Nikon N75 for color prints since I bought it in 2004 and the Nikon F100 used for black & white film since bought it a few years later.

 

[Steven Lee]

I tag every photo with a camera+lens+film, etc. This thread prompted me to run some reports. Turns out one of my 12 cameras produced only 9 images from two rolls. Ever. I paid about $300 for it a while ago, so that's $33 per photo, not counting film and development costs.

$33 per photo!

On the other hand, the Leia M6 TTL which I purchased for $2,600 produced 640 images. That's $4 per image. Something to think about when we reason about camera prices.

 

[pentaxuser]

Out of curiosity is there a fee to register on filmtrackr and if not how does this site pay for itself, what are the benefits for it?

pentaxuser

 

[benjiboy]

If you have so many cameras you don't know which ones you use the most, owning so many cameras is a liability, you have to decide if you want to be a museum curator or a photographer.

 

[Huss]

Out of curiosity is there a fee to register on filmtrackr and if not how does this site pay for itself, what are the benefits for it?

pentaxuser

No fee. Out of the kindness of the site owner's heart. But he welcomes donations.

Are you asking what the benefits would be for you, or for the site owner?

FilmTrackr

FilmTrackr: for tracking film

www.filmtrackr.com

 

[citychicago]

Filmtrackr is a great tool. I use 2-3 cameras concurrently, and the quick notes I make when shooting help immensely when scanning. Every year I export the data and back it up, just in case the site goes away. That said, I usually throw a couple of six-packs worth (or perhaps now it's a box of diapers) his way to help with the cost of upkeep and a server.

 

[Huss]

Yup. This past week I used four different cameras with three different films.
Super tool. It’s not just knowing about what is in a camera right now -still better than writing on a piece of tape etc - but also tracking what was and when.
You can also add dev notes etc.

 

[citychicago]

Oh yeah, the "Rolls in Progress" and "Rolls Awaiting Development" sorting is great. Big thumbs up. The developer is in my city, but I don't know him. Just discovered there's a patreon for the site, too.

 

[Maris]

Least efficient camera in terms of time invested, effort expended, and film consumed: Tachihara 8x10. About 1000 sheets of film in 35 years.
Most efficient and productive camera; Mamiya RB67 ProS. About 1000 rolls in 35 years.
Glad I have both.

 

[tom43]

Since I used the F80 for the first time a couple of years ago, my other film cameras see not much sun light anymore. The F80 is the Swiss Army knife of 35mm cameras.

Just to add:

Sometimes I use sporadically the Spotmatic SPII and the FED-3b.

 

[ic-racer]

First thing I thought when I read the first post is "this HUSS guy is crazy" with 124 cameras...

Then I checked my camera equipment database....

 

[Sirius Glass]

Easy. Which camera eats the most film?

 

[benjiboy]

I use this website filmtrackr.com to keep track of what film is in what camera.

It offers crude reporting so out of curiousity I ran a report to see which camera I used the most.

Out of 124 cameras - all used! (but many since sold), the Leica M7 has had 62 rolls through it, with the Nikon F6 at 52. Leica M5 @ 32, Fuji GW690III @ 31, Lomo LCA-120 @ 27, Fuji TX-2 @ 24, Rollei A110 @ 27, Hasselblad H1 @ 20.
It is easy to put more rolls through medium format cameras, as they have fewer shots per roll. But this indicates that the M7 is my favourite camera, and cameras like the F2, F3 etc which I think I love are actually hardly used!

My Fuji Klasse W which I bought maybe 2 months ago has had 17 rolls through it - more than any of my Nikon SLRs apart from my F6. And I've had those Nikons for years. That is a reflection to how good and fun to use the Fuji is.

This will be a good way to declutter...

I don't have enough cameras for this to be a problem.

 

[Huss]

I don't have enough cameras for this to be a problem.

it's handy not just for the camera or two that you have, as not only does it keep track of the film, but also dates, devs, exposures, lenses used etc

 

[ant!]

Compared to some others I am a slow shooter, maybe 2-6 films per year (I think the last time I used film while travelling was 2013, at that time each trip meant 4-10 35mm 36exposure films in 3 weeks. Until this time, it was exclusively my Minolta Dynax 505si super, which I destroyed at -20C by dropping it on a ferry's deck). Outside of travel, I shoot nearly exclusively film. I have around 10-15 cameras (need to count I guess...).

Most used camera has changed over time. Long time it was a Minolta XD7, in the last years more the X570 even though I love the XD7. Lately a lot of Pentax 645n, a bit Maxxum 7. In general I like having aperture priority mode, even though I have also a few full manual or full auto cameras, and something to help focussing (not only zone focussing). I like SLRs, but want to play a bit more with rangefinders to see if I can like it more. Long I tought smaller is better, but lately I used more the Pentax 645n then the more compact Minolta Autocord (even though that's not apples with apples!), and realized I don't like the Olympus Stylus Epic/mju II that much. TLR are cool as well, but I am still more comfortable with a SLR. So, I guess I know what I like, but try to go out of my comfort zone to try out other things from time to time, but it's ok if I finally find out it is not my type.