Having accumulated a collection...what then?

BradS · Sep 6, 2019

I know a guy....

Let's suppose that in the process of trying to buy a decent working example of a particular camera, or cameras, one suddenly finds oneself in possession of what others might think of as a Collection....then what?

Having accumulated a respectable collection, what does one do with it?

Of course, this is all purely hypothetical. All alleged. The secretary will deny everything...etc, etc...

BrianShaw · Sep 6, 2019

Give the excess to the needy.

AgX · Sep 6, 2019

Some say collection, some say hoarding, I say a heap of stuff.
Something to enjoy oneself.
Something maybe to write about.

Something that finally will be a task for a estate clearancer.

jim10219 · Sep 6, 2019

I had a friend in a similar situation. He got a display case. It was a bit too big, so he had to fill in the gaps with a few more cameras to make everything look nice. Somehow, he wound up with one too many, so he got another display case, which lead to a whole bunch of empty spaces to fill. I think he's still working on that. Anyway, that's probably the most practical solution.

faberryman · Sep 6, 2019

Admit one's folly, and sell off all the cameras and lenses one has acquired except the ones one uses consistently.

AgX · Sep 6, 2019

Not everyone is hoarding Leicas. Who buys the resting shit?

Luckless · Sep 6, 2019

In theory my 'collection' is of working cameras and lenses which I will actually use on a regular basis, [or 'junk drawer spares' to have hanging around just to rob useful parts off over time], however theory doesn't always work well in the real world.

The more presentable examples will eventually find their way into a nice dust-tight display cabinet, while the rest will be stowed in purpose built storage drawers to keep stuff tidy and organized. Currently the collection is kind of scattered in small groupings around the apartment, which get resorted and shifted around by the girlfriend while I'm at work if she gets bored at home on her days off.

guangong · Sep 6, 2019

Over the years I have accumulated a bunch of cameras, but I don’t consider myself a collector. Only one item falls into the genuine collector category: a 180 mm f2.5 Nikon lens for rangefinder Nikons. But some cameras are enticing because of design features or build quality. As long as you can pay your bills, enjoy life. Some people like fast cars; some like fast women. Cameras are safer!
At one time the cameras we can now buy used for just a couple bucks, were quite expensive when new, even when one considers the 20-25% knock off list price. So back then the purchase of a camera was a big deal. Even crappy cameras were expensive.

Chan Tran · Sep 6, 2019

BradS said:
I know a guy....

Let's suppose that in the process of trying to buy a decent working example of a particular camera, or cameras, one suddenly finds oneself in possession of what others might think of as a Collection....then what?

Having accumulated a respectable collection, what does one do with it?

Of course, this is all purely hypothetical. All alleged. The secretary will deny everything...etc, etc...

Once you get the good example of the camera you want, sell the ones that is not as good.

MattKing · Sep 6, 2019

Chan Tran said:
Once you get the good example of the camera you want, sell the ones that is not as good.

Other than the backup, of course.
And so it continues ....
I'm old enough to remember when one didn't have a backup camera, unless one was doing things like photographing weddings or spending large amounts of money to travel to remote locations for photographic opportunities.

removed account4 · Sep 6, 2019

steamer trunk and a shovel..
put the cameras &c in the trunk
go somewhere with a shovel, and dig a hole about 4 feet down
put the trunk in the hole and burry it. THEN make a map, a treasure map
count out paces and draw it on a piece of paper. take the paper, soak it in tea
and put it in an old book in your local public library.
sounds like a fun treasure !

jamesaz · Sep 6, 2019

jnantz said:
steamer trunk and a shovel..
put the cameras &c in the trunk
go somewhere with a shovel, and dig a hole about 4 feet down
put the trunk in the hole and burry it. THEN make a map, a treasure map
count out paces and draw it on a piece of paper. take the paper, soak it in tea
and put it in an old book in your local public library.
sounds like a fun treasure !

Except for the digging part that sounds like a fun idea.

Arklatexian · Sep 6, 2019

BradS said:
I know a guy....

Let's suppose that in the process of trying to buy a decent working example of a particular camera, or cameras, one suddenly finds oneself in possession of what others might think of as a Collection....then what?

Having accumulated a respectable collection, what does one do with it?

Of course, this is all purely hypothetical. All alleged. The secretary will deny everything...etc, etc...

Enjoy it and don't care what others may think. It is none of their business unless that "other" is your wife. However, in most cases, without her help, you would have never "accumulated a respectable collection" so it is "already" her business.........Regards!

Chan Tran · Sep 7, 2019

MattKing said:
Other than the backup, of course.
And so it continues ....
I'm old enough to remember when one didn't have a backup camera, unless one was doing things like photographing weddings or spending large amounts of money to travel to remote locations for photographic opportunities.

I have about 40 cameras but I never have a backup camera. I don't need backup as I don't do photography professionally. If I am on a trip and my camera failed I would be more worried about my camera than the pictures lost.

Ko.Fe. · Sep 7, 2019

Once it starts to feel as collection, not few cameras I do photography with I sell it. I purchased and sold a lot of film cameras and lenses. Nothing is wrong with collecting them, but in my particular reason it is not my priority.

etn · Sep 7, 2019

Buy film and use your collection!

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 7, 2019

When you die, your wife's next husband will throw it all out.

Sirius Glass · Sep 7, 2019

Heck, someone has to keep the economy stimulated! Might as well be you.

Johnkpap · Sep 9, 2019

I went to a auction, a few years ago a major Rollei collector for health reasons sold off his entire collection of cameras, the auction went for 3 day’s!!!!

I bought a few cameras for my self which I am enjoying using .........does this make me a collector or a buyer ??

And yes I have other cameras to none are in a glass case they are stored in pelican cases

Properly just crazy

Johnkpap

RalphLambrecht · Sep 9, 2019

BradS said:
I know a guy....

Let's suppose that in the process of trying to buy a decent working example of a particular camera, or cameras, one suddenly finds oneself in possession of what others might think of as a Collection....then what?

Having accumulated a respectable collection, what does one do with it?

Of course, this is all purely hypothetical. All alleged. The secretary will deny everything...etc, etc...

send it to me; I'll take good care of it.

Jim Jones · Sep 9, 2019

I have examples of many of the cameras I've used over the past 70 years, and some even older equipment. They are useful when discussing the history of photography to today's youth.

markbau · Sep 9, 2019

I'm not a collector, of anything. To me cameras are tools and even though I have been photographing since the mid 1970's I doubt I've ever owned more than a dozen cameras in total. I've probably owned more enlargers than cameras and I must admit to feeling a bit guilty when I recently discovered I own 2 80mm Schneider Componon S lenses (I still cannot understand how I came to have two of them) But I realise that some people love collecting things, be they football/baseball cards, Toby jugs or cameras, it's just not my thing. Right now I have a Pentax 67 system, a Wista 8x 10 and a Pentax DSLR. I was recently offered a mint 8 x10 Deardorf (at a very good price) which I'm guessing some people would have salivated over, but I have an 8 x 10 so declined.

jtk · Sep 9, 2019

BradS said:
I know a guy....

Let's suppose that in the process of trying to buy a decent working example of a particular camera, or cameras, one suddenly finds oneself in possession of what others might think of as a Collection....then what?

Having accumulated a respectable collection, what does one do with it?

Of course, this is all purely hypothetical. All alleged. The secretary will deny everything...etc, etc...

If you want to be a photographer dump the collection and photograph. If you want to be a collector...

wyofilm · Sep 9, 2019

In my youth I managed a Nikon FG, a 50 mm lens, and an all-that-I-could-afford-second-hand Vivitar zoom. At the time, it was lavish. I couldn't imagine how anyone could possibly afford a MF camera (I'm not sure I knew LF cameras were still in use). Now I am happy to make up for lost time.

Enjoy the cameras you like; sell the rest.

mgb74 · Sep 9, 2019

We're judging you!

And declare you innocent. Or at least not guilty by reason of insanity.

Having accumulated a collection...what then?

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