How Many Cameras do you Own?

Theo Sulphate · Jan 23, 2017

flavio81 said:
...
Nikon F4 ----> Canon T90
...

I respectfully disagree. The Nikon F4 is a professional grade camera with all functions accessible using individually dedicated controls (i.e. knobs, levers, switches are used in a single, simple, direct manner).

The T90 is a deformed, fossilized pear. A deformed, fossilized pear with advertising scribbled on the front of it. A deformed, fossilized pear, with advertising scribbled on the front of it, that I would never allow into my house.

How many cameras do I have? Well, from 1971 to 1986 I had just one camera and one lens (Pentax with 55/2). During those 15 years I used it extensively. To this day I feel very comfortable using it (which was just a few months ago).

After 1986, well, the number of cameras seems to have increased exponentially. However, I've slowed down recently and now focus on all-mechanical small cameras. For example, I'm currently using a Retina IIa.

flavio81 · Jan 24, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
I respectfully disagree. The Nikon F4 is a professional grade camera with all functions accessible using individually dedicated controls (i.e. knobs, levers, switches are used in a single, simple, direct manner).

The T90 is a deformed, fossilized pear. A deformed, fossilized pear with advertising scribbled on the front of it. A deformed, fossilized pear, with advertising scribbled on the front of it, that I would never allow into my house.

How many cameras do I have? Well, from 1971 to 1986 I had just one camera and one lens (Pentax with 55/2). During those 15 years I used it extensively. To this day I feel very comfortable using it (which was just a few months ago).

After 1986, well, the number of cameras seems to have increased exponentially. However, I've slowed down recently and now focus on all-mechanical small cameras. For example, I'm currently using a Retina IIa.

Wow, so much hate for the T90. First time i ever, ever, read any person disparaging the T90. But to each its own. I also find the T90 ugly, much preferring the Canons that came before the "T" era. But internally the T90 is great stuff.

You are correct in pointing out that the F4 is a professional grade camera, the T90 is not. And i love the cameras that have all functions accessible using dedicated controls (as in the F4).

If the Nikon F4 wasn't so big, i would own one... However, for me once 35mm cameras get too big, i'd rather use any of my medium format cameras.

flavio81 · Jan 24, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Interesting that you did not include the F100. We all know that Canon has nothing equal to nor better than the Nikon F100.

Well, i was limiting myself to manual focus cameras (except for the F4 which still works just fine for manual focus, and its AF isn't so advanced either).

If you mean "equal" to the F100 in the sense that the F100 is a companion to the flagship pro camera (F5), in a bit less of ruggedness but most of the same (good) features, even more features in some respects, in a easier to use, smaller package that also cost less, and also "equal" in the sense of being a battery-powered autofocus camera...

... then what about the Canon EOS 3 then? There are things the EOS 3 does, that the F100 cannot do.

Not that i care, really; i don't care too much for AF, 1/8000 shutter speed or fancy flash metering modes.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 24, 2017

flavio81 said:
Wow, so much hate for the T90. ...

I don't hate the T90 - I just wouldn't own one.

keenmaster486 · Jan 24, 2017

Oooh... Let me see if I can name them all from memory.

35mm
Kodak Retina IIa (my day-to-day rangefinder)
Regula Cita
A Pentax SLR which model I forget because I haven't used it in many years

Medium Format
Kodak Brownie No. 2
Kodak Brownie No. 2A
Folding Pocket Kodak No. 2
Voigtlander Bessa I (my day-to-day 120 job)
Kodak Duaflex II
Kodak Tourist II
Kodak Cartridge Hawkeye No. 2
Kodak Brownie No. 0

Instant
Polaroid Land 100

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with this collection. The only thing I might feel obligated to add to it someday is a truly outstanding medium format camera. Otherwise, the Retina and Bessa have served me as well as I need them to.

On the other hand, my sister owns a Zeiss Ikon SLR which I am jealous of

RalphLambrecht · Jan 24, 2017

BrowniesAreCool said:
Just wondering how many cameras everybody owns. Here's my list:
SLR:
Pentax K1000
Pentax P30
Petri Flex V
Ricoh Mirai
Folding:
No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B
Vest Pocket Kodak Model B
Kodak Six-20 Junior Model D
Box:
Kodak No. 2 Brownie Model E
Kodak No. 2 Brownie Model E (I have two)
Kodak No. 2 Brownie Model F
Kodak No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model B
Kodak Hawkeye Ace
Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Kodak No. 3 Brownie Model B
Kodak Six-20 Popular Brownie
Kodak Six-20 Popular Brownie (I have two)
Kodak Six-20 Brownie Junior
Kodak Six-20 Brownie E
Kodak Brownie Six-20 Model F
Kodak Brownie Flash III
Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro Model (UK)
Box Ensign 2 1/4 B
Ensign E29
Ensign Ful-Vue
Ansco Dollar
Coronet Twelve-20
Halina Prefect
35mm/Roll Film Viewfinder:
Halina Paulette Electric
Halina 35x
Halina 3000
Halina 2000
Kodak Brownie 127
Kodak Brownie Cresta
Agfa Clack
Agfa Silette
Diana (Original Model)
Holga 120N
Revue RX-7
Zeiss Ikon/KWG Pentona II
Ilford Sprite 35
Ricoh RZ-3000
126 Instamatic:
Boots Comet 126x
Kodak Instamatic 50
Kodak Instamatic 100
Kodak Instamatic 28
Kodak Instamatic 33
Kodak Instamatic 36
Kodak Instamatic 77x
Kodak Instamatic 233
110 Instamatic:
Kodak Brownie Camera (110)
Kodak Pocket Instamatic 92
Kodak Pocket Instamatic 200
Kodak Pocket Instamatic 300
Le Clic Everflash
PhotoSport Starlite
Boots Tele 110
Instant:
Polaroid Supercolor 635CL
Polaroid 636
Polaroid i-Zone
Kodak EK160-EF
Disc:
Boots Disc 515
35mm Compact/Plastic Fantastics :
Minolta 130 Riva Zoom
Minolta Riva 100AF
Olympus Superzoom 76s
Olympus Trip XB40AF
Olympus Trip 301
Olympus Superzoom 800 S
Canon Sure Shot
"Solo 3" (Brand Unknown)
Hanimex 35hs
Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim
Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim (I have two)
Vivitar IC 101 Panorama
Panorama Wide Pic
Supapix (Vivitar) PN 2011
Vivitar PN 919
Polaroid 170 BV Flash
Halina 150
Halina 160
Halina Vision Snapz
APS Compact:
Fuji Nexia 275 ix Z
Kodak Advantix F220
Kodak Advantix F600
Cine:
Cine Kodak Royal Magazine

So, in total, that's 83 cameras. I must have miscounted before, as I said I had 95, I believe.

I currently own about 12 workable 35mm and other format cameras.

paul ron · Jan 24, 2017

hundreds... i restored n collected for 45 years.

Sirius Glass · Jan 24, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Interesting that you did not include the F100. We all know that Canon has nothing equal to nor better than the Nikon F100.

flavio81 said:
Well, i was limiting myself to manual focus cameras (except for the F4 which still works just fine for manual focus, and its AF isn't so advanced either).

If you mean "equal" to the F100 in the sense that the F100 is a companion to the flagship pro camera (F5), in a bit less of ruggedness but most of the same (good) features, even more features in some respects, in a easier to use, smaller package that also cost less, and also "equal" in the sense of being a battery-powered autofocus camera...

... then what about the Canon EOS 3 then? There are things the EOS 3 does, that the F100 cannot do.

Not that i care, really; i don't care too much for AF, 1/8000 shutter speed or fancy flash metering modes.

Hey man, like I was jerkin' you around. We all know that there are people who will never forgive Canon for changing the lens mount and diameter. There are people who will never forgive Nikon for removing the tab from the top of the lens. And there are people who will never forgive Nikon and Canon for switching to autofocusing lenses. Damn it, real photographers use wet plates and who does George Eastman think he is with his "You push the button and we do the rest."?

flavio81 · Jan 24, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Hey man, like I was jerkin' you around.

LOL...
Don't worry, when I read your post "Interesting that you did not include the F100. We all know that Canon has nothing equal to nor better than the Nikon F100" i had a great laugh, immediately.

Sirius Glass said:
We all know that there are people who will never forgive Canon for changing the lens mount and diameter. There are people who will never forgive Nikon for removing the tab from the top of the lens. And there are people who will never forgive Nikon and Canon for switching to autofocusing lenses. Damn it, real photographers use wet plates

And gunpower flash!
I agree.

Sirius Glass said:
and who does George Eastman think he is with his "You push the button and we do the rest."?

He's a smartphone-photography, instagram/tweeting terrorist! Down with him!

rthollenbeck · Jan 24, 2017

Interesting, I don't even know how many I have.

The F4 is great.
Don't have a T90 but I remember thinking it was worth consideration. There are/were so many consumer grade SLRs that I wondered how long it would be till they found their final resting place at the land fill. I wouldn't lump the T90 in with those. No reason to slap anyones Mama just for mensioning the T90'in my opinion.

etn · Jan 24, 2017

shutterpuppy said:
Far too many more than I need, always one or two short of the number I want.

Ha ha that is a nice way of presenting it

Mine are very complementary and all in use. From large to small:
Hasselblad with many lenses
Rolleiflex (with 1 lens, errr, actually 2 )
Nikon F90x (N90s for you Americans) with many lenses
Zeiss Ikon (last model)

And the most "analog" of all you-know-what-cameras, a Nikon Df.

Oh, I almost forgot an €8 Retinette 1B.

My next "wants", funds permitting, are an Xpan and a Nikon whose backs are not getting sticky with time, F100 or F6 perhaps.

benjiboy · Jan 24, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
I don't hate the T90 - I just wouldn't own one.

I have owned a T90 for more than 25 years and although it has always worked faultlessly I can't say I love it I much prefer my Canon F1's, the main reason I have kept it is for it's TTL flash ability to use for fill in flash when shooting outdoor portraits.

frank · Jan 24, 2017

I have negative feelings about the AE-1, but also about the nikon 2020 and 401/4004.

flavio81 · Jan 24, 2017

frank said:
I have negative feelings about the AE-1, but also about the nikon 2020 and 401/4004.

At least the N2020 is a cute camera. Very cute.

What is your negatives about the AE-1? I consider it a great camera. Mechanically, a remarkably (for a consumer camera) smooth shutter and mirror action. A precise meter. A reliable AE system. A good viewfinder. Smooth shutter button. Easy operation.

Only "cons" is that it has a plastic top and bottom, and that it depends fully on the 4LR44 battery. But on the other hand on the AE-1 i had, the battery lasted A LOT.

The other "con" is stop-down operation, not so ergonomic, and that manual mode is very simplistic.

frank · Jan 24, 2017

For me, the AE-1 represents a tipping point between the era of classic cameras and the consumer plastic cameras that followed. Just an irrational personal bias, I know.

HiHoSilver · Jan 25, 2017

I have too many. I need to learn how to use one. They are fun & interesting, but I get too easily distracted from the reason I want to have one.

benjiboy · Jan 25, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
I don't hate the T90 - I just wouldn't own one.

I own one, but I wouldn't let my sister marry one

R.Gould · Jan 25, 2017

To many to count,

flavio81 · Jan 25, 2017

frank said:
For me, the AE-1 represents a tipping point between the era of classic cameras and the consumer plastic cameras that followed. Just an irrational personal bias, I know.

You are correct, it is THE tipping point, at least for a change in camera construction, to internal modularness, more plastic, and microprocessors.

Wallendo · Jan 25, 2017

I have too many, but try to shoot with each of them occasionally.
I own about 25, but a few don't work and I keep them as decorations. I bought 5 or 6 of them because they came attached to lenses I wanted and the set was cheaper than just buying the lens) I sometimes feel guilty about not using some of the cameras and will shoot a roll with each cameras periodically. It's not uncommon when I travel to take one camera loaded with B&W and another loaded with E6.

rthollenbeck · Jan 25, 2017

frank said:
For me, the AE-1 represents a tipping point between the era of classic cameras and the consumer plastic cameras that followed. Just an irrational personal bias, I know.

I don't disagree, but there is no reason to have hard feeling about the ushering in of the junk era. These consumer cameras did much more good than bad in my opinion.
Makers still ground out plenty of high grade cameras for those willing to pay for them.
Consumer junk made SLRs much more available and most at an adequate quality level (although they were not built to last through the ages).
No doubt lots of this junk led to advancements, like programs, matrix metering, and probably auto-focus. Most of this stuff wasnt desired by pros/or at least incorporated in pro models/ at its beginnings).

Speaking for myself, a few of these designs were pretty well done. I owned several Minolta XG-7. I liked that camera, it held up, I'd even happily use one again.
Just my 2 cents, that's not to say I'm not even more pleased with what I own now.

benjiboy · Jan 25, 2017

You can't knock the cameras of the A and T series they were made with new materials, electronics and automated machining and assembly techniques that were a real money spinner for their company and it beat their major competitors in that section of the camera market hollow, and they put some pretty advanced photo technology in the hands of the consumer at a reasonable cost. In the 25 plus years since they were produced have proved to be pretty reliable because there are millions of them still about in good working order.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 25, 2017

Back in the 1990's, when APS was introduced, I remember silently thanking all the millions of people who bought point-and-shoot cameras because their usage of film helped drive and fund further film development.

As for plastic cameras, most of my life I bought and used the professional Nikons (F to F4), Leica M's, and Hasselblads. Yet one weekend I became enamoured with a camera that I'd often reviled: a Canon Rebel (a 'G' aka 500N). I found it fun and easy to use, I enjoyed its features and modes, and the photos with its inexpensive 50/1.8 were really very good. From this life lesson, I've learned not to despise any camera.

Gerald C Koch · Jan 25, 2017

Somewhere around 100 to 150 ranging from Minox, Minolta 16, 35 mm RF and SLR, 120 TLR, 120 and 620 box.

nsurit · Jan 25, 2017

This is something my wife and I agree on . . . too many! Not that it matters, but somewhere around 100.

How Many Cameras do you Own?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency