How many is too many ... ?

[Bromo33333]

How many cameras are too many?

I think more than 2 per format is too many. Oops. I guess I have too many...

 

[Dave Parker]

I don't think you can have to many cameras, I won't restrain myself, I buy what I want and shoot just about every single thing I buy..

Dave

 

[jolefler]

I dunno about 2...I used to carry 3 loaded bodies with primes attached when workin' for the paper. That didn't include back-ups & other glass at home. PLUS all those honeys I picked up for my enjoyment....cameras, that is.

I don't think you can put a number on a maximum. It depends on what you feel you need to get the job done.

 

[copake_ham]

Too many cameras is one more than you think you should have.....

 

[jovo]

As some recent Texas senator said about guns: "I have more than I need, but not as many as I want."

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Too many is when you have more than you can actually use in a year. If you aren't shooting it, and you're not collecting it either, and it has a layer of dust on it from inactivity that can be measured with a standard ruler, you have too many.

 

[copake_ham]

With a rough count of about 17 35mm cameras, it could be argued I have to many.

However, I offer in my defense the following:

1) I divide my time b/w three residences. It makes more sense to have gear at each than to carry it - particularly with regards to flying from NY to Tucson what with carry-on restrictions.

2) My gear is roughly divided into two personal shooting "eras". The first was all manual - the second included auto.

3) I "indulged" in a fling with RF that led to having some of those cameras (oldsters and newbies).

4) Some of my manual Nikons are just not worth a lot anymore ( ) despite their quality. Why sell off my faithful FT-2 (it was my first "real" camera) for $75 rather than retain it as a keepsake?

5) I've been shooting for nearly 30 years and things do tend to "accumulate".

 

[reellis67]

I have collected some of the more interesting (to me) cameras, and I don't count all of those as users, although some are. For me, I know that I have too many when I have neither used a camera nor felt that it warranted space on the display shelves. This actualy did happen, once, only once.

- Randy

 

[raucousimages]

I have 38 cameras in the house from 35mm to 8X10. 5 of them do about 90% of my work but between myself, my wife, 3 kids, students and Boy Scouts they all get used. It is nice to have just the right tool for the job.

Too many is when you have so many you are hoarding the world supply and denying others the use of a camera.

 

[bob01721]

"... How many cameras are too many...?"

Too many for whom? In 35mm, two bodies cover things nicely for me. A third body is like insurance. A fourth is superfluous.

To a collector... it's a different story. And then there are lotsa people in between.

 

[alan c. davis]

The owner of the photo shop here in Adelaide (South Australia) where I do most of my shopping has over 1000 cameras including 250 stored in his bedroom (don't know iff he's married or not). Makes for fascinating conversation talking about his favourites. By the way he is keen photographer. His knockabout goes with him everywhere camera is the Hexar RF rangefinder. By the way I own and use 7 Cameras, 2 nikon slrs(rarely), 3 70's leaf shutter fixed lens rangefinders, a Bronica EC (rarely) and the Hexar Rf often (but as yet no Leicas)

 

[David Brown]

In 35mm, two bodies cover things nicely for me. A third body is like insurance. A fourth is superfluous...

Hmm. I have 5 working Minolta mf bodies. I guess the fifth is "conspicuous consumption."

 

[Uncle Bill]

Are you saying I have too many and I have an equipment addiction?

Camera collecting is a side hobby of mine and I rationalised that it is a safer,not cheaper than drugs.

Bill

 

[bob01721]

Hmm. I have 5 working Minolta mf bodies. I guess the fifth is "conspicuous consumption."

"Conspicuous consumption?" Nah... sounds like you're just starting a collection. Now, if they were Leicas... that would be conspicuous consumption.

I have four Minolta MF bodies. Three SRT-101's and a 102. I recently picked up the last -101 cuz it was too good a deal to pass up. But it's more than I need, so I'll make it a gift to some manual-Minolta user I have in mind.

 

[titrisol]

too many? I learned there wa ssuch a thing only after I got married and had to keep my cameras in bags/boxes

 

[DBP]

If I had to cut my collection down, I would settle for:

6 35mm - 2 SLR, 2 interchangeable lens RF, a Nikonos, and a compact leaf shuttered RF
5 MF - 1 SLR (two backs), 2 folders, and 2 TLRs
3 LF - 1 Speed Graphic, a 4x5 field camera, and a 5x7
1 cheap digicam for documenting odds and ends
1 swing lens panoramic camera

In most cases I have chosen two of each to enable color film to be loaded in one and black and white in the other. I'm a little ambivalent about the need for the second folder, as it might be just as easy to carry a TLR or two as two folders.

 

[Loose Gravel]

I have found and said many times, you take different kinds of pictures with different cameras. Therefore, I use one 57, 2 45s, 2 6x7s, 1 xpan, 1 35 SLR, 2 35 AF RF, a couple 35mm happy snappers, and a partridge in a pear tree. Also kicking around are cameras I've built and retired, a Eastman 2D 810 that's for sale, and Canham that for sale, my dad's Rolleis, and some other collectors and sentimental cameras that aren't worth the furniture they're setting on.

I should mention that lately, if I buy one, I sell one. Too many get in the way. By the same token, if I sell one, I buy one. Anybody got a spare Nikonos?

 

[nsurit]

Too many, hmm. Perhaps when you have so many that one occassionally gets lost and then rediscovered . . . and that isn't such a bad thing. It is rather like running into an old friend. Yes, I experience it from time to time and I don't have too many cameras. Who was it that asked this question? Can one really have too many or perhaps the question is can one have enough? I'm not sure, but then I'm not too concerned about finding the answer. <{8^) Bill Barber

 

[Black Dog]

To infinity and beyond!!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Inventory time...

2 8x10s - Calumet C-1, with 4x5 and 5x7 reducing backs, and a Zone VI Ultralight.
1 5x7 - Canham woodfield, with the Technica front standard, and 4x5 reducing back.
1 4x5 - Shen Hao HZX 45atII

1 Hasselblad 500CM
1 Hasselblad Superwide CM
1 Graflex 22 TLR

1 Xpan
1 Contax G1
1 Contax RX
2 Contax 167MTs
1 Yashica T4
1 Sea & Sea MX-10 with the YS-40 handle-mount flash.

I think that about covers it. This is of course not a lens inventory at all, just bodies/systems.

 

[Bromo33333]

Inventory time...
[...]
1 Graflex 22 TLR
[...]

Hooray for Graflex 22's! I have one and it is a lot of fun, though definitely primitive.

 

[Black Dog]

...No it's not like any other love, this one is different because it's real....

 

[JBrunner]

Cameras are like CDs. Each one plays a different song, so it is good to have a variety of selections, depending on the mood..... like anything it only is an addiction when it begins to interfere with leading a normal life....uh oh...

 

[snegron]

Cameras are like CDs. Each one plays a different song, so it is good to have a variety of selections, depending on the mood..... like anything it only is an addiction when it begins to interfere with leading a normal life....uh oh...

How very true! The only way to ween oneself off of this addiction is by buying that one last camera that will do everything for you. I only bought two cameras last month. And two lenses. And a motor drive. (Does film count?). Next month I will not buy anymore cameras. I promise. Well maybe that F2A...

 

[25asa]

The answer to the question is somewhere around three for each format that you shoot might be in excess.

Every body should be bought with at least a near twin body.
Roll film backs need to be bought at least in pairs for each body.
An absolute minimum of three lenses per format (wide, normal and short tele) is required, Plus one ultra-superwide and one superlong telephoto is needed for at least one of the formats that one shoots. Having them in two formats that one shoots is not likely a sin.

It looks like I am short a second 4x5 camera and wide angle, a second 6x12 back, a second 6x7 body and a wide for that along with a couple of backs.

Thanks for asking the question. This means that I need to treat my GAS, so now I'm off shopping for sorely needed equipment.