Do I win?
How much camera gear? Get out the calculator!
As a backup to my three Nikon N90s cameras, three SB-28 flashes, three SB-23 flashes and two MF-26 backs, I use my three Nikon 8008s cameras, two SB-25 flashes, two SB-24 flashes, one SB-26 flash, three MF-21 backs and a wireless ML-1 remote rig.
As a backup to my 8008s cameras, I use three Nikon N70's.
As a backup to my N70's, I use my two Nikon N6006's and one Nikon N6000.
As a backup to my N6006's and N6000, I use two Nikon FA's (one black, one chrome), three SB-16B flashes and two MD-15 drives.
As a backup to my FA's, I use two Nikon FE2's, a fourth SB-16B flash and two MD-12 drives.
As a backup to my FE2's, I use two Nikon FE's, a Sunpak 383, two Vivitar 283's, a third MD-12 drive and an MD-11 drive.
As a backup to my FE's, I use my three N2020's (usually focused manually), three MF-19 backs, two SB-22's, one SB-22s and three SB-20's.
As a backup to my N2020's, I use my two N2000s and four SB-15 flashes.
As a backup to my N2000's, I use my two FG's (one black, one chrome) with an MD-14, two SB-18's and two MD-E's.
As a backup to my FG's, I use my FG-20 with a third MD-E.
As a backup to my FG-20, I use my three EM's, a fourth and fifth MD-E drive and two SB-E flashes.
I also have an absolutely mint Nikkorex FS with the f3.5 Micro Nikkor lens for fun. And I just picked up a "cherry" Nikon EL-2 body for the mirror lockup function.
That's just some of my Nikon gear, and I am certainly forgetting a few Nikon items here, too. I don't have space or time to get into the lenses, AF and manual, or the filters and hoods for every lens. And drawers full of original instruction manuals for everything.
But that's just the beginning.
As a backup to my two Canon A1's, two 199A flashes, Canon Winder MA and Winder A2, I use my AE-1 Program,
second Winder A2, Canon 177A flash and a wireless LC-1 remote rig.
As a backup to my AE-1 Program, I use my Canon T70 and 188A flash.
And a drawer full of Canon lenses, filters and hoods.
As a backup to my two Minolta X-700's, two 360PX flashes, Motor Drive 1 and Winder GP, I use my two Minolta X-570's, two Minolta 320 flashes, 132 flash, 128 flash, two Winder G's and a wireless Minolta remote rig.
As a backup to my X-570's, I use my two silken Minolta XE-5's and two 200x flashes.
As a backup to my XE-5's, I use my two XD-5's and a second 128 flash.
And a drawer full of Minolta lenses and hoods.
As a backup to my three Pentax Super Programs, Winder A, MEII winder, two AF280T flashes and two AF200T flashes, I use my three Pentax MX's and two AF200s flashes.
As a backup to my MX's, I use my K-1000 and a third AF200s flash.
And a drawer full of Pentax M and A lenses.
As a backup to my Pentax Spotmatic II, I use my two Spotmatics.
As a backup to my Spotmatics, I use my H3v.
As a backup to my H3v, I use my H1a.
And a drawer full of Pentax screwthread lenses.
As a backup to my Konica Auto S, I use my Retina III Auto.
As a backup to my Retina III Auto, I use my Retina IIb
As a backup to my Retina IIb, I use my Retinette 1.
As a backup to My Retinette 1, I use my Kodak Signet 40.
As a backup to my Kodak Signet 40, I use my Agfa Silette.
As a backup to my two Canon Ql17 GIII rangefinders, Canonlite D flash and assorted little flashes, I use my Leica Mini.
As a backup to my Leica Mini, I use my three Olympus XA's and three A16 flashes.
As a backup to my XA's, I use my two Olympus XA2's and two A11 flashes.
As a backup to my splendid little Pentax UC-1, I use the Espio Mini (the black version of the UC-1).
As a backup to my two Olympus Stylus Epic Zooms, I use my Stylus 70 Zoom.
As a backup to my Stylus 70 Zoom, I use my two Olympus Stylus Epics.
As a backup to my Olympus Stylus Epics, I use my three thin Pentax IQZoom 835's (my wife carries one of these).
As a backup to my four Nikon Lite-Touch 35-70 Zooms, I use my five 28mm Nikon Lite-Touches.
As backups to my two Konica A4's, I use four Konica Big Mini HG's.
As backups to my Konica HG's, I use other assorted Konica Big Mini variations.
As further backups, I use numerous other point-and-shoots with fixed focal lengths and zooms by Pentax, Ricoh, Yashica and Samsung, probably totaling 25 or more. Many of them yield excellent results, especially my Samsung ECX-1, Pentax 105-R and similar Pentax Super.
As still more backups, I have four of the dandy little Canon Elph Jr. with a very sharp 2.8 lens. They serve a purpose for me. Also in the APS line, I have three of the tidy original Canon Elphs, a Nikon Nuvis Mini i, one Minolta zoom and a Samsung 300i model.
In addition, I inherited two new Leica rangefinders with lenses and case -- the IIIf and an M2 two-stroke. I have not used them to shoot pictures yet, and I don't think they ever had film in them. The shutters seem to work perfectly.
As a backup to my wife........nah, I'd better not even try to be clever.
Look up the words collector and obsessive in the dictionary. You'll find my picture. Regarding number of cameras I have....it varies and I'd just as soon not add them all up definitively. I'd probably get depressed over the total.
We won't get into my extensive collection of lenses, which complement every camera body and lens mount, as you probably would expect. There are also a filter and lens hood for every lens. Some special-purpose filters in several sizes, such as polarizers (linear and circular), soft-focus, multi-image, etc. are also used on occasion. And two Gossen Luna Pro meters, two Gossen Super Pilots, and two Gossen clamshell Pilots. Reverse rings and bellows attachments help with close-up work if my macro lenses aren't being used.
Assorted bags by Domke, Tenba, Tamrac and Lowe-Pro are part of the collection. One Domke photo jacket and three photo vests help, too. Plus a couple of tripods. A couple baseball caps tout the names of Pentax and Canon. A windbreaker screams Minolta on the chest. A very nice denim jacket reads Canon on the sleeve. I even wear two ties (not at the same time) with cameras in the design. Can you say the words "photo geek?"
Which pair of cameras I carry for picture-making depends on my mood. I still especially enjoy the old screwthread Pentaxes. And I have fallen in love with the mint Pentax MX's I acquired on eBay. Also a tactile joy to use is the wonderful, old Minolta XE-5. For the rare money-making jobs I accept, I usually grab a Nikon FA or FE2, but occasionally the N90s or N8008s.
I go through my collection of cameras and flashes occasionally to exercise everything a bit and keep in all in top working shape It is a time-consuming procedure, but part of the fun of having such an assortment.
I get such a kick out of the brand name wars on many photo groups in which users are avidly devoted to a single manufacturer. Each camera and accessory I own has its own feel to me, and each brings something different to the party. The end result is usually the same: a hobby I enjoy and photos to share.
As an avid (obviously) collector and user, these are the ones I currently have (as of Sept. 9, 2007). I use some of them a while, then sell for others that meet the same fate. I only collect and use absolutely mint stuff.
I have a few old classics that are mint in appearance but no longer work dependably, including an Argus brick with flash, a Kodak Signet 35 and a Zeiss Contaflex. I display them proudly in my family room.
And I have a box full of an all-new Rolleiflex 3.5 camera and assorted equipment, which was left in a damp area that pitted the lens with fungus. The camera shutter still works like new. One of these days I'll post an ad here or eBay and get rid of it all to a Rollei collector/user. Anyone interested can email me.
And no, I am not a dealer, even if you do see a lot of transactions under my eBay handle of ROSEY, on photo.net or on the rec.photo.marketplace board.
Is there a Betty Ford Clinic where guys like me can go to get some help in controlling themselves?
Seriously, some folks collect cars, motorcycles, exotic artwork and esoteric figurines. My hobby is less expensive, I think, and much more usable. It is, first and foremost, great fun. I occasionally go to the now-rare photo shows where I meet some some fine people who share my enthusiasm for this hobby.
Well, maybe not quite as enthusiastic as I am, but active in the hobby nonetheless. I have also met some delightful people on this group, who have shared experiences and ideas both publicly and through private email.
Regarding film shot monthly, it varies, but usually four to six rolls.
Sometime it's much more. Heck, I can go to a family dinner and be good for three rolls before dessert. A walk through the park is good for a couple rolls, especially if I'm packing my Micro-Nikkor lens for closeups.
Years ago the kids and other relatives used to groan whenever my camera would come out. Now they come around quite often to ask for copies of the old photos and to look through my family albums which, by the way, I keep
out on tables in the living room to be enjoyed, not hidden away in closets on another floor. Unlike digital fans, I want my photos to be seen and enjoyed, not stored away on some CD somewhere or on a hard drive.
After all, in addition to the sheer fun and joy of making the pictures, isn't the appreciation of the end result the ultimate purpose of photography?
And, by the way, I don't own a single digital camera.
