Maintaining Equipment During Long Periods Off...

How to keep gear in optimal condition through potential long periods of non-use?

After putting it off for a few years, I am finally starting Law School in August (part-time), and between a full-time job and school, don't anticipate using my gear much - at least, not all of it.

I am thinking of selling off some of my gear - with the notion that I would rather it be put to good use by somebody but in case I end up keeping it, I'd like to know your opinions.

I will definitely use these during my time in Law School:

Leica M7; 50 Summicron
Pentax 67; 3 primes

These, not so sure:

Nikon F3HP; 4 prime lenses & 1 zoom
Mamiya 645; 3 prime lenses
Nikon F100 & Nikon N90s; with 3 prime lenses

Right now, I use all of my gear, loaded with different film for different uses. But I could probably live without the 645 and the Nikon auto-focus bodies. I love my F3HP, and use it more than my F100 & N90s.

Should I sell what I don't use and if I need it later, buy again? Or keep it stored & maintained for regular use again in a few years, and how best to do this? Thanks!

Considering that production of most analog gear has completely ceased, and that more and more stuff slowly finds its way to landfill, I would definitely recommend storing it. You may have a hard time finding exactly what you want in say 5-10 years time.

Yes, I know, there is now still an abundance of second hand gear, but it will not last forever...

Storing things dry to avoid fungus and not in extreme heat or cold, seems to me to be the main concern.

Marco

Store them. It might be wise to remove the batteries.

Thanks, gents. Do you think Pelican cases packed with silica will do the trick? Is it also prudent to "dry" shoot or fire them regularly?

Sorry to be a downer, but law school is very time consuming. You'd make better use of your time networking with your classmates and professors, working on a law review, studying hard, and getting clinical or work experience than worrying about your cameras. And when you first start a law job, it's gonna be your life. Young lawyers just don't have a lot of photography time or energy, in my experience.

So, I'd sell everything but the Leica and the F3HP, with one lens each. I'd keep those because they are mechanical and small so you could use them on trips or bring them in a backpack. As someone said, take out the batteries.

Enjoy law school!

-Laura

Send them to me and I'll make sure they stay exercised. I promise I'll give them back when you want them.



Ok, someone was going to say it, so I went ahead and got it out of the way.

Make sure you keep enough equipment to be able to use it.

Law school, and the practice of law thereafter, is all consuming. It also tends to use parts of the brain that are different than most of those used in photography.

You will find that you have a great need for a regular source of rest, change, and recreation. Photography can be a great source for that.

I just wish I had made more of an effort to maintain my darkroom work during my law school and early practice years - I think I would have ended up happier in my practice, and my darkroom skills wouldn't have got so rusty.

I probably would have got more use and enjoyment of my Mamiya TLR equipment during that time as well.

I have just under 25 years of practice under my belt.

If you want evidence that you can both practice law, and enjoy photography, I would suggest looking at Sanders McNews' photography (aka Rollieflexible hear on APUG).

For some, school means a lot of moving, including changing residences and packing and unpacking. If that applies to you, keep that in mind when deciding.

Good luck, and I hope you find your calling.

I would store them. If you sell and later try to re-buy, you'll be getting unknown problems. At least you know the condition of your current gear.

winger said:

I would store them. If you sell and later try to re-buy, you'll be getting unknown problems. At least you know the condition of your current gear.

Click to expand...

Wise advice, I think.

do you have anyone around you(that you know personally) that could keep your cameras in use?

this way you know they're being excercised regularly, so you won't find out they're frozen up from being stored for so long.

I know with LF lenses, its recommended to work the shutter at all the shutter speeds at least once a month, allowing the springs to be loosened up and to keep everything happy. I'd imagine the same thing with 35mm and MF gear.

but definitely remove the batteries, even if they have a button cell in addition to the AA's or whatever the power source is, remove them all

best of luck with law school!

-Dan