Paperweight

[RezaLoghme]

I always have one of my (functioning) cameras on my office desk, like the proverbial "paperweight" that is often mentioned when cameras are broken beyond economically viable repair.

I am not a proper collector, but rather an eclectic and irrational/emotional shopper. And I gain a lot of (thanks, Marie Kondo) joy from seeing one of my treasures every day, on my desk. Sometimes, during a call, I play with the camera, and when I am in my creative mode, I even dry-photograph things in my office, adjusting focus and aperture, it serves my thinking like a prayer bead or one of those spinner fidgets. I own a couple of vintage tripods, and usually there is one in my office which serves as a hat-stand or coat rack.

So, what I am trying to say is that "being" with my photo gear (instead of babying it in a oxygen tent) feels great, and I am curious of other members are doing the same?

Another question would be whether we "paperweight lovers" should buy broken/dysfunctional items or functioning ones? There is a case for each option.

Mods: If this topic is not in the right section, please feel free to move it. There is also a warning at the bottom of the screen not to post any hybrid or digital content, although this subsection is in the "mixed workflow" forum section.

 

[Pioneer]

I actually do this a lot. I almost always have at least one camera and often more, along with various lenses taking up space on my desk. Sometimes they are working models, sometimes not so much. For example right now I have a Pentax K1000 sitting alongside this computer on one side of the desk, a Vest Pocket Kodak on the other side (I actually have film for it) with a CZJ Sonnar 50/1.5 and a CZJ 10.5cm Tessar in a Rim Set Zeiss Ikon Compur shutter.

The really sad thing is that I cleaned my desk off a couple of days ago and I am not currently doing any photography work with any of these cameras or lenses.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Are these cameras on your desk or not?!

 

[RudyMerz]

I always have one or two of my cameras on the desk, except for my Sinar F2.
And yes, I play around with them while watching a YouTube video and sometimes ”waste” a frame or two. I am just a gear head who happens to photograph.

 

[jvo]

i am presently in my "clean desk phase", think focus, limit distractions. i'm hoping this attempt will last at least a week! I wouldn't put money on it though.

 

[ic-racer]

My desk is a little cluttered right now.

 

[MTGseattle]

I don't keep any on my desk, but I do think about this in the user vs. shelf object sense. Some cameras are clearly iconic in terms of both design and eponymous usage. The Speed/Crown graphics spring to mind. The Walter Teague designed Kodaks, The Hassleblad 500 series, Leica, Rolleiflex, etc.
I have a nice functional Speed Graphic that I haven't used in over a year. Should it become an "object d'art," or in lieu of that, should I source a broken one to be a book end?

 

[jvo]

Looking back, I've practiced monogamy.... as I've moved from camera to camera, I always left the "last girlfriend" behind by selling, gifting or somehow moving it to a new home!

Now when I moved from film to digital, I have kept my rollieiflex and meter, (in the closet), should I want to go back to film, so my digital camera could be jealous, - so far so good.

I'm really a one-camera-guy, really! I don't cheat!

I do have my current camera on my desk, and yes, I do play around.

 

[Eric Rose]

Currently I have 3 cameras on my desk. I'm a serial monogamist, I only play with one camera at a time

 

[RezaLoghme]

For me, only analog cameras work as paperweights. My digital ones stay in the box.

 

[xkaes]

Apparently lots of people are trying to make money on EBAY, ETSY, etc. selling "photographic paper weights" -- not to be confused with "photo frame paperweights" where you insert your favorite picture. These run the gamut from heavy cast iron replicas of cameras to actual, resurrected-from-the-dead cameras turned into pieces of art or lamps, for example.

 

[Chan Tran]

I got rid of the non functioning ones. I only keep the working one even if I only shoot blank.

 

[MattKing]

I have one camera that is reserved for display use - a 1934 - 1942 vintage Kodak Six-Sixteen Brownie Junior, like the one pictured here:

It is both a good conversation piece, and a reminder of a now deceased friend who gave it to me as an acknowledgement of my lifelong involvement with things Kodak.

 

[xkaes]

All you need to do with many of these cameras -- if in good cosmetic shape, and hopelessly irreparable -- is epoxy a suitably-sized "brick" inside, and you've got the perfect paperweight, bookend or conversation piece. Or EBAY/ETSY hobby.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What is a "conversation piece"?

 

[MattKing]

What is a "conversation piece"?

Something that people notice and want to talk about.
Those art-deco style Kodak cameras attract the interest of both photographers and non-photographers alike.
And for many older people, they trigger memories - usually good ones.

In my home, there is a fair amount of Kodak memorabilia, due to my father being a Canadian Kodak employee (in the marketing and customer service division) for more than a 1/3 of a century.

 

[loccdor]

Problem is, if you keep your cameras out, you have to dust them. A little bit annoying for folders with bellows extended which are probably the prettiest ones anyway.

I do handle and dry fire everything a few times a year, and usually run film through everything at least once a year, too.

I have a folder with a misaligned lens but everything else working that would be a good candidate for this. It's historic but can't really take pictures.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What about these cheese domes made from glass? If you put one over your desk camera, it would be protected from dust.

 

[pentaxuser]

Something that people notice and want to talk about.

That's describes Stand Development on Photrio as well. Matt

pentaxuser

 

[RezaLoghme]

So BTT - at the moment, I have a very fat 500cm on my desk, with fatter tele lens and fatissimo PME.

 

[Pioneer]

My Holga is sitting on my desk today looking right at me with a very accusing lens. It has no film in it and it is upset.

 

[Luckless]

I don't have any cameras that are 'broken beyond repair', but I do have a few that are broken beyond the level of effort I have the time energy or current tools and ideas to resolve just now...

But currently there are more accessories than cameras scattered around the desk itself. Just the one slightly broken Dacora folder holding down one stack of mail next to the other stack of mail held in place by the Geiger counter. Mostly a scattering of light meters, a few loupes, various stacks of filters [but most of those have been me playing around with light polarization more than photo related things... Photo filters are just what I have on hand and ready access to], and a scattering of memory cards.

Tables to either side of me have collected a lot more in the way of actual cameras. Various Canon FD bodies are collecting on the table to my left, while random medium format bodies and my 4x5 have made a home to my right.


Still trying to find a suitable glass doored case to fill a specific space in my apartment that most of the cameras will eventually have specific ordered homes in, but that might end up being a custom piece if I can't find something by the summer.

 

[MattKing]

That's describes Stand Development on Photrio as well. Matt

pentaxuser

Stand Development is never talked about by non-photographers, because they aren't the slight bit interested!

 

[MTGseattle]

I don't have any cameras that are 'broken beyond repair', but I do have a few that are broken beyond the level of effort I have the time energy or current tools and ideas to resolve just now...

But currently there are more accessories than cameras scattered around the desk itself. Just the one slightly broken Dacora folder holding down one stack of mail next to the other stack of mail held in place by the Geiger counter. Mostly a scattering of light meters, a few loupes, various stacks of filters [but most of those have been me playing around with light polarization more than photo related things... Photo filters are just what I have on hand and ready access to], and a scattering of memory cards.

Tables to either side of me have collected a lot more in the way of actual cameras. Various Canon FD bodies are collecting on the table to my left, while random medium format bodies and my 4x5 have made a home to my right.


Still trying to find a suitable glass doored case to fill a specific space in my apartment that most of the cameras will eventually have specific ordered homes in, but that might end up being a custom piece if I can't find something by the summer.

I'm a big fan of the metal "barrister" bookcases. I have 2 that are in "project" stage as I waivered on my overall intent for them. They were popular for a years, and prices went nuts. I've been lucky on the various online garage sales type sites, and found 2 sections at the dump one day.

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[mshchem]