Paperweight

[Sirius Glass]

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Just keeping the Hasselblads from the hoarders.

 

[mshchem]

Just keeping the Hasselblads from the hoarders.

Curator

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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.

I understand this completely. This is meant when folks refer to 'joy of ownership' or in my case'love for mechanical and optical marvels';just fun to look at and handle once in awhile. It's a bit tricky to take one to work as it would violate my contract(no photography allowed) and I like to keep my job as it is the only way to support my photographic habits and eating three times a day is nice.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I understand this completely. This is meant when folks refer to 'joy of ownership' or in my case'love for mechanical and optical marvels';just fun to look at and handle once in awhile. It's a bit tricky to take one to work as it would violate my contract(no photography allowed) and I like to keep my job as it is the only way to support my photographic habits and eating three times a day is nice.

Well you could buy one of these "display dummies".

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

I've got a bookcase display for my non-user camera collection. Some of these cameras work okay and I use them rarely, notably the Petri 7s and Contaflex on top. But I'm only doing 35mm these days, not shooting medium or large format, nor my Minox subminis.



The 60s/70s Nikon and Olympus 35mm gear that I use regularly resides elsewhere.

 

[Luckless]

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.

Stackable Metal Barrister Bookcase by Globe Wernicke at 1stDibs | globe wernicke metal barrister bookcase, globe wernicke metal bookcase, globe-wernicke metal barrister case

View this item and discover similar for sale at 1stDibs - Classic style stack bookcase with glass fronted shelves, newly refinished in a bare metal finish. The Globe-Wernicke Company was formed in 1882. The company

www.1stdibs.com

I've been going back and forth on just getting a barrister bookcase, but adding one to my apartment would require a major reshuffling of how I have things laid out to actually get one in here.

They also come with the slight risk of:

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Wanting to fill them more...

I also kind of prefer taller and narrower cabinets for display purposes. I find they offer the option to put a highlighted centre piece in more obvious framing while flanked with simpler visuals on either side. The wider cases are more prone to 'broad clutter' feeling, and are harder to create a highlight or primary article among the collection.

I've seen a few broader cabinets with the tuck away doors, but where they've split each shelf into three segments, and alternate glass and solid panel doors. Something like that on a chest of drawers as a pedestal to raise the display sections off the floor could make for a really slick and sensible camera gear station. Choice pieces out highlighted and on display, and all the extra bits close to hand but out of sight.

 

[mshchem]

I'm not really going for display. I just realize (occasionally) that I need to stop binge GAS behavior.

 

[MTGseattle]

My other non-budget solution would be to keep your eye out for medical cabinets. Truly "vintage pieces are often white enamel over metal, while newer pieces can be found frequently in stainless-steel.

There's this series from Ikea; (I didn't look at glass/finish options)

MOSSJÖN wall cabinet w shelves/glass door, anthracite, 141/8x71/8x401/8" - IKEA

MOSSJÖN wall cabinet w shelves/glass door, anthracite, 141/8x71/8x401/8" Do you want to both display and hide things in the bathroom? Then maybe MOSSJÖN wall cabinet with an open shelf and a door with reeded glass is just what you're looking for to create order with style.

www.ikea.com

 

[MTGseattle]

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That's quite the cabinet. Does the Fuji GX get to play very often?

 

[mshchem]

That's quite the cabinet. Does the Fuji GX get to play very often?

 

[tjwspm]

I hang my cameras on the wall next to a photo I took with this camera: