Side effects of GAS

Over the years, I have accumulated and use a fair amount of photographic gear, analog and digital. I am sure there are others in the same boat. What I am curious about is how do you store and possibly take care of all your stuff? I have three closet shelves full of cameras, lenses and accessories, plus 4 camera bags ready to go, a couple of rolling cases and three hard-shell cases, all full of cameras, etc. And that doesn't take into account backpacks, tripods, stands, lighting or darkroom equipment. I know what I have and where it is, but I am looking to be a bit more tidy and centralized (the equipment is in three different rooms right now and unless I miraculously acquire a studio, that probably won't change much.) So how do others deal with this or is it just my compulsiveness?

I have managed to place a reasonable amount of gear with other enthusiasts who are now making meaningful use of it.

That sounds like a bit too much.

I use clear plastic boxes of various sizes, silica gel, etc. and I try to sell anything that hasn't been used for a few years

Some of them go on a big shelf, others go under my bedframe. It helps but I still have too much.

I'd start by doing an inventory -- which takes a lot of time. Keep a list and break it down into categories -- whatever works for you -- Lens, Cameras, AF, MF, darkroom, filters, accessories, etc. During the inventory you'll discover the stuff that needs to go first -- and that will keep you plenty busy, as long as you don't throw it in the dumpster.

List it here, and we'll help you out.

That will get you through the tip of the iceberg, anyway.

I picked up ANOTHER Seagull DF-300 (AKA, Minolta X-370) with a Minolta MD 28mm f2.8 -- in perfect shape -- for next to nothing. I'm going to sell the lens and keep the camera, and make more money than I spent to buy them both.

Sell....what is this Sell??

I agree; sell some of it. You won't miss it.

I bought some nice old Leica caps, not perfect, don't need.

Reorganizing can only do so much: Sometimes, I get rid of things, or learn not to acquire them in the first place. When I got back into film a number of years ago, I wanted to try all sorts of things, but I've calmed down a lot since then, and now have a better feel for what matters to me, and I've discarded most of the stuff which only briefly held my interest.

I just paid my credit card. When I get an urge to buy something I go online and pay all my debts up to the minute great feeling. I got a couple nice fat checks for selling some stuff. Bought more film and paper.

I suppose there are those who make do with one camera, one system, and just use it to make images. Sometimes I envy that approach.

Then there are those who see cameras as a technological wonder that takes on a parallel to image making, totally separate path of thought process. My recent dive into Rolleiflex SL66 is best example how I cannot control adding more to a lot I already have. But in all that, owning these things does make it fun to discuss it.

Some of all that, IMO, can be almost mystical in nature, fascinating as such, historically of significance, and once deep into it, it is very hard to let go of anything in possession, regardless of actual use, on display or not. I have a ton of stuff, majority stored in boxes as my personal "museum" has not materialised for a number of reasons. I continue to marvel over all that gear, and occasionally I pull out some that have not seen a light of day for years.

It all gets stored in boxes with silica, system cameras go into dedicated foam-lined cases (Pelican style, just far less expensive) and they just wait for some play time. As it is not how I make a living, it is there to be appreciated, not all at moments notice.

Having said all that, I'm getting close to thinning out inventory as some of it simply gets wasted with non use. It takes time to come to that conclusion. I only hope I am indeed getting close.

Same problem here. I made an exhaustive inventory last month, placing current values on everything. This helps with figuring what you want to keep because: 1) you use it frequently, 2) use it sparingly, 3) use it rarely, 4) use it never, 5) it's broken. Assess your gear health by placing a percentage of all your gear to each category. For example if more than 50% of your gear is category 5, make a therapy appointment. The goal for myself is to have 90 percent in cat 1 and 2. Then you don't have to worry much about taking care of the gear and you can focus on taking care of yourself. A bit tongue in cheek here but rational

I avoid excessive GAS with a FART:

Forgo
Aquiring
Redundant
Tools

Saganich said:

Same problem here. I made an exhaustive inventory last month, placing current values on everything. This helps with figuring what you want to keep because: 1) you use it frequently, 2) use it sparingly, 3) use it rarely, 4) use it never, 5) it's broken. Assess your gear health by placing a percentage of all your gear to each category. For example if more than 50% of your gear is category 5, make a therapy appointment. The goal for myself is to have 90 percent in cat 1 and 2. Then you don't have to worry much about taking care of the gear and you can focus on taking care of yourself. A bit tongue in cheek here but rational

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Good point. I wish there were a therapist who could show me some appropriate Tai Chi routine to help me get some of this load off

Hassasin said:

Good point. I wish there were a therapist who could show me some appropriate Tai Chi routine to help me get some of this load off

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I wish my local shops that sold my stuff on consignment were still open.