Too much crap

RalphLambrecht · Nov 11, 2015

I just have too much photographic equipment but I get my calm from having it all around me, which drives my wife nuts.Getting rid of it is not an option(I love it too much) and most of it was bought from money painfully saved up to get the 'best' I could afford.Recently, my wife made a suggestion I could possibly live withut a selection together for each format such as you most loved 35mm with a set of the most likely used lenses.TREAT THAT LIKE GOLD OR EVEN DISPLAY IT IN A Glass cupboard and just get rid of the rest.Do the same for 6x6 and 4x5 and a lighting kit and enjoy all the freed up space. Has anybody done something like that?What do you think? Is it enough to still enjoy the equipment with the pride of ownership,cut down on maintenance, required CLAs and have working equipment around when you need it?

Patrick Robert James · Nov 12, 2015

Yup.

Pared it all down to just what I need. Makes life simple.

Doc W · Nov 12, 2015

Ralph, I sympathize. I don't have that much gear, or at least I don't think I do (RB67, Mamiya 7, Wisner 4x5, Ansco 8x10, Kodak Master 8x10, a darkroom with two very large enlargers, and all the junk that goes along with all that junk). I really don't know how I would cut down on that. My problem is seriously exacerbated by my guitars and amps (four electrics, three acoustics, and six amplifiers). I just like all that stuff and I use most of it. What can we do? Wives are not very sympathetic but yours is at least trying!

Paul Cunningham · Nov 12, 2015

Use it or lose it, that's what I say. And it's amazing how much I can use (or will use very shortly)!
I'm only sentimental about one or two pieces, the rest have to earn their keep.

NB23 · Nov 12, 2015

I'm sick too. My camera collection is like my Jeans collection. Each pair of Jeans is so unique.

Ken Nadvornick · Nov 12, 2015

I've worked too hard over the decades to have any desire now to twist my own arm into selling any of the stuff I've acquired. It was all purchased for good reasons and to be used, and there is continuing enjoyment that comes from doing so.

Enjoyment is why I work so hard in the first place. I enjoy a roof over my head. I enjoy food on the table. And I also enjoy a pleasant avocation to pursue beyond working my self to death just to have a bigger bank account.

I've seen enough occupied coffins in my day to have recognized early on that none of those decades of hard-earned money gets packed tightly around the guest of honor before the lid is finally closed. If you don't spend it on things that bring you enjoyment, and instead just leave it in the bank earning interest at 0.001% until the beneficiaries get hold of it, then why did we all work so hard in the first place? What was the point?

I own a Yashica TLR. I also own a Mamiya TLR. I like TLRs. They bring me enjoyment. Selling one as surplus crap just to be able to stand there holding a fistful of cash instead of a TLR would only bring me less enjoyment. I like making photographs. I can't make photographs with a fistful of cash.

And I absolutely refuse to apply the same ROI calculations from my job to my avocation. My equipment does not need to earn its keep. There are no quarterly statements involved in the joy of using my cameras and darkroom. I refuse to apply the metrics of bottom-line business efficiency and productivity to my weekend enjoyment of TLRs.

When I pick up one of my cameras, that is exactly what I am trying to get away from...

Ken

RobC · Nov 12, 2015

I thought you've gone largely digital so what do you need lots of film cameras for apart from nostalgia?

mrred · Nov 12, 2015

I have a display case too. However what I put in it.....well doesn't work. When I have a camera that falls into disrepair and I can't get it fixed, either from me not having the skills or not ecconomical to send somewhere on the planet, it goes to the display case.

I would not deal with letting some of my gear go and have what's left fail with nothing to replace it with. For the most part, this gear is irreplaceable now. I would rather be the last man standing then not at all.

bernard_L · Nov 12, 2015

just get rid of the rest

What if the "most loved one" breaks down after you sold/gave the possible spare/backup?
IMO good, reliable equipment should be kept (within reasonable limits of redundancy); that is not crap. Stuff that was found out (through experience) to be crap should be dumped, and functional, but less-than satisfactory equipment should be given to beginners or sold to collectors.

Slixtiesix · Nov 12, 2015

It all depends. Has the stuff you are going to get rid of real material value? If so, I would probably sell it. I sold most of my Canon EOS system 10 years ago when I had went MF and I do not regret it. I only kept an old Praktica that was my first serious camera, given to me on my 15th birthday. I would never sell that out of sentimental reasons and it isn´t worth much anyway. If your surplus cameras and accessories aren´t of great material value, I could not justify the effort of selling them. As by now, I try to confine a "meaning" to every camera system I own. The Hasselblad has become my main camera now, the SL66 is for close up work, the Rolleiflex T is when I need something small and light and the Agfa Isola is for everything my other cameras are too precious. If funds permit I would also like to add a Hasselblad 201F when I "need" fast lenses, and a Kiev 88CM when I "need" fast lenses but the Hasselblad is too precious. With a bit of imagination one can find such a "meaning" for nearly everything. This may help to convince your wife ;-)

Theo Sulphate · Nov 12, 2015

Well, this is what I've got after 50 years of interest in photography (I really do use all of these):

Nikon: F, F2, F2, F2, F2S, F2S, F3/T, F3/T, F4S, F4S, FM, FM3a, D700
Canon: EF, AE-1P, RebelG, RebelG, RebelG, Elan 7NE, QL17GIII, Canonet 28
Leica: M3, M3, M6, M6, SL
Exakta: VX, VX, VX,, VXIIa
Hasselblad: 500C/M, 501C, SWC, 553ELX
Mamiya: RB67 Pro S, RB67 ProS
Fuji: GW690III, X-Pro1
Polaroid: SX-70, SLR 690, Image 1200
Minolta: SRT-101, SRT-101, Maxxum 7, DiMAGE X1
Minox: III, IIIs, IIIs, B
Graflex: Pacemaker 4x5
Olympus: XA, XA2
Other: Pentax SP500, Ricoh GR1, Voigtländer Bessamatic, Rolleiflex 3.5F, Retina IIa

Every single one of them is different (*) and special to me. My ownership of them is non-negotiable, mostly for the same reasons Ken gave.

Just be glad I haven't listed my firearms, sports cars, or mechanical watches.

(*) For example, one F3/T is black, the other is champagne with an MD-4.

Roger Cole · Nov 12, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
I've worked too hard over the decades to have any desire now to twist my own arm into selling any of the stuff I've acquired. It was all purchased for good reasons and to be used, and there is continuing enjoyment that comes from doing so.

Enjoyment is why I work so hard in the first place. I enjoy a roof over my head. I enjoy food on the table. And I also enjoy a pleasant avocation to pursue beyond working my self to death just to have a bigger bank account.

I've seen enough occupied coffins in my day to have recognized early on that none of those decades of hard-earned money gets packed tightly around the guest of honor before the lid is finally closed. If you don't spend it on things that bring you enjoyment, and instead just leave it in the bank earning interest at 0.001% until the beneficiaries get hold of it, then why did we all work so hard in the first place? What was the point?

I own a Yashica TLR. I also own a Mamiya TLR. I like TLRs. They bring me enjoyment. Selling one as surplus crap just to be able to stand there holding a fistful of cash instead of a TLR would only bring me less enjoyment. I like making photographs. I can't make photographs with a fistful of cash.

And I absolutely refuse to apply the same ROI calculations from my job to my avocation. My equipment does not need to earn its keep. There are no quarterly statements involved in the joy of using my cameras and darkroom. I refuse to apply the metrics of bottom-line business efficiency and productivity to my weekend enjoyment of TLRs.

When I pick up one of my cameras, that is exactly what I am trying to get away from...

Ken

Well said.

Something I saw on another forum once: "I ain't never seen a hearse pullin' a U-Haul."

Nodda Duma · Nov 12, 2015

I have to fight a strong pack rat tendency, but in the end I sell what I don't use so that other people can enjoy the equipment. 20 years from now those college students will tell stories about the "film camera that I've had forever."

I don't really care about the money that I make or lose on that equipment, except it does help cover the cost of the hobby. Selling gear that I may or may not use again is more about sharing the enjoyment of the hobby with others. That philosophy is about the only thing that can overcome my packrat tendency.

So if you think you have too much crap then maybe that viewpoint will help you lighten the load with a clear conscience.

Jesper · Nov 12, 2015

My solution is to lend excess equipment to friends and relatives that want to use it. That way I don't have to sell it (in case I need it sometime in the future) but I have space for new equipment at home.
The system works fine so far but I hope I don't loose my little black book with notations on who has what equipment.

sportster44 · Nov 12, 2015

Right now I am buying, not selling. My collection is

Canon: AE-1, AE-1, F-1n, A-1, Elan 7e, 1D MkIII,
Rollei 35se,
RZ67
Fuji GW680iii

Sony a7, A7rii.

And all the stuff that goes with them. Love all of them., all of them get used, so I don't see a need to sell any of them.

Looking for a rangefinder 35mm.....either Leica or Voigtlander Bessa

Dwayne Martin · Nov 12, 2015

In my case every time I have ever gotten rid of a tool I have instantly needed it somehow and regretted it. Even when I'm not using my gear I love having it on display, in fact I'm currently planning to add shelving to my house to accommodate more.......I enjoy what I do to ear money but photography is my escape.

BrianShaw · Nov 12, 2015

I don't understand why you don't just do what your wife suggests. She makes perfect sense.

removed account4 · Nov 12, 2015

just sell the stuff you don't use on ebay
use your name as "clout" people will
pay $$$ for the photographer and author's gear
and if only $ at least someone else will be using it.

DannL. · Nov 12, 2015

I have no difficulty parting with equipment that I don't use. It's the only way I can justify getting something I will use. I suspect that in the western world, too much disposable income is the root cause for hoarding.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 12, 2015

Nodda Duma said:
I have to fight a strong pack rat tendency, but in the end I sell what I don't use so that other people can enjoy the equipment. 20 years from now those college students will tell stories about the "film camera that I've had forever."

I don't really care about the money that I make or lose on that equipment, except it does help cover the cost of the hobby. Selling gear that I may or may not use again is more about sharing the enjoyment of the hobby with others. That philosophy is about the only thing that can overcome my packrat tendency.

So if you think you have too much crap then maybe that viewpoint will help you lighten the load with a clear conscience.

I think that's part of my problem;You can't sell the stuff for any reasonable amount Even giving it away is tough.People are not even willing to pay for the shipping and local schools and photo clubs laugh at you trying to donate film equipment.I just can't get myself to throw it all away;breaks my heart.

mr rusty · Nov 12, 2015

If you don't need the money don't sell it! Yes, maybe just keep the best stuff accessible, but the rest you could carefully pack away and store somewhere. Even if you never use or see it again, one day someone will rediscover your treasure. I wish all my grandparents "treasures" that are long since gone were still around. IMHO most people have said at some point ,"I wish I hadn't sold that". I guess I'm a hoarder.

BrianShaw · Nov 12, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
I think that's part of my problem;You can't sell the stuff for any reasonable amount Even giving it away is tough.People are not even willing to pay for the shipping and local schools and photo clubs laugh at you trying to donate film equipment.I just can't get myself to throw it all away;breaks my heart.

Hey Ralph... we are quite alike in that regard. I've always been conservative about buying camera gear, but in other areas I have boxes fill of "very baluable cr@p" that I just can't part with. As you say, that would break my heart. I think we just need to get to the point of accepting us as we are. My wife's solution was to put all of that great stuff in bins and store them in obscure parts of the garage. Those boxes seem to keep getting moved closer and closer to the door so one day I expect that they will move all the way to the curb. I'll sure miss that stuff... but honestly I haven't touched some of it for decades. As far as the acquisition cost, I amortize over the period of time I've possessed all of that stuff and it still works out to be rather inexpensive source of pleasure and entertainment.

mweintraub · Nov 12, 2015

I have a big Ikea shelf that holds my stuff. Not every cubby is full with body/lenses, but I do still have a lot.

I've accumulated a lot of gear and with the prices I've paid, I couldn't see myself getting rid of some of the items... but recently, I had a chance to get a Nikon F6 for CHEAP. My mind changed and some of my gear went up for sale. Stuff that I kept but never used was to be sold. Sold enough and got the F6. I absolutely do not feel bad for selling those items because it was a great trade off! Since then, I've continued the trend and would sell 1-3 or so items to get one good/great replacement (lens, etc) for a system I shoot often. Still have more items to sell!

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 12, 2015

I guess most would surmise I have far too much crap. Many years of buying/selling but buying more than I sold because the really good deals were tough to pass up. Literally dozens of old Graflex cameras just laying around collecting dust because I have a somewhat difficult time cleaning, photographing, listing, selling, shipping. I quit selling for several years due to a neurological issue and also because the bottom fell out of the market after 9/11. I finally started selling again about three years ago when I could no longer work and bring home a paycheck... that was after a year of living off of my decimated 401K. I need to set up a schedule to list at least one relatively valuable thing per week or several small items per week. Even then I don't think I could ever be rid of it all.

The funny thing is I want to keep nearly none of this stuff and I'm literally stumbling over things I don't need or want. It's just a bit of a challenge for me these days to get much of anything done, even very easy tasks. Anyway, that's my stoopid excuse/story and I'm stickin' to it!!

OptiKen · Nov 12, 2015

I am in the same process now and you are right, it is not easy.

Too much crap

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