too much gear?

[frank]

Or collect them. Use some. Also not too many then.

I'm both a photographer and a (modest) collector. Yes, that is possible.

 

[eddie]

If the cameras start to become a distraction, then there's a problem with obstruction. But only as far as creating photographic art is concerned.

A variety of cameras can also lead to inspiration.

I generally work on specific projects, rather than one-off images. Sometimes I get an idea, and think a certain camera will help realize it. Other times, a certain camera will lead me to an idea (i.e. what can I do with this camera?).
Whatever method works for you is the right method. The important thing is to keep an open mind to photographic possibilities, and maintaining the passion which brought you to photography in the first place.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Too much gear? Isn't that when one can't red-line their motor in top gear?

 

[flavio81]

Other times, a certain camera will lead me to an idea (i.e. what can I do with this camera?).

+1

I find myself in that situation sometimes. Grabbing the Rollei 35 will inspire me to do different stuff than grabbing, for example, the RB67.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Part of my rejection of gratuitous high tech is rooted in the recognition that in order to keep selling the new stuff the marketing case must be made that the older stuff it is intended to replace is now useless. It isn't.

Thus I have a nice cross section of formats and cameras, partly in resistance to the above sentiment. The majority are vintage or outright antique. And I revel in the recognition that light itself hasn't really changed appreciably in the last 100 or so years, so they all work just as well as the day they were made.

By continuing to use them I also consider it to be a respectful, cross-generational pat-on-the-back to the designers, engineers, and craftsmen who created them back in the day. These guys weren't cavemen. They built beautiful, functional, robust and appropriate instruments that work just as well today as they did back then.

So yes, I do own more than one camera. And each serves a different photographic purpose. Even if that purpose may primarily only revolve around the mood it sets. Or the reaction it invokes. Or the enjoyment it brings. Or the atta' boy recognition to its makers its use sends.

Anyone who has ever attempted portraiture with a smartphone camera knows the sullen, bored, disinterested or outright hostile cooperation it elicits from subjects. Anyone who has ever attempted portraiture with an 8x10 bellows camera knows the rapt attention, laser-sharp focus, and total compliance and cooperation it elicits from subjects.

Different cameras can give totally different end results in many ways beyond just being a different format.

So it's often necessary to be able to select the proper tool for the job. One can certainly make do pounding nails with screwdrivers. But perhaps it's better to carry both a screwdriver and a hammer in one's toolbox?

Ken

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Too much gear? Isn't that when one can't red-line their motor in top gear?

No, that means it's geared (or propped) just about right.
At redline the output has usually fallen off considerably. "Redline" is a mechanical concept which prevents "shrapnel".

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

No, that means it's geared (or propped) just about right.
At redline the output has usually fallen off considerably. "Redline" is a mechanical concept which prevents "shrapnel".

Okay... top out at the peak of the torque curve then.

 

[Jesper]

When you buy something you think that you miss only to come back home and discover that you already have one or even two of the same you know that you have too much.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Okay... top out at the peak of the torque curve then.

Nope. Peak of the horsepower curve. Tourque by itself means di@k - say you have 2000 ft/lb of tourque, but at 1 rpm? What, a tenth of a horsepower? I'm too lazy to do the arithmetic.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

When you buy something you think that you miss only to come back home and discover that you already have one or even two of the same you know that you have too much.

Or, some corollaries - you know you have it, but cannot find it. Or you find it, but don't remember owning it.

 

[StoneNYC]

Part of my rejection of gratuitous high tech is rooted in the recognition that in order to keep selling the new stuff the marketing case must be made that the older stuff it is intended to replace is now useless. It isn't.

Thus I have a nice cross section of formats and cameras, partly in resistance to the above sentiment. The majority are vintage or outright antique. And I revel in the recognition that light itself hasn't really changed appreciably in the last 100 or so years, so they all work just as well as the day they were made.

By continuing to use them I also consider it to be a respectful, cross-generational pat-on-the-back to the designers, engineers, and craftsmen who created them back in the day. These guys weren't cavemen. They built beautiful, functional, robust and appropriate instruments that work just as well today as they did back then.

So yes, I do own more than one camera. And each serves a different photographic purpose. Even if that purpose may primarily only revolve around the mood it sets. Or the reaction it invokes. Or the enjoyment it brings. Or the atta' boy recognition to its makers its use sends.

Anyone who has ever attempted portraiture with a smartphone camera knows the sullen, bored, disinterested or outright hostile cooperation it elicits from subjects. Anyone who has ever attempted portraiture with an 8x10 bellows camera knows the rapt attention, laser-sharp focus, and total compliance and cooperation it elicits from subjects.

Different cameras can give totally different end results in many ways beyond just being a different format.

So it's often necessary to be able to select the proper tool for the job. One can certainly make do pounding nails with screwdrivers. But perhaps it's better to carry both a screwdriver and a hammer in one's toolbox?

Ken

+1 well said

 

[dreamingartemis]

When you need to keep going down to the local hardware store to buy more shelves...

 

[Pioneer]

I know I have too much gear.

But if I spend all my time worrying about all the gear I have, I get no photography done.

I enjoy photographing...

I don't enjoy worrying...

I will probably always have too much gear.

 

[frank]

I know I have too much gear.

But if I spend all my time worrying about all the gear I have, I get no photography done.

I enjoy photographing...

I don't enjoy worrying...

I will probably always have too much gear.

Why would you worry about your gear?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Well, having too many cameras is better than collecting too many guns. ...

Yes. I have about as many guns as cameras. My theory about collecting is that you stop counting once you exceed 20 of something. Even so, it's better than collecting cars.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I know I have too much gear.

But if I spend all my time worrying about all the gear I have, I get no photography done.

I enjoy photographing...

I don't enjoy worrying...

I will probably always have too much gear.

I really get a kick out of that statement.
Too little time to worry. It's arguably better to simply do.

 

[flavio81]

I think i own way too much gear, because I don't like cameras sitting around unused. But this post gives us a GREAT idea on what to do about it:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[David Brown]

I do not know how many cameras and lenses I own. That saves a lot of anxiety and worry ...

 

[Pioneer]

I do not know how many cameras and lenses I own. That saves a lot of anxiety and worry ...

That's a terrific idea David. If you are going to have too much gear then it is better to have WAYYY to much.

I think I am liking this more and more...

 

[Pioneer]

Well, having too many cameras is better than collecting too many guns...

The only problem with too many guns is buying enough safes or lockboxes to keep them safe from others.

If you buy too many cheap cameras then you start leaving them around HOPING someone might decide to steal one.

The other day I had a guy walk up to me and compliment me on my neat Isolette I camera and I asked him if he wanted it.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I think i own way too much gear, because I don't like cameras sitting around unused. But this post gives us a GREAT idea on what to do about it:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

That sounds like fun and can be amusing. There's also Paul Ghica's one camera, one lens, one film project - where he shot with a compact Yashica for one year:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pghica/sets/72157639667665763/

I've also thought of using just one camera and one lens each month.

 

[mrred]

I don't worry. My "man purse" is heavier than those people pointing it out....

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I don't worry. My "man purse" is heavier than those people pointing it out....

LMFAO!!!

 

[Black Dog]

TMC?

That sounds like fun and can be amusing. There's also Paul Ghica's one camera, one lens, one film project - where he shot with a compact Yashica for one year:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pghica/sets/72157639667665763/

I've also thought of using just one camera and one lens each month.

That's a good idea, and I've done it many times before. I just have a couple more cameras on my kit list and then I'm done:munch:.