Why do we collect gear?

Soeren · Apr 30, 2007

braxus said:
Soeren,
I know you are joking on the cameras thing, but realistically I'd trade them all for her. She was quite the lady.

I hope I didn't step on any toes here? If I did I apologize for that.
Kind regards
Søren

Daniel_OB · Apr 30, 2007

I have 3 Leicas R8 and two Nikons F6. All 35 mm.
--- The reason for 3 Leicas is
that I use wide, normal, and tele Leica lenses, and do not like to change lenses (can be danger and more costly than to buy separate body).

--- The reason for one F6
was a portrait lens Nikkor 1.4/85d (AF) the same (if not “better”) than Leica 1.4/80 and much more less cost than Leica alternative ($4800 cd with tax for lens alone).

--- The second F6
come for street scenes when I have to respond quickly and no time to remove the camera from eye to rewind the film, or worst forget to rewind.

One more very important reason for all them is that I have to use different films: Pan-F, iso-100, iso-400. Because 35 mm cannot change back so the only solution is to have some more cameras.

As you spotted all my 35 mm cameras are high-end cameras. They are real masterpieces of our time, and I like to take it in my hand, the same as I like feel of nice and good brush when I drag it along my finger. They are the best and the most comlicated things human ever made in history (optic, mechanic, casting, materials, electronic, ...). By the way I needed 7 years to pay off my credit cards.

I have one 6x7 mamiya (RZ proII) for I can change the back, and one 4x5” Linhof where also I can change film easily.

I use all my cameras, some more some less.

www.Leica-R.com

braxus · Apr 30, 2007

Soeren said:
I hope I didn't step on any toes here? If I did I apologize for that.
Kind regards
Søren

No worries. No offence taken.

snegron · Apr 30, 2007

Daniel_OB said:
As you spotted all my 35 mm cameras are high-end cameras. They are real masterpieces of our time, and I like to take it in my hand, the same as I like feel of nice and good brush when I drag it along my finger. They are the best and the most comlicated things human ever made in history (optic, mechanic, casting, materials, electronic, ...). By the way I needed 7 years to pay off my credit cards.

www.Leica-R.com

I feel the same way about the workmanship of cameras! They are functional tools as well as amazingly precise enginering masterpieces. This feeling of awe transfers over to the picture taking process as well. When I plan a shoot (not a paid shoot but one where I expect to get images for personal display), I take into account what camera and lens combo I plan to use. Part of this planning includes an emotional (or mood enhancing if you will) choice as well. The equipment I take along influences my shooting style and sometimes my subject matter as well. I enjoy shooting street scenes with my Nikon F, especially when loaded with Tri X. When I'm in the mood for shooting slides of still life I'll take my F2A. For street photography with color film I'll take my F3HP, when traveling I'll take my F100.

Any of these cameras I mentioned are capable of taking photographs in any of the above situations, however, each will inspire me in a different way. There is no scientific explanation for my reasoning, only emotional. But art, after all, is about emotions.

Peter Williams · Apr 30, 2007

I like the exploration of different cameras and formats. I can ask you all day long about the difference between a 50mm lens for 35mm format vs a 75mm lens for 6x6, but trying them out is where I really make the connections. Plus - most of the photographic equipment I have, as had been mentioned already, is very well made. When everything around me is made of plastic in China, it's nice to pick up a German made LF lens and just enjoy the look and feel. I am not a camera collector, but I do like to fondle them.:rolleyes:

PS - All of my equipment is above the age of consent

Black Dog · May 2, 2007

Some of mine's older than I am!

Ole · May 2, 2007

Black Dog said:
Some of mine's older than I am!

Most of mine are, too - 5 out of umpteen cameras are "younger" than I am. Same with lenses; some are older than my (late) grandfather!

Antje · May 2, 2007

Soeren said:
I hope I didn't step on any toes here? If I did I apologize for that.
Kind regards
Søren

Actually, I found it really sweet.

Antje

Steve Smith · May 2, 2007

snegron said:
I feel the same way about the workmanship of cameras! They are functional tools as well as amazingly precise engineering masterpieces.

I feel the same way. The first time I took apart a Copal type shutter mechanism to try to repair it, I was amazed at its complexity and the fact that someone designed it on a drawing board without the aid of computer aided design or simulation.

To me, this is a much greater skill than making something work with electronics or clever software.

I work as an electronics designer but I usually prefer a mechanical solution to a problem over an electronic one.

Steve.

Roger Hicks · May 3, 2007

Steve Smith said:
I usually prefer a mechanical solution to a problem over an electronic one.Steve.

Dear Steve,

Absolutely! On Tuesday, at the local vide-grenier (literally 'attic-emptying', a village-wide yard sale) I bought a Gitzo pneumatically-governed delayed action for 2 euros (call it GBP 1.50, $2). It's a lovely little chrome gadget, probably half a century old or more, and it was seized. But clean it, play with it, exercise it -- and it works. It's like Compound shutters: INCREDIBLY reliable.

And I'm just doing a review of the M8, comparing it with an MP. The M8 is a lovely camera, as close to a 'real' Leica as you can easily get with digi, and Leica says they'll support it for 20 years -- bit film Leicas don't need 'support', just the occasional strip, clean and overhaul.

Cheers,

R.

snegron · May 4, 2007

I think I have taken collecting to a new extreme. My wife knows I have always wanted a Leica rangefinder, so I reached an agreement with her. She told me that the only way I am going to get that Leica (a used M series, preferably an M6 with a 35mm or 50 mm lens) is if I am able to lose weight down to 185 pounds and maintain that weight for two weeks in a row. If I gain one pound over the 185 within the two week period, the two week count down starts over again.

She thought I couldn't do it. I started on December 31 at 243 pounds, I am now down to 206! I have lost 37 pounds so far! Talk about working for a camera! I only need to lose 21 more pounds, keep them off for two straight weeks, and I will be in Leica heaven!

P.S., I'm looking for a picture of an M6 to post on my fridge so I can remember my goal every time I feel the urge for a midnight snack!

rosey · May 4, 2007

Keep up the good work!! If I was able to diet my way without surgery from 425 pounds to 200 pounds, you can finish what you started. I only wish I could have made a similar arrangement for something I wanted badly, but my wife doesn't mind my collecting. Of course, she doesn't know what I have accumulated, so mum's the word. My big problem turned from acquiring camera gear to becoming a clothes horse, once I was able to buy normal sizes off the rack. At Triple-X and Size 60 or more, even the big man's shop couldn't fit me. Now, I'm wearing a normal size Large.
By the way, I kept a little Nikon Lite Touch on my dresser when I started my diet. Every two weeks or so, I took a picture of myself in the dressing room mirror wearing nothing but my briefs. Not a pretty photo album, I'll admit, but it helps when I'm tempted to overeat. I also carry a photo of me at my heftiest as a reminder. So you see that my photo hobby even helps keep the weight off.
Heck, you only had to lose 58 pounds. I had a leg that probably weighed more than that!!

rjs003 · May 5, 2007

I'm getting better, a couple of months ago I sold off most of my equipment and up graded to a Mamiya RB 67, a Graflex View II and I kept my Konica Auto S2. But then there is my wife's Cannon range finder and a Fugi range finder that I keep in the car for just in case. I'm sure that I'm set for the rest of my life. I'm sure! I'm sure?

roteague · May 5, 2007

I don't have any interest in collecting. I do have some old cameras; Nikon F2, F3, N80 - mostly broken (except the N80). I'm considering getting a MF setup as well. I have two cameras that I use -Toyo 45AII and a Nikon F5 (I also have a digi toy, but it mainly collects dust, I use it for pictures of family and friends).

Marcus · May 7, 2007

snegron said:
Cameras and lenses are artists tools.
Why not collect and display the tools that were used to create these masterpieces? Why not use these tools (cameras and lenses) to create new masterpieces?

Each camera has its own history, its own soul. Each one of my cameras inspires me in a different way to shoot different images. Each one puts me in a different mood much like looking through a different lens gives me a different perspective of a given subject.

That's part of my twisted take on collecting, or why I'm not afraid to admit I'm a gearhead. Why do you collect gear?

Cameras to me are for using!! They might be old & not modern or the latest machine, but so what - they work!!

They do have their own soul, has made me learn a lot about taking photo's from a different perspective/angle. It makes me think about what I am taking and why as well as how.

How many times do you get stopped in the street for using the latest Nikon or Canon?? Using an old Box Brownie (or something else that's old & classic) I always get comments about PROPER photography!

My like collecting Ensign/Houghton Butcher, but anything English will do. We led the world once......

Marcus

Black Dog · May 7, 2007

.....civilising Johnny Foreigner, painting the globe pink, carrying on up the Khyber, sending in Carlton-Browne of the FO, drinking Pimms and G&Ts.....losing penalty shootouts to the Huns.....ah happy days!

KWhitmore · May 7, 2007

My "good" camera.....Nikon FM2
My fun, bad weather (rain, snow,hail whatever), beach cameras.... Holga, Pentax MeF
My seriously heavy MF camera....Mamiya C330
My new(old!) flea market find for $65!....Nikon ELM (needed to buy for the 35mm lens nice friend gave to me)
My brother's (now mine!) camera since he went to the dark side....Pentax ME super

My husband now and then suggests that I might be on the verge of collecting....I assure him that I "need" every one of those cameras/lenses/whatever to do what makes me happy. Who could argue with that?
Oh, and of course they all work....

Kathy

Marcus · May 7, 2007

Black Dog said:
.....civilising Johnny Foreigner, painting the globe pink, carrying on up the Khyber, sending in Carlton-Browne of the FO, drinking Pimms and G&Ts.....losing penalty shootouts to the Huns.....ah happy days!

Oh dear , losing to the Huns again!!
But I do prefer Whisky to G&T though.

Dan Fromm · May 7, 2007

Um, Snegron, losing weight is a challenge. Keeping it off for two weeks, once lost, isn't that hard. Keeping it off for much longer is every bit as much a challenge as losing it in the first place.

A deal's a deal so I'm not going to try to find your wife and suggest she renegotiate, but I think that as a loving husband you should. Whatever happens, enjoy the camera. I'm glad that your wife found a good motivator for you.

Cheers,

Dan

alex66 · May 7, 2007

Let us not forget that many cameras are works of beauty, mechanical sculptures in them selves. I have far more unatractive things in galleries. I have too many cameras but they all get some use and they all give me lots of pleasure, I have aquired some as parts of a set to get lenses flashes etc that worked out cheeper than picking them up seperatly. Most of all I dont think it matters if you or I have one or a hudred cameras if it brings pleasure and its no doing halm, sadly a lot of these cams would end up as landfill if we didnt use them.
On a side note I was very disapointed to not find any writtings by Mr Hicks in the last AP I bouhght it was just about the only thing worth reading in the magazine most of the time.

mcgrattan · May 7, 2007

re: "On a side note I was very disapointed to not find any writtings by Mr Hicks in the last AP I bouhght it was just about the only thing worth reading in the magazine most of the time."

He's apparently going to write his column one week in four. As part of the magazine's revamp.

snegron · May 7, 2007

Dan Fromm said:
Um, Snegron, losing weight is a challenge. Keeping it off for two weeks, once lost, isn't that hard. Keeping it off for much longer is every bit as much a challenge as losing it in the first place.

A deal's a deal so I'm not going to try to find your wife and suggest she renegotiate, but I think that as a loving husband you should. Whatever happens, enjoy the camera. I'm glad that your wife found a good motivator for you.

Cheers,

Dan

Having started at 243, dropping down to 185 is more than a challenge for me! Especially since I have been at about 240 for the past 15 years! This gives a new meaning to having to starve in order to get a Leica. I just hope I have enough energy to enjoy my M6 when I get it!

My wife knows that I buy Nikon stuff on a whim. She doesn't care too much for the fact that I am always buying Nikon film bodies and lenes. She did, however, put her foot down when I told her I wanted an M6. I think she said something about "after spending all that money on Nikon gear you will not start again with another brand..." or something like that. I can't remember the details, they seem a bit fuzzy to me right now. That's when I mentioned to her the idea of losing weight and buying the M6 after reaching the target weight. My guess is that she probably thought this challenge would drag on for awhile and I wouldn't be spending money on any more camera related stuff. She knows that I always keep my word, almost to the point of being freakishly obsessive, so even if it takes a decade of voluntary starvation I will reach my goal.

Yes, I could sell off some of my Nikon gear and get the M6, but it wouldn't be the same. I think I'll enjoy it more if I earn it. I'm now down to 205. I really hope this Leica is worth it!

alex66 · May 7, 2007

snegron said:
Having started at 243, dropping down to 185 is more than a challenge for me! Especially since I have been at about 240 for the past 15 years! This gives a new meaning to having to starve in order to get a Leica. I just hope I have enough energy to enjoy my M6 when I get it!

My wife knows that I buy Nikon stuff on a whim. She doesn't care too much for the fact that I am always buying Nikon film bodies and lenes. She did, however, put her foot down when I told her I wanted an M6. I think she said something about "after spending all that money on Nikon gear you will not start again with another brand..." or something like that. I can't remember the details, they seem a bit fuzzy to me right now. That's when I mentioned to her the idea of losing weight and buying the M6 after reaching the target weight. My guess is that she probably thought this challenge would drag on for awhile and I wouldn't be spending money on any more camera related stuff. She knows that I always keep my word, almost to the point of being freakishly obsessive, so even if it takes a decade of voluntary starvation I will reach my goal.

Yes, I could sell off some of my Nikon gear and get the M6, but it wouldn't be the same. I think I'll enjoy it more if I earn it. I'm now down to 205. I really hope this Leica is worth it!

I hope you make it and can keep down there or bellow maybe you should then give yourself another if I stay to this target, But know its hard to do so you will big time deserve it,

snegron · May 7, 2007

Thanks Alex!

Kino · May 7, 2007

Hey! Maybe I can get that Reflex Graflex 5x7 if I loose 50 pounds! Way to go Snegron; you've given me inspiration! Back on the diet and now, for that little talk with the wife...

Why do we collect gear?

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