Why do you own multiple cameras/lenses?

[luther_berry]

If Bob Fleischman doesn't mind, I will submit the question he touched on in response to Andrew's question. Why do you own more than one camera and lens?

 

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I own an R8 with 4 lenses and 2 extenders, a Nikon F3HP with 2 lenses, and a 30 year old Nikon F2 Photomic with one lens. The F2 I am keeping for my grandson to use for learning photography. The F3HP with 50/1.4 and 80-200 (all mint), I will sell if someone wants them. The R8 and Leica lenses ARE NOT FOR SALE!

 

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I could justify these multiple cameras with all kinds of reasons but confess that I basically bought them because I wanted to play with them. I enjoy using fine photographic equipment and pleasure is the only justification needed for a hobby! LB

[duncan_mcmorrin2]

I agree Luther, who needs justification when it's this much fun? :-)

 

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-Duncan

 

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http://www.leica-gallery.net/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leicam6

[bobtodrick]

I've never been one to dupicate types of camera sytems at any given

time, though over the years I've owned too many to count. At the

moment I use Leica rangefinder (IIIg/35 F2 Asph/50mm F2), an R3 with

35-70 (that I use mainly for copy work) and a Rollei 35 that sits in

my briefcase for those important grab shots that happen on a daily

basis> I think I now have 4 of these ;-) I don't see the point in

having other SLR sytems, or a Voigtlander kit, etc because I have to

many other vises (guitars, books and good scotch).......

[godfrey]

I have many cameras ranging from Minox 8x11mm to 6x6cm

format. I bought some of them simply because I think they're

neat, others because I'm fascinated with the model line, and

others because they have unique features or capabilities that

allow me to take pictures more easily that I can't with another.

The different formats each bespeak a different mix of resolution,

depth of field, etc allowing for a lot of expressiveness.

 

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Cameras are interesting in and of themselves, apart from their

use as photograph makers.

[alfie wang]

A lot of people wonder why in the heck do I have lots of cameras and

lens? I have lots of cameras because of the following:

 

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1) I don't like to change film mid-roll so I load each camera with

different film and shoot accordingly. Leica R4 w/ Kodak Gold 200 and

Minox GT-E w/ Kodak Gold 800 etc. etc.

 

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2) Each camera is like a paintbrush. An artist has a camera to paint

life in one way. The Leica R4 paints life differently than a Minox or

a Voigtlander Bessa R,T,L etc. etc.

 

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3) Learning the difference between SLR and rangefinder. A

photographic experience.

 

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4) I like having a good outfit and I'm still finding the nice outfit

which I feel most comfortable with. It's like dating girls I guess

and then settling down for one.

 

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Hope that helps. By the way, why have many lens? Don't. Use a few

lens which you like often. The three primes are good enough for me.

 

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Leica-fully,

Alfie

[doug herr]

I use more than one camera body in several ways:

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) Use them as film backs. Load 2 identical bodies with the same

film; when one runs out, switch to the other body and re-load the

first when time permits.

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) Keep different film types loaded at the same time. Black SLs are

for K64, the chrome SL is for K200.

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Backups. Never forget the klutz factor. I drop stuff.

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[doug herr]

Oh yeah, I forgot about lenses...<BR>

I specialize in wildlife photos. A 560 is better in wide-open spaces

or for flight shots, while a 250 is more useful in forested areas,

with the 400 fitting into the vast region in-between. I also like

photos of my kids, where 90-135-180mm lenses are handy; macro is fun

too so the 60 is my 'normal' lens, but then for a little more light

the 50 Summicron-R is handy and relatively cheap. A 35mm lens is my

token wide-angle.

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Some days it's just too much stuff so on those days I just carry a

black SL with the 400. One camera, one lens, one film.

[kaiblanke]

There are several reasons (for cameras):

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1. It is nice to have always the right tool available <BR>

2. I'd like to see things also in a different way (RF, SLR, medium

format, P&S) <BR>

3. As exchangable film backs <BR>

4. To lend them to other people (no, not the leica) <BR>

5. To have at least one camera sitting there where I need it (in the

car, the backpack, ...) <BR>

6. Because some were cheap an noone else wants them <BR>

7. To recognize that Leica is better than any of the others (maybe

except my old Contax SLR - you may flame me, but I'll stand firm)

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Lenses just make cameras work, and it is easier to carry lenses than

complete cameras. This is why the tele- and wideangle-rolleiflexes

TLRs vanished, could you imagine runnning around with 3 Rolleiflex

TLRs or would you rather take an M with 3 lenses (ok, this is not a

fair comparison, but you know what I mean).

[andrew_schank]

Nothing wrong with having an appreciation for fine crafted machinery

and polished glass, as I can think of worse things to blow money on.

An old friend of mine calls fine camera eguipment "jewelry for

guys",and indeed it seems to be mostly the male of our species that

hoards this stuff. When someone asks me how many cameras I own, I

often reply "a few too many". Seriously, you can't really use more

than 3 or 4 cameras that often, at least I can't-I don't shoot enough

film to do so. I never wanted to become a camera collector when I

grew up, but believe I'm slightly "overstocked" at the moment. The

hard thing is figuring out what to get rid of.

[timothy_nelson]

Can't argue with those who confess to enjoying mechanical cameras. I

imagine that's true of most of us who look at this forum. Since I'm not

a pro who has to be prepared for anything, I usually just have my M6

and a 35mm lens. However, on trips or vacations or personal projects,

when I can carry around a small bag of gear, it's wonderful to have

access to the perspectives and subject distances that other focal

lengths permit. That bag usually also includes my Widelux or sometimes

another M body for a different film. However, I always think of those

cameras and lenses as supplements to my basic kit of M6 + 35. I admire

people who can switch among different film formats, but I would find it

confusing to have so many choices. I'm already overwhelmed with too

many choices of good films!

[albert_smith]

I always think of how much simpler life would be if I only had a

single camera and a lens or two... after all that is what I use 90%

of the time. I do however regret the loss of most every camera and

lens I have ever sold off, and have even suffered financial loss in

the re-acquisition of long discontinued models that I thought I could

live without. Therefore, I have more cameras than some photo shops

have on their use equipment shelves, and many dozen lenses. I just

can't get rid of anything based on the remorse of past sell-offs.

 

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It's funny I have a closet full of gear, I spend time agonizing over

what to bring on a photo excursion, and I always grab the same thing

(s)... a Leica M6 with 35 and 50, or a Nikon F-something with a 35

and 105.

 

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Yeah, life would sure be easier... but I'll never know.

[bobtodrick]

I'm a great believer in simplifying my gear (as well as my film

stocks). I never ceased to be surprised at the people I know who use

10 different films (or lenses) and say that they are not really

satisfied with any of them. It has taken me 15 years to learn all the

nuances of Tri-X, and only this last year have I really began to feel

comfortable with my 50mm (90% of my work is with a 35). And though I

use a 35-70 on my R3, in know way would I claim to get consistently

good results (compositionally). I think it was Ansel Adams who once

said that if you gave him a standard lens only, and that he could only

shoot in his backyard that there would be lifetime of

photos..

[roberto_watson_garc_a]

If they come by chance at a good price, and they are a good

investment, and if I´m afraid one day I´ll be without one, then I buy

them when I can; and like Al, I usualy end up using the same gear.

Now I use a diferent body every week to keep them working.

[greg_mason]

feeling nostalgic: contax IIIa or my black SL; medium format with

kids: fuji GA645i; medium format with out kids: fuji GW690; throw

in a back pack and take off: R6.2; i love the vertical control grip

so much i use it for most portraits: maxxum 9 with 100mm; sports

maxxumm 9 with 80-200 2.8 or old 100 - 300; trips with children when

i dont want to carry 20 lbs: minolta 7000i and 35-105 zoom; my

first, and it still feels just right in my hands: olympua om2n.

does any one have some good justification i could use on my wife for

a m6?

[michael_darnton1]

I always like to have two of each of my important tools so when/if

one has to go in for repair I can keep going. I can't afford or

justify it with lenses, but it's easy enough to do with bodies, so I

do. Then I split them between black and white and color (which I

actually rarely shoot.)

[kens]

Because I'm sick. I pedal faster, but slide backwards. I flog myself

over this every other day. On alternate days I find another bargain I

just can't refuse. I'm joining PEA (Photo Equipment Anonymous).

[yip1]

The difference between men and boys is the quantity and quality

of their toys !

 

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On a philosophical level, modern man is the most bored

creature around. He constantly needs to distract himself

because otherwise........... he gets bored !

 

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I only have one leica, a standard lens and take 1 roll of film a

year :-)

 

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Yip bracing himself for a verbal attack ( which itself is worthy of a

pic) !

[Spearhead]

Like Mr. Todrick, I have no interest in pursuing lots of equipment

(or varieties of film.) I don't own multiples of anything except

some old broken cameras. I am left wondering after I read this what

people are doing that they can't have a camera down for a few weeks.

I used to shoot bands but I was paid so I had two bodies.

 

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Now, I shoot between three and seven days a week and have yet to have

a problem. If something is going in for a repair, I shoot with

something else. My wooden pinhole always works, no matter what.

 

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I've never found more, or sometimes better, equipment helped me take

better photographs. Usually it was spending my spare time walking

locations or trying to find models rather than perusing camera

catalogs.

 

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I realize some people are camera nuts, but that shouldn't be confused

with photography.

[Rob F.]

Right you are, Jeff, but this is the camera nut thread!

 

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I have 10 cameras. The only actual duplication is between the Nikon

system and my R4. I have about 10 lenses for the Nikons, and three

for the R4. I just wanted to explore the benefits of the R system

lenses vs. Nikon. Just for fun. I don't feel that having both Leica

M cameras and reflex models is a duplication. Rather, they

complement each other. And owning a Hasselblad is not duplication,

since it's a different format. Of course, only a Minox will fit in

my pocket, and I'm going to get back to using the Rollei TLR any day

now . . . I think I even had a reason for getting four different

50mm Summicrons.

 

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Well, it just makes me happy, that's all. I don't feel I have to

justify it. It's my hobby and I love it!

[tom_tong]

Simple! I've got spare money to spend. I like cameras more than

expensive cars which required much more space to store. As I've said

in the earlier thread, we hard earn the money and we need to get some

reward or else why we need to work so hard?

[msitaraman]

I don't know.

 

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I do know what a complete waste of money it has been.

[david_killick]

I am very heartened by the number of people who own more, and more

expensive cameras than me, and shall hasten to tell my wife this

post-haste. One can never own too many cameras, surely? If you enjoy

them, why not? They are cheaper than cars or computers, after all, and

provide a lot of innocent pleasure and a chance for camera nutters to

keep on raving about them. There are few cameras I wouldn't like, but

I do enjoy using older ones too, including old 50s Agfa folder and

Ricoh rangefinder, Olypmus 35RC, Leica M3, and my oldest one, Leica

III

[doug herr]

>>>I am left wondering after I read this what people are doing

that they can't have a camera down for a few weeks.<<<

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Some wildlife activities occur only for a few weeks each year.

Miss it and I have to wait another whole year before I have an

opportunity (assuming scheduling conflict don't arise).

[xavier_dalfort]

Hey Luther:

 

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Just because we like to have them, even if we don't use it everyday.

 

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There was a time when I always had a camera in my bag/pocket, a Minox

35.

But now, most of the places forbid photography so I eventually gave

up.

 

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Owning for plesaure (like recently bought a Rollei35SE) or for

discovery (a Digital Omympus). The pleasure of owning fine equipment

such as the R system and use it to create sharp and contrasty images

(most of them are useless thought..)

 

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Just some interest into those mechanical/electronical devices.

 

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Regards.

Xavier

[richard_oleson]

...why do you own more than one pair of socks?

 

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:)=