Too many cameras?

[AlisterHeath]

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Over the past few years I seem to have acquired more and more cameras and lens, but I instinctively feel that this may be getting in the way of actually taking pictures. My head tells me that I need to simplify things but my heart won't let me part with things, especially as I have often regretted selling/trading in equipment in the past. I'm sure many of you have gone through the same dilema and I would really appreciate your advice.

 

My favourite type of photography is street photography, particularly people in the lanscape. Some of my favourite photographers are Helen Levitt, James Ravilious, Tony Ray Jones, and Martin Parr.

 

My equipment includes:

 

Leica M7, M8, Summicron 35mm mark IV, Summicron 90mm

Zeiss 28mm Biogon and Zeiss 50mm Sonnar

Leica Digilux 2 and Panasonic LC1

Panasonic LX3

and most recently Panasonic GF1 plus 20mm F/1.7, with an adapter for my M lenses.

 

Each of these has it's own specific strengths and weaknesses, but I really do want to simplify things and concentrate on making images pictures and not on collecting equipment.

 

Many thanks.

 

Alister:confused:

[kalina]

You have a lot of great tools, but quite honestly by the time it took you to compose your message, you could be going out in the city and taking pictures! Sometimes I like to challenge myself by taking one random camera in my collection and just going out and experiencing the advantages and limitations of that camera. I know that I would regret not having the best tool for the job in certain situations, but sometimes a really good picture can come out of knowing how to use what you have in the best way possible.

[jsrockit]

My equipment includes:

 

Leica M7, M8, Summicron 35mm mark IV, Summicron 90mm

Zeiss 28mm Biogon and Zeiss 50mm Sonnar

Leica Digilux 2 and Panasonic LC1

Panasonic LX3

and most recently Panasonic GF1 plus 20mm F/1.7, with an adapter for my M lenses.

 

I don't think you've gone overboard with the equipment you've chosen. You could get rid of these and still have a great set-up with no flaws:

 

Leica Digilux 2 and Panasonic LC1

 

With regards to forum time vs. picture taking time... why do people think if you do something creative, you need to do it at all times?

[Guido]

My equipment includes:

 

Leica M7, M8, Summicron 35mm mark IV, Summicron 90mm

Zeiss 28mm Biogon and Zeiss 50mm Sonnar

Leica Digilux 2 and Panasonic LC1

Panasonic LX3

and most recently Panasonic GF1 plus 20mm F/1.7, with an adapter for my M lenses.

If this equipment were mine, my thoughts would be as follows:

 

1. No two M cameras. So either the M7 or the M8 have to go. I'd keep the M7 as a film camera in addition to one of the other digital cameras (see below).
   
2. Two, maximum 3 M lenses. I'd keep the 50mm in any case, but throw out either the 28mm or the 35mm (too close together, and you also have a wide lens GF1, see below). I'd also think about how many times I actually used the 90mm, and depending on that keep it or not.
   
3. Of all the Digilux and Panasonic stuff, I'd keep exactly one camera. In this case, I'd opt for the GF1 with its fast wide lens and the M adapter.
   

In summary, this would leave me with one film camera (M7 plus combo of 2-3 most used lenses), and one digital camera (GF1 w/ 20mm, plus option to mount M lenses).

[ASpes]

... but I instinctively feel that this may be getting in the way of actually taking pictures. ...

Alister:confused:

 

Alister,

 

maybe you should have/offer a deeper understanding of this very point, as I guess it's the main one.

 

In my case it's not having too much of something that nags me, but just not using it. So if you use what you have, each one according to "its own specific strengths and weaknesses" as you say, there's nothing in my view that should make you feel guilty of having too much hardware, or putting up for a need to simplify.

 

On the other hand my suggestion could be to choose the single camera/system that you feel more comfortable with and stick to it. Drop whatever looks just useful in some possible situation you actually never meet. If that ever happens, I'm sure you will be able to make do pretty well with whatever you have chosen.

 

Make your choice and test it for some time, then sell what's out of it.

 

Best of luck.

[jsrockit]

If this equipment were mine, my thoughts would be as follows:

 

1. No two M cameras. So either the M7 or the M8 have to go. I'd keep the M7 as a film camera in addition to one of the other digital cameras (see below)
   

I can't agree with this at all... sounds like a recipe for regret IMHO. The other digital cameras are nowhere near as nice or useful. If anything, keep all of your M stuff and get rid of everything else. Nobody ever complains of an M getting in the way.

[johnwolf]

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One full-size system. One pocket system. The rest would distract me. Unused gear nags at me. Only you know what works best on each end. But letting go is almost always a good thing, in my experience.

 

Personallly, I'd consider keeping the 35, 90, and the GF1/20, and sell the rest toward an M9. Of course, if you still shoot film, that's a hitch.

 

John

[daveleo]

hello

i know the feelings.....

 

about 15 years ago i realized that i love cameras (and some of the auxilliary equipment) as much as i love making images .... there is something about every camera (i have 55 or so ? in a glass case in the living room) that enthralls me as much as looking at photos and artwork.

 

add that to the fact that i am only a modestly gifted photographer, at that point i decided to be a poor man's version of a camera collector (i sold off all the filters, flashes, gizmos) and a poor man's version of a photographer (i use 4 cameras to make pictures ... none professionally).

 

it was a pivitol decision for me .... l love every camera i have , and some are "junk" that people gave me (like a leather Polaroid SX-70 in new condition!) for it's design qualities ..... and love love love making images with my favorite child (the D2).

 

maybe this applies to you ... cameras, in and of themselves, are wonders .... keep some for that reason alone.

[Overgaard]

I think it's a matter of choosing one thing and use it.

 

I have the R9/DMR, a Digilux 2 and the M9 at hand in photo bags with batteries and all ready for every day. Those I have ready for professional work.

 

The backup cameras and the cameras I used to use, such as the two Minilux, the two Leicafles SLs etc stay in a glass closet in another building. I don't have them there to admire them or fondle them, but I've simply learned that in most cases the pleasure of having the possibility to look at a camera to check something, or perhaps taking it out for a swing again one day for old time sakes, is worth more than the small amount one can get for it. So I keep them because they're mine.

 

No matter if you shoot professionally or for fun, and no matter at what level, my advice is to take one camera at the time. It can be for a trip to another country, or it can simply be for that day. You take, say a Digilux 2 and go play with it for that day.

 

Nex day you might feel in the mood for an M7, so that's the one you take.

 

It's like they have their own soul. Every time you use a camera, you gain the ability to learn something new, to see things from a new viewpoint, play the game of not having the possibilities other cameras might give. In a way, it's like taking on a new identity. One day you carry the big dSLR and you're noticed and you shoot and it make noise. The next day you take a Minilux or some small silent pocket camera where nobody notice you, you can't preview the photo in the viewfinder, it's a total different experience.

 

After a while some cameras gets left in the closet because new ones come by. You get favorites, then new toys. The key is to only use one at the time, not to lessen your possibilities of playing another game tomorrow with another camera.

 

 

This game could be played in many ways. Some just fondle their cameras and doesn't actually take them out. Fine, then take one camera and have that on your desk and admire it all day. Next week it's back in the closet and its another's turn to get the sweet attention.

 

 

I don't know about them who buy cameras, sell them and buy the newer one. In a sense its the same game, except they have to abandon or let of the previous one. I know a lot of high fidelity people who always buy the newest amplifier and sell the old. But sometimes - cameras or high fidelity - the one you had was the best ever (just ask the ones who sold their Digilux 2, Nikon F3HP or whatever was a real soulmate) and it's not the same getting again second-hand what you once had from new.

 

I like to keep them, even if I never use them. But I never play with more than one camera at the time. And I think that is the key.

 

My 20 cents on this.

[Overgaard]

hello

i know the feelings.....

 

about 15 years ago i realized that i love cameras (and some of the auxilliary equipment) as much as i love making images .... there is something about every camera (i have 55 or so ? in a glass case in the living room) that enthralls me as much as looking at photos and artwork.

 

add that to the fact that i am only a modestly gifted photographer, at that point i decided to be a poor man's version of a camera collector (i sold off all the filters, flashes, gizmos) and a poor man's version of a photographer (i use 4 cameras to make pictures ... none professionally).

 

it was a pivitol decision for me .... l love every camera i have , and some are "junk" that people gave me (like a leather Polaroid SX-70 in new condition!) for it's design qualities ..... and love love love making images with my favorite child (the D2).

 

maybe this applies to you ... cameras, in and of themselves, are wonders .... keep some for that reason alone.

 

55 is great. Love it. They do have personality, or even soul, don't they

[brunop]

you could donate the m8 to me. i would be willing to help you out in order to simplify your photographic life. i will grudgingly take that off your hands if it helps. or any other gear you may want to shed in order to get back to the basics.

 

let me know.

 

; )

[jsrockit]

One full-size system. One pocket system. The rest would distract me....

 

...Of course, if you still shoot film, that's a hitch.

 

John

 

Yes, that is the thing... you keep both M cameras, one film, one digital, and then choose a "pocket" camera to go with them.

[AlisterHeath]

My problem I think is that I am trying to find the simplest and most elegant solution for my photography.

 

Part of my dilema I think is concerned with the pros and cons of film versus digital.

 

I have only been taking photographs for 5 years, but early on I identified the type of photography that I enjoy the most, namely social documentary (e.g. Helen Levitt, Robert Frank, etc). Naturally I therefore turned to the Leica M, initially an M6 TTL and then later an M7, with the classic 35mm Summicron.

 

I was also attracted by the simplicity of the film M cameras as opposed to the complexity of digital slr's. There is far less to go wrong with the camera and also there isn't the perpetual issue of the perceived obsolescence with digital.

 

However, the dilema I found with film was that the process is far more complex and time consuming than it is with digital. I much prefer my film images (tone and grain), but I absolutely hate the whole business of scanning and spotting my negatives.

 

I therefore tried various different digital cameras in my search for my "ideal" solution, and so imbarked on the technology treadmill that I always wanted to avoid! Unfortunately, none of these is quite right, for one reason or another. Maybe the M9 could be the answer (somehow I doubt it), but I really can't justify or afford the cost!!

 

Please can someone talk some sense into me.

 

Many thanks.

 

Alister

[regedit]

another "expert" advice:

 

sell all your gears, buy a lomo film camera and with the rest of the money travel around the world and take pictures. If you know the secrets, the strengths and the weaknesses of all your presented gear you will have no problem to shot with a lomo film camera.

 

you'll make great picture, enjoy take them and you'll be more happy with your accomplishments.

 

a good picture does not come from the perfect camera but from a good photographer. more limitations you have, the more you'll learn about taking pictures.

 

if lomo is too much stick with a leica and smile after each photo taken.

[johnwolf]

Alister,

 

If you hate scanning but love Ms, don't you already have what you need in your M8? For the type of work you are pursuing it seems ideal.

 

What is it about that system that you find unsatisfying?

 

John

[Guido]

I have only been taking photographs for 5 years, but early on I identified the type of photography that I enjoy the most, namely social documentary (e.g. Helen Levitt, Robert Frank, etc). Naturally I therefore turned to the Leica M, initially an M6 TTL and then later an M7, with the classic 35mm Summicron.

It sounds like you have great success, and feel very comfortable, with the full-frame Leica M cameras.

 

"Never change a winning team", as the saying goes.

 

The M9 would be the natural solution to your processing and scanning problems, but as you say you can't afford it.

 

I would therefore propose to stay with the M7 and its lenses, and spend some more effort on the processing/scanning part. I don't know what you use today, but maybe all you need is a more efficient scanner (such as the very affordable Reflecta RPS 7200 Professional, which can suck in an entire roll of film uncut and batch scan it in one go with an effective optical resolution close to that of the Nikon Coolscans, but without the need to buy optional batch feeders and the like). You might also want to question why you spend so much time spotting your negatives - in my experience, it is absolutely possible to develop and dry film in such a way that very little, if any at all, spotting and retouching is required in post processing.

[jsrockit]

Something tells me that if you aren't happy with the M8 and M7, you might not ever be happy. This is such a great set-up that will let you do anything you want...

 

Leica M7, M8, Summicron 35mm mark IV, Zeiss 28mm Biogon and Zeiss 50mm Sonnar

[SJP]

Keep the M8, Summicron 35mm mark IV - the rest is superfluous. This will give you a X1 (sort of) with a rangefinder and a better lens and a better sensor. Less is more.

 

Keep the M7 if you enjoy chemical photography and because it is such a great piece of equipment - film is fun on occasion.

[leicanut2]

This is a good thread. I new that when my insurance came I had too much camera stuff on there. Then I started to think about what I was using what was sitting around and what kind of pictures do I take or like to take. The sell off started now theres only a few things that I am strugling with to sell or not to sell.

Down to a M9 ( did not get it yet) 2 lenses and a GF1 with 20 and 45-200mm and 2 old leica lenses 90 and 135mm may sell them too. I may get for the X1. There are reason for more than one camera but it starts to go out of control. Some of you have wifes to keep you in check I don't anymore but alot happier now. LOL

 

Cheers Jan

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[Mister X]

Alister, you are actually fortunate in that having recognized the type of photography you enjoy, have arrived at a certain artistic maturity that transcends the choice of equipment. You could probably do personally satisfying work with a disposable camera. The power and beauty in an image is more tied to the aesthetic of the creator than the equipment. As an earlier poster said, go out an take pictures.

 

Cameras do possess a certain intrinsic value and beauty however, the result being many photographers are also collectors. If space and economics allows you to do both, more the better. There is no reason collecting should impinge on creating.