Too much for too little

[mabelsound]

I've kind of had a lifelong problem identifying how much stuff is too much in my life. I'm a somewhat flighty person when it comes to creativity, and find a variety of tools extremely stimulating. But like most people I end up getting very distracted by an overabundance of options.

For ten years I bought and sold musical and recording equipment like a madman. I actually earned some money buying old stuff, fixing it up, and selling it when its value appreciated. But at long last I don't have much gear lust anymore for music, and use every single thing I own.

I have been trying to accelerate this process with cameras, because frankly, the amazing and beautiful variety of stuff out there is proving too much for me. I've bought and sold about a zillion cameras and lenses over the past two years. The ones I've kept the longest are the R-D1 and M2, and I'm not giving them up. The lenses I've kept the longest are the ZM28 and Canon 35/1.8, and I've more or less settled on those, too. I am presently selling all excess cameras and lenses, including those I like OK but rarely use, and I just bought an M7 from KEH.

My SLR rig went through a similar winnowing about six months ago. I now have (or will have) a digital body I love, and two film bodies I love (presuming that I love the M7) for both rigs, and a small but useful lens collection for each as well.

I want to be finished. I want photography to be like music now is for me--a thing I can just go and do, while thoroughly enjoying, but not thinking about, equipment. Up until now it's been too much stuff for too little use. But I think I'm closing in on the ideal.

Or maybe I'm kidding myself...I hope not. Where do you all fall in this continuum?

[bmattock]

I don't agonize over stuff like that. I just don't care. I have a lot of cameras and lenses and other detritus. So what? It doesn't make me a better photographer, nor a worse one. It doesn't distract me, it doesn't keep me up nights. At most, the worst it does is take up space. If I don't use a particular camera or lens for a fortnight or for a couple years, what of it?

Just today I started thinking about what kit I wanted to take to the Selfridge Air Show this weekend. I have a 90-300 zoom, but it's not all that great. Then I remembered that I have a Soligor C/D 500 mirror tucked away somewhere. Dug it out, yes, I think I will take it with me. I've used it exactly once in several years. But now I will use it again. And then it goes back on the shelf.

I do not understand what always appears to me to be hand-wringing, agonizing, distractions over equipment. For me, there is no such thing as too much stuff. If I like it and I have room for it, I'll keep it. Why would that bother anyone? I just don't get it.

[ferider]

Recognize that collecting/trading camera equipment and photography are two completely different things. They can co-exist, but hardly interdepend. Like loving music and owning great audio equipment.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by ferider

Recognize that collecting/trading camera equipment and photography are two completely different things. They can co-exist, but hardly interdepend. Like loving music and owning great audio equipment.

Yeah, I get that, but my pile of junk is hardly a 'collection'. It's just a lot of stuff. Some I use, some I don't. Some is broken, some works. But I like it all, so I keep it. Why not?

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by nikonhswebmaster

Pretty much the way it has always been for me, more room, more stuff, less room, I sell some stuff.

Yeah, money is tight at the moment, and I have given some thought to digging out some of my more esoteric stuff and selling it on eBay, mainly to fund some car repairs and that sort of thing. But I have had really bad experiences selling on eBay. I don't mind buying, but selling seems to be more hassle than it is worth. People are incredible, bald-faced liars and crooks. It amazes me.

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by bmattock

I do not understand what always appears to me to be hand-wringing, agonizing, distractions over equipment. For me, there is no such thing as too much stuff. If I like it and I have room for it, I'll keep it. Why would that bother anyone? I just don't get it.

Well, there is certainly no hand-wringing or agony in my case--mostly this process is a real pleasure. But it is indeed a distraction.

As for too much stuff--I have a limited amount of money I can have invested in gear at any given time, and want to maximize the pleasure i take in the stuff I have. Thus all of the trying stuff out, selling it, trying something new.

[newspaperguy]

Some I use, some just sits. Right now, I've got the room for it. When I'm gone, the kids can give it to charity or trash it. I won't be around to care.

[Brian Sweeney]

I've been giving away some stuff to the younger generation expressing interest in Film.

I should join a photography class and supply all the students with cameras.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

Well, there is certainly no hand-wringing or agony in my case--mostly this process is a real pleasure. But it is indeed a distraction.

I understand that you're not wringing your hands. But consider that there have been innumerable threads on RFF that all seem to begin with the OP stating that they're in some form of psychic pain or emotional turmoil because they feel they have too much 'stuff' in their lives and they want to simplify, reduce, get rid of, and otherwise strip their possessions down to a minimum.

And that's all well and good, but generally speaking, they then leap to the conclusion that having less is not only good for them, but for everybody. And they opine that having less is better, it makes one good and pure and wholesome and builds strong bones twelve ways.

And they go on at great lengths about the purity of having one camera and one lens and how life is much brighter, skies are more clear, and the Gods have smiled down upon them. If I'm not mistaken, one of them not only reduced his kingdom of dreck to one single camera and lens, but he also sold his worldly possessions to go live in a yurt on the eastern steppes of Absurdistan for a couple years to experience true photographic nirvana or some such gibberish. I'd love to see his photos if he ever returns, presuming he hasn't been consumed by a yak.

So I tend to be a trifle spring-loaded when it comes to this particular question. It always begins with "I have too much stuff" and proceeds to "and so do you," and culminates with "and it will make your photography much better if you get rid of everything down to one lens and one camera." At which point I want to start throttling the granola-crunching meadow-muffins with my bare hands.

But perhaps I exaggerate. I have been known to do that from time to time.

As for too much stuff--I have a limited amount of money I can have invested in gear at any given time, and want to maximize the pleasure i take in the stuff I have. Thus all of the trying stuff out, selling it, trying something new.

This, I quite understand. But unlike most here, my cache of crap is mostly things that cost me less than $10 or $20 on eBay, over a period of years. I have no multi-thousand dollar investments in equipment sitting around. If I did, I might feel differently about keeping it trimmed down. Good point.

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by bmattock

And that's all well and good, but generally speaking, they then leap to the conclusion that having less is not only good for them, but for everybody. And they opine that having less is better, it makes one good and pure and wholesome and builds strong bones twelve ways.

And they go on at great lengths about the purity of having one camera and one lens and how life is much brighter, skies are more clear, and the Gods have smiled down upon them. If I'm not mistaken, one of them not only reduced his kingdom of dreck to one single camera and lens, but he also sold his worldly possessions to go live in a yurt on the eastern steppes of Absurdistan for a couple years to experience true photographic nirvana or some such gibberish. I'd love to see his photos if he ever returns, presuming he hasn't been consumed by a yak.

Well, ya know, I defy you to find any of that in my post. I'm just curious about how people find their level and why they think they stick there. I hardly consider paring my rig down to six cameras and fourteen lenses some kind of generalized advocacy of gear aesceticism, and I assign no moral value to any of this.

In any event, I won't be bringing my cameras anyplace that has carnivorous yaks, I can tell you that much.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

Well, ya know, I defy you to find any of that in my post. I'm just curious about how people find their level and why they think they stick there. I hardly consider paring my rig down to six cameras and fourteen lenses some kind of generalized advocacy of gear aesceticism, and I assign no moral value to any of this.

In any event, I won't be bringing my cameras anyplace that has carnivorous yaks, I can tell you that much.

No, none of it was present in your post. As I said, I'm a trifle spring-loaded with regard to the question you asked, because so many other threads start out with a similar motif. I can see that in your case, you're referring only to yourself.

However, you did reference some inner sturm und drang regarding your pile of kit ("...proving too much for me..."), so that's where I got the inference from.

In answer to your question, it should be clear - for me, I'm on the side of the continuum where people buy what they want and keep it until their houses explode, without feeling overwhelmed by possessions.

[thomasw_]

bmattack, i fail to understand your problem with the ascetic tone or spirit of the OP's thread. what's so hard to understand that you don't have any trouble with owning loads of various camera gear and that another guy does find the same thing troubles him in some way? it is revelant here to appreciate the fact that -- for some -- gear can be a distraction from picture taking and image making creativity, particularly if it is viewed as an end in itself. I can appreciate that some, like yourself, just don't find it a problem on any level. But its rather like saying to someone who has a tendency to misuse food that we can't understand why he has trouble with a lot tempting foods hanging around the house. Other examples could be multiplied with other things, etc..

[mabelsound]

The only reason this topic is interesting to me is the fact that gear lust actually generates artistic inspiration for me, up to a point, and then beyond that point it becomes a burden. And I'm just wondering where that point is for other people, or if they even have such a point. Which clearly some of you don't. But I certainly am not interested in fomenting the same ascetic/non-ascetic argument we've had here before.

[BillBingham2]

After year of building more and more I had to sell, I needed the money. It sucked but as I went through it I realized I had way too much stuff. It worked out OK though, I made back much of my money. I sold stuff that I bought 20+ years ago for just a little less than I paid back then (a great rental program). Some stuff I felt sad seeing it go, but not the stuff I expected all the time. I am at the point now where I have one user RF and four lenses. I’m very happy with my RF kit and now will call it done (as I do so I look around for lightening bolds from above). I see some churn on the SLR/DSLR side as well as a new P&S in the future, but no more building masses of systems. One system of each and that’s it.

B2 (;->

[mabelsound]

Bill, what are the 4 lenses? That sounds like a nice tight kit.

[ferider]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

The only reason this topic is interesting to me is the fact that gear lust actually generates artistic inspiration for me, up to a point ....

Please explain more. I worked hard on convincing myself there is actually little connection, for me at least

That doesn't mean I have to get rid of gear I don't use, just that the fun in having that gear and photographic inspiration are different things.

I like to cook good food. I like good knives. I also cook with cheap knives. Good knives are just fun to have/use without really inspiring the original recipe and outcome, no ?

Of course when they break, it's a different story.

Roland.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by thomasw_

what's so hard to understand that you don't have any trouble with owning loads of various camera gear and that another guy does find the same thing troubles him in some way?

Because it only starts out that way. It ends up with much wailing and gnashing of teeth, followed by a purge and then after a pause, another binge.

No, not for mabelsound. He's right, I jumped the gun on his post and now I've stunk up his thread. He is not a binger or a purger.

But look around RFF. Full of people buying kit, reveling in it, then hating themselves for it, declaring it evil, selling it off, and the doing it again.

And even that would be amusing rather than simply sad if they didn't insist that everyone else take part in their wearing of the hair shirt.

I'm cool with asceticism, if that's what floats the boat they don't want. But ascetics don't seem to want to do it alone, is the problem.

Again, not directing this at mabelsound. Forgive me for stinking up the thread, I now retire from it.

[Brian Sweeney]

If you feel that you've acquired too much gear, try to find someone that will use it. I'm a collector, and I will not be handing out Nikon SP's. But the Nikon N6000 that I got free and repaired? I'll find a student and give it away. Other stuff- sell it cheap. Save some Kid the "Ebay Mint Camera Deal of the Century" that is better suited as a paper weight.

As my wife told me,

If you Use it, Keep it.

if you like it, Keep it.

If you don't use it, and you don't like it- get rid of it.

If it is a hindrance and makes you feel bad about owning it, find a person that will use it. Like the 3 Speed graphics that I gave away. Made 3 people and 3 cameras quite happy.

Just have to add, paraphrasing the Steve Martin Line "I own so much camera equipment, it'll make you want to puke!" (if that does not get a grin out of Bill, nothing will)

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by ferider

Please explain more. I worked hard on convincing myself there is actually little connection, for me at least

Something with a different feel from the usual, or the knowledge that I might get different results from a particular lens or film, or could play around in post-processing in new ways with some new software, causes me to want to try new approaches, shoot in different ways, etc. I ought to be able to innovate this way without different gear, but I'm too lazy--my mind tends to run along the same old pathways, at least with photography. A cool new lens will get me out and about, shooting all kinds of crazy stuff, and a really successful piece of gear keeps on inspiring me this way, like the R-D1 or ZM 28/2.8 or Pentax-FA 31 Limited. The FA31 is in fact the most delightful thing ever--I would love to find an RF lens I love as much.

But I also just inherently like novelty, especially when it comes to manual technology, like film cameras, guitars, analog synthesizers, etc. So I sometimes convince myself I'm gonna get inspired by something when I just want to get my mitts on it. And then when it comes, it may be nice, but in practice it's the same old same old, and out it goes.

[benlees]

I am new to photography so I totally have empathy! There is an amazing amount of cool stuff out there to play with! A lot of this stuff you can't try before you buy so...

...and it is affordable!

I just got a Fuji gw690II because, well, bigger is better and you still have 8 shots! Bigger cameras mean you're serious, right? It says professional right on it! Now I am researching 4x5! Luckily, doing research quenches my thirst so I rarely pull the trigger- most of the time! I have limited funds which also helps keep me at the curb. I have bought two cameras this year after I promised myself I wouldn't. I still have money for food and all the essentials so I gave myself a slap on the wrist. I also tell myself I could sell them for what I paid if it doesn't work out but I have yet to do that. I have used those cameras and I have enjoyed the time I spent bumming around with them.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

Just have to add, paraphrasing the Steve Martin Line "I own so much camera equipment, it'll make you want to puke!" (if that does not get a grin out of Bill, nothing will)

I'm always grinning, dude.

[peterm1]

When I first got into photography I went down this path. In particular I had a love of old cameras especially rangefinders and so bought and sold stuff more or less constantly. I bought sold traded and played with my acquisitions much more than I EVER took photos. Now I am less frentic. Maybe I am older. I certainly enjoy getting good photographic results much more than I did so focus more on using them, and maybe its just that digital cameras have less romance about them - they are utilitarian objects that are kings of the world today and worthless junk tommorrow. (Well, next year ) So I am less inclined to chase the proverbial holy grail. If I do still suffer from this syndrome , its more with lenses. I love good glass but mostly I manage to keep it in check. And recently I have decided that the name of the game is owning less - but owning better. I will buy less glass but make sure that what I have is the best I can afford and then hang onto it for longer.

[sanmich]

I enjoy very much trying gear, specially when it's very different from what I have so far, or I do have. But the more I take good pictures, the less I care for gear.
So I realized: GL (Gear Lust) is a furstration compensation mechanism.

That being said, I perfectly understand the self limiting method that forces you to concentrate on something. You can do it a zillion ways:
Take your camera, and try to take lots of pictures in the same street, or at the very same time in the day. anything that forces me to make an effort and go look after what is not obvious or the chimeric exotic PJ stuff is a way to become a better photog. So why not with gear?

Bill, I don't know if you're right, but I love your style , and "the stepes of Absurdistan" will be re-used, if you don't mind...

[thomasw_]

Originally Posted by bmattock

....But ascetics don't seem to want to do it alone, is the problem....

Do you find endeavors where folks seek fellowship in a common interest or action to be equally problematic? Comparatively, I find the acquisitive spirit far more prevalent than gear asceticism here on RFF; consider that almost daily members make announcements about their purchases in order to validate them. Thus I take it that this desire to have one's purchases is validated is not annoying or a 'problem', it is only the gear limitation pronouncements that are annoying or a 'problem'? It seems to me that both are just seeking to share their common interest, perhaps looking for fellowship of a kind.

[BillBingham2]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

Bill, what are the 4 lenses? That sounds like a nice tight kit.

These days it's a CV 25/4, Nikkor 35/1.8, 50/1.4 Millennium and 105/2.5 on a S3-2000.

When I was shooting M lenses it was CV 15/4.5, 25/4, 40/1.4 and Nikkor 105/2.5. The 25/4 would sit on a Bessa L for backup and the rest on an M6 with a rapidwinder attached.

My S2 kit was a bit tighter as it was CV 25/4, 50/1.4 & 105/2.5 and worked very well. Adding the 35 has helped as I see more that way than 50 and the 25 while great is just too wide some times.

B2 (;->