Topic: The Light Collector

[Fluminian]

The Man Who Owns a World Record 4,500 Cameras

[Late Developer]

Nice...!

My missus will have kittens when I show her this.  I'm not a collector, as I like to use the cameras I have.  I've also pared back on the number of cameras I own - compared with a few years ago.  However, 4,500 does seem a bit excessive  as, even if he used 1 camera every day, he'd only use the same camera once every 12 years and 120 days.

[Fluminian]

I never considered myself a collector as I've never had a camera with which I haven't shot a roll or two.
I get cameras mainly to satisfy my curiosity. 

[Indofunk]

I'm not a collector. I prefer the term "packrat" LA made me count the number of working cameras I have, and it came out to an embarrassing 12 Although, out of those 12, I'm pretty sure there are only 2 or 3 that I haven't used within the past month...

Just ... don't make me count the number of musical instruments I have 

[Fluminian]

I could also define myself as a camera owner in constant search of a "user" that will rule them all.

So far these 3 cameras emerged as my favourites:

1. Fuji GA745Zi
2. Contax G1
3. Pentax Z1p

[Francois]

I'm not a collector. I prefer the term "packrat" LA made me count the number of working cameras I have, and it came out to an embarrassing 12 Although, out of those 12, I'm pretty sure there are only 2 or 3 that I haven't used within the past month...

I somehow think I shouldn't do that... 
I'd probably faint at some point during the count and have to start all over again because of the numerical amnesia that goes with it 

[Bryan]

I have 56+ cameras for still photography.  I have multiples of a few and a few that don't work which would take the number up to around 70.  This doesn't include 8mm and super 8 movie cameras, I don't have a count but it's over 20.  I have shot film in almost every one of them.  From the link below each camera is an album of the photos I took with the camera. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60348236@N07/albums

[thatguychad]

Yeah, I'm up to a little over 100 cameras (3 of which are non-working and on display), but when I showed them missus that it could be worse, she rolled her eyes.... 

[John Robison]

Of course that is extraordinary, but more in a "Ripley's Believe it or Not" sort of way. I have pared back from a total of about 35 or 40 to perhaps 20, not including home made pinhole cameras. Most just sit, I'm too busy, even in retirement to spend the type of time I'd like to with different cameras. They run the gamut from a Minox IIIs with a 8X11mm negative to 4X5 (and a 5X8, but that is a pinhole camera.) I'll get completely enamored with one for a while, then like the fickle person I am swing my interest to the next pretty play toy.

At my age I'll 'rescue' an occasional lonely film camera, sitting unloved in a bin at the local second hand store, but I came back from a camera show this last weekend and bought nothing, n-o-t-h-i-n-g! It felt strange walking out with money in my pocket but I got over it.

[ManuelL]

I may have 20 cameras or so. I am always re-selling the ones I am not using frequently. Just sold my Speed Graphic with fast lens. Next up will be the RZ67. Will use the money to finance one or two new cameras. If I buy a new camera, it should allow me to do something I am not able to do with the cameras I already have. So, apart from the cameras I got as presents from friends and family, I  should end up with one 35mm range finder, one 35mm SLR, one medium format TLR, one medium format SLR......

[Sandeha Lynch]

Yep, it is of course horses for courses, though I really don't think that collector is doing anyone any favours by hoarding so many in one place.  No matter how many you can carry in your car you can still only shoot them one at a time ... and in any case nobody really needs more than 20 cameras.

[lharby]

Like owning a nice car, you can polish it on your drive every weekend, or you can get in it and drive somewhere.

[irv_b]

Well I suppose everyone should have a hobby but this is far too much!