A Camera Collecting Sickness

[John Tanglewood]

Just wanted to share a portion of my father's camera collection. This is roughly 3/5 of the cameras he owns to date. Thought any photog would be excited with the spread.

He loves photography and is always purchasing new gear to try out. Only problem is that he never sells his old gear.

His passion is collecting Leica's, so what you see below is only half of his Leica assortment. The other half was not on-hand to include (Leica S, MP, M4, and others - definitely some gems if anyone is interested to see).

Also not pictures is the wide, wide array of camera bags, tripods, lenses, and less expensive point-and-shoots. As we all know this hobby adds up quickly, I'm sure you can use your imagination as to all the accessories he has for each camera.

There are no Canons in his collection only because he started buying Nikons first and loved them. But there are many others from Lumix to Minolta to Kodak to Walzflex to a wonderful Zeiss Ikon, all of which are not included in the photo.

Here is the photo which is humorously taken with my iPhone 6...

Camera Heaven


Moving from left to right by way of brand:

• Nikon D750
• Nikon D3
• Nikon D3X
• Nikon D4
• Nikon D5
• Nikon D800E
• Leica M9
• Leica M6
• Leica M
• Leica Q
• Leica X1
• Leica V-Lux 40
• Sony RX1
• Sony A7R II
• Sony RX1R II

Enjoy! Does anyone have any really cool, unique cameras they may want to share?

[Verbiage]

Fucking hell.

[John Tanglewood]

Just picked up some black and white film for his Walzflex, but I think the focus rings are broken.

[WoohooSoCal]

Tell us about the Leica glass...

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by WoohooSoCal

Tell us about the Leica glass...

You want photos of all his Leica glass??! Christ...

[M_Six]

I have about $25k worth of gear and it doesn't hold a stick to what's on that table. He must be looking at $150k with all his gear if not more.

Time to sell some and buy an M6.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I have about $25k worth of gear and it doesn't hold a stick to what's on that table. He must be looking at $150k with all his gear if not more.

Time to sell some and buy an M6.

Hey man like the title says, it's a SICKNESS. We all have our vices. His is cars, watches, and photography.

I'm sure your photo collection is awesome!! Please share if you can!!

[WoohooSoCal]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

You want photos of all his Leica glass??! Christ...

It's all about the glass, brother. (Don't go to the trouble of taking pics. )

I have a Sony A7R II and I use old school glass...Canon FD and a Tokina Macro.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by WoohooSoCal

It's all about the glass, brother. (Don't go to the trouble of taking pics. )

I have a Sony A7R II and I use old school glass...Canon FD and a Tokina Macro.

Haha I know. I remember when I finally upgraded my Nikon to FX and saw the glass prices...... Nothing like good glass!!

How's that Tokina look on the A7R?!

[WoohooSoCal]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Haha I know. I remember when I finally upgraded my Nikon to FX and saw the glass prices...... Nothing like good glass!!

How's that Tokina look on the A7R?!

It's a 90mm f2.5 and the size of that lens on the M9 above. Adding the macro adapter makes it just 1.5 inches longer but easily balanced and light on the R II. It competes against my FD 80-200 f4 L though...one will have to go when I start purchasing go fast parts for my M4. Macro is fun.

[bmw1racer]

Wow, that is sick.

That's gotta bump up his home insurance premiums.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Does anyone have any really cool, unique cameras they may want to share?

I've got a Canon rangefinder camera that my dad bought 60+ years ago...

On the bottom plate it says "Made in Occupied Japan."

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I've got a Canon rangefinder camera that my dad bought 60+ years ago...

On the bottom plate it says "Made in Occupied Japan."

Whoa cool! Any pics?

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Whoa cool! Any pics?

Here ya go:

[WoohooSoCal]

THAT is cool.

Don't ever sell it.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by WoohooSoCal

THAT is cool.

Don't ever sell it.

For sure... It's like a family heirloom.

I also have the flash for it... Which uses flashbulbs.

[John Tanglewood]

That is so freaking cool!!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

That is so freaking cool!!

LOL.

From what I've read, Canon copied the design from a Leica... One of your earlier instances of Asian reverse engineering, I suppose.

EDIT: Notice that the hot shoe-mounted viewfinder is from Leica.

[ShakyDog]

We may have the same father :-) My father has several older Leica 35mm and several Nikon, Leica and Sony digital cameras. He just gave me his D200 to take pictures with, it is way above me...

Steve

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Just wanted to share a portion of my father's camera collection. This is roughly 3/5 of the cameras he owns to date. Thought any photog would be excited with the spread.

Where's Canon?

I'm in a five hobbies where I see this sickness manifest itself:

Cars: I drive an M3, but I know guys with several cars and new ones annually.
Audio: I've got a super-duper system, costing around 30-grand, but that's actually small potatoes vs. some of my friends.
Trumpets: I've played since age 10 and have a Bb, a C, a piccolo, a cornet and a flugelhorn and I play each in public performance annually, but my friends cover walls with them
Guitars: I've got a minor form of the illness in that two of my guitars cost tens of thousands each, but they're worth more than I paid for them. Once again, I have friends with rooms full of guitars.
Photography: I have two bodies and five lenses, all in constant use. My friends are mostly like me, but I've got one friend that's over the top with expensive equipment. He does carry three bodies, but he's got dozens at home.

I'm more of a "user" than a "pedestal" or "collector" guy. The very expensive guitars were actually viewed as a risky investment that worked out. Still, I see the attraction. Some of these things are simply pleasing to hold and behold. I "use" very good equipment in each of these hobbies, generally using the finest that I can find for the purpose.

Great collection.

[Mik3ymomo]

Oh man I feel it. Same with me guys. Cars, camera gear, watches and guns. I have no time to enjoy all the hobbies. I dabbled in audio visual and build my own computer rigs but I have no time. I try to combine the camera and car hobby so those get most of my recreational time.
I could work less and have more time but you know how that goes.
You can have time or money but rarely both. It's a catch 22.
No wonder people look forward to retirement. You just hope you have your health so you can enjoy it.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Where's Canon?

I'm in a five hobbies where I see this sickness manifest itself:

Cars: I drive an M3, but I know guys with several cars and new ones annually.
Audio: I've got a super-duper system, costing around 30-grand, but that's actually small potatoes vs. some of my friends.
Trumpets: I've played since age 10 and have a Bb, a C, a piccolo, a cornet and a flugelhorn and I play each in public performance annually, but my friends cover walls with them
Guitars: I've got a minor form of the illness in that two of my guitars cost tens of thousands each, but they're worth more than I paid for them. Once again, I have friends with rooms full of guitars.
Photography: I have two bodies and five lenses, all in constant use. My friends are mostly like me, but I've got one friend that's over the top with expensive equipment. He does carry three bodies, but he's got dozens at home.

I'm more of a "user" than a "pedestal" or "collector" guy. The very expensive guitars were actually viewed as a risky investment that worked out. Still, I see the attraction. Some of these things are simply pleasing to hold and behold. I "use" very good equipment in each of these hobbies, generally using the finest that I can find for the purpose.

Great collection.

Haha he started with the Nikons and since he spent so much money on Nikon glass, accessories and other stuff, didn't want to go into Canon. Instead he went back to his roots (Leica) and found that was more satisfying to him.

He's all about the Audio/Video as well, I'll post some pics of his theater setup sometime. He's always buying new bluetooth speakers, amplifiers, and high-def audio equipment. His most recent kick is vinyl converters. I just try to catch any hand-me-downs he feels like letting go of.

Like you he loves cars as well, but he's one the guys you're talking about who buys one or two new ones annually. He's got 8 garage spots and 9 cars, go figure. I'm trying to "catch" any of those hand-me-downs also, but it's not likely because the taxes on them would crush me (all cars over 6 figures except 2, an X5 and 2002 M Roadster).

Your friend carrying 3 bodies seems over the top!! What is the 3rd body for?! Does he just keep a specific prime or zoom lens on each one and never change them?

Aside from the music I'm sure the two of your would have some things to talk about!! Your music interest and collection is really cool. I could see how the expensive guitars could cause some pause, but it sounds like you knew what you were getting and were correct in their appreciating, so hats off to you!

My dads last sickness is watches. So we have watches, cars, audiophile, videophile, cameras, and suits. Just a bit of a "problem" haha.