pmsc70d wrote:
Over the months I have been viewing UHH, I've seen lots of posts and photos indicating that some members have not just one or two, but many DSLR bodies. I'm curious if this is something necessary for the kind of photos they need to do, or just a trail of GAS? If you have several bodies (camera bodies, that is) do you use them all? How do you use them differently? Thanks
As you can see from my tag line, I do have many cameras currently. All my Pentax DSLRs were their flagship model at their time. In the order of purchase.
Pentax K-20D (14MP) (my first DSLR, 2009, purchased new): Very good water and dust sealing, gaskets, o-rings, etc. The only one I take to the beach / ocean. And for some odd reason most of my best images have been taken with this camera - not because of the camera per se - but I just happened to be using that one at the time.
Pentax K-100D (6.1MP CCD Sensor, purchased used, eBay): Converted for full time Infrared use (668 nm).
Pentax K-5 (16MP) (Purchased used, eBay): My current workhorse. Good resolution, great contrast, color, and sharpness, consistent results. IQ well beyond what one might expect for 16MP. Great processor I guess.
Pentax K-3 (24MP) (Purchased used, UHH, 2017): My first entry into High Resolution imaging. Selective On/Off AA filter. For a few years since I bought the K-5 I had been lusting for a K-5ii (16MP, updated processor) or K-5ii s (16MP, no AA filter) but never bought on as I really wanted a newer camera with 20-24MP if I was going to buy another. I had been thinking of a new K-3ii but when the opportunity to buy a used K-3 from a fellow UHH'er came up, I jumped on it. So far I have not used the camera much or done any photography. Just prior to buying it late this Summer I got injured and have been less active since. So far the only photos I've taken with it have been indoors. This one will probably not be going near the Mojave Desert or any other dusty place for a long time.
One reason for keeping a number of bodies is so I can avoid changing lenses in the field. I can carry one than one camera with a different lens. So at least in my case having several camera bodies is not GAS per se.
Before buying the Pentax DSLR, I have had two P&S/Bridge Digital cameras, I forget the models, but a 6.1MP Kodak, and later a 7.3MP Kodak. I gave the older 6.1MP Kodak to a friend. I also have a really small Samsung Digital P&S, but I find my SmartPhone easier to use than this one.
During the film days I got absurd sometimes. I might carry three cameras: one with B&W film, one with Color Negative film, and one with Color Slide film. Totally stupid. I remember no time did I ever capture an image or images that way that proved worth while.
I've owned a lot of film SLRs over the years and still have several. Again in approximate order:
Pentax KM (my first ever SLR, purchased around 1978): I really enjoyed that camera. Like a "bayonet mount Spotmatic" It was stolen in November 1987.
Pentax K2 DMD: Super top-of-the-line Pentax at the time, only the LX would ever surpass it. My K2 DMD is still (2017) my film workhorse SLR.
Pentax K1000SE: Special edition of the very basic K1000. Really cool as it had a slpit-image finder screen. Stolen November 1987.
Pentax ME: It was my Father-In-Law's but since he never used it he gave it to me after the loss of two bodies in November1987. Immediately traded for with a lens for a Pentax ME Super.
Pentax ME Super: Took pretty damn good photographs, but only with Manual and Av. Camera is actually too small for my hands so I sold it.
Pentax K1000 (Hoya Pentax Chinese copy, crappy): I failed to know the difference. The half-mirrored prism in this camera started to loose its silvering. Not sure what to do with it today but retire it from use.
Pentax MX: All manual like the K1000 or KM or KX or K2. Sold this body as I never liked it for several reasons.
Pentax Spotmatic: Screw Mount camera, I bought it and several lenses from a goof friend. I have not gotten the chance to use it much. Well built camera. My wife likes this oldie but goodie.
Sears TLS 500 mx: (Obtained Summer 2017) Similar to a Pentax SP 500. I inherited this camera and a few lenses from an elderly friend. His family gave me the camera.
Notice, I had not bought any film SLRs for many years, skipping the Pentax "A" models and Pentax Pxxx film cameras.
Pentax K1000 (authentic original Asahi Pentax): Purchased used from a UHH'er 2017 to "replace" the one with the dying prism. This was one of the most pointless purchases I've ever made. A collection GAS purchase. Why replace a camera I never use anyway? If I shoot 35mm film today it would be with the K2 DMD most likely. Really pointless as about a month later I purchased the K-3. I was testing the K1000 when I fell and was injured. Actually the best thing about the K1000 purchase was getting a original early K 55mm (52mm filter) lens with it.