MY CAMERAS by Neil Johansson
“At present I have approx. 505 cameras. I certainly won’t stop collecting…”
© Neil Johansson
I started collecting cameras around 7 years ago, it sort of just happened but it had been brewing for a while.
When I was younger I had a camera pencil case which I thought was very cool, I don’t have it any more but it’s always haunted me.
When I started I just got cheap cameras in charity shops, car boots and online, without any thought other than they should work.
Over time I’ve become a lot more discerning and selective, I’ve had to be, because there are just so many.
© Neil Johansson
I’ve collected different types of cameras for different reasons, these include:
1. The novelty camera, these are fun, cheap cameras, often promoting a product or TV/film franchise. My favourites include He-Man Camera and the Star Wars Millennium Falcon camera. They’re just fun to have.
2. Older digital cameras such as Pentax Optio I-10 and the Nikon Coolpix 995, older digital cameras are really popular; there is still a lot you can do with them. I intend to use some for project work.
3. Vintage antique cameras such as Coronet Midget and the Ensign Cupid, they are very collectable, although in many cases film unfortunately is not readily available.
4. General use cameras, I’ve never sold a camera to get another one, I’ve kept them all. My first camera I used all the time was Panasonic DMC-FZ5, a bridge camera.
5. I’ve also started to collect cameras that have featured on screen in movies and TV shows. Have the Agfa ISO Rapid IF which was used by the protagonist in Alphaville.
© Neil Johansson
At the moment I’m heavily into Ricoh GR and I’m going after the special edition versions. The latest being the white version of the GRIV digital.
My very talented mother has recently finished a painting of me and some of my cameras. It took her 18 months to do it and it now hangs over my bed.
She was meticulous and had to take photos of each individual camera.
© Neil Johansson
I made sure certain cameras were featured including my Rollei TLR and my Ricoh GR3.
At present I have approx. 505 cameras. I certainly won’t stop collecting but I have slowed down significantly.
I have some of them displayed, in a case in my own room, and some are on shelves, but unfortunately at the moment I’m not able to display them all, hopefully someday.
