Letting Go to Focus: Why I’m Keeping Just the D700 and the FA

Over the years, I’ve gathered cameras the way some people collect memories, each with its own story, its own quirks, and its own way of seeing the world. But recently, I’ve realised that the weight of choice can become its own burden. The constant question, which camera should I use today?, started to dull the joy of photography itself.

When my F3 broke, it brough to a close years of anxiety about that went something like “this is an expensive electronic camera, which one day wont switch on and will become a very expensive door stop”…well that day happened and I sold the F3 due to high repair costs.

So, I’ve decided to sell most of what I have collected and start over, or rather, strip back to what really matters. That means letting go of most of the vintage cameras (but keeping the Frankas) letting go of the OM1s, the digital 4/3 olympus’ and remaining Canon rangefinder. Not easy as Ive been careful in selecting cameras for my collection, but time has come to get serious and focus on whats important.

So I’m keeping just two SLR cameras: my Nikon D700 and my soon to arrive Nikon FA (F3 replacement) Vintage wise I’m keeping the 1930s 6x7, 6x6 and 35mm Frankas.

The D700 is, for me, everything a digital camera should be. Full frame. Tough. Honest. It gives me the image quality I need without distraction, no crop factors, no gimmicks, just solid performance in a body that feels built to last. Paired with two manual primes, it brings me back to the essentials: aperture, shutter, focus, light.

And then there’s the FA, the F3 replacement and companion for days when only film will do. On those days when the light feels right for Tri-X, when slowing down is the point, the FA will come out of the bag. The best part is that the same lenses work seamlessly between both cameras, film and digital, with no compromises.

I think this change will do more than clear space on a shelf. It’ll clear space in my head. Fewer choices, less noise, more focus. I’ll be able to appreciate the D700 for what it is: a camera that delivers everything I need, nothing I don’t, and still reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

Sometimes, letting go of gear is the best way to hold onto the craft.