In November 2023, the author was invited to give a lecture at the Shanghai Starlight Photography Cultural Festival, mainly about the current situation of camera collection. Because this year, I visited camera collectors all over the country, and Mr. Zu Zhongren said, "You have the most right to speak", this article is the main content of this speech, I will rearrange it and send it out in two parts.
3. Several changing characteristics of camera collection culture
The history of camera collecting in China has gone through 40 years, and due to the different times and the changes in the personal experience of collectors, the methods and methods in the field of camera collecting are also changing.
In the 80s, the first group of camera collectors basically bought without a goal, and what to buy was determined by their own financial resources, as well as by the ability to access and encounter cameras, which was a process of starting from scratch.
In the early years, the main thing to look at was the number of camerasWhat was the earliest camera?Which camera is the most valuable?This question is also the first question of public curiosity.
Nowadays, camera collection has become very easy and simple, so that the second level of collection begins, and the conscious and thematic selection begins, that is, from quantity to quality, from aimless search to conscious category collection, and camera collection also presents greater cultural and interesting.
This is also a major direction of camera collection, the world produces a total of 50,000 kinds of cameras, no one can collect all the cameras, can only be carried out according to their own ability or financial resources.
In 20 years ago, the special collection of cameras has appeared, we refer to the thematic collections such as domestic cameras, Russian cameras, etc., although the scope of the collection has been delineated, but the connotation of inclusion is still large, and only a few people can achieve the goal, the collection range is too large, that is, it needs funds, energy, and enough space to store.
So there was a press by brandLandscape collection, such as Leica cameras, Zeiss cameras, Volenda cameras, Kodak cameras, and Borlias cameras. These camera collections are relatively easy to collect as long as the funds are guaranteed and there is a complete manufacturer catalog.
Next, the connotation of the camera thematic collection has been improved againVertical collection, such as a special collection of SLR cameras, double reflex cameras, spy cameras, toy cameras, military cameras. The National Day of Zhejiang has collected nearly 800 kinds of imitation Leica from various countries, which can be called a world-class collection.
In addition to cameras, there are also people who specialize in collecting lenses, including classical lenses, cinema lenses, standard lenses, macro lenses, etc., which seem ordinary, but once they become a series, they are also spectacular and incredible, and it is also very difficult to collect.
In addition, camera accessories are also a collection category that has emerged in recent years, especially classic cameras, due to the increase in collectors, the accessories **market** is very strong, the early Leica lens cover reached two or three thousand yuan, and a friend who made equipment told me that his set of Lulai wide-angle double-mirror additional lenses sold for 5,000 yuan, which is more expensive than ordinary Lulai cameras.
Now there are special collectors of film cassette, some early cassettes and scarce cassette, a lot of money, especially in the early domestic collection is a hot collection. Even the negative bag used in the photo gallery has entered the collection, and I saw several of his large books at Liang Xining in Xi'an, which were spectacular and incredible, and took a lot of energy.
Regarding the distance and difference between a camera collection and a camera collector, you may buy dozens or hundreds of old cameras, which is a camera collection, but you can't call it a "collector".
As a "camera collector", you should have three conditions: first, you should have a certain amount of collection;Second, there is a place where the collection can be displayed;The third is to have research results, that is, expositions or articles, and works.
Therefore, the research-based collection is the depth and result of the camera collection, and of course, the last direction the collector will take, and it is the most respectable collection. Beijing and Shanghai collectors do the bestShen MingThe teacher began to write collection articles in the nineties, which had a great influence on camera collectionsZuzhong peopleUnder the leadership of the teacher, the Overseas Chinese Collection Association has published several books and has become a leader in the industry.
Also likeDing Chunlin, Wang Shiyuan, Lu Wanjiang, Shu Yuand ZhejiangWu XiaohuaiAll have published very valuable camera books, and the impact is very great.
And Li Xiaoxuan, Song Xiaohai, Zhang.
1. Fu Bingkai, Shi Ge and others have also written a lot of research articles on collecting cameras in newspapers and periodicals and on the Internet over the years, which has also promoted the collection of cameras and become a basis for information, which is eye-catching.
Exhibit collection is to display the collection for everyone or friends to enjoy.
There are two types of displays:
One is that you have a place in your home dedicated to your camera, which can be open to the outside world or to friends.
In addition, there are professional collections, and even some first-class subsidies, which have become part of the local cultural construction.
The earliest camera museum in China should be the Gao's Camera Museum in Hangzhou, which was born in the nineties, and is currently the oldest and most influential old camera museum, in addition to the old camera manufacturing museum in Shanghai, Chen Xiaolin in Chongqing and Lishui and Lanxi camera museums in Zhejiang are also very large and influential.
But from a professional point of view, my two favorite camera museums are Mr. Ma Zhengkang's "Seagull House" in Shanghai and Mr. Lu Wanjiang's "Classical Camera" in Beijing.
This year's trip also visited some camera collection halls or collection display facilities, many of which are still exhibited in a single exhibition, without too deep logical relationship and careful arrangement, and there is still room for careful excavation in culture.
In addition to the collection, there are also some camera collectors who provide their collections to other cultural departments or exhibition institutions for cultural directional exhibitions.
There are many such camera collectors, many places, the most prominent is Mr. Zhu Baokun in Kunming, who has participated in various exhibitions for many times, and his collection of cameras can be called the most exhibited, which has a great influence in the local area, and plays a very important role in the popularization of popular culture of old cameras.
There are many people who collect cameras in this way, and in addition to cameras at home, there are also other collections, which are miscellaneous collections, and cameras are only part of many collections. While displaying the camera, you can also feel the cultural atmosphere of other collections.
Many people have been to ZhengzhouXu YougangIt is a very interesting place, and the placement of the camera seems to be not divided into types, but pays attention to the environment and coordination, and at the same time blends with the sound and tea ceremony, making it a warm and interesting place.
Such collections are found elsewhere, such as those in FuzhouLi YounanThe same is true everywhere, because it is not only camera enthusiasts, but also people from other industries who visit, and the external impact is relatively large.
Today's camera collection is different from a large number of purchases in the early years, there is no place to put it, and even stuffed under the bed, and now it is the era of convenient communication and communication, and the collection of cameras is no longer mysterious, but also has little to do with the accumulation of wealth, in addition to being a personal hobby, it is a means of communication.
During my visit, I walked into a lot of people's homes and saw a lot of things, even the camera collection is only a small part, and some people even show it to outsiders for the first time, but everyone generally has a desire to display and communicate, and is willing to share their experiences and collections with everyone, which is also a great progress in the cultural cognition of camera collections.
Collecting has become a part of many people's lives, it is happy and interesting, and it is still a "day".
In fact, every collector has this wish, and the value of the collection can be maintained or appreciated. Forty years ago, no one could have imagined that cameras would eventually become digital, that film cameras would be largely obsolete, and that only a small percentage of cameras would eventually enter the collecting field and appreciate.
I once wrote an article "Why the collection of domestic cameras have been earned" article, many people also think it is incredible, if in the nineties, there are not many people who can see the value of domestic cameras, and it is precisely these few people, in the end, the collection of domestic cameras have maintained and appreciated.
In my early years, I knew a big collector who recommended him a few domestic cameras, but he was flatly refused, saying that "domestic cameras are not accepted", and these cameras have now appreciated more than ten times.
Therefore, value-preserving collections require vision and familiarity with the multi-camera field. Of course, the most sure way is to collect famous cameras, classic cameras, gold cameras, and some exotic cameras. For example, Leica camera lenses have been bullish in recent years, and a collector I know bought hundreds of old Leica in his early years, which is an investment collection.
There are still a lot of collectors who are investing, of course, there are also the main factors that like old cameras, some collectors are low-key and secretive, generally do not communicate with people, and do not even want people to know, but the merchants understand their buying and selling preferences. Basically, they are people who have special jobs or incomes.
Fourth, the new situation and ideas faced by camera collection
This question is also the question that I have encountered the most in recent years, and I have been thinking about it, and it is often asked when writing articles, is it still meaningful to collect cameras when I am older?If these cameras don't like them, what will happen in the future?
This is indeed a real problem, we need to think, everyone has the day when they grow old, no matter how young they are, they will eventually face it. But what exactly is the point of collecting our cameras?If others can not understand, then we ourselves do not understand either?
At the Beijing Wukesong second-hand trade fair, I saw that the 83-year-old Xu Guanghua in Shanghai bought three old cameras, we lived in a room, watched him play at night, and looked at the window in the morning
In Guizhou, I visited Mr. Gao Ning, a collector of movie cameras, and he introduced me to three people who like camera collecting, and the result is that they are all nearly 70 years old, and most of them only start to play and collect cameras after retirement, or even after the age of 65, which has become the fun of their old life.
Therefore, the camera collection is not a matter for young people, but a manifestation and expression of love for life, the collection gives us knowledge and vision, brings us more fun and calmness in life, and makes us like and love our life more.
There was a guy who wanted to dispose of a camera that he had collected for many years due to changes in his life, and he said to me with tears in his eyes, "I really can't bear it." ”
Many people say that young people nowadays don't collect cameras, or they all play digital, but this is actually a misconception.
First of all, there are still many people who play film now, not only large format, but also micro cameras, some classic film cameras have quietly increased in price in recent years, indicating that there are more people who play, and of course the cost of playing film is also much higher.
The second is the current collection or playing with the camera, which is fundamentally different from the past. In the past, it was collected according to the number of cameras, and what to buy was mainly compared to the quantity, but now young people collect cameras or lenses according to their own preferences or trends, not necessarily in large quantities, but pay attention to quality and the concept of collecting and playing.
I've been reading Xiaohongshu recently, and there are a lot of young people who show their own ways of playing and collecting, such as those who like Leica will collect Leica, those who like to collect movie heads will collect movie heads, and those who like Nikon will buy Zinicon, these collections are not large, but in the unique cultural atmosphere, they are also relished.
Because collecting cameras is no longer mysterious, young people prefer practicality and uniqueness, of course, their likes are also very casual, they have played, and they may sell them quickly, but this is also the direction of camera collection in the future. If you have the trend, follow the trend change.
This is mainly due to the increase in income, the purchase is more casual, and the circulation of old cameras is also globalized, and the purchase of things can cross regions, countries, and even Europe and the United States, and the selectivity increases, making it easier to achieve one's own preferences and unique interests.
China's camera collection has gone through 40 years, bringing people how much happiness and interest, enriching life, and making friendships, so the camera collection culture is unique, charming and obsessive, and many people have been reluctant throughout their lives, which is a cultural phenomenon that is rarely found in other collections. Therefore, it is our responsibility to promote the promotion and development of camera collecting culture.
First, we write more multi-shot camera collection articles and **, so that more people can experience and feel the charm and equivalent knowledge of camera collection culture, and try to understand and accept the public in an easy-to-understand way.
Second, there are more exchange activities between Tibetan friends, whether at home or abroad, collectors should go out and see the outside world, only by walking and communicating can we avoid limitations and self-respecting mistakes, and do not appear to sit in the well and watch the sky.
Third, the second-hand trading activities in Beijing and Shanghai are very good, which is also the most direct source and motivation for camera collection, and it is necessary to increase publicity to let more people know that the participation in the event itself is also the best camera cultural exchange.
Fourth, it is the support and hard work of the camera owner to change the equipment. This problem is very realistic, with older people having to deal with collected equipment, while some deceased people have to deal with foreign objects.
I have experienced and several times in the past few years, the first thing I can do is to ensure the integrity of the collection, which is the lifelong effort of the collector, it is best not to separate, to help coordinate and find a suitable new owner, so that the collection culture continues.
Fifth, as soon as possible to establish a high-level camera collection association organization and play a role, from the scope and perspective of the country to lead the camera collection, if possible to establish a national camera museum, this is the ultimate direction of the development of camera culture.
This year, the Art Photography Association has set up a collection committee, and it is hoped that the Chinese Photographers Association will also set up a collection committee, which will stimulate enthusiasm and motivation for the promotion and popularization of camera collecting culture and the participation of young people in camera collection.
In short, the camera collection culture needs a larger space and cultural soil, which we need to work together to promote. I believe that China's camera collecting culture will get better and better.