Originally posted by pathdoc 1c) This doesn't help the person whose cameras are all from the pre-Spotmatic era (no batteries!).
1e/2a/2e) There is a fine (and subjective) line between collector and hoarder, and another between hoarder and unwell. By the time you get to 2g, you are definitely in need of help!
1a, 1b and 1d are close to being universal truths. 2b is close to being a defence; 2d reminds me of the old saying that an alcoholic is someone who drinks more than their doctor does.
2c is an interesting place to start a debate; I always thought it was the lens which was mostly responsible for that. I will say that with the exception of the dual spotmatics, all my other film cameras have differences in their control systems (some subtle, some significant) and ergonomics that make me prefer one or another on a different day. You could argue about differences in metering affecting the result, but for the film cameras, the recording medium is out of the equation because it isn't an integral part of the camera. I agree that sensor differences certainly would affect rendititon, which is why you won't find me criticising people who own both a CCD and a CMOS-sensor DSLR. (And then, argue the purists, you need a CMOS camera with and without an AA filter, plus a full-frame when it eventually launches, and then there are those who want IR-enabled bodies etc. etc. etc. Oh my.)
2c: Here are some examples, even with FSLR cameras. I have a waste level finder on my Nikon F3HP. I have a motor drive on that camera that gives me nearly double the FPS of the autowinder on my N2000....not to even mention manual advance cameras. Weather sealing has often been the difference in shooting in wet caves where there is a sudden dramatic change in humidity that shuts down non-WR cameras.
Early AF on film cameras was horrible and slow. If you needed to MF, a standard MF focusing screen is much easier to use than focus assist confirmation. And in the interest of brevity, metadata. I wish I could justify owning a Nikon F6 or Pentax 645NII, just for the ability to have metadata.
I'm going to really rough it on a road trip through the desert in Mexico. I don't want to worry about my camera, batteries, theft, etc. I only take one camera; my K1000 and a 35mm or 50mm prime.
And then if you interpret too many cameras with you while shooting, then for film, you may want one with B&W, one with E6, and another with C41. Or various ISOs.