I have so many cameras in my collection (sixty-eight, to be exact), and most of them are functional, so many times I end up not taking a lot of photos just because I can’t decide what camera to use. I usually have film in about four different cameras at once, which means I never get anything developed.

My solution is to narrow my camera use down to a handful of models. I think I came up with the list:

• Nikon D70 - for when I need guaranteed “good” photos
• Canon G2 - for band photos (it’s converted for IR, so great for low-light shows)
• Holga 135BC - carry everywhere camera
• Canon A540 - digital carry everywhere camera when I don’t want to use the Holga; also underwater shots
• Horizon - my new favorite, for events when I think there’ll be good photo ops
• Diana+ - when I want medium format shots; outdoors only

It will be tempting to drag out some other models, and I very well might do so if I think the subject warrants it. But I will try my hardest to limit myself to only those cameras listed above.

I heard back from Canon a few hours after my last post — I can order a replacement part if I call the parts department.

I picked up a replacement battery, and once I got it taped in there well enough the camera is working fine. I’m still debating whether or not I should order the little holder thing; the tape is working well enough for now. I should call and see how much it’ll cost me — if it’s not much I can order it so the inside of my camera doesn’t get all goopy from the tape.

I lost the little watch battery from my Canon digital camera… the one that powers the camera to keep the date and time settings. Not only did I lose the battery (which is easy to replace), I lost the little drawer-thingie that holds the battery in the camera.

I have a feeling that it’s somewhere on or around my desk — or it was; I looked for it but either I’m wrong or one of the cats took it off somewhere. The last time I used the camera outside of the house was last Thursday when I went to the museum with Stacy, Mary, and Steve, and the battery was in there (I didn’t have to keep setting the time). I came home, opened the battery/memory card door to get the memory card out, and sometime after that is when I lost the part.

I need to go out and buy a new battery and see if it’ll work in there without the holder. I can always just tape it so it doesn’t fall out, but I don’t know if it’ll hit all the contacts and stay in place without the holder.

I emailed Canon support anyway to see if there’s a way to get a replacement part. I haven’t heard back yet.