bmattock
Veteran
Q: I just inherited my [insert relation name here]'s old camera.
A: Condolences on the loss and congratulations on the acquisition.
Q: It's big, black, and has a lens. What kind of camera is this?
A: A photo of it would be nice. Descriptions of cameras by non-camera users are generally too vague to be useful. You could start by looking the camera over from every angle and taking note of any text on it, which might signify make, model, origin, and so on. Several photos from different angles would be even better. Good photos, not eBay photos. Even then it may be difficult to say, because many early folding cameras were made very much alike, with some of the same shutters and lenses, and their markings have worn away, come off, or otherwise been lost.
Q: What's it worth?
A: Why, are you planning to sell it?
Q: Well, I don't have any interest in this type of thing and I just wanted to know what it would be worth on eBay.
A: Put it on eBay and find out.
Q: Don't you know what it's worth?
A: Worth is a relative thing. What's a used tire worth? Nothing to you, but perhaps quite a lot to a fellow with a flat tire and no spare in a bad area of town.
Q: So you don't know what it's worth, then?
A: Did you see something about 'free appraisal service' on the door when you came in?
Q: Why are you so hostile? I'm just asking an innocent question!
A: Some of us have thoughts of leaving our relations our camera collections when we shuffle off this mortal coil and go to join the Choir Invisible, but posts like yours (and you're not the Lone Ranger, there, sunshine) remind us that ten minutes after we're cold, our snot-nosed relatives will be badgering complete strangers to find out what our prized possessions might be worth in terms of beer money. 'Tis an unsettling thought.
Q: So, you're not going to tell me, then?
A: No. Go away. Sell your inheritance on eBay and we'll buy it if it has any value at all, probably for far less than it's worth. Haha. And when it is our turn to go, we'll leave instructions to our executors to sell our cameras on eBay, properly described and photographed, getting top dollar, and then donate the money to a photographic charity or school, so our relatives don't get squat - because they're most likely just like you.
A: Condolences on the loss and congratulations on the acquisition.
Q: It's big, black, and has a lens. What kind of camera is this?
A: A photo of it would be nice. Descriptions of cameras by non-camera users are generally too vague to be useful. You could start by looking the camera over from every angle and taking note of any text on it, which might signify make, model, origin, and so on. Several photos from different angles would be even better. Good photos, not eBay photos. Even then it may be difficult to say, because many early folding cameras were made very much alike, with some of the same shutters and lenses, and their markings have worn away, come off, or otherwise been lost.
Q: What's it worth?
A: Why, are you planning to sell it?
Q: Well, I don't have any interest in this type of thing and I just wanted to know what it would be worth on eBay.
A: Put it on eBay and find out.
Q: Don't you know what it's worth?
A: Worth is a relative thing. What's a used tire worth? Nothing to you, but perhaps quite a lot to a fellow with a flat tire and no spare in a bad area of town.
Q: So you don't know what it's worth, then?
A: Did you see something about 'free appraisal service' on the door when you came in?
Q: Why are you so hostile? I'm just asking an innocent question!
A: Some of us have thoughts of leaving our relations our camera collections when we shuffle off this mortal coil and go to join the Choir Invisible, but posts like yours (and you're not the Lone Ranger, there, sunshine) remind us that ten minutes after we're cold, our snot-nosed relatives will be badgering complete strangers to find out what our prized possessions might be worth in terms of beer money. 'Tis an unsettling thought.
Q: So, you're not going to tell me, then?
A: No. Go away. Sell your inheritance on eBay and we'll buy it if it has any value at all, probably for far less than it's worth. Haha. And when it is our turn to go, we'll leave instructions to our executors to sell our cameras on eBay, properly described and photographed, getting top dollar, and then donate the money to a photographic charity or school, so our relatives don't get squat - because they're most likely just like you.
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mhv
Registered User
Ha! Brilliant!
Chris101
summicronia
Condolences on your loss.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
a good stickie to our three visits new members.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
ooooh, bitter but I like it. That is the plan truth in most cases.
Bob
Bob
Shok
Low Roller
That's pretty much spot on.
When my grandfather passed, I got the camera (spotmatic2) and lenses with instructions that if I didn't use it, to keep it until someone in the family would find a use. I'm not using it, but my future wife is. Technically not blood family, but it's still in close reach, and she may as well be close family. She's done her research into it, got enough vintage books to fund a small library, so I'm confident he'd be pleased.
Unfortunately, his vintage 1930's processing lab went to my aunt who flogged it off to some auction house, completely against his wishes. But then again, she also miss-spelt my grandmothers name on his grave. There are a number of choice words I'd like to use to describe such people, but I'm holding restraint for the sensitive types.
When my grandfather passed, I got the camera (spotmatic2) and lenses with instructions that if I didn't use it, to keep it until someone in the family would find a use. I'm not using it, but my future wife is. Technically not blood family, but it's still in close reach, and she may as well be close family. She's done her research into it, got enough vintage books to fund a small library, so I'm confident he'd be pleased.
Unfortunately, his vintage 1930's processing lab went to my aunt who flogged it off to some auction house, completely against his wishes. But then again, she also miss-spelt my grandmothers name on his grave. There are a number of choice words I'd like to use to describe such people, but I'm holding restraint for the sensitive types.
bmattock
Veteran
Performing thaumaturgy on old lenses, thinking of what essence they might be imbued with - whose lens was this? What sort of use was it put to? To what spotty beloved nephew was it given, in hopes of cementing a relationship with a memento, who promptly sold it on eBay to purchase a video game cartridge?
I was just thinking about all the 'what kind of camera is this' questions from new members, who can't be arsed to Google, but expect strangers to eagerly Google for them and report back the answers, who then ask 'what is it worth,' which means they've picked our collective brains for the sake of selling what their dear departed relative hoped would be a cherished heirloom.
Besides, I'm practicing up to be a mean old coot. How am I doing?
bmattock
Veteran
Thank you! It's good to have goals, I think.
Gumby
Veteran
You are doing OK!
I deleted the earlier post; I realize I broke my New Year resolution to be a nicer person this year. I didn't intend to be mean-spirited... it inadvertantly slipped out.
bmattock
Veteran
You are doing OK!
I deleted the earlier post; I realize I broke my New Year resolution to be a nicer person this year. I didn't intend to be mean-spirited... it inadvertantly slipped out.
I didn't take it badly; in fact, I didn't notice you meant it that way. Fear not, I have a very thick hide. Well, I'm thick everywhere, actually.
"Why am I soft in the middle, the rest of my life is so hard?" - Paul Simon
I think being mean is one of the most underrated of skills. Ought to be an Olympic sport, really.
Gumby
Veteran
I share this peeve, but that's a whole 'nuther thread. RFF isn't alone, there appear to be thousands who do this on virtually every forum on the internet. I can excuse the few who truly have insufficient internet-research experience (or have tried and really can't find an answer), but the vast majority seem to simply find it more expedient to let others do the foowork.
How am I doing at "mean old coot"?
bmattock
Veteran
How am I doing at "mean old coot"?
I dunno, not seeing it, man. You gotta want it. Reach for your inner coot and let that little bastich out to play. Kick a sacred cow, destroy a cherished notion, wreck a little mental complacency. Emotions are muscles, they have to be exercised! Equilibrium is for wimps, chase the extremes or you'll never know where the middle is.
The way I see it, the Coot is aligned with Shiva - this may sound bad, until one realizes that Shiva is necessary for Vishnu and Brahma to have aught to do.
Oh, I'm giving away too much. Well, it's a new year. I guess I can share a few secrets.
George S.
How many is enough?
Bill, that was classic, and my exact feelings too! Very similar to a thread (Leica lenses) I responded to over on photo.net a couple days ago... Your response would give that old coot (the OP) a stroke!
R
rpsawin
Guest
This is great. Now, work up two more FAQ's:
Black xxx or Chrome xxx
Wrist strap or Neck strap
Thanks for the post.
Bob
Black xxx or Chrome xxx
Wrist strap or Neck strap
Thanks for the post.
Bob
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
The next assignment, Bill... "What lens should I buy?"
BTW, I think you're getting cuter. Gotta work really hard on the Old Coot act. Take care!
BTW, I think you're getting cuter.
Gotta work really hard on the Old Coot act. Take care!
MikeL
Go Fish
I have a feeling neighborhood kids point and stare when you are around Bill.
Not to mention what they must do when your back is to them.
Not to mention what they must do when your back is to them.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I read the FAQ and my camera wasn't covered. Maybe you could help? I just inherited a Henway...
Rob
Rob
ferider
Veteran
How about a "My girl friend is wondering what her camera equipment is worth; she got it as part of her divorce settlement ..." FAQ ?
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
AzzA
Established
Oooh.. I really like that. Thanks for posting it up