are the prices of used film cameras going down dramatically?

[back alley]

from looking at the prices that used film cameras are going for here at rff, i would say yes!

any thoughts?

 

[FrankS]

I think so. There was a very nice M4 in the RFF classifieds for $750. That camera would have sold for over $1000 a couple of years ago. Maybe it's because of the recession, and maybe it's also because digital options are becoming more interesting.

 

[Steve M.]

I'm sure they are, but I expect that's due to the lousy economy and a lot of people in the ads mentioning that they've recently been laid off. I've seen the digitals take a hit as well.

 

[raid]

There is a 10%-20% drop from a year ago for some of the offerings at RFF. Prices are maybe slightly higher at PN, but I only eye-balled the figures there.

 

[35mmdelux]

The economy continues to corkscrew and I suppose people are being cautious.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Tight money is having some effect but students are still looking for manual film SLR's. I'd sy that the biggest price drop is automatic SLR's, but in a lot of categories over on the auction site prices seem steady or even slightly upward. Pro photographers have pretty much completed their migration to digital. They're no longer dumping Hasselblads an 4x5 view cameras on the market. The only current TLR on the market is the Chinese Seagull. Rolleiflex, Minolta Autocord, and Yashicamat prices seem to have bottomed out and are moving up. In many cases a good user will bring double or triple what it sold for new years ago while one that spent thirty years tucked away might bring five or more times it's original price.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Yes and no!, over here certain things seem to be on the increase, and others well down. I have a couple of Nikkormat FT2's that have been my favourites for over thirty five years, I was recently surprised to see several dealers charging around £200 for the body-only, tidy Nikon F's command quite a bit more. Conversely, I recently bought a mint Konica FT1 SLR, with 40mm f1.8 pancake lens for the princely sum of £39! and later a couple of superb performing AR Hexanons for £8 and £20! - this outfit is currently my favourite 'everyday' gear!...so it seems to be a case of what name is there, and what's in fashion.
Cheers, Dave.

 

[charjohncarter]

I bought a Ricoh DiacordG for $40 a couple of months ago, I was ready to go to $75. I thought I must be missing something, but it was in very good condition and the shutter worked. I don't keep track of prices but I have also bought some accessories for cameras at really low prices and very weak bidding.

I, by the way, agree with Al, I can't get anything for a Nikon auto SLR and I'm part owner in a Canon auto SLR that was top of the line and no lookers

 

[ferider]

There is the recession, and I am assuming some people trying to free cash to buy an M8/M9. We always had the occasional good camera deal on RFF.

Over the last year, I am seeing a bunch RFF members "upgrading" to Leicas, from ZI in particular. RFF seems to become more Leica centric. Not saying this is good or bad, just an observation.

WRT lenses, some became cheaper in the last 6-12 month, some much more expensive, for example the 2.8 Summaron (price double), DR Summicron (price double) and 35/2 Summicron.

I do expect prices of tele lenses to hike up with the M9. So get a 75 Summilux, 90 Summicron, Elmarit or Tele Elmarit, 135 Elmarit or Elmar while you can.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[raid]

I do expect prices of tele lenses to hike up with the M9. So get a 75 Summilux, 90 Summicron, Elmarit or Tele Elmarit, 135 Elmarit or Elmar while you can.

Cheers,

Roland.

I am working at it, Roland. 😀
The Leica line has always been a good investment while being good lenses, of course.

 

[Tuolumne]

Alot of it is the economy. Cameras are discretionary luxuries for most people. OTOH, there must be some impact from the evolution of digital cameras. I am currently in love with the m4/3rds format and have little interest in handling and scanning film and negatives any more. So, I am a net seller of film cameras and lenses. I suppose there must be others like me helping drive down the prices of film gear.

/T

 

[Pickett Wilson]

"If anything, film is making a resurgence, amongst amateurs and pros alike."

I think Kodak would disagree. Their film sales tumble double digits year to year.

 

[Mephiloco]

Non-RF film cameras have really bottomed out. RF prices have gone down considerably too, though. The poor economy/loss of interest in film cameras made it possible for me to get my M2 and my lenses. I don't think I'd have been able to get a M2 in working order for $400 a couple years ago. I was actually looking at getting a Canon 7 (KEH has them in BGN condition with working meter for ~$130 regularly) but I couldn't turn down a Leica with prices being like this.

 

[kshapero]

I think the economy has made prices take a bit of a hit or it could be that there is a definite interest in finally getting a FF digital RF. We will see how it plays out. I was able to do pretty well price wise on my recent M7. But also I recently sold a few Nikon lenses and did not get what I expected. I saw about a 15% drop on prices.

 

[splitimageview]

Prices appear to be lower on RFF lately, but not necessarily elsewhere...seems there are fewer buyers here unless the offerings are real bargains.

 

[kshapero]

I notice more and more sellers here with less that 30 posts. Maybe they feel this is a safer place to sell. There do seem to be some good bargains lately.

 

[amateriat]

I think it's two parts The Economy, and one part a maturing digital market. Remember, Canon's sales took a sizable hit not long ago, and that wasn't on account of slowing EOS-1v sales.

The imminent release of Leica's M9 is likely prompting selling of higher-end film stuff (in more than one format), possibly moreso than when the M8 was announced.

Me? Not selling a thing. I like what I have and use it "lots." But I might establish a Buy Myself a GF-1 Fund, and start tucking away a few bucks for that.


- Barrett


- Barrett

 

[stupid leica]

i think over the past few years, prices on many RF items have gone up quite a bit, and just lately are starting to come back to reality.

I want a V4 cron so bad, but i do not want to pay what they've been going for.... and i'm worried that a FF M9 will bring prices back up.

 

[kshapero]

i think over the past few years, prices on many RF items have gone up quite a bit, and just lately are starting to come back to reality.

I want a V4 cron so bad, but i do not want to pay what they've been going for.... and i'm worried that a FF M9 will bring prices back up.

Why are Leicas and Nikons stupid and why is an Ikon dumb?

 

[ryan26]

I can only speak for myself. I spent the better part of two months trying to find a Leica MP a while back, and they prices were every bit as high as one year ago.

M6's are thirteen to the dozen, and priced accordingly.

I'm 1 month into my search for an MP.... 🙄