AlexBG
Well-known
Asking for a friend (really am) he bought a Hasselblad 503 2 years ago and now it's worth triple the price, I nearly bought a Contax T3 3 years ago for £250 but thought it was too expensive so got a TVS instead!
He is now looking for other cameras to use (very rarely) but also knowing that they will be worth more in a few years. Top of his list is a Nikon F3 currently.
Anyone else got any ideas of what to get?
He is now looking for other cameras to use (very rarely) but also knowing that they will be worth more in a few years. Top of his list is a Nikon F3 currently.
Anyone else got any ideas of what to get?
Pete B
Well-known
Pentax 6x7?
With 105mm f2.4
Pete
With 105mm f2.4
Pete
rbsinto
Well-known
Everybody does what they do (RBSinTo's Law), but in my opinion buying cameras as investments make as much sense as buying toasters as investments.
In my opinion they're tools for taking photos or making toast and nothing more.
I have and use ten bodies including a re-issued Nikon S3 rangefinder which some saw as an investment. As soon as mine arrived I threw film in it and have been shooting with it ever since.
And When I or my heirs sell my gear, if they make a dollar or two that will be a bonus, but if, as I suspect there is a loss, I or they will consider it the cost of my enjoyable hobby.
Robert
In my opinion they're tools for taking photos or making toast and nothing more.
I have and use ten bodies including a re-issued Nikon S3 rangefinder which some saw as an investment. As soon as mine arrived I threw film in it and have been shooting with it ever since.
And When I or my heirs sell my gear, if they make a dollar or two that will be a bonus, but if, as I suspect there is a loss, I or they will consider it the cost of my enjoyable hobby.
Robert
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
Camera equipment, like everything else, its subject to offer and demand. Leica equipment had a rice on price/value due to high demand from Orient countries (I've recently sold lots of Leica equipment to China and Japan).
Probably could suggest cameras that are niche and don't see much trading, like Hasselblad SW or pristine Rollei SL66.
Probably Leica lenses? They often increase on price and very seldom drop on value.
Best regards
Marcelo
Probably could suggest cameras that are niche and don't see much trading, like Hasselblad SW or pristine Rollei SL66.
Probably Leica lenses? They often increase on price and very seldom drop on value.
Best regards
Marcelo
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
Just sold my kit, 6x7 with 105 and 5 other lenses on ebay for something like $900.00. Having been using that much. Honestly though I could get much more but oh well.
Regards.
Marcelo
css9450
Veteran
There are lots of nice F3s available at attractive prices, including many that look like brand new. Does he really have much to suggest prices are going up?
Spanik
Well-known
Camera ? Investment? In the same sentence?
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
I would get one of those gold-plated Russian Leicas, those are going to be worth tons one of these days.
The trouble with consumables as investments it they may not be "liquid" when you want them to be.
In the short-term you may be able to break even or close to it when testing out several cameras to see what you like, then selling the stuff you don't, as long as the camera market has not tanked. But that is not investment.
My sense is that demand for quality film cameras may hang on for a while, the population of good ones decrease due to simple attrition, so the supply/demand numbers are positive. Maybe.
To me, an investment should make around 10% a year. Will you see that with any camera?
The trouble with consumables as investments it they may not be "liquid" when you want them to be.
In the short-term you may be able to break even or close to it when testing out several cameras to see what you like, then selling the stuff you don't, as long as the camera market has not tanked. But that is not investment.
My sense is that demand for quality film cameras may hang on for a while, the population of good ones decrease due to simple attrition, so the supply/demand numbers are positive. Maybe.
To me, an investment should make around 10% a year. Will you see that with any camera?
valdas
Veteran
Exactly. There could be some exceptions - collector items or items that are subject to unpredictable hype. As good bet as anything you do in one of Monte Carlo casinos.
Lux Optima
Established
Look for a Leica limited edition like this: http://www.profifoto.de/neuheiten/2017/03/21/leica-mp-blaubeize/
Only 10 available...
Only 10 available...
ptpdprinter
Veteran
By the time you pay the eBay fee (10%), PayPal fee (3%), and postage, you need to make about 15% to break even. I'd be very happy to break even should I decide to sell any of my cameras or lenses.
mynikonf2
OEM
I have to say, from personal experience, that unless you have a lot of money to buy the very best you will probably lose your shirt. Cameras are tools but there are some rarities [Nikon 1 RF, the Leica Reporter, Leica 0...] that demand big prices, a Nikon F3 is not one of these. Of course there are some exceptions even with the F3 but you have to know what you are doing.
My kits are things that I enjoy and despite the up and downs of the market I own what I enjoy. If the prices are down then it means I can purchase items I've wanted at more reasonable prices.
Tell your friend to look into the very early American gold, silver & copper coin market for investing, & always buy the best you can afford.
Good luck...
My kits are things that I enjoy and despite the up and downs of the market I own what I enjoy. If the prices are down then it means I can purchase items I've wanted at more reasonable prices.
Tell your friend to look into the very early American gold, silver & copper coin market for investing, & always buy the best you can afford.
Good luck...
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Trouble is, you can't guarantee anything; prices go up and down. Look at the Olympus Trip 35's f'instance. Not so long ago they were cheap, then the price went up and up and now a lot are being sold off and the prices are dropping. Same for anything unless you are lucky when you buy and luckier when you sell...
Regards, David
Trouble is, you can't guarantee anything; prices go up and down. Look at the Olympus Trip 35's f'instance. Not so long ago they were cheap, then the price went up and up and now a lot are being sold off and the prices are dropping. Same for anything unless you are lucky when you buy and luckier when you sell...
Regards, David
ptpdprinter
Veteran
It comes as a complete shock to me that there are currently 438 used toasters located in the US on eBay. There were 184 in the Sold listings, including a Modern Maid built-in 4 slot toaster that went for $400, so there must be a real used toaster market. None that I saw had red dots though.
Richard G
Veteran
The price of used film cameras has gone up and will probably go up a little further. But this is no field for investment. The Nikon F3 is a great camera. I picked up a very late almost mint one a few years ago for my daughter. I paid too much for it but it didn't matter. They had a very long production run and were very solidly built for professionals and as already mentioned, there are lots around in good condition. I can't think of a worse investment therefore.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Enter the lottery for the next limited edition re-issue.
Find a misunderstood classic at bargain price.
Use camera to earn a living.
I might bet that some classic lenses from the film will continue to appreciate.
Find a misunderstood classic at bargain price.
Use camera to earn a living.
I might bet that some classic lenses from the film will continue to appreciate.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Investments are about the exit strategy. How liquid do you need the invested cash to be?
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
Robert Lai
Well-known
Cameras are not investments! They are tools. Granted, some of them are made much better than others, and cost more from the outset. My Starrett tap wrench for example. When you pick it up and look at the machining, you can tell this is real American workmanship! However, I expect to lose money if I ever sell my stuff. Why? Because I use it, and even the most careful use will show some signs of wear.
I was reading through my Nov. 1954 issue of Modern Photography, and in there I saw a nice ad for the "Robot Royal". So I did an ebay search and CR*P these cameras are expensive. I don't know how you would even get prints from these, as they have a square format on 35mm film. It's a spring wound motor drive camera, similar to the Leningrad. Oh, the Leningrad seems to have developed a cult following too.
Now that I've become a bulb flash addict, I've been looking around for some nice looking bulb flashes. The most expensive ones are the Graflex ones. The reason is that Star Wars addicts are taking them apart to make "Light Sabers" out of them. Due to their destructiveness, the supply of decent Graflex flash units continues to dwindle. Heiland units are a distant second. The Star Wars addicts just want the D cell battery handle. They don't care about the rest.
The rest of bulb flashes are dirt cheap. Especially as most of the battery capacitor units have dead capacitors. It's easy enough to open up the packaging and resolder a new capacitor, but it is work. I've got some nice new looking units that work like a champ, for less than the price of a meal at McDonald's. Even the Leica CEYOO is inexpensive. I just picked one up for $25, and everything looks pristine. (I may have paid a bit more than usual due to the fine condition).
With real estate, everything is location, location, location.
With "collectables", everything is condition, condition, condition.
You will never get top dollar unless the condition is new, untouched. A total waste of money to purchase a camera and never use it, in my view.
The F3 will not become collectable unless someone takes to making new circuit boards for the LCD meter panel. Once that panel goes and there is no further meter readout, there is no replacement. It's not just as simple LCD panel swap. The panel is soldered on a circuit board. Nikon got rid of all their spares of F3 parts when they decided that the 10 year support time was up.
My view, if you want something that will endure in value, get:
Fully mechanical, minimal electronics.
Flash synch preferred.
Metal, minimal plastic.
Cult item from some movie (eg. the Graflex battery holders and Star Wars)
Spring wound motor drive e.g. Leica MOOLY, Leningrad, Robot
That pretty much sums up the film cameras that most of us have been hoarding already.
I was reading through my Nov. 1954 issue of Modern Photography, and in there I saw a nice ad for the "Robot Royal". So I did an ebay search and CR*P these cameras are expensive. I don't know how you would even get prints from these, as they have a square format on 35mm film. It's a spring wound motor drive camera, similar to the Leningrad. Oh, the Leningrad seems to have developed a cult following too.
Now that I've become a bulb flash addict, I've been looking around for some nice looking bulb flashes. The most expensive ones are the Graflex ones. The reason is that Star Wars addicts are taking them apart to make "Light Sabers" out of them. Due to their destructiveness, the supply of decent Graflex flash units continues to dwindle. Heiland units are a distant second. The Star Wars addicts just want the D cell battery handle. They don't care about the rest.
The rest of bulb flashes are dirt cheap. Especially as most of the battery capacitor units have dead capacitors. It's easy enough to open up the packaging and resolder a new capacitor, but it is work. I've got some nice new looking units that work like a champ, for less than the price of a meal at McDonald's. Even the Leica CEYOO is inexpensive. I just picked one up for $25, and everything looks pristine. (I may have paid a bit more than usual due to the fine condition).
With real estate, everything is location, location, location.
With "collectables", everything is condition, condition, condition.
You will never get top dollar unless the condition is new, untouched. A total waste of money to purchase a camera and never use it, in my view.
The F3 will not become collectable unless someone takes to making new circuit boards for the LCD meter panel. Once that panel goes and there is no further meter readout, there is no replacement. It's not just as simple LCD panel swap. The panel is soldered on a circuit board. Nikon got rid of all their spares of F3 parts when they decided that the 10 year support time was up.
My view, if you want something that will endure in value, get:
Fully mechanical, minimal electronics.
Flash synch preferred.
Metal, minimal plastic.
Cult item from some movie (eg. the Graflex battery holders and Star Wars)
Spring wound motor drive e.g. Leica MOOLY, Leningrad, Robot
That pretty much sums up the film cameras that most of us have been hoarding already.
aizan
Veteran
go to westlicht auctions and tell me photography equipment can't be an investment. you have to go deep into camera history, though. a lot of the information is not on the internet.
Bill Clark
Veteran
I don't own any cameras as an investment only, other than they were used in my business.
For me, I started in 1973, with little money, investing in the stock market. After about 10 years I sometimes would think, "is this ever going to amount to anything?"
It has. It now provides me with a nice retirement. Sure, I have invested in a few companies that went belly up. Even with that, my prudent investing has rewarded me quite well.
Compound interest is the first wonder of the world. Most don't realize it.
For me, I started in 1973, with little money, investing in the stock market. After about 10 years I sometimes would think, "is this ever going to amount to anything?"
It has. It now provides me with a nice retirement. Sure, I have invested in a few companies that went belly up. Even with that, my prudent investing has rewarded me quite well.
Compound interest is the first wonder of the world. Most don't realize it.