Buying cameras to use for as long as possible

[Frank Petronio]

Shouldn't get attached to any inanimate objects or possessions I say.... buy a tool, use it, then if you need or want something else then kick the old stuff out and travel light. Packing away a bunch of clutter gets in the way of the more important things in life like people you love, making satisfying accomplishments, and having memorable experiences.

No particular magical piece of metal ever had responsibility for the good things in life, it could have been a flea market Argus just as easily as Henri-Cartier's first Leica in my hand, it doesn't matter.

Isn't this obsession with loving objects called Paraphilia or something?

 

[Gumby]

Who else buys (at least some of) their cameras with no eye whatsoever on resale value, just to use for as long as possible?

94.7% of my cameras were bought to use with no concern whatsoever for resale. The oldest (3 of them) have been in service for 29 years.

The only exceptions were a couple of old plate cameras bought to look pretty on the shelf, and one inexpensive used rangefinder that turned out to be a piece of junk.

Excluded from this accounting are one camera bought specifically for parts to revive one of the aforesaid, and two old SLRs that were gifted to me (althoguh one is in regular service and will be used as long as possible

 

[taskoni]

How about when selling it for a profit?

Buying gear to sell at a profit in the past has helped me save for the gear I eventually could buy to use.

Can't remember when I last sold film gear at a loss. At least I'm playing even, most of the time I make a buck, or sometimes many!

What about the M3 you sold couple of weeks ago?

 

[Rob-F]

I only ever buy cameras with the intention to use them. I only get rid of them if I find that I don't like using them ( or find something better ).

+1. I sell the ones I don't seem to use, or no longer like using.

 

[rogerzilla]

I have a number of customized electric guitars I built out of various parts--they are great instruments, assembled specifically to satisfy my own needs, but are worth less than the sum of their parts, because none of them are "original." Probably will never sell any of 'em.

I've done that too; by the time I finished the greenburst Tele project, I could have bought an original USA Telecaster, but that wasn't the point.

 

[boffen]

How about when selling it for a profit?

Buying gear to sell at a profit in the past has helped me save for the gear I eventually could buy to use.

Can't remember when I last sold film gear at a loss. At least I'm playing even, most of the time I make a buck, or sometimes many!

I'd have to have the money to pay for it in the first place though.

 

[johne]

This thread is most poignant for me. I recently put my Leica IIIF RD [see my gallery for examples of its Summitar] on evilbay. Got a bid and immediately began to regret my decision. [Which also included trading in my Nikon D80 for a more advanced digital]. All decisions were reached after prolonged research; however, I was more than a bit relieved when the one bid casually said " Oh, I wasn't serious" and bugged out. Now instead of diasppointed I am relieved. johne

 

[besk]

Johne, you had better hang onto that IIIf RD, they haven't made them in years and it is the top of the line (IMHO).

Practically every camera I have ever purchased I planned to keep forever - but haven't. Anyway, it is in the beginning of the end times as far as film- based photography is concerned and, while I have a multitude of cameras that I plan to sell, there are several that will just have to keep because they would be too hard to replace or have too little value to be worth the effort.

This thread is most poignant for me. I recently put my Leica IIIF RD [see my gallery for examples of its Summitar] on evilbay. Got a bid and immediately began to regret my decision. [Which also included trading in my Nikon D80 for a more advanced digital]. All decisions were reached after prolonged research; however, I was more than a bit relieved when the one bid casually said " Oh, I wasn't serious" and bugged out. Now instead of diasppointed I am relieved. johne

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I have never bought any camera or lens even considering resale value... I buy for use only.
I have never sold any camera or lens in the 27 years I've been a photographer.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[redisburning]

I bought my rokkor 58mm f1.2 / srt101 with the intention of selling it.

Just can't do it, man.

Maybe if someone offered me a leica body as a straight up trade I would do it... but the allure of quick dollars hasn't done it for me.

 

[Chyn]

My camera and lenses have all been bought with reliability and longevity in mind. That was pretty much my rationale for going into film in the first place, as the M2, Rolleiflex and Hasselblad 500cm have decades of proven mechanical reliability (provided they were properly maintained).

It would be hard for me to part with any of my equipment...if I do, then it's usually as a gift to someone deserving.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I'm no camera fondler. Occasionally I've sold gear because I don't like how it works or it doesn't fit into how and what I shoot...that's about it.

 

[johne]

Besk,
Thanks. What prompted me to offer the IIIF was $10 to get a roll of film processed. My darkroom is in the attic, unused. Usually I had negatives developed and scanned them myself. Most of my shooting now is with my Nikon D80 with 18-135 [See this site: www.gallery.swannsway.ch] The new Nikon D5100 was the lure.
johne

 

[Field]

I like to buy to own but sometimes I want to get new stuff or switch gear and so I have to sell in order to do it. Right now I feel confident I will be with certain systems I have now.for at least a little while but am currently trying to make some sales of stuff I do not use. I think of it as a sort of a experimental phase since I am green enough to not know what I like in all ways.

I just see no point in clinging onto things I do not use, especially since I am not a collector, so I sell my extra stuff I have tried or got as a gift (only once).

I have settled on OM system for SLR work though because I love the look of certain lenses. I prefer the uniqueness over the purity found in Nikon. I did so love my F body though since it felt REAL.

I think I would have to nearly be a full time buyer and reseller to make any real kind of money unless I have dumb luck but... if I come across anything particularly fancy I will probably want it for myself.

 

[nikon_sam]

I buy to use and lately it's been limited stuff I've been buying...
That being said I have bought a couple of things thinking I could sell/trade them...
1. A Konica Hexanon AR 28mm lens w/hood & both cases in near mint condition...
I had no use for it but was concerned if I didn't buy it it may have been thrown out...(estate sale)
I bought it knowing I would offer it on RFF...I got me a nice Nikon lens that I do use out of it...
2. A black Nikon F FTn Prism w/DL-1
I thought it might fit my Nikon F body but it doesn't...the price was too good to leave it...I bought it with the intent of selling it...

I found a Nikon F body with the Photomic finder at a garage sale for $10. Then traded a lens for the plain F finder on it now...
It's 49 years old and works great plus it looks great too...I love the way it feels and how simple it is to use...I plan on being the one to wear it out...

 

[fotomeow]

Unfortunately, I generally dont have enough funds to buy without considering resale value.
I mostly buy used quality gear: Leica/CV/etc, and take the risk that I wont have to poor money into it to keep it going strong (I have to do that enough with my 1980 VW camper van!).

To be certain, though, I have bought a couple things simply b/c I love them from a historical perspective: nothing on Sothebys! but for example my IIIf RD with Mooly winder.
The only things I have really bought w/out considering resale value have been well under $500; eg. a Yashica T4 zoom I bought new many years ago, and the Yashica T4 Super i found for cheap at a thrift store.

My "big" purchase w/out consideration for IMMEDIATE depreciation will be the Fuji Nex 7 I have on order, only b/c its the closest thing to a M8 without all the big money and repair headaches.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I buy to use and lately it's been limited stuff I've been buying...
That being said I have bought a couple of things thinking I could sell/trade them...
1. A Konica Hexanon AR 28mm lens w/hood & both cases in near mint condition...
I had no use for it but was concerned if I didn't buy it it may have been thrown out...(estate sale)
I bought it knowing I would offer it on RFF...I got me a nice Nikon lens that I do use out of it...
2. A black Nikon F FTn Prism w/DL-1
I thought it might fit my Nikon F body but it doesn't...the price was too good to leave it...I bought it with the intent of selling it...

I found a Nikon F body with the Photomic finder at a garage sale for $10. Then traded a lens for the plain F finder on it now...
It's 49 years old and works great plus it looks great too...I love the way it feels and how simple it is to use...I plan on being the one to wear it out...

Good feeling, innit?

Is that the one where you have to grind down the nameplate slightly to allow the 'claws' to grip?

If you've a chrome body I'd do it like a shot (and did), though I'd be slightly more hesitant with black. Or find a scrap chrome plate (I think it's invisible with the head on). I may even have one somewhere...

Cheers,

R.

 

[nikon_sam]

Good feeling, innit?

Is that the one where you have to grind down the nameplate slightly to allow the 'claws' to grip?

If you've a chrome body I'd do it like a shot (and did), though I'd be slightly more hesitant with black. Or find a scrap chrome plate (I think it's invisible with the head on). I may even have one somewhere...

Cheers,

R.

Roger...

My F body is chrome but it's a 64650xx body and I'd have to modify the plate and the body to get it to fit...
The worst part in all this is that nagging feel of "Hey, just find a black body F and throw the finder on it..."
I'm ignoring that little voice right now...so far I'm winning...😎

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Sam,

What's the body mod? I must have forgotten...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Field]

I do like the idea of coming across gear for nothing for resale on here, though. I know that might sound a bit resaley but I want to get stuff for nothing and sell for really good deals on here to keep the community going.

Even if I try to maximize profit by selling stuff at face value it has in the past failed consistently. I seem to only be able to sell to people who need a good deal, and they get one. For example I got a OM1 for next to nothing circumstantially, and I am selling it for $25 with original 50mm lens to a friend who wants a camera but has hardly any money. Could I buy a new cap for the bottom and get $100 out of it? Eh maybe eventually, but whatever he is going to be happy and I do not have to sit on for a year on Evilbay.