Murchu
Well-known
Don't care about them personally, but do opt for them where available, to maintain the best resale value, should I ever sell in the future.
Do you care about boxes/instructions?
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Another option in the poll would have been 'very slightly'.
The older the camera, the greater the historical interest. And the less likely it is that the boxes will have survived, possibly because fewer of our ancestors were as anal-retentive as some people seem to be today.
Cheers,
R.
The older the camera, the greater the historical interest. And the less likely it is that the boxes will have survived, possibly because fewer of our ancestors were as anal-retentive as some people seem to be today.
Cheers,
R.
Paddy C
Unused film collector
Oh that was funny. 😀
I keep them for potential re-sale. Most of what I've bought used has come with nothing (no manual packaging etc) so I don't care. Just want front and rear caps on a lens.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
The instructions are most important, obviously. The box is not -- but I would want the stuff that was in the box, especially with something like a digital camera, where the "peripherals" may be important and too much of a pain to track down separately.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
All other things being equal, I would rather have the box and instructions.
icebear
Veteran
+1 . Obviously very few people take a look at the instructions, I do but I don't really care about the box.
I buy stuff for use and not for resale.
The only photo equipment I sold so far was my Canon gear (FD lenses) when I finally realized I did not use it anymore once I got infected with the RF virus😉.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
Instructions? Priceless. They help one break one's camera properly. Also useful for selecting correct batteries, and for the system charts and filter size info and suchlike they often contain. I'll pay a small premium for a set of instructions with an old camera.
Having the original box is nice if/when decides to sell the camera off, but it's not generally going to be a factor when I'm buying one to use.
Having the original box is nice if/when decides to sell the camera off, but it's not generally going to be a factor when I'm buying one to use.
jschrader
Well-known
when I buy, I don't care about boxes; If I sell, i would include them as some people do assume then that the are in better shape.
Sid836
Well-known
For whatever I buy as new, I keep everything in mint condition (o.k. except the camera that I spank the hell out of it by using it). For used equipment if it comes with any they are welcome and I keep them as tidy as possible.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I often wonder, when I see cameras with perhaps a lens cap and the strap for sale, if they were snatched from someone's shoulder...
Judging by a lot of the questions on these forums a lot of people aren't aware that such things as instruction books exist. Even though they can download copies or buy originals on ebay.
I guess the idea of sitting down and reading the manual before touching the camera hasn't occurred to them.
OTOH, it does make "Spares or Repairs" cameras a bargain...
Regards, David
I often wonder, when I see cameras with perhaps a lens cap and the strap for sale, if they were snatched from someone's shoulder...
Judging by a lot of the questions on these forums a lot of people aren't aware that such things as instruction books exist. Even though they can download copies or buy originals on ebay.
I guess the idea of sitting down and reading the manual before touching the camera hasn't occurred to them.
OTOH, it does make "Spares or Repairs" cameras a bargain...
Regards, David
honozooloo
Established
Personally, my gear spends its first 10 minutes with me in it's box, then the box goes into a closet for safekeeping, never to be reunited the camera. Retail packaging is really useful when mailing a camera for a CLA or repair (I just put the camera/lens in the original retail box and box that with padding...never had anything break due to mishandling).
I tend to prefer fleabay sellers who keep all their OEM crap, as usually its an indication that they are detail-oriented and more likely to have cared for their gear. But that's just a guess on my part, call it superstition even.
But yeah, boxes are important to some so if you're interested in resale value and have the space to keep it, then it makes sense to do so. The same applies to instruction manuals.
As for manuals, I just download or scan PDF copies of all my manuals and carry them on my iPhone...isn't the future great? 😛
I tend to prefer fleabay sellers who keep all their OEM crap, as usually its an indication that they are detail-oriented and more likely to have cared for their gear. But that's just a guess on my part, call it superstition even.
But yeah, boxes are important to some so if you're interested in resale value and have the space to keep it, then it makes sense to do so. The same applies to instruction manuals.
As for manuals, I just download or scan PDF copies of all my manuals and carry them on my iPhone...isn't the future great? 😛
gnuyork
Well-known
Yes indeed, to a fault. My wife thinks I have a box collection problem.
isoterica
Established
I have all my Canon gear boxes, camera body, lenses, converters, extension tubes etc. And I am actually thinking of selling a couple lenses so.. I am hoping that a neat tidy package like you'd get at the store will be more appealing to a buyer, it is to me. It's not like I will charge fifty bucks more for a box particularly since there's nothing vintage going on however I would think presented properly with all the packing, manuals etc in tact as well as gear that's been taken care of would warrant a better price than something displayed with an inch of dust on it, no caps, no box, etc.
As to buying, if I am collecting I try to get the best package, box and all but not at a ludicrous price, because yes, to me, most times these items seem to be better taken care of than ones missing all of that. What I buy, even when old, is new to me and it's fun to get new things that actually look like new things even when I intend to use them. I;ve gotten a couple Konica lenses like that, appear new, might even be since they were in the boxes, plastic and all.
As to buying, if I am collecting I try to get the best package, box and all but not at a ludicrous price, because yes, to me, most times these items seem to be better taken care of than ones missing all of that. What I buy, even when old, is new to me and it's fun to get new things that actually look like new things even when I intend to use them. I;ve gotten a couple Konica lenses like that, appear new, might even be since they were in the boxes, plastic and all.
Chris101
summicronia
I am a sick man. A hoarder when it comes to boxes. I have boxes for stuff that I no longer even have.
isoterica
Established
Ha yeah I find boxes for things I no longer have when I do the springish type cleaning. What's this? Ohhh yeah.. huh, I threw that out a few years ago. Well, maybe it's not spring cleaning then 😀, or I'd have found the box sooner.
thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
Resale value. People appreciate that I kept the accessories and packaging in like new condition. It makes them feel like the camera was in good hands.