FrankHarries
Well-known
Oh sorry Doug - think you are meaning me! Wasn't meant that way ! (edited ;-))
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How do _you_ decide what to sell?
- Thread starter Benjamin Marks
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Not a big problem, though I've edited a few posts back there; natural to think about what might go, with sufficient motivation.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Sorry about that, I'm sure I was one of the offenders as well. I find until I put down what I'm thinking about selling in words, I often haven't totally accepted it. I didn't think about it as an offer or ad. Thank you for bringing that up.
damien.murphy
Damien
Broaching a big clearout now, one that I've been avoiding for some time. Main deciding factor will be utility, as I have a very good idea what I use and what I don't.
A few flies spoil the ointment, namely pieces of kit that is just so beautiful, or of low resale value, or kit that would have value as backup.
The last is the most insidious - the backup factor, as I am no pro, and shoot for my own pleasure. Even the not to be repeated photo opportunities that come my way, I still have other systems that could serve as backup. For example, I'm having trouble selling a second tlr body, in addition to a second M body, despite the fact both gather dust.
I find it easy to indulge and buy cameras, as generally I buy new cameras for the different ways of seeing they afford me, or the different kind of image output they give me. All this makes it difficult sometimes to decide what to get rid of, but I'm a minimalist at heart, and seeing a shelf of unused camera kit irritates me 🙂
A few flies spoil the ointment, namely pieces of kit that is just so beautiful, or of low resale value, or kit that would have value as backup.
The last is the most insidious - the backup factor, as I am no pro, and shoot for my own pleasure. Even the not to be repeated photo opportunities that come my way, I still have other systems that could serve as backup. For example, I'm having trouble selling a second tlr body, in addition to a second M body, despite the fact both gather dust.
I find it easy to indulge and buy cameras, as generally I buy new cameras for the different ways of seeing they afford me, or the different kind of image output they give me. All this makes it difficult sometimes to decide what to get rid of, but I'm a minimalist at heart, and seeing a shelf of unused camera kit irritates me 🙂
wakarimasen
Well-known
I generally sell duplicates or things that I bought on a whim and just don't use. Almost in all cases however, the sale is to fund a new purchase!
Best regards,
RoyM
Best regards,
RoyM
Matus
Well-known
Well - I would say - that if I do not use a camera for a year, than I would sell it. not just because of the money, but somebody else could use it and actually keep it in a good shape. Most cameras you can buy again if the (true) need arise.
On top of that you shoot nearly exclusively digital.
People tend to have cameras for the type of occasions "what if ..". I think it is better to have just "a few" you know well and do not have to spend 1 hour to choose from "once the occasion comes".
Also - I doubt one is able to use the camera efficiently (or even correctly) if it is used just once per year.
The cameras without value ( and you list good nice SLRs ) - if you do not use them, then do not sell them. Give them as a present to somebody who would like to use them, but is short of resources (students, etc ..). I think there would be plenty interested members around here ...
____________________
For comparison: myself:
- 4x5 Tachi (not used every weekend, but I have some great photos. I may swap it for some more technical camera, but I will not ADD another 4x5)
- Mamiya 6 (my main camera for serious stuff and travel)
- Konica S3 (fits into large pocket, still in testing phase)
- Fuji Silvi Zoom 2.8 (P&S with 25-50 zoom, will sell soon probably)
- Minolta 7D (old, not too good, waiting until it breaks down to get something more useful)
I do play with the idea of getting a Contax G2 or some Leica M - but the at least the Konica S3 will have to go.
On top of that you shoot nearly exclusively digital.
People tend to have cameras for the type of occasions "what if ..". I think it is better to have just "a few" you know well and do not have to spend 1 hour to choose from "once the occasion comes".
Also - I doubt one is able to use the camera efficiently (or even correctly) if it is used just once per year.
The cameras without value ( and you list good nice SLRs ) - if you do not use them, then do not sell them. Give them as a present to somebody who would like to use them, but is short of resources (students, etc ..). I think there would be plenty interested members around here ...
____________________
For comparison: myself:
- 4x5 Tachi (not used every weekend, but I have some great photos. I may swap it for some more technical camera, but I will not ADD another 4x5)
- Mamiya 6 (my main camera for serious stuff and travel)
- Konica S3 (fits into large pocket, still in testing phase)
- Fuji Silvi Zoom 2.8 (P&S with 25-50 zoom, will sell soon probably)
- Minolta 7D (old, not too good, waiting until it breaks down to get something more useful)
I do play with the idea of getting a Contax G2 or some Leica M - but the at least the Konica S3 will have to go.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Mainly, I have a hard time believing that I will never shoot 4x5 or 5x7 again. Every time I get the urge to sell [insert name of [format] [type] camera], I just call up Freestyle and order more film for the freezer.
I am most susceptible to [insert medium format camera brand here], which for years were used by the pros, but which were out of my league. Now, [insert well known medium format camera brands] sit lonely on my shelf, mocking me for having purchased them, even if for pennies on the dollar compared to their prices in the film-only era.
Frankly, I think that the lenses from [insert medium format manufacturer] are hugely undervalued for what they can do on film. Also, I'd be lying if I did say that the [insert name of detachable multi-mega-pixel capture back] turning up on the used market didn't make me want to dump [insert name of medium format roll-film back] and run screaming for the exits. And then I see a thread like the Hassie SWC one on RFF and think, "you know what, film is awesome."
Now when am I going to fix [insert name of hulking broken rotary processor in basement with dim prospects for replacement parts here]?
Yours in rule-complying Mad-Lib,
The puzzled OP [who was not actually trying to circumvent the ad rules and who is generally an RFF member in good standing].
I am most susceptible to [insert medium format camera brand here], which for years were used by the pros, but which were out of my league. Now, [insert well known medium format camera brands] sit lonely on my shelf, mocking me for having purchased them, even if for pennies on the dollar compared to their prices in the film-only era.
Frankly, I think that the lenses from [insert medium format manufacturer] are hugely undervalued for what they can do on film. Also, I'd be lying if I did say that the [insert name of detachable multi-mega-pixel capture back] turning up on the used market didn't make me want to dump [insert name of medium format roll-film back] and run screaming for the exits. And then I see a thread like the Hassie SWC one on RFF and think, "you know what, film is awesome."
Now when am I going to fix [insert name of hulking broken rotary processor in basement with dim prospects for replacement parts here]?
Yours in rule-complying Mad-Lib,
The puzzled OP [who was not actually trying to circumvent the ad rules and who is generally an RFF member in good standing].
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I tend not to sell my gear......guilty of loving the ownership of it more than the need to use it.
However I will sell something once I decide that I will not use it again at all......my stuff is all beautiful and deserves to be used for serious work.
However I will sell something once I decide that I will not use it again at all......my stuff is all beautiful and deserves to be used for serious work.
John Lawrence
Well-known
It's a simple decision for me. If I'm not using it, it's put up for sale.
John
John
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
I had a lot of rangefinder camera's but wasn't/couldn't us(e)(ing) them and now sold almost all of them and shifted to lenses. I use the lenses quite often (trying out, comparing - which I found very satisfying) on the two camera's left: one digital, the M8.2, and one film, the Millenium.... Oh I see I haven't changed my signature for a while...
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newspaperguy
Well-known
Like our Mod, I've been accumulating... and for a very long time.
Now as I look at the calender, I realize that the herd needs to be thinned
or my kids will ship it all to the charity store. Look for a huge clearance sale in the classifieds after Christmas... if any one has any money left. 🙄
Incidentally. looking for a 40 for my CL... see my want to trade ad in the classifieds.
Now as I look at the calender, I realize that the herd needs to be thinned
or my kids will ship it all to the charity store. Look for a huge clearance sale in the classifieds after Christmas... if any one has any money left. 🙄
Incidentally. looking for a 40 for my CL... see my want to trade ad in the classifieds.
karlori
Digital Refugee
I have a simple rule, what has not been used for 3 months it gets to be sold... Easy as that, I do not have an emotional connection to cameras and gear except the Zorkii 4 as its been in the family for a long time.
newsgrunt
Well-known
man , I let gear sit for a year or so and couldn't bring myself to do the several months window move. I'm already strapped for time so the longer time frame allows me to rotate through the cameras depending on what I'm feeling like photographing at the time. I'm not sure how I ended up with 2 4x5 pinholes either 🙂
oftheherd
Veteran
I need to sell a lot of gear. For instance, since I am not primarily a 4x5 shooter, why do I need 3? And that's after I gave one away. But I have yet to sell anything. Like newspaperguy, I am getting to an age when I don't want too much around for my daughters to sort through (my wife would probably just throw it away, ouch). But there are some things I could never sell. My Fujica gear, and many M42 lenses that aren't Fuji specific, like a Spriratone 18mm that has given me some great photos, or my Super Press 23 gear. I have more 9x12 than I need. But I don't usually feel good thinking about giving up good film cameras.
Woe is me! 😀 😀
Woe is me! 😀 😀
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
What about volume of sales? Do you try and organize a sale of all the stuff you want to sell at once, or do you do it over time, or as time allows? Quite apart from the trauma of selling long-held stuff, there is a certain amount of PIA management that always goes along with sales. So: aggregate as much of that stuff as possible (pull the band-aid quickly?) or sell over a six month period (pull slowly?)
Ben
Ben
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