"I just want this to go to one of us who's likely to use it, not store it in a collection."
Bob, no offense. This is just my opinion and we're entitled to that amount of difference. Opinions are inherently judgmental, so we needn't get excited about that part. And you say you plan to use that shelved Millennium Nikkor when you feel like it. I already knew you photograph with your gear as well as collect it. And I too am saving some equipment that's beautiful, even though I'm not certain I'll make use of it again.
I'm sure we agree that photography is a primary activity, collecting a secondary one. When I sell equipment I don't need, I'm pleased when it goes to a student or to an enthusiast who's going to find pleasure in the primary activity of photography – not in the secondary activity of lining up consumer goods on shelves or in glass cases (or even in a safe). But still, given one offer and knowing the equipment would be admired but never used again, I'd go ahead and sell.
The experience behind my opinion is that I knew Don Chatterton, who was one of the pioneers in buying used cameras in the US and selling them to Asian collectors. I sold him a couple of cameras, including a RolleiWide and also a modified Leica A that he wrote about in Shutterbug. The FedEx truck would pull into his suburban driveway and off they'd go. I understood that to him this was just a neutral business arrangement, but I came to regret the long-range trend that withdrew fine used equipment from the market and raised prices. It had a practical effect for my students who wanted a good used Leica.
Anyhow let's both enjoy shooting, exhibiting, and (some degree of) collecting. And I'll see you the when our SF RFF group gets together to gawk at gear – and then go take some pictures together.
Kirk
