norbek
Newbie
Hello, I am new here. I have inherited a camera with all the equipment for it.
I don't want this stuff, so I am looking for the best way of selling it.
All of the items belonged to my brother,used for several years while in the
Air Force. Stored and forgotten.
I'm seeking advice as to the best way of disposing of these items.
I don't want this stuff, so I am looking for the best way of selling it.
All of the items belonged to my brother,used for several years while in the
Air Force. Stored and forgotten.
I'm seeking advice as to the best way of disposing of these items.
Mackinaw
Think Different
For starters, place an ad on RFF. Look at some existing ads for some ideas on how to present your stuff. Take a lot of pics too. Place the ad, and wait for responses. I have no doubt that you'll sell most of what you have.
Jim B.
Jim B.
lam
Well-known
Yep, I also think placing an ad here will be your best bet! Not hard either, take some photos of the gear, write some descriptive words about the gear and some prices 
msbarnes
Well-known
http://antiquecameras.net/
this will come of use for gauging the market value and also ebay (completed listings).
I'm not so familiar with canon rangefinder gear but sometimes some accessories are worth quite a bit.
this will come of use for gauging the market value and also ebay (completed listings).
I'm not so familiar with canon rangefinder gear but sometimes some accessories are worth quite a bit.
Argenticien
Dave
I'd suggest also testing it out, at least rudimentarily. If you don't know how to do so, find a camera shop who can. With the gear having been stored 45 years, people will be excited that it is likely "low mileage," but will also be concerned that everything might be frozen stiff from disuses (camera shutter surely, lens apertures maybe). They'll expect your advert to say whether or not you've found that to be the case, so they can know whether they need to factor a CLA into their willingness to spend. If the kit is working flawlessly, but you aren't able to say that with confidence, it'll sell for less than it should.
Welcome, BTW, to RFF!
--Dave
Welcome, BTW, to RFF!
--Dave
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peterm1
Veteran
I was going to suggest this as well. its a good site for getting an idea of prices. You will see links to sections on Canon lenses and Canon bodies (these are sometimes listed as Canon RF - rangefinder or Canon LTM - which means Leica Thread Mount referring to the type of lens attachment). Go into each of these sections to find the equipment you have and then compare prices.
Be aware though that with classic cameras and accessories its all about two things. (1) Rarity and (2) condition. There can be BIG differences in price between equipment that is in mint condition and equipment that is merely in good condition. As most equipment has been used by someone mostly its only in good condition at best.
Another factor of importance is the potential need for equipment to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted (CLA'd). Potential purchasers will factor that into the amount they are willing to offer unless iron clad guarantees can be offered as to how well it is functioning. Old mechanical cameras almost always need servicing / CLA'ing to get them working properly, as mechanical timing mechanisms are delicate and lubricants dry out. Old lenses often become cloudy (or worse still get fungus on glass) if not kept in perfect conditions.
Its best to have an experienced user (if not a technician) look over gear and to note wwhat they recommend. otyherwise sell the gear with the words "as is" in the advert. In this event people will expect problems and will offer you less. But at least there can be no disputes over condition of the equipment.
Finally if you advertise on line make sure you have clear pictures of each object for sale. And make sure that the camera and lenses in particular are photographed several times from various angles so people can see exactly how they look. Non pro sellers too often post a blurry photo taken from too far distant to be able to tell a damn thing about the condition of something they are selling. Speaking personally I always move right on to the next ad when this happens.
When I sell, I rarely sell on line. If you live in a good sized city then it may be an option to find a camera store that is willing to sell on consignment for you. Usually they will take between 12% and 20% of the selling price. But as you can usually ask more than you could online (unless you have something very rare) then its not a bad option. But you need to trust them. I have a good one in my city and I have dealt with them for perhaps 20 years as sometimes selling on line is just too much of a pain.
Apart from all of that it sounds as if you are a lucky man. This looks like a great collection of nice equipment.
goamules
Well-known
You have to ask what your time is worth, compared to making top dollar. In other words, to make top dollar you have to do a lot of work, researching, describing, photographing, listing, answering. The top market is Ebay. Then after it sells you have to hope the person who get's it understands is old, used equipment. Otherwise, for 45 days you have to wait to see if the buyer will put in a "not as described" claim, which sucks the money right back out of your bank. You may make 50% to 100% more on Ebay than here or on Craigslist or at a local shop, but it's a pain.
Also, don't waste your time individually selling each filter, strap, and small part. Bundle them and let them go all at once. Just individually sell the few top dollar items.
Also, don't waste your time individually selling each filter, strap, and small part. Bundle them and let them go all at once. Just individually sell the few top dollar items.
That completely depends on what those small items are...
grapejohnson
Well-known
What is it?
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