Investment fears

[shadowfox]

I get the fear that film may someday be too expensive or non-viable anymore to purchase.

What I don't get is this *need* to spend more than $600 for a perfectly usable Leica M body.

 

[Paul Luscher]

Mush as I'd love to get an OM-4...not going to do it. think at this point, given the fact I have other film cameras, and use them less and less. I can't put any more money into things like the OM-4

Keith, Keith, Keith....Leica "digital rubbish"?....certainly not!

Got no kicks against the M(, other than the price. build quality up there with the other Ms, though it's no M3, and it's got the nice easy handling I'm used to with other Ms. So what if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles the cutting-edge SLRs have.

I get great shots out of mine--well, within the limits of the talents of the user (me🙂)--never said I was Cartier-Bresson--and I'm damned glad there's something digital out there I can put my Leica glass on, rather than having it all gather dust on a shelf....

 

[muser53]

It is getting harder to use film in my area. The cost of processing has went up and one place has switched to send out only. I know film isn't going anywhere soon. But does the fear keep you from investing more money in film cameras? Do you hold off on that MP or something else? Or maybe that Leica 28mm? Looks to me just the fear factor could be hurting sales...

Cosmonaut, Interesting thoughts yet if the "fear" factor is as strong as you believe it to be what explains the high cost and scarcity of used (good quality) gear. Prices on Leica, Contax, Rollei are pretty high right now.

This post reminded me it's time to call freestyle & stock up on some B&W and a similar call to B&H for some Portra!

Cheers,

Paul

 

[jsrockit]

What I don't get is this *need* to spend more than $600 for a perfectly usable Leica M body.

Well, if we all only bought what we needed, there would be no camera industry.

 

[cosmonaut]

Maybe investment was the wrong term. But with that said my M6 is worth more now than when I bought it. The digital cameras I bought about the same time are dirt cheap. But then I bought my M6 with the idea I would keep it until I die and then pass it down. I don't look at Leicas in the same way as a digital camera. When I am done with a digital camera I will usually give it away, sell it or trade it.
But given five or six grand the thought does enter my head, should I spend that kind of cash on a film camera?

 

[lilmsmaggie]

It is getting harder to use film in my area. The cost of processing has went up and one place has switched to send out only. I know film isn't going anywhere soon. But does the fear keep you from investing more money in film cameras? Do you hold off on that MP or something else? Or maybe that Leica 28mm? Looks to me just the fear factor could be hurting sales...

I don't consider the purchase of photography equipment an investment per se other than maybe an investment in my interest in photography as a hobby. In the last year, I've purchased:

a 4x5 camera

2 35mm rangefinders

1 MF rangefinder

1 digicam that I don't use very often with the exception of short vacation trips where hauling a film camera about isn't conducive (to me that is). I've also purchased a host of lenses, accessories and film. I shoot mainly B&W and have a fridge full of 35 and 4x5 film to last me at least 18 months. 😀

Which reminds me, I need to buy more film 🙂

Lenses I suppose is a different story. In the past 18 months, I've purchased 4 large format lenses and one 35mm lens. In my mind, lenses are a much more expensive proposition than film and processing -- at least the initial outlay to acquire them.

As far as processing goes, I'm lucky to have a professional lab nearby so I take advantage of their services. At some point I may decide to do my own processing but I've acquired a liking for Pyro.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

But given five or six grand the thought does enter my head, should I spend that kind of cash on a film camera?

I would say that if you earn your living as a professional photographer then it is an "investment" in that sense. However, if you are a collector, that's a totally diffrent reason altogether. As a collector, you are either speculating that the value will increase, or you collect for the pure joy of collecting.

I collect coins but I didn't start collecting them as an investment.

Unfortunately, as with some cameras such as Leica; because of the behavior and actions of speculative investors, they have driven the prices of many coins beyond the reach of the average collector that collects for the simply joy of collecting.

Ironically, it was my coin collecting, or rather the selling of some of my collection that allowed me to make my recent camera purchases.

 

[Keith]

On the remote possibility that film does fade away, and I'm beginning to think it's less likely and more likely that it will just become outrageously expensive, I'll shed my tears and wear black for an appropriate period then move to digital.

As for shelling out big bucks for a new film Leica, something like an a la cart M7 or MP, who in their right mind does that anyway? Someone with sufficient income who want's something pretty to hang of their Artists and Artisans neck strap that's who ... and that's why Leica are still making the things! That's about as sensible an investment as buying a Porsche to do the shopping in ... and we know no one would dream of doing that ... right? 😀

 

[cosmonaut]

Kind of my point Keith, would you buy a $150,000 dollar car that gets 12mpg knowing gas may triple in price over the next couple of years and also be in short supply. When for the same money you could get an electric car, if an electric car would out perform a Porche, that would actually out perform the Porche just wouldn't last a lifetime.

 

[dave lackey]

It is getting harder to use film in my area. The cost of processing has went up and one place has switched to send out only. I know film isn't going anywhere soon. But does the fear keep you from investing more money in film cameras? Do you hold off on that MP or something else? Or maybe that Leica 28mm? Looks to me just the fear factor could be hurting sales...

Fear of what? Seriously. Fear of film running out? No. Fear of Walgreens going out of the developing business? Hardly. Fear of learning how to process my own film? Of course not.

I have taken to mailing my rolls of film to Precision Camera this week. Saves a ton of money and gas. There are many other thriving and great labs to send your film to as well.:angel: Hopefully, someone will be kind enough to show me the ropes on developing my own film soon.

I would be more fearful of spending money on anything these days due to the state of the economy.

If one has the money, spend it on what they want. But to fear "investing" money in a Leica is just as foolish as thinking it is an investment anyway.🙂

So, what is to fear but the state of the world in general?

 

[dave lackey]

Kind of my point Keith, would you buy a $150,000 dollar car that gets 12mpg knowing gas may triple in price over the next couple of years and also be in short supply. When for the same money you could get an electric car, if an electric car would out perform a Porche, that would actually out perform the Porche just wouldn't last a lifetime.

Good lord, if one can afford a car that costs $150k, why would they care about fuel cost? As a former professor of urban economics, this argument makes no sense. Sorry.:angel:

 

[jsrockit]

As for shelling out big bucks for a new film Leica, something like an a la cart M7 or MP, who in their right mind does that anyway? Someone with sufficient income who want's something pretty to hang of their Artists and Artisans neck strap that's who ... and that's why Leica are still making the things!

and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Let me ask you something ... are you stating that if you buy an a la carte Leica and use a A&A strap you only do so to look good? That the person couldn't possibly use it to make good photos?

The fact is that some people just have a lot of cash. They can buy something like an a la carte Leica like we buy a hamburger.

 

[kshapero]

Leica would love it if film went arse up ... because then we'd all have to buy their digital rubbish if we wanted new!

😀

Gosh Keith I agree but harsh on the old girl, eh?

 

[Nikon Bob]

As a hobby photographer I personally would not spend/invest thousands of dollars in a film camera. Not everyone wants to process their own film or schlep around a darkroom and that includes me. Currently in my area we are now back at a point in time, 30 years ago, where C41 film is sent out and you wait a week or two to get it back. Add to that the price has almost doubled from what I paid for 1 hour develop and CD no prints. I'll keep the film gear I have but not buy anymore film bodies. Everyone is free to do what they like and for everyone there will come a point when using film will not be an attractive proposition. Some just get to that point sooner than others and a few will never get to that point. Just depends how deep your pockets are.

Bob

 

[shadowfox]

Well, if we all only bought what we needed, there would be no camera industry.

I'm responding to the OP's concern.
I'm not addressing 'we all'.

 

[cosmonaut]

Good lord, if one can afford a car that costs $150k, why would they care about fuel cost? As a former professor of urban economics, this argument makes no sense. Sorry.:angel:

Well let me put it this way. What could you have sold your house for five years ago? What could you sell it for now? Would you buy a M7 now if you knew that film was going to be a hassle to deal with five years from now or do you settle for an M2?
Do you buy the new Lexus with five years of payments or settle for the ten year old Camry cause of fear what gas prices are going to be down the road? Does fear of the future effect how much you are willing to spend now?

 

[cosmonaut]

And yes I develop my own b&w. Just cause you develop at home doesn't mean there will be an endless supply of film or chemicals. I didn't want this thread to turn into another end of film thread.