Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
I think it is. Stock value is ultimately dependent of the mechanisms of demand and supply, as are the prices of used cameras, and other commodities.
RanceEric
The name is Rance
I've been getting pretty good deals from Keh lately.. just ordered a Nikon RF 85 f/2 lens in bargain condition for only $205 and the 135 f/3.5 in ugly for $45! (I have bought several items from there in ugly condition that turned out to be fantastic shape, except for only one F-mount lens where the barrel was scratched up, but glass still excellent/no fungus/no haze/etc..) 
Bob Michaels
nobody special
That is certainly the case around here. I sometimes hang out in my friend's used camera shop. By far the largest demographic of film camera buyers is the 18-25 year old group. And they are not just buying 35mm cameras but MF as well. Film is the new cool. A local community college offers a b&w darkroom class twice and it always fills up quickly.
Except for people don't buy cameras to get rich ... it's a losing proposition for the most part. One buys stock because they are hoping to make money... it is the #1 reason to buy stock (or conversely sell short to make money).
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kevin m
Veteran
Maybe not, but the art of the used camera deal is a rather constant theme on this forum. Smokin' steal deals, ripoffs, etc..
Like someone else said, I don't see what difference a small price hike makes to someone looking to use the gear. If a camera body goes up $50 and you really want that one, they pay up and go about your business. If you really can't afford it, then find a less-collectible but still serviceable alternative.
The underlying theme of this thread seems to be "I can't afford all the stuff I want." Welcome to the club.
RanceEric
The name is Rance
Maybe not, but the art of the used camera deal is a rather constant theme on this forum. Smokin' steal deals, ripoffs, etc..
Like someone else said, I don't see what difference a small price hike makes to someone looking to use the gear. If a camera body goes up $50 and you really want that one, they pay up and go about your business. If you really can't afford it, then find a less-collectible but still serviceable alternative.
The underlying theme of this thread seems to be "I can't afford all the stuff I want." Welcome to the club.
Well said. That's a complaint I make a lot.. I day dream of an unlimited camera fund.. haha
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
The next question is.. why does every perceived micro-trend have to be analyzed ad infinitum.
Not every change in prices be it in one category of equipment or from one vendor represents a sea change. As others have rightly pointed out, things fluctuate frequently and certainly have done so for a while, most prices are still lower in the grand scheme (yes, even on KEH.)
Not every change in prices be it in one category of equipment or from one vendor represents a sea change. As others have rightly pointed out, things fluctuate frequently and certainly have done so for a while, most prices are still lower in the grand scheme (yes, even on KEH.)
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Like someone else said, I don't see what difference a small price hike makes to someone looking to use the gear. If a camera body goes up $50 and you really want that one, they pay up and go about your business. If you really can't afford it, then find a less-collectible but still serviceable alternative.
The underlying theme of this thread seems to be "I can't afford all the stuff I want." Welcome to the club.
Actually, I think it is where someone would be happy to pay $250 for a camera if it were $300 last year. But since it was only $200 last year and they did not buy it, they are angry and have to blame someone.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Funny, but true Bob.
MC JC86
Negative Nancy.
Blame Hipsters...
the source of all the worlds ills.
the source of all the worlds ills.
back alley
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so much $$ talk on a photo forum...
last year i paid too much for my black mint, clean glass 40 rollei sonnar...too much as in more than most folks would or have in the past...i don't care...if i had waited for the best deal i might still be waiting and missed using it all this past year.
last year i paid too much for my black mint, clean glass 40 rollei sonnar...too much as in more than most folks would or have in the past...i don't care...if i had waited for the best deal i might still be waiting and missed using it all this past year.
back alley
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what IS a hipster?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Very true. And are the prices that are being asked INSANE (with screaming capital letters)? Or are they just a bit higher that they were at their absolute nadir, but still, in absolute terms, ridiculously cheap for first-class film cameras?
Cheers,
R.
kevin m
Veteran
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The 50% sudden jump in Mamiya 6 bodies mentioned earlier as an example is kinda drastic. It wasn't a gradual climb and seemed to just go vertical. I find this alarming.
Also this is not limited to just KEH. At Adorama and B&H I see limited stock, inflated prices, and oversized premiums for quality or condition. I see slim pickings, and I am greatful that I have what I need, otherwise currently I'm priced out of the market and cannot afford to replace what I now own.
Perhaps prices are not yet INSANE but its getting pretty crazy.
Cal
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Good video.
I call these folks the Greasy Queen Street West Kids here in Toronto.
I love the part about the parent's money at the ATM, so true.
zauhar
Veteran
For your edification:
http://www.latfh.com/
And God bless their little hearts for thinking film is cool!!
Randy
porktaco
Well-known
back alley
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Cal,
Fair enough: 50% is not trivial. But might it not be the case that the price before was ridiculously low, and is now more realistic? Not knowing about Mamiya 6 cameras, I can't really judge. What percentage of the new price are they selling for?
Perhaps we have been used, for too long, to the aftermath of the Gadarene rush to digital. People bought and sold good cameras because they were dirt cheap and it was almost a pocket money hobby. Now they're no longer dirt cheap, and a few digi-converts are buying back into film, they look expensive.
I don't know. But I am reasonably confident that compared with what second-hand top-flight cameras cost 20 or 30 years ago, there is a much smaller price difference between interesting but non-pro gear (Retinas and Olympus OMs, for example) and top-flight cameras such as Hasselblads and Nikons. They tend to be lumped together now as 'film cameras' for 'enthusiasts' or 'collectors' ('collectors' in this case including people who put a few rolls of film through their cameras per year). Formerly cheap cameras cost proportionately more; formerly 'professional' cameras cost proportionately less.
Cheers,
R.