One of Mary Ellen's Nikons Is Being Sold For Charity

Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
You're welcome. I thought so, too, and that was actually the only reason I started the thread.

I'm not in a position to bid on the item myself but, whilst I'm sure an FM2 is a superb SLR, it isn't something that really grabs me (simply because it just doesn't appeal to my personal collecting sensibilities). If, on the other hand, it was something like one of the Nikon Fs shown in this shot of her with Brando taken during filming of Apocalypse Now (and I'm no Nikon expert, so please, feel free to correct me if it is an F2, or some other model) or, if it was one of her Leicas, well, then, I would find that to be something to really covet. Having said that if one of our members became the fortunate owner of the FM2 in question that would be pretty cool in its own right.

Meredith was quick to respond when I wrote to the studio in May to give my condolences. I'll be surprised if she or someone else from Falkland Road doesn't reply to my email promptly, and I will make a point of updating the thread following the receipt of further information.
Cheers,
Brett
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She has what looks like a Nikon F and a Leica M4 in that pic.
Thanks for bringing up this thread, because I just spent some very enjoyable time at her site looking through her work.
 
Pablito said:
While I am probably in a very small minority here, I would not pay $1 more than market value for any famous photographer's camera. That's just me though ;-)
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Same with me.. A camera was made to take photos, not sit on a shelf or in a safe..
 
colyn said:
Same with me.. A camera was made to take photos, not sit on a shelf or in a safe..
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Ah but Leica/Canon/Nikon depend on all those shelf queens and vacation garlands to survive. And rff members get to buy them when they are sold, in like new condition.

Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
Guys, I am a little, well, chagrined, that you'd think I would post a link up without being at least fairly certain it was legitimate. I didn't come down in the last shower.
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Your OP didn't have any info, and the eBay listing was awful. It was really an extension of the Facebook page, how come you didn't start with that link?

As a former collector, I believe this is purely a donation, not much value in that particular camera (unless there is a photo of her with it). In fact, celebrity cameras, in general, are usually are surprisingly low in value. As it should be their photos are much more valuable.
 
photomoof said:
Ah but Leica/Canon/Nikon depend on all those shelf queens and vacation garlands to survive. And rff members get to buy them when they are sold, in like new condition.



Your OP didn't have any info, and the eBay listing was awful. It was really an extension of the Facebook page, how come you didn't start with that link?

As a former collector, I believe this is purely a donation, not much value in that particular camera (unless there is a photo of her with it). In fact, celebrity cameras, in general, are usually are surprisingly low in value. As it should be their photos are much more valuable.
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I was typing that post with my iPhone, moof (sorry, I don't know your real name), and, when it comes to using one of those I am all thumbs, at the best of times; it's a miracle I was able to paste in the eBay listing, as it was. Plus I was still half asleep, having been awake for five minutes. And, I rather thought the post title was self explanatory. I may well have a reputation on this site for being somewhat bristly at times, occasionally, but not, I would suggest, for getting my facts wrong. Foolishly, perhaps, I suppose I thought, in my semi alert state, that members would assume that, if I'd stated it was one of her cameras, that I had, in fact, made myself reasonably certain that this was the case, before saying as much.
 
"The one thing that does make me curious is the user name of falklandrd. Falkland Road was the title of her 1981 book."

Checked my address book. MEM's e-mail, or one of them, was memark@falkland.com

Kirk

PS, I believe Falkland Road Inc. was the company name for documentary film-making with her husband
 
A quick plug for her book "Seen Behind the Scene - forty years of photographing on set", Mary Ellen Mark (the picture with Brando is in that book). Wonderful book.
 
colyn said:
Same with me.. A camera was made to take photos, not sit on a shelf or in a safe..
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I don't think buying a camera like the one listed automatically means it won't get used to take photographs – in fact, I'd be surprised if it wasn't used as a normal camera. This camera doesn't strike me as a collectable (the lack of authenticated provenance doesn't help), more something that a fan of Mark would want to buy as a talking point.
 
I can't see the appeal in this without paperwork. It's just a camera. If you resell it, no one will believe you.
 
Bless her, but I cannot see myself spending any kind of money on a camera owned by any famous photographer, unless it was given to me. A camera is just a tool, an instrument for making images. Buy her books, her photographs. There is something to be learned there, not from ownership of one of her cameras. Kind of self-aggrandizing to think this is empowerment. This camera should be destined for wherever her archives end up for study. If the money indeed goes to charity, it should be more then 50%.
 
I disagree Keith. I look at this camera the same way I'd look at one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars. As a tool an artist I greatly admire, used to create his/her art. Or a paintbrush used by Picasso. All of them are keepsakes/mementos of someone who inspired you.

Now I can't see spending the kind of money this camera will probably sell for, but if I could acquire one of Mary Ellen Mark's cameras at a decent price, I'd love to have one. And not to use, but to have as a memento and to look at for inspiration.

Everybody is different, maybe it would have no effect on you, but to me it would be inspiring, knowing what she accomplished with such a simple tool. Would help me get off my butt when things weren't going as well as I'd like.

My 2¢ worth.

Best,
-Tim
 
I have no problem getting off my butt Tim. And yes, everyone is different. I'm not a collector. The work, her photographs inspire me, not her cameras. Yes, some cameras I own absolutely do inspire me to go out and work. They way they feel in my hand, their mechanical functionality. They help produce the images I want to make. They don't get in my way. It doesn't matter to me what kind of camera a famous photographer used other then a curiosity. I don't make imagery to emulate, though in learning we all start out that way. My concern is to express what I need to do, using the camera(s) of my own choosing.
 
[FONT=&quot]"Hi Brett,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks for your note.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I did think about a letter of authenticity, but figured I would address it if anyone asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’ll be sure to answer any questions about this and keep it in mind if we offer another camera.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Best,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Meredith" [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Meredith Lue
Falkland Road Inc.
Mary Ellen Mark Library/Studio
37 Greene Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10013
[/FONT]
 
kbg32 said:
Bless her, but I cannot see myself spending any kind of money on a camera owned by any famous photographer, unless it was given to me. A camera is just a tool, an instrument for making images. Buy her books, her photographs. There is something to be learned there, not from ownership of one of her cameras. Kind of self-aggrandizing to think this is empowerment. This camera should be destined for wherever her archives end up for study. If the money indeed goes to charity, it should be more then 50%.
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Some of her snaps cost 5 grand for exhibition quality print...appears she feels the same way you do about cameras. Probably should be 100% donation...50 sound so...IDK but one would think she wasn't hurting for money.
 
The way I see it is that I'm just happy to see any is going to charity. Why should it be more or less? It's not that big of a sale.
 
Excellleeeeennnnt! This is going to increase the value of my FM2.
I can see the ad now... "just like Mary Ellen's Nikon, but at 1/10th of the price!"

;)
 
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