Selling panic...

[Nh3]

I'm the world's laziest seller of gear. I hate the whole ritual of selling gear online.

But these days I'm in a selling panic. I already sold one DSLR and a lens and I'm working on others. I have posted in many places (except here on RFF), i follow up diligently.

This is not simply dumping digital gear but I have a reason. I think once the new year starts gear prices (especially digital) will plummet like crazy. recession combined with gloomy outlook and post-Christmas blues will combine to create a really depressing market for used gear.

I also think the days of cropped lenses and cameras are over. Full frame is back and cropped bodies and lenses will depreciate like crazy. So, its now or never!

Am I the only one or there is a reason for all those goodies popping up in the classified of this site and other places as well? For example a Nikon F6 was sold here for $1000 just the other day!

Is there a panic gripping the photography market and amateurs are dumping their gear?

 

[Chuck Albertson]

I picked up a near-new F6 recently for about that much. The seller had run about 30 rolls through it before buying a D60, and the F6 had since been sitting in a closet. My score. But $1000 seems to be the going rate, now that they're showing up on the used market.

 

[Nh3]

F6 would last forever and its the best film SLR in the world. For me to by one would mean selling my Leica gear. 😱

 

[kevin m]

I think once the new year starts gear prices (especially digital) will plummet like crazy.

I agree, except for the "especially digital" part. Check out the classifieds here, for example. The sellers who are still asking "six months ago" prices are sitting on a bunch of unsold gear.

The DSLR market has always been crazy. Used Canon 5D prices are already falling and the 5D MkII isn't on the market yet.

 

[Fred Burton]

It's obvious that a lot of people are suddenly dumping a lot of nice gear, for whatever reason. It will be interesting to see if this is a capitulation, and if the market (and interest) in photography will ever recover. It's been a pretty good run since CV brought the interest in RF cameras back to life, could interest be waning? Or are people just desperate for cash?

 

[Al Kaplan]

Digital gear will always be dropping in value because the interval between the newest greatest most whiz bang camera and the next is too short. More megapixels, bigger sensor, better low light capability, more storage, faster writing speed, longer slower crummier kit zoom...while top quality film gear either loses value at a slower pace or even gains value. Pick up a copy of The Rangefinder, a pro magazine, and you'll read articles about a return to film shooting by a lot of photographers. Film, in inflation corrected money, is cheaper than ever.

The economy will improve. It always does. Now is a good time to be buying.

 

[Beemermark]

You should NEVER buy cameras to invest, similarly you should never sell cameras because of what you think the market is doing. If you have to sell to eat that is one thing, but selling because you think the market is turning is dumb IMHO. Besides, with the US printing worthless paper money in an attempt to prop up a failing market, hard goods will increase in value not fall.

 

[bobkonos]

I maintain that, for me, the best thing about people using digital gear is that they sell their classic rangefinder gear. I am happy when folks do this. I say to all "Bring it on! Go digital, and offer up some choice and timeless rangefinder gear!"

 

[kevin m]

... hard goods will increase in value not fall.

This is simply not born out by reality. Home prices are plummeting, Long Beach terminal is now a giant parking lot where auto makers are trying to rent space to park their cars, and, closer to home, B&H is selling the brand new Nikon D700 for a price so low they can't advertise it.

 

[Nh3]

Nikon D200s are going for $500 used. What do you think will happen when Nikon announces D400 - D200s would be selling for $300?

By selling it now its still possible to salvage something because in a few months even that window will disappear.

Also remember that interest in film camera and vintage gear was brought about by sudden interest in photography prompted by digital. Once that market is gone so will the hefty prices of Leica gear and such.

This is what I think and I could be wrong about Leica gear.

 

[kevin m]

Also remember that interest in film camera and vintage gear was brought about by sudden interest in photography prompted by digital. Once that market is gone so will the hefty prices of Leica gear and such.

Leica M film bodies are already falling in price. Look at the classifieds here and none of the M bodies are selling, and the prices would have been considered good just a few months ago. The lack of "I'll take it" replies in those ads says more about the current market than any opinions expressed in this thread. 🙁

 

[dazedgonebye]

I buy what I want/need/can afford.
I sell what I am not likely to use in the near future.

Mostly, I lose a little money with every transaction. I'm not going to try to time my buying and selling based on my inadequate ability to predict markets. Since my gear is modest, there isn't a lot at stake anyway.

For anyone afraid to lose money on their gear, I would suggest that your toys are too expensive relative to your income...or else it would not be enough to bother you.

 

[35mmdelux]

i paid $1000 and change for my mint F6 late model and am loving every minute of it. Im in for the long haul and not worried about the rats jumping off ship. Also picked up some good RF gear (35/50 summiluxes ASPH; a few Summicrons ASPH on the cheap). Im good.

digital will be a financial disaster for most people.

 

[kshapero]

I panic when I wake up every morning.

 

[JRG]

"The lack of "I'll take it" replies in those ads says more about the current market than any opinions expressed in this thread."

It probably says something, but it's far from a perfect indicator. I've sold some Leica gear here recently, to buyers who never posted an "I'll take it". And I've bought some gear here, also without any such post.

And as many of us know, a reply of "PM sent" isn't a reliable sign of much at all.

 

[Nh3]

Leica M film bodies are already falling in price. Look at the classifieds here and none of the M bodies are selling, and the prices would have been considered good just a few months ago. The lack of "I'll take it" replies in those ads says more about the current market than any opinions expressed in this thread. 🙁

I think you're right. I noticed those Ms not moving in quite sometime now.

 

[kshapero]

due to the strong dollar. .

HUH? Strong dollar??

 

[Thardy]

Panic selling? Can selling a few photo related items help one's bottom line? Selling off stocks or a house I can see ... but not a camera or lenses.

 

[Thardy]

HUH? Strong dollar??

I've been hearing talk of this strong dollar also. Things sure change quickly.

 

[Nh3]

Panic selling? Can selling a few photo related items help one's bottom line? Selling off stocks or a house I can see ... but not a camera or lenses.

Well, most of us are not dentists and for us to be able to finish even some of our projects money management is a must.

That is the case with me plus being brought up with a strong sense of ethical spending and knowing the value of money.